Emma slid out of the booth and motioned her over. “Angela, why don’t you sit here for a while to gain your strength.” A kind smile lit her lips. “I don’t want you to go into shock.”

“I’m fine, but what about you?” Angela asked, her eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay? Were you hurt?”

Emma chuckled. “Oh, heavens no! I’m a tough old bird! It takes a lot more than that to get me down. You’re the one who got the brunt of it. Were you hurt?”

Angela shook her head, surprised at Emma calling herself old. After all, she wasn’t much older than she was. But Angela brushed it off. “No, I’m fine. I’m just glad that Dan was there. It could have been disastrous.”

Emma nodded as a mischievous smile lit her lips. “Maybe you could go over and check on him later? Make sure he’s okay?”

Angela chuckled. Emma wasn’t fooling anyone. Angela knew exactly what she was up to. “I was planning on it.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it. If you’re okay, then I’m heading out, dear,” She stepped away, shoving her hands into the worn pockets of her heavy coat. “I’ll see you later. Take care of yourself.”

“You, too.” A smile lit her lips as she watched Emma walk out, past a deputy who was walking in. Angela was surprised that she just walked out without checking in with the deputy on duty first. Bu then again, she had probably already given the Sheriff her statement and was free to go.

“So, am I free to go, too?” Angela asked a deputy, who was taking Mrs. Claus’s statement.

The Sheriff looked up. “Unless you have anything else to add, then you’re free to go.”

A smile lit her lips. “Thanks, Sheriff.”

Serina caught her as Angela headed toward the breakroom and pulled her in for a hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay. When I saw the man with a gun to your head—”

“I’m okay, Serina. I promise.” Angela started to step away when Serina caught her again.

“So, the incident today didn’t cause you to want to quit. Did it?” Serina gave her a sheepish look. “I couldn’t blame you if you did, but you’d be missed.”

Angela smiled brightly as she shook her head. “I assure you, it’s going to take a lot more than that to get rid of me.”

Serina laughed. “Well, I’m glad to hear it.” She gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “Why don’t you take a few days off to recuperate? Then come back when you’re ready.”

Angela smiled as she shook her head. “No, I’ll be here tomorrow.” Then she leaned in conspiratorially. “I need the money, if not anything else.”

Serina nodded, letting out a sigh of relief. “Good! You’re one of our best waitresses, and I don’t want to lose you.”

“Thanks.” Angela started to walk away again when Serina caught her hand.

“I’m glad you weren’t hurt today.” Tears filled her eyes as she pulled Angela in for another hug and then walked away, finally letting her go as she swiped a hand across her cheek.

Before anyone else could catch her, she hurried to grab her coat and purse and then headed out before the Sheriff and deputies changed their minds.

Reporters shoved microphones into her face as soon as she stepped out of the diner.

“Everyone, I don’t want to talk about it,” Angela said, holding up her hands. “I’ve given my statement to the Sheriff and, no offense, but I just want to go.”

Angela continued through the crowd, shoving past the reporters when she saw Dan standing under the tent at the tree lot. Another person must have caught the reporters’ attention behind her because they scurried up the steps, mice after a fresh morsel.

Angela smiled as she crossed the street to the tree lot. Bright sunshine reflected off the snow, making everything exceptionally bright, especially since she had spent the morning indoors.

“So, how are you feeling?” Dan asked, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. Angela couldn’t help but notice how they hugged his tushy and legs in all the right places. But she quickly brushed the thought aside, looking into his eyes.

Angela shrugged. “I didn’t go into shock, if that’s what you mean.”

“So, what happened over there?” an older man with silver-gray hair asked as he walked up. “By the way, I’m Noah. This is my son, Caden.” He indicated a nice-looking younger man who looked a lot like him, but much younger and well-built.

“It’s nice to meet you, but I think I’ve seen both of you at Santa’s Café before. I work there.” Angela gave both men a warm smile and then looked affectionately at Dan. “But Dan saved my life today.”

Dan scoffed. “It was nothing. Well, if you’re okay, I need to get back to work—”

“Not so fast,” the older man said, stopping him. He arched an eyebrow, giving Angela a mischievous smile. “I want to hear all about how he saved you first.”

“Maybe some other time.” Dan started to usher her away, but Angela stopped, wondering why he didn’t want anyone to know.

“He’s a hero.” Angela smiled as she recounted the story of how he had talked down the gunman. The whole time, Noah and Caden listened, their eyes filled with concern.

“Wow!” Noah said when she finished the story, giving Dan a manly slap on the back. “You truly are a hero!”

Dan shrugged, obviously embarrassed by the attention. “It’s nothing. Either of you would have done the same thing.” He smiled at Angela, and she noticed just how blue his eyes were. “They were both in the Navy. Caden was a SEAL, too.”

“Well, then! I’m surrounded by heroes!” Angela chirped, feeling more like herself since the incident. Then her expression turned serious. “Thank you all for your service.”

“Well….” Noah sniffed, shoving his hands into his work pants. “I guess Dan’s right. We need to get back to work.” Noah started to walk away and then stopped. “Oh! Dan, Caden, I want to speak with you both to hire a few people before I leave today.” He let out a deep breath. “I’m getting old now, and I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to keep coming up here.”

Caden gave his father’s shoulder a manly squeeze. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

After they walked away, Dan leaned in close and lowered his voice. “Noah’s wife died just after the holidays last year.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that!” Angela said. “How is he doing?”

Dan shrugged. “He’s having a tough time. But it’s even rougher around the holidays. He’s not looking forward to them this year.”

Customers started milling about the tree lot since the excitement at Santa’s Café was over.

“Well, if you don’t mind, I’m going to walk Angela to her car,” Dan said to Caden, placing his hand on the small of her back, sending chills over her body.

“I’ll be fine—” she started to object, but Caden stopped her.

“No, he’s right,” he replied, giving her a wink. “Let him walk you out. It’ll make all of us feel better.”

Angela nodded. “Caden, I’m sorry to hear about your mother.”

“Thanks.” Then he walked away to help a couple with a small child looking at Christmas trees.

Dan shrugged. “Shall we?”

Angela started walking with him toward the parking lot beside Santa’s Café. “Dan, I’ll be fine—”

“After what happened to you earlier today, there is no way I’m letting you out of my sight.” His lips curled into a sexy, crooked smile. “Humor me.”

Angela chuckled, nodding, not used to having someone who wasn’t her parents look out for her. “Okay, you talked me into it.”

They looked both ways and then crossed the street, headed toward the employee parking lot.

“Where do you live?” Angela asked.

“On the lot,” Dan replied.

Her head snapped up as she laughed. “So, you curl up under one of the Christmas trees at night or something? Doesn’t that get a little cold?”

“Just a little.” He laughed. “But seriously, did you see the small travel trailer on the lot?” He pointed to a small silver trailer.

Angela nodded. “You stay there all the time?”

Dan shrugged. “I’m the night watchman. Usually, I sleep in the day and then wake up in the afternoon and watch the lot all night.” He shrugged. “But usually, we don’t have to worry about any theft here in Christmas Cove… until today.”

“So, it was just a fluke that you happened to be in the diner today?”

He nodded. “Yes, I guess it was.”