Читать книгу A Mistletoe Proposal - Rebecca Winters - Страница 10
ОглавлениеRICK WHEELED AWAY, leaving Andrea too fast for any conversation to continue, but she’d felt his sincerity and was glad of it. The man was off to save buildings and lives without a thought for himself. She admired him terribly for putting himself in harm’s way.
She heard the siren and watched the fire truck pull out onto the street. His daughter could have no idea how lucky she was that her daddy was still alive to be in her life. Every time he left for a fire, there was the possibility he wouldn’t come back. She knew what that was like.
Now that her mission was accomplished, there was nothing more to do but go back to work. Taking a deep breath, she left the station feeling oddly let down and walked to the parking area around the side where she’d left her car.
On the way back she passed the intersection of the hotel fire. The police had cordoned off the area. She saw three fire trucks where the men were doing their jobs with calm, methodical precision. So far she couldn’t see any flames. With all their gear and helmets, it was too difficult to distinguish faces, but one of the taller firefighters could have been Captain Jenner. Much as she wanted to pull to the side and watch, she didn’t dare. Maybe he’d thought she was coming on to him, that that was the reason she’d gone to the station, using his daughter as the excuse. He was so attractive she could believe other women might have tried that tactic.
But for her to show up while he was fighting a fire now would convince him she had an agenda, and he’d be justified in thinking it. Impatient with herself, she drove on and parked around the back of the shop just three blocks away.
She used the remote to go inside and found her mom was out on the floor with a young couple. They were trying to decide on the right nutcracker for his father, but were having problems. From her mother’s expression, it looked as if they’d been in here a long time and she could use some help. Andrea picked up one of her favorites on the shelf and took it over to them.
“This is King Richard. If I were a man, this one would appeal to me. He has such a proud countenance and bearing.”
Their response was all she could hope for and her mother rang up the sale. After they left the shop she hugged Andrea. “Oh, I’m so glad you walked in when you did.”
“After taking over since yesterday, you’re tired, Mom. I want you to go home now, and I’ll join you after I close up.”
“I won’t say no to that. Are you in the mood for an omelet and salad?”
“A light dinner sounds perfect.”
She eyed her curiously. “Were you able to deliver your gift?”
“Yes. The captain thanked me and wanted to pay for it, but I wouldn’t let him. No sooner did he take the box than he was off to another fire. And now it’s time for you to leave before you drop.”
“I’m going. You look lovely, by the way. I haven’t seen you in that suit for a long time.”
“I think of it as my Christmas suit.”
They hugged again. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
After she left, Andrea spent the next half hour unpacking more merchandise. Once she was through setting things out on the floor, she stood at the counter. While she waited for another customer, she read the emails from Gunter’s family.
Andrea loved her mother-in-law’s newsy epistles. Apparently their oldest daughter, Lisa, was expecting her third baby at the end of May.
Emily was expecting, too.
The whole world seemed to be expecting....
Though this would be as good a time as any to reply, her mind was on the hotel fire. Putting off a response until later, she turned on the radio behind the counter. The talk show station she often listened to gave local updates every twenty minutes. They were coming up on the seven-forty news. Maybe there’d be some information.
But just as it came on, she had another customer and almost fainted when she saw who it was. Captain Jenner had changed out of his uniform. Beneath his bomber jacket he wore a dark blue turtleneck and jeans. He looked amazing in and out of uniform.
In the background they could both hear the news about the three-alarm fire. She hadn’t been able to get him off her mind after leaving the fire station. He and his colleagues were incredibly brave. Andrea couldn’t imagine facing an inferno the way he did every time their station got the call.
“You’d never know you’d been fighting that fire they were reporting on the news.”
His half smile had pretty devastating appeal. “It was put out too fast to turn into a disaster, and now I’m off duty. I’m glad to say I’ll live to see another day.”
She hurriedly turned off the radio. “Your family must breathe a sigh of relief every time you come home from work.” How did they stand it?
“According to statistics, firefighting is only the thirteenth most dangerous job in the world.”
Andrea couldn’t prevent a small smile of her own, though inside she couldn’t understand how he could be so glib. “Only? If you thought that would make me feel better...”
He laughed. A deep male laugh she didn’t expect. One she felt warm her insides.
“Seriously, how does your wife handle it?”
“Tina didn’t like it,” he said without taking a breath. “The great irony is that she died of leukemia a year ago. After all the years we were married while she worried about me, her time clock was running out along with our plans to enlarge our family. We wanted to give Tessa a brother or sister, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
The end of dreams. Andrea knew all about that. She’d never give birth to a child of her own, and she felt as if her heart had just been squeezed by a giant hand. “I’m so sorry.”
He cocked his head, continuing to stare at her. “It’s life.”
“I know.” Her voice had an awful tremor. Time to change the subject. “How can I help you?”
“Tessa and I talked about a special gift to give my housekeeper for Christmas.” Naturally he hadn’t brought his daughter with him. The last thing he would want would be to get her excited all over again about the gingerbread man. “Mrs. Milne is the widow of an army officer—she came to us before my wife died.”
Another widow who’d been married to a man in a dangerous career.
“Tessa loves her, so it has to be the perfect present. That’s one of the reasons I’ve come to your shop.”
“That’s nice to hear. Do you think she’d like a nutcracker or a pyramid?”
“A nutcracker. Tessa was enchanted with the ones she saw in the window.”
Andrea had been enchanted by his precious child. “We have a wonderful assortment of soldiers. The big ones are right over here. Maybe you’ll see one that appeals to you the most.”
He followed her over to the table. “They’re all fabulous.”
“What was her husband like?”
“She’s mentioned several times he looked splendid in his uniform.”
So had the man standing next to her when she’d gone to the station.
“Splendid... Hmm...” Andrea’s keen eye landed on her favorite soldier, who stood fifteen inches high. She picked him up. “Meet the major general. He served in the French Napoleonic cavalry from 1804 to 1815, the most powerful branch of the grande armée. Fourteen hundred officers like this one performed with great gallantry.”
Their hands brushed as she handed it to him. The contact sent a warm sensation through her body. His eyes held hers for a moment before he examined the nutcracker.
“I—I love this one.” Her voice faltered in reaction to his nearness. “This white uniform makes him stand out. It’s an exact replica of the uniforms they wore, down to the black hat and green-and-gold trim on the cuffs and bottom of the jacket.”
“It’s exactly what Tessa would want to give her.” His husky tone set her pulse racing. “I’ll take it.”
“Good. I’ll find the box for it in the back and wrap it for you. Be sure to keep the box. These signed nutcrackers become a collector’s item and are more valuable if you have the same box they came in.”
“I didn’t realize that.”
She couldn’t breathe until she was away from him. Good grief. She’d always heard about widow’s hormones, but had never given it any thought until now. If a doctor were to examine her, he’d declare she had palsy.
After finding the box in question, she returned to the counter with it. “If you’ll notice, there’s a piece of parchment inside that tells you about the major.”
“She’ll love it.”
Andrea’s hands were unsteady as she wrapped the gift in green foil with a red ribbon. He gave her his credit card. She put the receipt in the sack before handing him everything.
“Mom and I appreciate your business.” She flashed him a smile. “Merry Christmas. Since I’m closing up, I’ll walk you to the door.”
Andrea knew she was being obvious, but she wanted him to leave and never come back. It was the exact opposite of her experience with him the first time he’d come into the shop. She couldn’t afford to make more of a fool of herself than she already had. He could have no idea that seeing him again had been very hard on her.
Oddly enough, she sensed he wasn’t ready to go yet. If he knew she was a widow, he wouldn’t be able to leave fast enough, but he hadn’t asked.
A tiny nerve pulsed at the side of his hard mouth before he opened the door. “Thank you again for your generosity to my daughter. Merry Christmas.” He hesitated a moment, then left.
The second his hard-muscled frame disappeared, she locked up and hurried to her bedroom to pack for her overnight with her mother. Once back downstairs, she turned off the lights, set the electronic locks and slipped out to her car.
On purpose she drove past the hotel where he’d fought the blaze earlier. Like pressing on a sore tooth that increased the pain, she needed to remember what he did for a living. There was no point in getting interested in him. After losing Gunter, she didn’t want to go through another horrific loss again.
If he could be killed in a freak car accident, what chance did Rick Jenner have of surviving his world much longer? He willingly put himself in danger every time he climbed onto that truck.
To her chagrin Andrea was strongly attracted to him. His sensual appeal reached down to the deepest part of her, bringing her alive again after more than a year. She was so vulnerable right now, it was frightening. If he came near her again, intuition told her a man like him could become an addiction.
But what could be worse than getting into a relationship with a firefighter? She’d wait for him to come back to her after his shift was over, fearing that if he was late, she’d learn he’d died.
The fact that she’d turned on the radio to find out about the fire proved how anxious she was about his welfare already. He’d admitted his wife hadn’t liked it. What wife could, unless she were a police officer or a firefighter herself?
Memories of the accident assailed her. We’re sorry, Mrs. Fleming. Your husband didn’t make it.
Andrea was sorry she’d met Captain Jenner, and prayed she’d never see him again. By the time she reached the house, she was convulsed in tears that made no sense. For months now she’d been trying to build a new life. Now suddenly he’d come along with that darling daughter of his, reminding her of what she’d lost and what she could never have. It was his fault she was falling apart.
* * *
Rick had promised to watch the Christmas special with Tessa as soon as he got home. Wishing his mind wasn’t still on Andrea, he entered his house and added his gift for Sharon to the growing pile of presents beneath the tree.
Tina’s parents had brought their gifts over early. Too many gifts. His own parents’ presents would come later, in moderation. Tessa looked at the wrapped presents every day while she waited impatiently for Santa to come. Rick had hidden any gifts he’d bought for her in the basement along with the big present. They’d come out of hiding on Christmas morning.
He would have to work the afternoon shift that day, but the following day he had off to spend the day with Tina’s parents, who lived in Providence, and then they would all be getting together. His parents and one of his married brothers who lived in nearby Cranston would drop by and then spend New Year’s with him and Tessa at the house.
“Rick? Is that you?”
Sharon always said that. She had radar for ears, which was a good thing to keep them all safe. Rick thought of her as the rock who stabilized his world and Tessa’s. There was no finer woman anywhere. What would he have done without her?
“I’m home. Where’s the cutest little girl in the entire world?”
“I’m here, Daddy.” She came running into the living room in her princess pajamas and dived into his arms, smelling sweet from her bath. He kissed her, loving this child who made his life worth living. “I’ve been waiting for you. Come in the family room. We’re watching Charlie Brown’s Christmas. Sharon made us popcorn.”
“I can’t wait!” He carried her through and sat down on the couch in front of the TV. Rick kept her on his lap while they munched and laughed. There was something touching about Charlie Brown, who’d picked out the only real tree for their Christmas play. But the dog’s crazy antics as he danced on the piano brought down the house for his daughter.
“He’s so funny. I wish I had a Snoopy shirt like that lady at the shop.”
Rick remembered the way she’d looked in it. Tonight he’d gone back to get Sharon’s gift. And to take another look at Andrea. If he hadn’t given in to temptation, he might have been all right.
Who are you kidding, Jenner?
The whole time he was telling himself to stay away, he found himself entering her shop so he could feast his eyes on her in that stunning outfit she’d worn to the station. She’d produced such a sensation with the guys, he was afraid he’d never hear the end of it.
He moaned inwardly as memories of Tina passed through his mind to conflict him. But not enough to stop him from wanting to see her.
The inevitable guilt had passed. If he had to see the psychiatrist again, it would be for some other problem, because Rick had gone back to the shop when it hadn’t been necessary. He’d needed to see her again and had used any excuse to drop by.
“Before I forget, Deanna called here today and has invited you to a Christmas party on Saturday night after you get off work.”
“Benton mentioned it to me at the fire scene. It will all depend on my shift ending on time.” He really didn’t want to go. “Right now it’s time for this young lady to get to bed. Let’s go get your teeth brushed, then I’ll read you a Mrs. Piggle Wiggle story.”
Between Tina and Rick, they must have read the little stories to her a hundred times. Tina’s mother had given the books to Tessa. He knew it made Tessa feel closer to her mother.
“Good night, Sharon.”
“Good night, cutie.”
“Thanks for everything,” Rick murmured. “I couldn’t do this without you.”
“Sure you could.” But she said it with misty eyes.
* * *
“Mom?” Andrea had just finished putting some more inventory out on the floor. “What are you doing here this morning?”
“I thought I’d get to work on the bills. Come in the back and have a bagel when you get a minute.”
“I’m through now. You’re a lifesaver!” The weather had turned freezing and gloomy. She was glad for the company. To her shock she’d been brooding over the firefighter who refused to leave her thoughts day or night.
Furious with herself for being this vulnerable, Andrea sat down with her mother, who’d made them coffee, too. “I’m afraid this cold front is keeping the customers away till later in the day.”
“It felt like Siberia on the way over here.”
She eyed her mom. “I can tell something’s on your mind. What is it?”
“Your father called me late last night.”
“Don’t tell me Monica has left him again.”
Her mother nodded.
“Didn’t she do this last Christmas?”
They both chuckled. “Yes.” Thank goodness her mom could laugh about it. She’d fallen out of love years ago. For a long time Andrea had prayed her mother would meet someone wonderful and worthy of her. He would have to be terrific.
“I hope you got off the phone fast.”
“I did. He’s driving in to Providence and wants to see you.”
“Thank you for warning me, but what do you bet he doesn’t?” Following her remark, they both heard the Christmas chimes.
“Maybe that’s your father now.”
“I don’t think so. He’d call first.” She got up from the desk. “I can’t believe anyone ventured out in this.” As she walked into the front of the store, Tessa Jenner came in accompanied by an older woman.
Andrea was delighted to see her. “Hello, Tessa.”
“Hello.” Her cheeks were rosy from the cold.
“What can I do for you on this wintry morning?”
A pair of green eyes looked up at her, reminding Andrea of Tessa’s father. “We came to buy Daddy a Christmas present before I have to go to school. It’s a secret.”
“Well, how exciting!”
The older woman smiled. “I’m Mrs. Milne. I take care of Tessa.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Andrea.”
“Tessa begged me to bring her here,” the older woman explained.
“I see. What kind of present are you looking for?”
Tessa pointed. “I want to buy that nutcracker over there on the shelf.”
“Which one? There are five of them.”
“The one with the gold crown and the cape. He has black hair and looks like Daddy.”
Tessa had to have noticed him the first time she came into the shop. Andrea reached for the sixteen-inch-tall nutcracker and brought it down. “Do you know something? You’re right. He does kind of look like your daddy. This one is King Arthur. A great king. Come over to the counter. I’ll get a box and wrap it for you.”
“Thanks.”
While Mrs. Milne handed her a credit card, those innocent eyes staring out of an angelic face looked up at Andrea. “Where’s my gingerbread man? He’s not in the window. Can I hold him again?”
Uh-oh. “He’s not here anymore, remember?” She smiled at her.
But Tessa’s lower lip started to quiver. She was about to cry. “Where is he?”
It appeared Tessa hadn’t understood what Andrea meant.
Was this the real reason the little girl had asked the housekeeper to bring her to the shop? Her heart had been set on him. Andrea had to think fast as she handed the woman her package and credit card. “One of Santa’s elves came for it.” That was as much as she dared tell her.
She expected a smile, but Tessa’s face screwed up in pain. “No, he didn’t.” Her response took Andrea back. “My daddy didn’t mail my letter to Santa yet. It’s still home. My gingerbread man is gone! You promised Santa would bring it to me for Christmas!” She broke down in heart-wrenching tears and hugged Mrs. Milne’s legs. Andrea felt as if she’d been stabbed in the heart.
“I’m sorry.” Andrea mouthed the words to the other woman, feeling helpless to do anything.
The housekeeper nodded in understanding. “We’d better go.” She led a desolate Tessa out the door.
After they left the shop, Andrea looked at her mother in anguish. “I didn’t know what to say to her. Mr. Jenner is giving it to her for Christmas. I already made one mistake with him and didn’t want to make another for fear I’d give away his surprise.”
“Don’t worry about it. She’ll get over it when she finds it on Christmas morning. I must say she’s about the cutest little girl I ever saw in my life. Except for you,” she added. “No wonder you wanted her to have that gingerbread man. It was meant for a child like that.”
“I agree, but she was really devastated.”
“When you were her age, you had a few meltdowns, too.”
“I probably did, but this seemed different. She believes I lied to her.”
“Honey, you know children.”
“Actually I don’t, Mom. I won’t ever know them, since I can’t have one of my own. After this incident it’s probably just as well, since it appears I’m not so great in that department.”
“Andrea—”
“It’s true.”
Her hope for a family wasn’t meant to be. She wasn’t destined to be a wife and mother, and she needed to get over her self-pity. Thankfully more customers entered the store, keeping her too distracted to wallow in her deepest emotional wants for the time being.
After lunch Andrea was showing her newest customer a music box when the chimes sounded. As she glanced up and saw Tessa’s striking father, she clung to the edge of the display table for support. He wore a forest-green crewneck sweater beneath his black bomber jacket. The lines bracketing his hard mouth led her to believe he was upset. It enlarged the pit in her stomach left from his distraught daughter’s visit earlier in the day.
He wandered around the shop inspecting the merchandise until she was alone once more, then approached her. “I heard what happened here this morning,” he said without preamble. “Sharon admitted she’d brought Tessa to the shop to get me a gift—she’d had no idea what was going to happen.”
Andrea took a quick breath. “Is Tessa all right now?”
“She’s fine. I had a talk with her and explained Santa already knew what she wanted without a letter.”
“Did that satisfy her?”
“Enough for her to go to school this afternoon. I’m sorry she made things uncomfortable for you.”
“She was the one who was upset. I didn’t want her to think I’d lied to her.”
“I appreciate you keeping my secret. Sadly, Tessa has gotten her way too often when she wants something. It’s a habit I’m trying to curtail.”
Andrea shook her head. “I didn’t help when I took matters into my own hands the other day to grant her wish. Forgive me. It’ll teach me not to do anything like that again.”
His dark brows rose. “You couldn’t have known the struggle I’ve been having, and it is Christmas after all, as you reminded me that first day.” His comment relieved her. “Right after Tina died, I’m afraid I indulged her too much. So did both sides of the family, but my wife’s in particular.”
“Naturally everyone is still grieving.”
“True, but I finally recognized that giving in to her at every turn wouldn’t make the pain go away and was setting a negative precedent for the future.”
“You sound like a very responsible parent doing the job of two on your own.”
“I’m trying, but I learned quickly that I can’t be the mom.” No. That job was given out to the very luckiest of women. “My housekeeper helps with that.”
Andrea smiled. “While I floundered, she handled Tessa very well at the shop.”
“Sharon said she was impressed you thought of the elf idea.”
“It was a stretch.”
Stillness enveloped them both while he studied her intently. “I don’t see a ring on your finger, so I presume you’re single.”
“Yes.” She fought not to show emotion. “My husband was killed in a car accident fourteen months ago. Like you and your wife, we thought we had a whole lifetime together.”
More silence, then, “That’s tragic.” The compassion in his voice got to her.
“Yes,” she said, followed by the first thing that came into her mind. “If you’ve come by to pay me for those gifts, your effort has been in vain.”
“I already got that message at the station,” he said in a grating voice. “One of my reasons for being here is to thank you properly. You’ve convinced me there really is a Santa Claus.”
“If I could do that to a man of your age, then I’m convinced miracles really do happen.”
His dark brows quirked. “A man of my age?”
“You’re older than ten, right?” He chuckled. “What’s the other reason you came in?”
He shifted his weight. “My closest friends have invited me to a Christmas get-together tomorrow night. If you’re not busy after work, would you like to come with me?”
His invitation excited and dismayed her at the same time. “I’m afraid I can’t, but thank you.”
“You already have plans with the person who took you out of town?”
Her mother must have told him. “That’s not it. I went to visit one of my best girlfriends at Barrow’s Lake. She’s been having a bad time lately. We’re planning a Christmas Eve party for our other friend who’s on her second honeymoon right now. When she gets back, they’re going to renew their wedding vows. I was hoping that in making plans, it would cheer up my friend.”
“Did it help?”
“I don’t think so.” And all the trip had done for Andrea was make her realize she was in a depression and needed to climb out of it.
“I used to water-ski there from time to time when I was in my teens. As I recall, there was an inn.”
“Yes. The Gingerbread Inn. My family went there every summer for years. Casey is staying there right now. It’s where we’re planning the party.”
“I see. You made a quick trip.”
He was too observant for words. “Yes. I didn’t want to leave my mother alone too long.”
“She’s charming.”
“I’ll tell her.” Andrea wished he would leave.
“Is there someone else in your life, then? If so, just tell me.”
His persistence surprised her. “No. I mean, there isn’t anyone else.”
“But you’re still turning me down.”
“Yes,” she answered in a quiet voice.
“Is it because it’s too soon for you?”
“Yes.” Another monosyllable. She grabbed at the excuse, which wasn’t far from the truth.
“I’m a grown man, as you reminded me earlier, so I’m going to be blunt. If I were to call you up in say a month and ask you out, do you think you would go?”
She sustained his gaze. “I’m afraid not.” Andrea could be blunt, too. She had to be to protect her heart from this man whose chosen career could be cut short in a fire. She couldn’t handle that kind of anguish a second time. She wouldn’t.
“I have to admit it’s refreshing to meet a woman who speaks her mind, even if I don’t like the answer. Maybe we’ll see each other again, Mrs....”
“Fleming.”
If she wasn’t mistaken, she saw a hint of satisfaction light up his eyes. “Even if you didn’t want to know, my friends call me Rick.”
After he left the shop, Andrea was so out of sorts she couldn’t calm down. Once she’d closed up, she made a sandwich and watched TV to get her mind off him, but it didn’t work.
After a restless night in bed she was a wreck. But by morning she refused to feel any more guilt over the way she’d let Rick Jenner know she didn’t intend to go out with him in the future. His dangerous line of work loomed too negatively on the horizon for her to consider getting to know him better.
Andrea was thankful for a busy day that kept her and her mom going nonstop. But when it got to be seven o’clock, she marched her mother to the back door. “You’ll be late for your party at the church if you don’t leave now. I’m sure Rex Medors will be there if he’s back from California.” Andrea so wanted her mother to find someone to share her life.
“I hope so. Now, promise me you’ll come to the house in the morning. We’ll fix a big breakfast and talk.”
“As long as it’s not about Captain Jenner.” Andrea had confided the situation to her mother, who admitted she understood Andrea’s fears. Her mom had agreed that firefighting was a terribly dangerous profession, so enough said about him. “Have a good time with your group.”
By ten to eight there weren’t any more customers. Andrea decided to close the shop for the night, and she dimmed the lights. But before she set the electronic locks, a tall, dark figure swept through the front door. Rick!
Beneath his bomber jacket he was dressed in a silky black shirt and gray trousers. Her mouth went dry just watching those long powerful legs stride toward her. His chiseled male features stood out in the soft glow of the Christmas lights. He was an incredible-looking man whose male scent, combined with the soap he used in the shower, assailed her.
His veiled eyes traveled over her. “Good evening. It looks like I got here just in time. As you can see, I decided not to wait a month to see you again.”
Her breath caught. “I—I wish you hadn’t come.”
“So do I.” His deep voice resonated inside her. “I didn’t like being rejected twice yesterday, so I have to ask you a question. Have you been out with another man since your husband died?”
“No. I guess it’s obvious.”
“I haven’t been with another woman since Tina’s passing either.”
She wished he hadn’t told her that. His admission made everything way too personal.
“To be honest, Mrs. Fleming, I don’t like this attraction any more than you do. Maybe if you come to the party with me, we’ll both get this out of our system and it won’t seem so important.”
Maybe for him... But Andrea knew herself too well. This man already did stand out in her mind. She averted her eyes, unable to think clearly with him so darkly attractive and disturbing.
“I already took Tessa over there to be with Julie, because my housekeeper needed to visit her brother tonight. Under the circumstances I don’t expect to make it a late night.”
“Even so, I’m not ready to go anywhere with you.”
“I’ll wait while you change.”
“No— I meant—”
“I know what you meant. What will an hour out of your life hurt?”
More than he could possibly know. She should refuse him, but at the last moment she caved like a fool. “Will there be other children there besides your daughter and her friend?”
“Just Matt, Julie’s younger brother. He’s four. Why do you ask?”
“Because it’s Christmastime and I feel like I should take something for the family, to be polite.”
“They don’t expect anything.”
“Maybe not, but I couldn’t go empty-handed. Give me a few minutes to pick something out.” Normally when she was invited to a party, she took the hostess a gift, but in this case she’d give the children a present.
Aware of his haunting presence, she walked over to the rack on the side wall and sorted through the dirndls that would fit a six-year-old. They were all darling. Andrea picked two and then reached for a child’s dark green Tyrol hat.
“You’re being too generous,” he commented as she wrapped each gift in different colored foil paper and ribbon.
She flashed him a quick smile. “Christmas is for children. I can’t resist.”
Charged with adrenaline, she hurried upstairs. After a quick shower she put on lipstick and ran a brush through her hair. She left it loose without a part. Her choice of outfit was easy. He’d already seen her in her Christmas suit and would realize she hadn’t gone to any extra trouble for him. Her hair swished against the collar of her camel hair coat when she put it on.
After grabbing her purse, she went back downstairs for the gifts and set the locks. Rick cupped her elbow during the short walk to his red Toyota parked down the street.
“Busy day?”
“Yes. And you? How many fires did you have to put out today?”
“Only four.”
Her body shuddered of its own volition. “Have they proved arson on the art-gallery fire?”
“Yes, but catching the culprit is something else again. The last notorious one in Providence set over 150 fires before he was caught.”
“That’s horrifying!”
“Agreed, but let’s not talk about work tonight.”
No. Let’s not. What he did for a living kept her awake at night.
He made desultory conversation with her about the weather as they drove to Duncan Circle, an area not that far from downtown. The five houses on the circle were lit up for Christmas. One of the yards had a full manger display. Half a dozen cars had parked near number 42. He pulled behind another car and parked.
Rick escorted her inside the foyer and helped her off with her coat before removing his. People had congregated in the living room, which had been beautifully decorated for the holidays.
While Rick introduced her to Deanna and Benton Ames, two excited little girls came running up to him with a younger boy trailing them.
“Daddy!” Tessa hugged him.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
“Come in the family room. We’re watching the Grinch.”
“I will in a minute. Tessa? You remember Andrea. I invited her to the party. Andrea? These are Deanna and Benton’s children, Julie and Matt.”
“Hello.” Andrea smiled at them.
“Hi,” the two children said, but Tessa gave her only a brief, cool glance.
It crushed Andrea, who was instantly aware Rick’s daughter wasn’t happy to see her. Hopefully she could get her to warm up. “It’s so nice to meet your friends, Tessa. Are you having a wonderful time?”
The others nodded, but Tessa only stared at her. On impulse Andrea decided to give the presents out now. “I brought each of you an early gift for Christmas.”
Once she’d handed them over, Julie’s eyes shone like stars. “Do we have to wait till Christmas to open them?”
Andrea smiled. “No. You can do it now.”
“Is it okay?” Julie looked to her parents for permission.
Benton winked. “Go ahead. I’m curious to see myself.”
His children tore off the wrappings, but it took some urging from Rick before his daughter undid her gift. Julie squealed in delight as she held up her dress. Matt had already put the hat on his head.
Deanna picked up the wrapping paper. “I believe you’ve made our children’s Christmas, Andrea. Thank you for being so thoughtful and generous.”
Rick nodded. “I’ve been telling her she needs to be careful or she’s going to give away all her shop’s profits.”
“Where children are concerned, it’s worth it.”
“Agreed,” Deanna murmured. “What do you all say to Andrea?”
“Thank you, Andrea.” This from Matt.
“I love my dress,” Julie said.
There was nothing more than a mumble from Tessa, who held the dirndl in her hand.
“Why don’t you girls go in the bedroom and put on your new dresses for us to see.”
“Come on, Tessa.” Julie started running and Rick’s daughter followed her down the hall. Matt trailed after them.
A frown marred Rick’s handsome features. “I’m sorry about that, Andrea. I don’t know what’s gotten into my daughter.”
Andrea could tell her appearance had been a huge shock to Tessa. To see her daddy with another woman at a party like this changed her happy child’s world. That was what had caused her to dart away unable to appreciate the gift. But what she said aloud was, “I think she’s still upset about the gingerbread man missing from the shop.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t believe she behaved so badly.”
“It’s all right. Please don’t worry about it.”
Deanna gave them an understanding glance. “She’ll get over what’s wrong before long. In the meantime I have to tell you that your red suit is incredible. Where on earth did you get it?”
“In Germany.”
“I thought it had to be an import. I wish they made clothes like that here. Except you have to look perfect in it the way you do.”
“Thank you, Deanna.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Benton grinned.
“You’re making her blush,” Rick teased. He was wrong. Rick was the reason she was blushing, because he hadn’t taken his eyes off her. “Come on, Andrea. I’ll introduce you to the others.”
From what she could tell, all of them were colleagues associated with the work Rick and Benton did. They talked shop, laughing and joking at the same time. One of them was a female firefighter named Susie Anderson. The attractive redheaded woman couldn’t take her eyes off Rick.
Andrea understood. In her life she’d met her share of good-looking men, but few came close to Rick with his dark, almost brooding looks. Gunter’s blond, blue-eyed coloring had given her husband a different kind of appeal.
While Rick was discussing the recent rash of fires in the area with Benton and the others, Andrea turned to Susie, who seemed very friendly. “How long have you been a firefighter?”
“Eight years.”
Andrea couldn’t imagine it. “I guess everyone asks you how you got into it.”
The other woman smiled. “I come from a family of firefighters starting with my grandfather, then my father and all my brothers. I was the youngest of five children and the only girl. It’s the only world I ever knew and I became one as soon as I could qualify, to prove to my brothers I could do it, too.”
Laughter escaped Andrea’s lips. “You’re a real heroine to me.”
“In my family I had to fight for my place, and I guess it rubbed off.”
“I know I’d be terrified to enter a burning building. I honestly don’t know how you find the courage to do it.”
“You get used to it. I’d go crazy if I had to sit at a desk all day.”
“I wouldn’t like that either.”
“Of course, I’d give it up if the right man came along and we had children, but until that day comes...”
Sometimes the children don’t come. But Andrea didn’t dare tell Susie that.
“I’m sorry to hear about your husband, Andrea. I can’t imagine anything worse than losing a spouse.”
Her throat tightened. “It was an awful period in my life, but it’s behind me now and life has to go on.”
“That’s so true. My grandfather died in a fire, but my grandmother was amazing about it. She’s my idol.”
Andrea shuddered. She couldn’t handle the conversation any longer. As if Rick had picked up on her thoughts, he walked over and supplied her with some more eggnog and hors d’oeuvres. Soon the children came into the living room once more.
A subdued Tessa walked over to her daddy looking absolutely precious in her outfit. “Aren’t you coming to watch the movie?”
“Not yet.”
Julie stared up at Andrea. “This is my favorite dress in the whole world!”
“You look adorable in it. So do you, Tessa. Those dresses are called dirndls. Years ago the children in Germany used to wear them all the time.”
“Do you have one, too?”
“Yes. I have several. The first present my husband ever gave to me at the shop before we were married was one that looked a lot like yours.”
“Is he from Germany?” Julie wanted to know.
“Yes.”
“How come he didn’t come to the party?”
“He died a year ago.”
“Oh. So now he’s in heaven.” She looked crestfallen. “Do you miss him a lot?”
Andrea’s heartbeat sped up. “Yes.”
“My grandma died. She’s in heaven, too.”
Tessa’s silence over her own mother’s death caused Andrea’s eyelids to sting. This conversation had to be terribly painful for Rick, as well.
“Your dress is really pretty. Did it come from Germany?”
“That’s right, Julie.”
“Are you from Germany?”
“No. I live here in Providence.”
“She runs the Hansel and Gretel shop.” Rick intervened. “They sell nutcrackers and music boxes.”
“I want to see it!”
“Ask your parents to take you.”
To Andrea’s relief, Deanna came over to join them. It seemed as if the more Julie talked, the more Tessa clung to Rick. “You children come with me. I’ve got A Charlie Brown Christmas for you to watch.”
“Daddy and I already saw it.”
“Then we’ll watch Rudolph. We’ve got a lot of fun Christmas videos.”
Rick put a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Tessa, go with Deanna.”
“But—”
“No buts.” He spoke firmly. “This is a party and Andrea hasn’t finished talking with everyone yet.”
Those green eyes glazed over with tears. “Will you come in the other room later? You promised.”
“I know I did, and I will in a while.”
When they were out of sight Andrea turned to Rick, sick with worry. “I think this would be the perfect time for me to leave. My father’s in town and expects to see me tonight.” It was the truth, but even if her father didn’t make it, Rick wouldn’t know that. “Will you explain to Deanna and Benton? If Tessa doesn’t see me leave, it will be better. I’m sure as her father you understand what I mean.”
His eyelids drooped, veiling his expression. “Of course. I’ll get your coat. Deanna will watch Tessa until I get back.”
“I hope your friends won’t think I’m very rude for leaving.”
“No. Deanna could see how Tessa was behaving and will understand better than anyone why we left. Don’t you be concerned about it.”
“I wouldn’t hurt your daughter for anything in the world.”
“You think I don’t know that?” He sounded disturbed. “Until tonight I had no idea she could behave like that to you of all people. I’m sorry, Andrea.”
“Please don’t be. The little darling has been used to it being just the two of you. Tonight she felt her bond with you was threatened.”
As a first date, it had bombed completely in ways Andrea hadn’t foreseen. But it had served as a wake-up call why a relationship with Rick wouldn’t work.
She saw him say something to Benton before he returned with two coats. He helped her into hers and she felt his hands tighten a little on her upper arms. It sent curling warmth through her body.
“Don’t look now, but there’s sprig of mistletoe above the door. All’s fair,” he said before pulling her close so he could press a warm, firm kiss to her lips. It caught her totally by surprise.
“Rick—” She let out a quiet gasp.
His eyes seemed to smolder in the twinkling lights. “I’ve been wanting to do that since we got here, and I refuse to apologize.”
After he shrugged into his jacket, they left the house and walked to the car without speaking.
While her pulse still raced from that kiss, he drove quickly but expertly to her apartment, slowing down as he entered the alley. He parked outside the back entrance.
Without more words he got out of the car and came around to open her door. “Before I leave you for the night, I’m coming inside with you.”
Her heart thudded. “I’m not up to company.”
“This isn’t in the nature of a social call. Benton has a theory about this arsonist, that this lunatic might be back to do more damage along this street, and I’m inclined to agree with him. I want to come in and check your place out thoroughly.”
“You mean upstairs, too?”
“That’s the part I need to see. The art-gallery fire was set on the third floor. Is your father here already?”
“Not yet, or his Blazer would be here.” She felt panicky to think of him checking out her apartment. It was kind of messy, but her real concern was the fact that she’d thought she’d seen the last of him. Now he was going to invade her private space, putting them on a more intimate footing. “What about Tessa?”
“She’ll sleep there tonight. Right now I want to concentrate on your shop. With all its wooden inventory, it would appeal to this pyro. You can be certain he’s cased it pretty thoroughly. I know I’ve alarmed you, but it’s better to be on the alert. It won’t take me long.”
Andrea pressed the remote so they could go inside. “We have the most up-to-date security system installed. The fire department did a safety check here in October.”
“That’s good to hear, but some arsonists have an inside track to avoid getting caught. Just so you know, the police are patrolling this area 24/7, especially after dark, so you should feel safe.”
“Why do people set fires?”
He gave his shoulders an elegant shrug. “What’s wrong with anyone who goes berserk in our culture? In their case they start fires to cover up a crime or pay someone back for a wrong. But I’ve a gut feeling this one loves to light fires for the fun of it. He wants notoriety and is the worst kind. It won’t take me long to check out the ground floor, then I’ll come up.”
Leaving him to his work, she ran up the stairs. The shop had been so busy she hadn’t had time to straighten the living room of her apartment. After hanging up her coat, she picked up some odds and ends and hurried into the kitchen to put things into the dishwasher. Once that was done, she raced to the bedroom to make her bed. He’d think she was a sloppy housekeeper.
While she was tucking the quilt beneath her pillow, he walked in. She saw his glance touch on the bed, then the eight-by-ten picture of Gunter on her bedside table. No doubt he had a similar one of his wife in his bedroom.
First he checked out her bathroom, then walked over to the bedroom window. After opening it, he looked out. When he reshut it he turned to her. “I’m glad to see the fire escape leads down from your kitchen window. A would-be intruder couldn’t get in this window unless he had James Bond’s scaling equipment.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“But as an extra precaution you need dowels for all the windows upstairs and down. It’ll make more trouble for him or any intruder and buy you a little time if someone wants in. What do you have for personal protection?”
“I carry pepper mace on my key chain and keep bear spray in the drawer.” She indicated the bedside table.
He nodded. “Do you have a gun?”
“No. I’d rather use spray.”
Without any more questions, he walked back out to her sitting room. She had no Christmas decorations upstairs. Until now she hadn’t even thought about doing her own decorating, because her emotions had been in deep freeze.
But no longer. Her pulse raced just looking at him.
“You have a lovely modern apartment here. In an older building like this, it’s a surprise.”
“I know. Before my marriage I lived with Mom. Gunter and I were going to buy a house here, but he died too soon for us to decide on one. The loft seemed the perfect choice to remodel so I’d be close to my work.”
His hands went to his hips in a purely masculine gesture. “I would have sold my house to help let go of memories if I didn’t have Tessa, but any more changes to her life would have been disastrous at the time.”
“They already are.”
He shot her a probing glance. “What do you mean?”
“She didn’t like me the other day, and likes me less after seeing me with you tonight.”
Lines bracketed his mouth. “Don’t read so much into everything, Andrea.”
Andrea didn’t want to go down this road, but tonight’s experience had left her with no other choice. “Your daughter doesn’t want to share you with anyone else.”
He took a deep breath. “She has to share me every day when I go to work. Between all the love from her grandmothers, aunts, Sharon— from my colleagues’ wives and her kindergarten teacher, she’s learning to adapt.”
“That’s not the same thing, and you know it. When she looked up and realized I was with you, she shut down. She feels a child’s jealousy that you would give personal attention to another woman besides her. I don’t want to be that woman.”
She noticed his chest rise and fall from a tumult of emotions. “This phase will pass.”
“Sometimes that phase lasts years.”
His eyes narrowed. “What else is going on inside you?”
Andrea tossed her head back. “Isn’t Tessa’s negative reaction enough to let you know this wasn’t a good idea? She’s so precious and you’re her whole world. Your daughter needs more time.”
His features hardened. “You didn’t answer my question,” he said, ignoring her comments. “I know for a fact you feel something for me, but you’re doing your damnedest to pretend otherwise. Why?”
At his question she backed away from him. “I appreciate your checking out my apartment, but if you’re through here, you ought to go back to the Ameses’ house to be with your daughter. It will reassure her she hasn’t lost you.”
He moved closer. “I’ll take your advice under consideration, but not before I get the truth from you. They say it makes you free. Do me that favor and I swear I’ll never darken your doorstep again.”
She wouldn’t look at him. “Tonight we got this out of our system and your daughter had to pay the price. More than ever I’m not interested in a relationship.”
Rick reached out and grasped her upper arms. “You’re lying or you wouldn’t have come to the party with me, and I can prove it.” Before she could cry out, he lowered his dark head and covered her mouth unerringly with his own. There was a hunger in his kiss that ignited her desire in spite of everything she’d tried to do to stop it. Without being able to help it, her mouth opened to the seductive pressure of his.
He was right. This was what she’d been waiting for. A moan of pure pleasure escaped her throat, one she knew he heard. In the next instant he crushed her against his hard body until there was no space between them. She felt feverish as one exploratory kiss grew into another, then five, ten, twenty until she lost count. He was insatiable. So was she. It was shocking how much she wanted this ecstasy to go on and on.
“I didn’t know a woman like you existed. In a matter of days you’ve managed to turn me inside out. Give me a chance to let me love you, Andrea.”
If the buzzer outside the downstairs rear door hadn’t sounded, she had no idea how long she would have clung to him, kissing him back again and again as if he were life to her. What really terrified her was that for these moments in his arms, he was life to her.
