The Sheriff's Christmas Twins Read Online Free PDF Page B

you?”
    Shane’s expression was one of disbelief. “Of course you can’t go with me. Why would you ask?”
    â€œYou’re a lawman now. I’d like to see how you go about upholding the law.”
    While Ben shifted from one foot to the other, face averted to hide a smile, Shane leveled a formidable glare at her. “Until your brother gets here, you are my responsibility, understand? It’s my task to make sure you have your fun.” He smirked at the reference to their earlier conversation. “And that you stay safe while doing so.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œI mean it, Allison.” Putting on his Stetson, he strode for the door. “Don’t step foot outside this house until I return.”
    Without waiting for her response, he joined his deputy on the porch and closed the door behind him, fully expecting her to follow his dictate. Annoyed at his highhandedness—he wasn’t her actual brother, after all—Allison wondered what would happen if she didn’t.

Chapter Four
    T he house was quiet. Too quiet.
    Shane checked the first floor. No sign of Allison. Thinking she might’ve decided to take a nap after her long journey, he ascended the stairs and peeked into her room. The bed was made, her trunks pushed into a neat row beneath the windows on the far wall. The other bedrooms were also empty.
    Determined to unload the supplies as quickly as possible and get back to the jail, impatience jabbed at him as he bypassed the unoccupied outhouse.
    Where had she gotten off to?
    Intent on scanning the fields to his right, he almost walked smack into the smokehouse. Scowling, he sidestepped and stopped short. A female figure was crouched half inside the smokehouse’s squat entrance.
    â€œAllison.”
    She lurched. Banged her head against the wood. “Ouch!” Scrambling outside, she rubbed the sore spot. “Did you have to startle me like that?”
    â€œI’ve been searching everywhere for you. You weren’t in the house, the barn...” He wasn’t about to admit the trepidation that had roared to life inside him. “I thought I told you to stay inside.”
    â€œYou did.” The baleful look she shot him transformed into a grimace. “I’m not one of your locals to boss about, however.”
    â€œWhat were you looking for in there?” He motioned to the smokehouse.
    â€œNothing. I was simply curious what was inside.”
    Shane removed his gloves and, stuffing them in his coat pocket, moved to her side. “Let me see.”
    â€œI’m fine.”
    â€œI’ll be the judge of that,” he insisted, nudging her hand aside. His fingers gentle on her scalp, he examined the spot. “It didn’t break the skin.”
    She was very close, her round shoulder butting against his chest, the fruity fragrance clinging to her person inviting him closer. She was soft and warm and feminine, traits that were nonexistent in his world of crime and punishment.
    â€œI told you it was nothing,” she whispered, her voice off-kilter.
    He took a big step back, his huff creating white puffs that hovered in the air. “You’ve always been a troublesome female, you know that?”
    Her chin whipped up. “Excuse me?”
    â€œYou kept your father and brother hopping to keep up with your antics. I was thankfully too wise to join in.”
    â€œIf I was guilty of anything back then, it was trying to be your friend.”
    Brushing past him in a swirl of petticoats and skirts, she marched in the direction of the house. Smoke curled from both chimneys into the gray sky above. She’d restrained her mane with a single blue ribbon, and the long ponytail bounced with the force of her steps.
    He watched her for a moment before going after her, wishing for the first time in a long time that he had the kind of relationship with God that David Ashworth and his friends, the O’Malleys, had. He could