Read Online A Family for the Holidays by Sherri Shackelford - Free Book Online Page A

“Can we keep the presents?”
    â€œYes. We’ll take them with us.”
    She reached for the doorknob and discovered the metal casing was bent and hung loose.
    Sam paused on the threshold. “What do you suppose happened to Grandpa Emil?”
    â€œI don’t know. But I know someone who can find out.”
    * * *
    Jake prowled the narrow jail cell. The building wasn’t much to look at. A squat brick structure set slightly north of the town. Only three cells flanked the back wall, a cot in each. Obviously Frozen Oaks was a quiet town without need of more lockups. The walls were rough-hewn and covered with maps and wanted posters. A tattered American flag had been haphazardly pinned between two corners.
    He should have told Lily the truth. He’d been trying to protect her and instead he’d put her life in greater danger. Impotent fury settled in his chest. He’d made mistakes in his career before, especially in the beginning.
    He’d never felt this powerless.
    He tested the bars once again, though more to vent his frustration than discover a weakness. The cell wasn’t particularly sophisticated, but he was without tools. The sheriff had even stripped him of his shoes and belt.
    The door swung open and Lily appeared in the entry.
    He blinked a few times, wondering if he was hallucinating. Had the blow Sheriff Koepke delivered rattled his brain? She was just as he remembered. Her blond hair surrounded her face in a lustrous halo. Her coat was an indistinguishable shade of brown, but the hem of her bright yellow dress peeked out from beneath the wool.
    His jaw hung slack. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œI’ll explain later. Where are the keys to the cell?”
    He motioned with one hand toward a narrow cupboard on the wall.
    Lily and her cheerful smiles were a jaunty dash of liveliness in a desolate world. Entombed in a Nebraska winter for eight weeks, he’d begun to think the wind and snow had extracted all the color from the world. The barren landscape and drab buildings along with the constant haze had taken their toll.
    With brisk efficiency she flipped open the door and retrieved the keys. “Where are your shoes?”
    Being caught in his stocking feet left him feeling exposed and oddly defenseless.
    â€œOn the bench by the door.”
    â€œHmm.” She snatched one of his boots and studied the sole. Relief flitted across her face. “Just as I thought.”
    â€œWhat did you think?”
    â€œNever mind. What about your gun belt? You’ll need that, as well.”
    â€œThe belt is hanging on the hook above your head, but they took my guns.”
    Jake doubted Sheriff Koepke planned on giving them back.
    Jingling the keys, she approached his cell.
    He braced his hands on the bars. “What are you doing?”
    â€œI’m releasing you.”
    He couldn’t have been more surprised if she’d declared she was riding an elephant in the Sahara. “You can’t. That’s against the law.”
    â€œWhat does an outlaw care about breaking the law?”
    Good point. “I don’t want you in trouble with the sheriff.”
    â€œIt’s my fault you were arrested,” she stated matter-of-factly. “I’m correcting the wrong. I’m letting you out.”
    â€œThat’s not how the law works.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Give me the keys.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause if I open the door, you didn’t break the law. I did.”
    â€œYou’re a terrible outlaw.” She dangled the keys through an opening in the bars. “No wonder you got yourself arrested.”
    â€œYou have no idea.”
    He awkwardly groped at the lock, turned the key and yanked open the door. “Why are you doing this?”
    Unbearably relieved he’d purchased new socks the previous week, he took a seat on the bench and tugged his boots over his stocking feet.
    â€œI’ve