Amish Christmas Hideaway

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Alisha’s eyes widened in embarrassment as she looked over at Nathan, a becoming blush moving over her face.

Nathan couldn’t stop his grin. “You hear that, Sugar-bear? Supper cooked by the best of the best. We’re in for a treat.”

“If you call me that again, you won’t be invited to supper,” she retorted, but her eyes held a twinkle.

Bettye smiled her sweet smile and sipped her coffee.

Nathan remembered calling Alisha that long ago after he’d heard her grandfather calling her Sugar-bear.

And Bettye Willis must have remembered, too, since she looked pretty smug and proud of herself. Matchmaking during a murder investigation.

That was a new one.

Alisha silently cringed while she washed up the breakfast dishes. Sugar-bear? Why had Granny brought up that old nickname?

Maybe because the handsome man sitting at the breakfast table had made her grandmother’s pragmatic mind go completely giddy?

Nathan had that effect on people. Which made him a great investigator since he could get people to talk, but it also made him too dangerous for most women.

She should know. She’d been smitten with him ten years ago and even now, when they were forced to come face to face on cases, she had to fight not to revert back to being a wide-eyed schoolgirl.

Deciding that couldn’t happen, she hurriedly got dressed and gathered her files, shoving them into her briefcase. Her grandmother wanted her to find love and be happy but pushing Nathan back at her wouldn’t take Alisha back down that road. The man had a quest that took all of his time. And she had her own sense of justice which meant long hours and sleepless nights. She was still an associate at the law firm since she’d only been practicing a couple of years. But one day she hoped to make partner. Which reminded her, she needed to call her boss and explain what was going on here before anyone saw it on the news.

“I’m so glad we got to visit,” her grandmother said from the kitchen when Alisha came out of her bedroom. Granny was making cinnamon bread, one of Alisha’s favorites. The place smelled divine.

“So am I,” Miss Judy said from her dainty chair by the small fireplace. “What a good day to stay in and bake.”

Judy sent Alisha a soft smile. Even in old age, Judy Campton as still a regal, beautiful woman. Her hair was white now but clipped in a precise short bob. She wore a blue cashmere sweater and her famous pearls, classic and commanding. “Can you come and sit by me before you head to work, darling?”

“Of course.” Alisha crossed the room to settle on the ottoman by the chair. “I hope we didn’t upset you with our news, Miss Judy. I won’t let anything happen to either of you.”

Judy scoffed at that. “Alisha, your grandmother and I are tough old birds. We’ve seen a lot in our lives. We have faith that God is always in control.”

“His will, not ours,” Bettye echoed, her hands moving with grace over the bread dough. Granny still had the Amish doctrine ingrained in her.

Judy patted Alisha’s hand. “You are safe here. Your grandmother and I will pray all day while you and your handsome protector do what needs to be done. God gave us brains to help in His work, you know. You might be terrified, but He put you in that spot at that time for a reason, Alisha. You fight for the underdogs and you fight for those who can’t help themselves. You will bring these evil people to justice.”

“I hope so,” Alisha said. “It’s something I can’t get out of my mind. I’ve worked a lot of cases since law school but seeing a murder will stay with me a long time.”

“Seeing justice done will help you come to terms with that image,” Judy said. “Now we have security and Mr. Craig has assured me the authorities are aware of the situation. I can rest easy and enjoy all those cute Christmas movies on television. You know, they are so romantic.”