Christmas Baby: A Baby Under the Tree / A Baby For Christmas / Her Christmas Hero

For a moment, everything seemed perfect, and Shane couldn’t help thinking that life would be beautiful this time around.

How could it not be?

At least, as long as Jillian agreed to let Shane be involved in his daughter’s life.

Once Shane had gotten Jillian home and comfortable, he went downstairs to Caroline’s Diner and ordered dinner to go—the pot roast and apple pie that the sign claimed the sheriff had eaten.

Shane had plenty of stuff in the pantry, as well as the refrigerator, to cook for dinner. But he didn’t want Jillian to even think about getting up or helping out. She was reclining on the sofa, with her feet up on a stack of pillows, the television remote in her hands.

Now, as he took a seat at an empty table near the front of the diner, he waited for Margie to bring out his order.

He’d been more than relieved to know that Jillian’s pain hadn’t been an indication of preterm labor and that the baby—a girl, imagine that—appeared to be healthy.

Jillian had mentioned on the way home that she’d really liked Dr. Ramirez. In fact, she thought the Brighton Valley obstetrician had spent more time with her than the doctor she had back in Houston.

Shane wondered if there was any chance she might want to switch obstetricians and stay in town until she delivered. He sure hoped so.

When the front door of the diner opened, he looked up to see Sheriff Jennings enter. He lit up when he spotted Shane, moseyed up to him and reached out his right arm in greeting.

“How’s it going?” Shane asked, as the two men shook hands.

“Not bad.” Sam folded his arms around his ample belly and grinned. “You’re just the guy I wanted to see.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s up?”

“I told you about my buddy Charlie Boswell, the fire chief who just retired.”

“Yes, you mentioned that he was taking his wife on a cruise of some kind.”

“He’s also been getting in a lot of fishing lately, something I haven’t had time to do since last August.”

“Sounds like the life to me,” Shane said.

“Me, too. In fact, Caroline and I were talking last night, and she asked how I felt about retiring. I’d never expected to turn in my badge, thinking they’d have to pry it from my hands. But I thought about it all night long, and when morning came around, I started to make a list of all the things I’d do if I had a little time off.”

“So why’d you want to talk to me?”

“Well, now I’m not saying that I’ve made up my mind. But if I did decide to give up my position here in town, how would you feel about taking my place—even if it was just in the interim?”

“Until a permanent sheriff could be found?”

Sam nodded. “I’d have to talk to the county commission, but they were impressed with the help you gave me on that burglary case. I’m sure they’d appoint you in a heartbeat.”

“I honestly don’t know,” Shane said. Thing was, if he agreed, even for a while, he’d be leaving Dan in the lurch. And that didn’t sit well with him. Besides, he really liked working on the ranch. But there was a part of him that missed police work, and he didn’t want to be too quick to decline the offer. “I’d have to think about it, I guess.”

“You do that,” Sam said, before waving at some people in the rear of the restaurant and heading over to join them, leaving Shane to his thoughts.

If he had reason to believe that Jillian would consider settling in the valley, if there was any future for them together, he’d need to find some kind of job that provided health benefits.

Of course, if she insisted upon living in Houston, he was going to be in a real quandary. Because with each passing day he spent in a small town, he became more and more convinced that he’d never want to return to life in the big city.

But what if Jillian decided Brighton Valley would never be her cup of tea? Where would that leave them?

Right back in the same place he and Marcia had once been. And Shane couldn’t figure out what he’d do this time around.

As Jillian climbed from the shower and dried off with one of Shane’s white, fluffy towels, she glanced at her image in the mirror. Her tummy seemed to be growing bigger every day, but the baby wasn’t anywhere near ready to be born. She was so glad when Dr. Ramirez told her that everything was going well, that the baby wasn’t going to come early and that…

I’m going to have a little girl.

Her heart had filled to the brim with love for the child she’d yet to meet, and Shane seemed to be pleased at the news, as well. In fact, he’d been so supportive during yesterday’s health scare that it was difficult not to believe that he truly cared about her and the baby.

But was he insisting upon being a part of the baby’s life because he hoped their baby would replace the little boy he lost?

She certainly hoped that wasn’t the case.

There were other things to consider when it came to contemplating any kind of life together—love for one thing, and loyalty for another.

Sure, a healthy sexual relationship was important—and it wouldn’t be a problem for them. But there was more to life than sex.

After slipping on her cotton gown, she went into the living area of Shane’s small apartment and waited for him to bring dinner upstairs. While she had the chance, she picked up her cell phone and dialed her grand mother’s number.

“Hi, Gram. I just called to say hello.”

“I’m so glad you did.”

“Are you feeling okay?” Jillian asked, concerned at the hoarse sound of Gram’s familiar voice. “It sounds as though you might be coming down with a cold.”

“I have a scratchy throat and a bit of a cough, but it’s nothing I can’t deal with. How are things going? Are you okay? You really don’t know that man very well.”

“He’s a nice guy, Gram. You have nothing to worry about.”

There was no need to tell her about the visit to the E.R. today, especially since it had proved to be no big deal.

“Is he treating you well?”

“Shane’s been a perfect gentleman.” In fact, he’d been…wonderful.

“He hasn’t tried to take advantage of you, has he?”

On the contrary. “He’s been very sweet and respectful.” In fact, he’d been everything Jillian could have hoped for.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Gram said. “Since the two of you will be having a child together, it’s important that you be friends.”

That was true. And little did Gram know, Jillian would be sleeping with that “friend” in an hour or so.

Of course, the doctor had said to take it easy, so there was no chance that they’d end up having sex tonight. But would they eventually become lovers again while she was staying with him?

Just the thought sent a delicious shiver that pooled low and warm in the depths of her.