Christmas Haven by Hope White

memories.
    “Yes, sir, it looks that way,” Morgan said. “She doesn’t have much of a life outside of her job.”
    “Gee, thanks,” Julie muttered.
    “Am I lying?” Morgan said.
    “Nope. Work consumes my life.”
    “You think someone’s after her because she witnessed the kidnapping?” Dad pressed.
    “Perhaps, but if that’s the case, why break into her office and her apartment? They thoroughly searched her place.”
    Dad, back in cop mode, leveled Julie with intense eyes. “You know what they’re after?”
    “Haven’t a clue.”
    “Did they take anything from your apartment?”
    “Not that I could tell.” She glanced at Morgan. “We didn’t have time to look around.”
    “I wanted to get out of there, in case someone was watching the place.”
    “She lives in Seattle,” his dad said. “The Seattle P.D. should be handling this.”
    “I’m working with my buddy Ethan Beck. He’s a detective with the Seattle P.D. Dad—” Morgan paused. “Julie has moved back to Port Whisper temporarily and, well…I’ve invited her and her mom to stay in your house until this is resolved.”
    Morgan held his breath, hoping his dad didn’t flip out in front of Julie.
    “Is Edith in danger, too?” Dad asked.
    Dad had always liked Edith Burns.
    “Julie got a threatening call and we didn’t want to risk her being tracked to the Burnses’ home. So yeah, both of them are moving in. In retrospect, I guess I should have asked first, but I figured they could help me spruce up the place, and my house is too small for guests.”
    “And the neighbors will keep an eye on things,” Dad added. “How long will she be staying in Port Whisper?”

    “We don’t know yet. Until the case is resolved and it’s safe for her to return to Seattle.”
    And she would, Morgan reminded himself. Although his dad feared Morgan would fall back into love with Julie, there was no chance of Morgan letting that happen. He recognized this situation for what it was: temporary.
    They chatted for a few minutes. Morgan filled Dad in on the happenings in town, and Dad shared frustrations about his condition. Julie smiled and nodded when appropriate, but didn’t say much. She probably sensed it was safer to remain quiet than give Morgan’s Dad something to snap at her about.
    “I’ll check back in a few days,” Morgan said.
    “I’ll be here.”
    “Good to see you again, Chief,” Julie offered.
    Dad offered a curt nod and went back to his article.
     
    “Mom said they’ll have dinner ready when we get there,” Julie told Morgan, pocketing the phone.
    “Sounds good.”
    That was about all they said during the rest of the trip back to Port Whisper. Morgan sensed she felt bad about Dad’s verbal assault, but he didn’t know quite what to say, how to apologize. Truth was, Dad needed to move on.
    And so did Morgan.
    How do I do it, Lord? How do I let go of this buried resentment?
    He remembered Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
    Wasn’t it about time Morgan forgave Julie with his whole heart?
    Focus on the case, not the past. Morgan lost count how many times he’d repeated this in his head over the past twenty-four hours. He’d keep repeating it until he was sure the past wouldn’t mess with his head and prevent him from keeping Julie safe.

    He glanced across the front seat at his passenger. Julie’s face was tipped toward her side window, her eyes closed. He eyed the road, but that sweet image of her delicate features—her perfectly shaped nose, full lips and flawless skin—lingered in his mind.
    She was just the way he remembered her, only when he’d dreamed of her against his will, she smiled more and her golden eyes sparkled when Morgan cracked a joke.
    That sparkle was absent, at least he hadn’t seen a glimpse of it since they ran into each other yesterday. Had her job totally sucked that loving, hopeful