A Mistletoe Proposal: Marry Me under the Mistletoe / A Little Bit of Holiday Magic / Christmas Magic in Heatherdale

“But it’s not Christmas yet.”

“I thought you might like it now.” She handed it to her.

“What is it?”

Rick lowered her to the floor. “Why don’t you open it and find out?”

Tessa quickly tore off the paper. “Look, Daddy—it’s the gingerbread man!” she cried. For the first time since the disaster at the shop, Rick’s daughter looked up at her with a smile.

“I promise that Santa will bring you your gingerbread man. But while you’re waiting for Christmas morning, this will be fun to read. It was one of my favorite stories growing up.”

“Mine is Mrs. Piggle Wiggle.”

Andrea’s heart melted. “I loved those stories, too.”

“My favorite’s about the boy who wouldn’t clean up his room.”

“That’s a really good one. My mother used to read them to me. I think my favorite was the Slow-Eater-Tiny-Bite-Taker Cure. But the really funny one was about the Radish Cure.”

A giggle escaped. “I know. Will you read the gingerbread man to me?”

Andrea’s gaze darted to Rick, whose eyes glowed with a warmth she could feel permeate her body. “I’d love to. Come and sit down on the couch by me.”

Together they went through every page identifying all the characters while she read the story. Tessa was totally engrossed.

Andrea would always treasure this moment, but now it was time to go while she could leave with a good feeling. She closed the book and put it in Tessa’s hands. “That was fun. Thank you for letting me read it to you. Now I have to leave.”

“You do?” Andrea heard a slightly wistful tone. Well, what do you know? she thought.

“Yes, but I bet your daddy would love to read it to you. He’s been waiting for you to come home and needs to get back to bed.” Andrea’s gaze flew to Rick’s. “Get better soon. I’ll see myself out.”

To her shocked surprise, Tessa followed her to the door. “I love my book.”

“I’m glad, darling. Bye.” She left the house, closing the door behind her. This was the best way to end things. Cold turkey.

Before long she pulled into her mother’s driveway. “Mom?” she called out when she entered the house.

“In the kitchen.”

Andrea found her making the fondant for the pecan rolls she gave to her friends at Christmas. “How soon will Rex be over?”

“Not for a couple of hours. I want to hear more about you and Tessa’s father.”

“I left the party early to get home because of Dad. Rick insisted on doing an inspection of the shop and the loft. He said there’s a firebug on the loose. On his suggestion I bought some dowels and put them in the windows.”

“That’s a good idea, honey. I’m worried about you staying there.”

“I’ll be fine, Mom.”

“Then why are you so tense?”

“Is it that obvious?” She averted her eyes.

“I’m your mother.”

“I made a huge mistake. He...kissed me and I let him.”

“Was it a terrible experience?”

Andrea could hardly swallow remembering the rapture she’d felt. “No, of course not.”

“But?”

“I didn’t want it to happen.”

“That’s not really true—otherwise you would have stopped him. I’m glad this happened. Darling—Gunter’s been gone fourteen months. You’re free to look at another man and to care about one again. I have eyes and can see how attractive Captain Jenner is. You wouldn’t be a woman if you didn’t notice him.”

“But there’s a big problem, because he’s too gorgeous!”

Her mother laughed out loud before she poured the hot fondant onto a buttered marble slab. “Well, you’ll have to blame his genes for that. Andrea, you’re so young, with a whole life ahead of you. You knew someone else had to come along one day.

“Why does the idea of getting to know this man cause you so much angst? Don’t let guilt that you might be betraying Gunter’s memory prevent you from getting to know him or any man better.”

“It’s not guilt, Mom. Trust me.”

“I’m glad to hear it. So what’s wrong?”

“I told you before. After losing Gunter, I don’t want to care for a man whose chances of dying on the job climb astronomically because of his profession.”

Her mother studied her for a long moment. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“Yes. I feel doubly sorry for Tessa. She lost her mom. One of these days she could lose him, too. That poor little girl will spend her whole life worrying about him. You should have seen her earlier. She’d been with her grandmother, but she came running into Rick’s house like a rocket to hug him. It caught at my heart. Rick admitted his late wife didn’t like his job either.”

“Well, you have to look at it this way. He’s one of those selfless men who loves what he does for a living. What would we do without his kind? In caveman days he would be the one who went out to hunt for meat to bring back for everyone,” she teased. “Seriously, some men are made that way. You can only admire them.”

“I do, and I’ve always asked myself how they can do it, but now it has hit home to me in a more personal way. Yesterday should have been his day off, yet there he was in the heart of some holocaust with no one to save him.”

“I understand they work on the buddy system.”

“Even so, they can die. One did yesterday.”

Her mom let out a troubled sigh. “What are you going to do?”

“I have no intention of going out with him again.”

By now her mom was spreading the pecans on the paper. “Did you tell him that before or after he kissed you?”

Andrea’s cheeks filled with heat. “Before.”

“I must say he lives up to his reputation for living dangerously. I wish I could help you with your dilemma. If you truly mean what you say and don’t want to see him again, you could be missing out on a great love affair.”

“Not if it’s cut short.” Not when I can’t give him or any man a baby. He’d told her Tessa needed a sibling. With the right woman, Rick could have several more children.

“I’m going back to the loft. I need to clean and do a wash before work in the morning. I hope you and Rex have a great evening. I can’t wait to hear about it tomorrow.”

As soon as Andrea got home she lit into her housecleaning until she was ready to drop. But she still spent a restless night dreaming about Rick, and she got up early the next morning to put more merchandise out on the floor. Her mother joined her in time to wait on a steady stream of customers. The weather had warmed up, bringing in shoppers.

The chimes sounded again. She happened to glance toward the entrance and found herself staring into the blue eyes of the firefighter she’d met at the hospital. He’d warned her he’d look her up, but she really resented it when he knew she’d been at the hospital to see Rick. “Andrea Fleming. I was hoping I’d find you here. Remember me? I’m Chase Hayward, from the hospital. How’s the invalid?”

He was attractive in his own way, but he had an aggressive nature she hadn’t liked at the hospital, and liked less now.

“I would imagine he’s still recuperating. This is my mother, Mrs. Bernard. Mom? This is one of the firefighters who came to the hospital to see Tessa’s father.”

“How do you do?”

His smile widened. “Now I know where Andrea gets her looks.”

“Thank you. If you two will excuse me, I have some business in the back.”

She wished her mom hadn’t left her alone with him. “Are you looking for a special gift? We have nutcrackers and pyramids.”

“No. I didn’t come to buy anything. I wanted to ask you out to dinner this evening, unless you and the captain are an item.”

This man would be the last person she’d ever want to go out with, but how to do this tactfully so as not to offend him or affect his relationship with Rick? “I’m friends with the captain’s daughter and haven’t been out with another man since my husband passed away. I still miss him terribly.” Though it was the truth, she’d gotten past the pain since meeting Rick.

“I’m sorry you lost your husband.”

Andrea had nothing more to say to him. “So am I. If you’ll excuse me, I have more customers waiting.”

“Andrea?” Her mother walked up to her with a serious expression. “You’re wanted on the phone. I’ll take over for you.” Andrea had the impression it was Rick, and she went to the back of the shop. Unfortunately she was breathless when she picked up. “Hello?”

“I’m sorry if I’m getting you at a bad time, but this couldn’t wait.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Yesterday you walked out on me and Tessa. After you left, she told me she wished you had stayed to read some more books to her. There’s been a breakthrough.”

“That makes me happy. She’s very precious,” Andrea said in a shaky voice, “but I’m afraid I can’t talk any longer.” Thrilling as those words were, it didn’t change her decision.

“Don’t hang up. Your mother just told me Chase Hayward was in the shop.”

She blinked. “Yes?”

“Is he still there?”

“I don’t know.”

“What did he want?”

There was no use lying to Rick, who sounded so terse. “He said he didn’t come to buy anything—he wanted to invite me out to dinner.”

“What did you tell him?” His voice sounded an octave lower.

“That I’m still mourning my husband. Then Mom told me I was wanted on the phone. What’s wrong?”

“Do me a favor and drive over to my house as soon as you can get here. Ask your mom if she’ll take over while you’re gone. This is important, Andrea.”

“Rick—”

“Just do it!” He sounded fierce before she heard the click and the dial tone.

Stunned by the call, Andrea found her mother on the shop floor and told her Rick needed to see her right away. “It sounded like an emergency.”

“Then go, and don’t worry about me.”

Andrea grabbed her purse and coat before flying out the back door. She couldn’t imagine what was going on, but knew it had to do with the other firefighter. During the drive she reflected on the scene at the hospital and Chase’s cocky behavior. Andrea felt as if he couldn’t have cared less about Rick’s condition. He hadn’t acted the same as Rick’s other friends and colleagues.

To her surprise Rick came outside when he saw her drive up. His long, well-honed body was clothed in jeans and a polo shirt, drawing her gaze. Andrea parked behind his car. He walked over to help her out. “Thank you for getting here so fast.”

“It sounded urgent.”

“I know I frightened the hell out of you, but I had to do something to get your attention.” He cupped her elbow as they walked into the house.

“Where’s Tessa?”

“Sharon’s gone to pick up her and Julie at school. Let’s go in the kitchen where we can talk.”

“You sound much better today.”

“I’m fully recovered.” In the next breath he pulled her into his arms and gave her a long, hungry kiss. To her shame it went on and on and left her gasping for breath once he relinquished her mouth. “I had to do that before we talk about Chase Hayward.”

She saw his lips tighten. So she hadn’t imagined tension between them at the hospital. “I hope you know I’m not interested in him.” Andrea decided to tell him everything. “I’m sorry to say I didn’t like him. Among other things he has an attitude problem.”

“There’s a lot more wrong with him than you can imagine.” At this point the glaze of desire in Rick’s eyes had vanished, to be replaced by the dangerous glittering look he’d given her in the shop that first morning. He let go of her arms so she could sit down at the table.

“I take it you’re not friends.”

“Anything but.” His hands went to his hips in a totally masculine gesture. “We joined the department at the same time eight years ago and worked at the same station for three years. He always saw everything as a competition. After his divorce, he got worse. When I was promoted to captain of my own ladder truck and transferred to the station I’m in now, it was a great relief.

“A year later I learned he’d made captain at our original station. On the rare occasion when we were fighting the same fire, he was openly hostile to me when the other guys couldn’t hear him. Arney confided that Chase was jealous of me because not only had I been promoted earlier than him, but I’d made captain of the ladder truck in the downtown station.”

“Why would he care?”

“Because our station fights the most dangerous fires. It’s a matter of pride with him.”

With those words it felt as if a bomb had exploded inside her. Rick had just given her more reason to walk away from him as soon as Sharon got back.

“That had to have been a wound to his colossal ego,” she murmured.

“You could say that. He was the only firefighter I knew who didn’t come to my wife’s funeral. As Benton said, he was conspicuous by his absence.”

In a fraternity like theirs, Andrea realized any absence would be noticed. “Then I don’t understand why he came to the hospital with the other guys to see you.”

“I’ve been asking myself the same thing, but I think I know now.” His hands gripped the back of one of the chairs. “How long was he there at the shop?”

“I don’t know. I left first.”

“Let’s call your mother and find out. Ask if he ever went into the back area. Put it on speakerphone.”

Rick had a definite reason for asking that question. Andrea was positive it had nothing to do with her. She reached into her purse for the phone and made the call. When her mom answered, she asked about the firefighter who’d been in the store earlier. Andrea explained this call was at Rick’s request.

“Well, he wandered around the shop for about five minutes looking at all the merchandise while I waited on some other customers. He eventually picked out a smoker and paid for it. Then he thanked me and left.”

“Rick wants to know if he went in the back.”

“No.”

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll explain later.”

She clicked off and looked up at Rick, who’d started pacing. “Tell me what you’re thinking.” His grim expression made her nervous. “Obviously something is very wrong.”

He came to a standstill. “Didn’t Hayward tell you he wasn’t there to buy anything?”

“Yes.”

“But in the end, he bought something from your mother.” Lines marred his handsome features. “I don’t want him harassing you again.”

“After what I told him, I’m sure he won’t.”

Rick averted his eyes. “Excuse me for a minute while I make a phone call. Don’t move.” He gave her a long, hungry kiss that left her thoroughly shaken and trembling before he let her go and walked out of the kitchen.

While she sat there dazed, Tessa came running into the kitchen from the door leading into the garage. She was carrying a packet and Sharon was right behind her. “Hi, Andrea!”

What a change in her! Andrea thought. “Hi yourself!”

“Where’s Daddy?”

“He’s on the phone in the other room.”

“Is he still in bed?”

“No.”

“That’s good. I want him to get well really fast.”

“So do I. How was class today?”

“Rodney Carr threw up by the teacher’s desk. He ate corn dogs for lunch. Everybody ran out in the hall.”

“Oh, dear.”

“His mom had to come and get him. Mrs. Riley said the flu is going around. If we start to feel sick to our stomachs, she doesn’t want us to come to class.”

Amazed at all the information pouring out of her, Andrea tried to stifle her laughter. Wait till she told Rick. “Did you like the corn dogs?”

“No. They’re yucky.”

“Then I bet you’re hungry,” Mrs. Milne interjected.

“Yes. What are we going to have for dinner?”

“I thought I’d make tacos.”

“Um. Daddy and I love those. He’s always hungry and eats anything.”

That child had worked her way into Andrea’s heart. “Well, that’s lucky. Somewhere I read that a firefighter consumes a lot of calories when he’s on duty.” She was still trying to stifle her laughter.

Sharon rolled her eyes. “That makes it easy for me. My husband was a picky eater.”

“So’s my father,” Andrea admitted.

“Tessa? Go find your daddy and wash your hands while I fix you some apple dippers.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back.”

A few seconds later she could hear voices in the hallway. When Rick’s deep, male belly laugh resounded in the air she knew Tessa had told him about what had happened at school. After his dark mood, the happy sound was a revelation.

CHAPTER SIX

RICK WALKED TESSA back to the kitchen and beckoned to Andrea from the doorway. “Sharon? Benton just arrived. The three of us will be in the den until dinner.”

She nodded. “Tessa’s going to help me grate the cheese.”

“Hurry, Daddy.”

“We won’t be long,” he promised.

When they reached the hallway, Rick pressed a swift kiss to Andrea’s unsuspecting lips. “I’m in agony waiting to be alone with you, but Benton wants to talk to you first.”

She blinked. “Why?”

“I’d rather he told you. While you were driving over here, I phoned him and told him about Chase. He said he’d be right over.”

When they walked into the den, Benton greeted Andrea and told her to sit down. Rick sat in the chair next to her. “I’m glad you came so quickly. As Rick has indicated to you before today, someone has deliberately been setting fires in the downtown area. We suspect Chase Hayward is responsible.”

A gasp escaped her throat. Her anxious eyes searched Rick’s. “You think our shop is next?”

“Since he saw you in my hospital room and found out it’s your shop, I’m positive.”

Benton nodded. “I’ve been on the phone with your mother. At this point she’s very concerned, especially for you.”

“That shop has been in the family for years. I had no idea you’d been talking to her.”

Benton cocked his head. “It pleased Hayward to find out Rick had been injured in the fire. That’s why he came to the E.R. He needed to inspect the damage. That’s what arsonists do. But he failed to snuff him out, so he’s unlikely to quit.”

Andrea lost color. “That’s so sick.”

“You’re right. When he set the art-gallery fire, he would have cased the outside of the buildings, front and back, on the street. This afternoon he cased the downstairs of your shop. By now he’s done his research and has probably found out that you live upstairs. He’s probably come by Rick’s house and seen your car in the driveway.”

Rick felt her shudder, even though they weren’t touching.

“Since he visited your shop this afternoon, we’re fairly certain he would enjoy it if you got hurt—or worse—in the fire he plans to set. It would be his ultimate revenge against Rick.”

Her head jerked in Rick’s direction. “That’s horrifying. How have you stood working around someone that mental?”

Rick reached out to give her arm a reassuring squeeze. “As I told you earlier, we don’t bump into each other that often. But the point is, nothing’s going to happen to you or your mother. I swear it.”

“I know that.”

Benton said, “We’ve set up a sting operation using help from the parcel service that delivers freight to you. If Hayward doesn’t start a fire tonight, then we’ll have a trap set for tomorrow night or any night in the near future. With your cooperation, we’ll catch him.”

“We want to help!” she assured him. “I can’t bear for that man to destroy more businesses and lives.”

“Amen,” Rick muttered.

“Naturally we hope he’ll show up tonight. Of course you won’t be there. But if he decides to wait until another night, here’s the plan. In the morning we want you and your mother to drive to work together. While she’s out on the floor, we’d like you to answer the buzzer. One of my men will come to your back door disguised as a parcel service employee. He’ll bring in the freight.

“Once inside, he’ll take off his uniform and you’ll put it on. He’ll be wearing a wool hat. It’s the key. Make sure none of your hair is showing. While your mom shows him upstairs, you’ll hurry out to the truck and the driver will take you to an undisclosed location, where one of our men will drive you to your mother’s house. We already have police surveillance on your mother’s home 24/7 to keep both of you safe.”

Rick could feel her trembling. Just when he felt he’d been making real progress with her and Tessa, Hayward had chosen this moment to get his revenge. Rick hated it that because of his association with Andrea, she and her shop were being targeted by that maniac.

“Tomorrow your mother will work until she decides to close,” Benton explained, “then drive home to be with you. One of my men will hide in your apartment for as long as it takes to capture Hayward. In the meantime you’ll stay at your mother’s and the two of you will continue doing business as usual. Do you think you can handle this?”

Andrea nodded.

“Good.” He got up from the table. “Sorry this is such an ugly business, but it should be over soon.”

“Stay in here, Andrea,” Rick whispered before he walked Benton to the front door. The second he left, Rick returned to the den and found her with her head buried in her hands.

He knelt and covered her hands with his own. “Andrea...I know this terrifies you.”

Slowly she lifted a tearstained face. “I have to admit I don’t like the idea of Mom being involved. If anything happened to her, I don’t know what I’d do.”

Rick kissed her wet cheeks. “I promise that neither you nor your mother will get hurt. I swear it.”

“I believe in you.” Her voice trembled. “That’s part of what’s wrong. Chase is after you. It’s horrible and so strange because it’s one nightmare I hadn’t thought of.”

“What do you mean?”

Andrea wiped her eyes and sat all the way up. In the soft light of the room her hair fell in waves around her shoulders like spun gold. The contrast with her brilliant blue eyes set in an oval face was stunning. His gaze traveled to the passionate curve of her mouth. He could never get enough of it, not in a lifetime.

“I don’t know where to start.”

He shook his head. “You puzzle me, Andrea. I never know where I am with you. How about a little honesty over what is really going on with you? I take it you were very much in love with your husband.”

“Yes.”

“So was I with my wife. Meeting you has come as a shock. I’m feeling and thinking things I never expected to experience again. I can see it’s the same for you.”

“You know it is.” She half moaned the words. “It seems way too soon to experience emotions this strong.”

“Is guilt the reason you keep pulling away?”

“No,” she answered truthfully. “Like you, I’m overwhelmed with feelings I thought had died with Gunter. But you have a child and I don’t want to hurt her. She’s too important.”

“Why would you hurt her?”

“If I see you any more, then she’ll grow more attached. I mustn’t let that happen.”

“In other words, you intend to carry out your plan to stop seeing me.”

“I can’t go on like this.”

He breathed in sharply, because she sounded as if she meant it. “In the name of heaven, why not?”

“Because...you’re a firefighter.”

Rick shot to his feet. “That’s the real reason?”

She reared her head, causing her golden hair to swish against her cheeks. “It’s the most important one.”

“So there are other reasons, too?”

“Let’s just say that your line of work trumps everything else. I couldn’t stand to get into a relationship with a man who puts himself in harm’s way every time the truck leaves the station. I’m not made of the same stuff as your late wife. I’m a coward.”

“That’s an excuse for what you’re not telling me.”

Her eyes searched his. “Why don’t you humor me and tell me why you became a firefighter. What is it about the job that sends you into a raging fire time after time? Are you going to tell me you come from a long line of firefighters?”

Interesting it had taken this long before she asked. “Nothing of the sort. One grandfather was a college professor, the other worked for a newspaper. My father is a chemical engineer who heads projects for a gold refining company in Cranston, where I grew up. My elder brother is a dentist.