“It’s a good thing you were there today.” Caden shoved his hands in his pockets and shook his legs, trying to keep warm.

Even though it was always cold during the day, it was colder at night. But Dan had gotten used to it over the years since he'd been working at the tree lot. He looked over the lot, and darkness covered everything. Dan had already plugged in the lights at the tree lot, but they started coming on around the town, too. Most were on sensors and came on automatically.

To Dan, that was when the town came alive. Every night, a riot of color illuminated the town square. What better place could there be to work?

Dan shrugged. “I’m just glad no one was hurt.” He took a sip of his coffee and swallowed. Even though he didn’t like having attention called to his good works, it seemed that no one could stop talking about it all day. “Caden, you would have done the same thing if you were there. You can’t tell me you wouldn’t have.”

Caden smirked. “That’s beside the point.” He gave him a manly slap on the shoulder. “Still… what you did today was heroic.”

Dan’s smile faded. “I don’t feel so heroic. What I did in the Navy—”

“You had to do.” Caden shrugged. “We all did. You did the job that your country wanted you to do. End of story.” He shrugged, a sly smile lighting his lips. “But now, you can choose the life you want.” Caden took a sip of his coffee.

“I’m happy here.” Dan poured himself more coffee and did the same for Caden.

"Just don't do what my parents did." Caden blew across the top of his cup. "While I was growing up, we spent every Christmas and New Year's Eve here. I can't tell you when we had a Christmas at home." Caden let out a deep breath. "I don't want that for Darian. I want him to have a normal life, a normal childhood with a Christmas tree and presents and lights… the works."

Dan nodded. Caden's son, Darian, was turning two this Christmas. Caden had turned out to be a great family man. Now, he was taking over his parents' business.

“Caden, you can run the business how you want.” Dan shrugged. “If you want to be at home over the holidays, then let’s hire some people to help out.” Dan clasped his shoulder, giving it a manly squeeze, and released him. “We’ll work it out together.” Dan took a sip of his coffee and swallowed. “So, how’s Noah doing. Really?”

Caden’s smile faded as he shook his head. “He misses Mom, but he’s dealing with it.” He shrugged as he let out a deep breath. “To tell you the truth, I don’t know how much longer he’ll last.”

A crease formed between Dan’s eyes. “What do you mean?”

Caden shrugged. “Jocelyn’s mother died first, and then her father died a year later of a broken heart.” Caden looked into his eyes. “I’m afraid the same thing’s going to happen to my dad.”

Dan nodded. “Well, then! We’ll have to keep his mind occupied so he doesn't have time to think about it.”

Caden smiled. “That’s easier said than done.” He shook Dan’s hand. “Well, if you have everything under control here, I’ll head on out then.”

Dan nodded. “I’ll be fine. If I have any trouble, you’ll be the first call I make.”

Caden smiled. “Sounds good. Thanks, man.”

Dan walked around the tree lot, fixing any twinkle lights that fell out of place when a man walked up. He was tall and burly, wearing a work coat and jeans. It was clear that he was a working man.

“May I help you with anything?” Dan asked. “I’m afraid it’s after hours, but I can still sell you a tree, if you like.”

He shook his head, a crease between his eyes as he held out his hand. “My name’s Elliot Grant, Angela's father. I was wondering if you had a moment to talk."

“Yes, of course.” Dan nodded, shaking his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

Elliot shoved his hands back into his pockets again.

“Would you like some coffee?” Dan asked, trying to break the ice.

Elliot’s features softened as he smiled. “That would be right kind of you. Thank you.”

Dan poured him a cup of coffee and handed it to him. “Sugar and cream are over there.”

Elliot shook his head. “Black’s fine. Thanks.” He took a sip of his coffee and swallowed. “The coffee’s good.”

“Thanks,” Dan replied. “But I know you didn’t come just to talk about the coffee.”

Elliot chuckled. “No, I didn’t.” He let out a deep breath. “I wanted to thank you for saving my little girl today. When she came home today, she told us what happened.”

Dan nodded. “It’s nothing. I would have done it for anyone.”

Elliot’s head snapped up as a crease formed between his eyes. “Do what?”

Dan suddenly had a sinking feeling that Angela hadn't told him everything. "I'm sorry, sir. I thought you knew."

“Knew what?”

If Dan didn’t know any better, he would have thought Elliot was about to crush the coffee cup.

Dan bit his lower lip and released it. “A man came in with a gun and grabbed Angela. I talked him down.”

“He what?” Elliot started pacing the lot, the coffee cup forgotten.

“But he released her unharmed—”

Elliot’s head snapped around. “You mean to tell me that a madman used my daughter as a human shield?”

Dan sighed. "Sir, he grabbed her before I could stop him, but I was able to talk him down, and he surrendered his weapon to me. Immediately, I unloaded it and gave it to the Sheriff.”

Elliot nodded. “You were in the military, too?”

Dan nodded. “I was a Navy SEAL.” He raised an eyebrow. “You?”

“United States Air Force.” Elliot ran a hand through his hair. “When you see active combat, you hope to god that your children never have to see it, too.”

“Amen.” Dan let out a deep breath.

"I've tried to protect my little girl all these years, and I guess I may have sheltered her too much." Elliot shook his head. "But kids don't come with an instruction manual. You just do the best that you can."

Dan nodded. “Yes, that’s true. But with all due respect, sir, your daughter is no longer a little girl. She’s a very capable woman who handled herself beautifully today.” A smile lit his lips as he thought about her. “Even with a gun to her head, she never panicked and let me do the talking. She’s a beautiful, capable woman. You should be proud of her.”

“Oh, I am. But with all due respect, a man doesn’t want to hear that his little girl is a capable woman.” Elliot smiled as he poured out the rest of his coffee and then shook his hand again. “I just wanted to thank you. And from here on out, you’re a member of our family, whether you want to be or not.” He chuckled at his own joke. “Come by the house any time. I’m sure my wife would like to fix you a homecooked meal to thank you properly.”

Dan smiled. “I appreciate the invitation, but no offense, the only way I’ll go is if Angela invites me. I don’t want to cause any problems.”

Elliot chuckled. “Whether she invites you or not, you’re still welcome.” He started to walk away but turned back. “Be safe out here tonight.”

“Thank you, sir. I will.”

Elliot burst out laughing. “And stop calling me sir! I’m not all that much older than you.”

“Oh-kay,” Dan said, waving to him as he headed back to his car. Dan sat in one of the folding chairs and thought about Angela as he watched the lot as the fresh scent of pine filled the air. If her father wasn't much older than him, then how much older was he than her? He was probably much too old for Angela, too old to have these thoughts going through his head.

“Dan? Got a minute?”

When his head snapped up, Angela was standing there holding a thermos and two coffee mugs. He immediately jumped to his feet. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you come up.”

Angela chuckled. “For a night watchman, you weren’t doing much watching.”

Dan burst out laughing. “Yeah, I guess I wasn’t.” He stood and pulled a chair over near his. “Just do me a favor and don’t tell the boss.”