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“So, really though, why did you become a cop even though you’d first been interested in the fire department? I assume the paperwork wasn’t the draw, was it?”
Tommy paused, a smile tugging at his lips. “Would you roll your eyes at me if I said it was because I wanted to help people?”
“Maybe.”
He mock-scowled. “Fine, I won’t say it then.”
Grace laughed. “I’m kidding. I get that. In a way, that’s part of why I do what I do. I love giving people who have the same travel-style as me fresh ideas and inspiration. It’s not quite as hero-worship-worthy as what you do, but I get it.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. Helping is helping.”
“True, but still.”
“Eh, it’s not all heroics and car chases,” Tommy admitted, his voice tinged with realism. “There’s a lot of this,” he gestured to the papers, “and plenty of heartache too.”
“But you still do it,” Grace observed, her gaze locked onto his.
“Yeah, I guess I do. It’s like this one Christmas when I was a kid, our neighbor, Mrs. Henderson—she was this sweet old lady. Someone broke into her house right before Christmas. Took everything that had any value, even those fancy blow up decorations from her yard. I remember seeing her cry and thinking, ‘I wanna stop things like that from happening.’ Or, ya know, at least catch the bad guy after it does. Justice served, and all that.”
“That’s really sad,” Grace said, her voice low. “But it says a lot about who you are.”
“I guess. But enough about me. What brings you to this den of crime and paperwork?”
Grace’s laughter had him grinning, dispelling the somber mood. “I was just hanging with Robin while she worked and figured I’d come by and say hi. Wanted to see how you handle the dangerous world of holiday crimes.”
“Well, you’re in luck,” Tommy replied with a wink. “I’m about to interrogate a suspect about the whereabouts of some stolen tinsel.”
Grace rolled her eyes, her smile never fading. “Be careful, Officer. Those tinsel thieves can be slippery.”
“I’ll keep my guard up. But if I’m not back in five minutes, send in the cavalry.”
Grace’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Will do.”
Tommy studied her, tilting his head. He’d been waiting for her to tell him that she’d decided to stay in Snow Hill until after the ball, and yet, their casual banter had never landed there. Was there a reason she hadn’t brought it up?
Deciding to take matters into his own hands, he cleared his throat. “So… what’s this I hear about you staying in Snow Hill until after the ball?”
Grace flushed. “You heard about that already?”
“In this town? Get used to it.”
She sighed, letting out a short laugh. “Well, it’s true.”
“And… you were just chit chatting with me while you worked up the nerve to ask me to be your date for the ball, right?”
“Confident, much?” she teased.
“Yep. Go ahead, then. I’m ready.”
She blushed again, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Fine, Officer Bossy. Will you be my date to the Gingerbread Ball?”
“I’ll check my calendar,” he replied, laughing when her nostrils flared. “I’m kidding. Of course I will.”
“Great. Um, I’m gonna let you get back to crime fighting now.”
Tommy bowed his head, then sighed heavily. “Fine, but talking to you is a lot more fun.”
Grace rolled her eyes with a shy smile, and Tommy watched her leave with his chest tightening almost painfully with each step she took. Their conversation had been light… but the connection between them was undeniable.
