“Third grade.”

His forehead furrowed. “How do you remember that?”

“Because I put the red hair on the angel because my schoolteacher had red hair. I thought she was beautiful, like an angel. I remember telling everyone that when I grew up, I was going to be her.”

“I’m glad you didn’t.”

“Grow up to be her?”

He nodded.

“Schoolteacher is a noble profession.”

“Agreed, not what I meant.”

She waited for him to elaborate and wasn’t surprised when she had to prompt him. “What did you mean?”

“That, although I’m sure your third-grade teacher was great, she wasn’t you.”

“And being me is a good thing?”

“Look at how many people you help, how many lives you touch,” he pointed out. “Being you is more than good, Sarah. The world needs more people like you.”

Heat flooded through her at his compliment. “That’s a nice thing to say, Bodie.”

He shrugged as if what he’d said was no big deal. “It’s the truth.”

“You’re not just saying that to keep me from getting all weepy over these ornaments again, are you?”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Would I do that?”

She laughed. “I wouldn’t blame you. Thank you for your patience and your jokes. I’m sorry about earlier.”

“It’s fine. Everyone has off times.”

Something in the way he said the words had Sarah glancing toward him, wondering what lay deep within him, what caused his “off times.” “Do you?”

“Have off times?” He hesitated, then shrugged again. “Of course.”

Not necessarily surprised that he’d shrugged off her question rather than give her an in-depth answer, Sarah inwardly sighed. She wanted to peel back his layers and expose what made him tick. No, not true. She wanted him to peel back those layers and choose to let her see. She suspected whatever had injured his leg was at the root of Bodie’s off times. How could it not be?

“Well, if you ever need someone to help you through your off times, or to just distract you with corny Christmas jokes, I’m your girl, because you’re definitely seeing me through mine.”

His facial expression went tight for the briefest moment, but then just when she thought his eyes were going to take on that stoic, bleak look they’d had when she’d first met him, he surprised her by grinning. “Do you actually know any corny Christmas jokes?”

Despite knowing the absolute joy moving through her at his grin wasn’t good for her long-term well-being, she couldn’t stop the ecstatic feeling at the way that Bodie was teasing her, was enjoying himself, was determined she enjoy herself.

“Do I know any Christmas jokes? Seriously?” She put her hands on her hips and gave him her most dazzling smile. “I am the queen of Christmas jokes.”

He arched his brow in challenge. “Let’s hear them.”

“Hey, Bodie?”