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