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