Christmas Behind Bars #simplychristmascontest

Chapter 9-A Little Too Convincing

     When she untangled her arms from his neck, he stroked her cheek. Unsure how to convey the emotions swirling through his heart and mind; he simply stood and gazed into her eyes. I wish she could see herself the way I see her. I want to find a way to make this Christmas special for her...but how?

Her stormy, blue eyes seemed to reflect the conflict in his own heart, and for a brief moment, he toyed with the thought of kissing her. It wouldn't be so very far from their deal, as she called it. He could lobby for its falling under the category of 'boyfriend things'.

"Darcy!" Gammy called her from the kitchen, and she hurried to where her grandmother was leaving him alone to unscramble the frightening and wonderful feelings coursing through his veins. They were frightening because they were so new, and he was unsure Darcy shared them. They were wonderful because they left a smile on his face he thought might never be erased.

Soon, he was joined once again by Darcy who was donning her puffy, teal coat and mittens. "Do you want to come with me?"

I'd go anywhere with her.

"Sure. Where are we going?"

"We need to walk to the store...Gammy needs ginger."

He hurried to get his coat and boots, and when he made it back downstairs, he found her waiting for him at the front door. When she swung open the door, a police officer stood with his gloved hand poised to knock. Preston's heart sunk down to his toes. Laura called the police. Darcy will never forgive me...I'll never see her again.

Without thinking, he looped his arm around her waist as if to shield her from the inevitable. Quickly she moved away from him and toward the young officer just outside the door.

"Brandon! It's so good to see you!" She wrapped him up in a hug which was obviously well-received. Brandon eyed him suspiciously with unmasked annoyance.

"Good to see you too, Darcy," he patted her back tenderly making Preston's blood pressure rise. "It's been too long."

"It has," Darcy smiled at him warmly.

"Who's this?" Brandon motioned to him with a gloved hand his lip curled in a sneer.

"I'm her boyfriend, Preston Daniels," the words were off his lips before they could be stopped. Holding out a hand to the officer, he let it drop when it became clear his friendly gesture would not be reciprocated.

"What?" Brandon turned to Darcy. "I didn't know you had a boyfriend." Obvious disappointment. Once again the officer's dark, unfriendly eyes sized him up.

The chilly exchange between the two men was completely lost on Darcy who quietly said. "Yeah...it's pretty recent." When she stole a glance at Preston and tossed him a half smile, his heart caught in his throat.

"That's right," he did not want to think this badge-wearing joker to think he still had a chance. "It's recent...but serious. Very serious." He placed a gentle hand on Darcy's shoulder, and Brandon awkwardly cleared his throat.

"What brings you here today, Brandon?" Darcy smiled in blissful ignorance of the power struggle going on in front of her as both men stared hard at each other neither one blinking.

"Well, you know...it's that time of year again." The uniformed man pulled a calendar out into view. "You remember the annual fundraiser for the children's hospital.

"Of course! Are you in it?" Darcy took the calendar from his hand and flipped through the pictures.

"I'm September," he flashed a cocky smile and turned to the page. In the glossy photo, he wore a tight-fitting uniform and held a billy club at what Preston thought to be a very uncomfortable and unnatural angle.