“Now I know there’s been lots of discussions about me. Mom, you want me to get married. Uncle Gary wants me to join the FBI…” There’s a brief titter among the crowd but I catch the small smirk on the commissioner’s face. He’s not…hell. Gary Vandersluis is Uncle Gary. I did not see that one coming.
“Well, I’ve found a way to make everyone happy. Most of all, me,” Ariel continues. Eyes widen, and there’s dead silence in the room except for the background music of highbrow Christmas carols. No Elvis here.
“Everyone, this is Howler. Thanks to him, I graduate from the Academy tomorrow. And—“ she lets the anticipation build. “I’ve accepted a job with the Snowberry Police Department! Don’t worry though, Mom. I’ve also decided to marry Howler. He’s hearing that for the first time too, but I’ll convince him.” She pretends to twist my ear while saying that. Her mother looks faint, and I can see why.
“Ariel,” I growl under my breath. She pats my shoulder in an attempt to be reassuring.
“Uncle Gary,” she calls out, “Howler is worried that if he goes out with me, it will somehow put me in danger with police management. Would you please reassure him about that?”
Uncle Gary looks like he’s about to have a fit. But it turns out his red face wasn’t a sign of holding back rage, just laughter. He bursts out in a big guffaw before thundering, “They wouldn’t dare. They’ll train her up for hostage negotiation if they know what’s good for them.”
I glance up to see Ariel beaming with delight. She still hasn’t let go of my ear. Then Cooper steps forward. “You slept with him, tidbit?” he asks calmly. She glares at him. “How is that any of your business?”
I clear my throat next to her desperately. She glances down at me, confused. I shake my head. Cooper growls. “You threw away all that land for this airhead?” he shouts in disbelief.
Ariel’s grip on my ear disappears. Now she has Cooper in her clutches.
“Oh, I see. The bet is with you, is it? No, I did not sleep with him. In fact, I haven’t seen him any more naked than he is right now. Don’t you dare call me a liar, Cooper West.”
There are chuckles and gasps throughout the room. I realize I have yet to say a word. “Coop, you treat my girl with respect. Same as I do. You aren’t off the hook for the land, but you’ll apologize to Ariel now.”
His eyes widen, but he does it. “Sorry, tidbit. Congratulations on your er, engagement.” He smirks and walks away. I swing Ariel off the chair. “You’re planning to marry me?” I echo, holding back the grin.
She nods, her little chin out at a defiant angle. “When I know what I want, I go after it.”
6
Last night went better than expected. And now Howler is in the audience, sitting next to my dad, as I walk across the stage and get a handshake from the state bigwig sent to make sure this feels important to someone. What’s important to me is that it means I can start my new job in the new year and see that gleam of quiet pride in Howler’s dark eyes. He pretends to be a bad guy, but really he’s one of those unsung heroes, just with lots of ink.
Mom is still a little uncertain about him, but she calmed down considerably when I explained the whole shirtless thing is temporary. Less than a week to go, really.Andit was my older cousin Cooper’s idea in the first place.
As soon as the ceremony concludes, I run to find my family. Dad hugs me tight, Mom fixes my hair, and Howler just stares. “Everything okay?” I whisper as discreetly as I can manage.
He just shakes his head. “You’re something else, Candy Cane.”
I nod in agreement. “Yep. Now, what are your Christmas plans? I don’t want you to risk opening your presents early, so I’m hoping you have a few hours free in the afternoon?”
Howler looks alarmed, and I realize he wasn’t thinking about presents. “No. You are not to rush out and try to get me something. I already got the best present.” I beam at him and pat his chest. “I know it probably sounds like I’m taking over but…”
He shakes his head, then leans down. “You can boss me around as much as you like in the daytime. But it’s my turn when the lights go out, baby.”
I blush and he smirks before asking, “Did you really mean it, about making you and me permanent?”
I nod emphatically, confused as to why he’s even asking.
“Then I think a trip to the courthouse is in order next week. I don’t like feeling taken advantage of,” he raises his hawklike nose in the air and sniffs disdainfully. I gape at him until I figure out he’s teasing. “The bet ends at two p.m. on the 27th. So if we tie the knot that afternoon, I can have you all to myself for the entire weekend.”
My body flushes hot at the thought. “But Christmas….”
He shakes his head. “Nevermind Christmas. I’ll be fine on my own. Probably spend the day cleaning up the place so you don’t run out screaming. Spend it with your family, Candy Cane. It will be your last chance as a single woman.”
I frown at that. “Mom won’t be happy. I think she’s been planning my wedding since before I was born.” I don’t just think. I’m sure of it.
Howler smiles. “Then we won’t tell anyone. We can still do the big frou-frou thing when she’s ready, but you and I will know you made an honest man of me first.”
I giggle at the thought of my seducing him. I mean, I could try. But we all know I wouldn’t get very far if he wasn’t in charge of it.
“Okay,” I whisper. He gets some strange looks from my fellow graduates. But half the actual, experienced cops in the room seem to know him and know about the bet, so they just shake hands with him like he’s wearing a three-piece suit and walk on. I notice a few women give him the lascivious once over but I keep my hand on his arm and give them the death glare, which only seems to amuse Howler more.
