A Lawman in Her Stocking by Kathie DeNosky Page B

get everyone else started.”
    “Oh, that’s a marvelous idea, since you and Dylan are courting,” Mrs. Worthington said excitedly. “Don’t you think it would be appropriate to put a staron that one’s chest and make it look like Dylan in a Santa suit?”
    “I think that’s a great idea,” one of the women said, causing the entire group to nod their heads in eager agreement.
    Brenna smiled wanly. If her grandmother’s comments about her seeing Dylan weren’t enough, now the women of Tranquillity were jumping on the bandwagon. But she was reasonably sure they wouldn’t be taking it to the extreme her grandmother had. Just that morning, before Brenna left to start the first phase of the Main Street Project, Abigail had gone so far as to ask what flavor of punch Brenna preferred for the wedding reception.
    “I think painting the fire hydrants like our men in Santa suits is a fantastic idea,” Emily Taylor said. She gave Brenna a sly grin, then pointed down the block. “I intend to make the one in front of our hardware store look just like my Ed.”
    Helen Washburn nodded vigorously. “And I’ll paint the one in front of our place to look like Luke.” She glanced at her watch. “Brenna, do you really think we can get all these done today?”
    “That’s the plan,” Brenna said, smiling.
    “Oh, good,” Helen said, clearly excited. “It being Saturday and all, everyone will be coming to the dance at our place tonight. It’s going to be the perfect opportunity to show off the first phase of our Christmas project.”
    “Then let’s begin,” Cornelia said, grabbing a box filled with jars of paint and brushes. “Brenna, dear, how should we go about this?”
    “Everyone choose a painting partner,” Brenna instructed the eager women. “While one of you works on the front of the hydrant, the other should work on the back.”
    Brenna watched the ladies of the Tranquillity Beautification Society set to work with more enthusiasm than expertise, turning ordinary fire hydrants into works of Christmas art. After making sure everything was going smoothly, she picked up her own paint kit and headed for the hydrant in front of Dylan’s office.
    She worked quickly and, in no time, had the details roughed in. Her eyes held an impish gleam as she used the liner brush to add the finishing touches. It was an absolute shame she couldn’t put a red fur Santa’s hat on the little guy, instead of having to paint one on.
    “Dear, you’ve done an excellent job of capturing Dylan’s likeness.” Cornelia pushed a strand of blue-gray hair from her eyes as she peered at Brenna’s work, then glanced at the door of the Sheriff’s office. “By the way, where is Dylan? Shouldn’t he be on duty?”
    “He’s gone up into the mountains to help search for a couple of lost hikers,” Brenna answered. She finished painting a silver star on the chest of the Santa Claus hydrant. “He probably won’t be back until late this afternoon or evening. But Jason is in charge if you need something.”
    “No.” Lowering her voice for privacy, Cornelia asked, “Has Dylan mentioned what he thinks of the Beautification Society’s plans to decorate Main Street for the Jamboree?”
    The tone in the older woman’s voice caused Brennato glance up from her work. Seeing the woman’s grave expression, Brenna rose to face her.
    “He knows the Society have some improvements planned, but I haven’t shared any of the details. Why?”
    “I just wondered.” Cornelia heaved a sigh. “Last night, Myron almost suffered apoplexy when I told him that the first phase would begin today.”
    Brenna smiled as she gazed down at the hydrant she’d just finished painting. “I’m sure he’ll calm down when he sees how cute these little guys are. How could anyone not be charmed by fire hydrants painted to look like some of Tranquillity’s most prominent citizens dressed up in Santa suits?”
     
    Dylan steered his truck around the last curve on the