Dante was one of those men who liked to be in control, she thought. It came with his profession and partially from his personality. She would guess he nearly always had the upper hand in his relationships.
Still on tiptoe, she leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Whatever you’re thinking, I can do more.”
She slowly lowered herself until she was standing flat-footed. Dante’s eyes were glazed, his mouth slightly parted. The comment was mostly cheap talk. Sure, she was limber and strong and could probably get in positions that he’d only dreamed about, but so what? That didn’t mean she was any more secure than other women. She still worried about how she looked naked and whether or not the relationship would have a happy ending.
He shook his head, as if clearing his mind, then swore under his breath. “It’s the dancing,” he muttered. “You’re too sexy.”
“Thank you, but the truth is, I’m not that good a dancer.”
“You’re the best I’ve ever seen.”
She laughed. “Again, a lovely compliment, but you’re hardly a discriminating audience.” She thought about the feel of his mouth on hers. “Good kisses, though.”
“You like them?”
“I do.”
“Good. Then we should plan to kiss more.”
A goal she could get behind. Dante might not be long-term material, but didn’t she deserve a little fun? It was the holiday season. He could be her gift to herself. Being with him was easy and natural. She needed more of that in her life.
He cleared his throat and deliberately put space between them. “Okay, there’s a reason I came to talk to you.”
“Which is?”
“The work party is arranged. Charlie and Patience have taken care of most of the volunteers. I’m picking up the supplies tomorrow. We’re starting at eight on Saturday morning.”
“At the warehouse?”
He nodded. “We have a big workspace. If everyone who says he’s coming does, we’re going to need it.” He paused. “Your brothers will be there.”
She looked at him. “Your doing?”
“Maybe.”
She wanted to say she didn’t need them, that she would be fine on her own. But the truth was, she didn’t know anything about refurbishing sets for a production. She needed help, and she would be grateful for anyone who showed up.
“Thank you,” she told him.
“You mean that?”
“Nearly.”
He laughed and kissed her lightly on the mouth. “Close enough. I gotta go. See you Saturday?”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me, too.”
* * *
EVIE MANAGED TO hang on to the post-kiss tingles during her walk home. A trick, considering the temperature had to be close to freezing. There were plenty of stars in the sky, but the next storm would bring snow to Fool’s Gold.
Still, despite the occasional shiver, she felt warm inside. Or maybe just quivery. There was something about a man who knew how to kiss. No doubt Dante had plenty of practice with the women in his life. Something she should remember to keep herself safe. In the meantime, she would enjoy the anticipation.
As she turned onto her street, she noticed there were more decorations on the various houses and townhomes. Lights on roof lines, and plastic snowmen and Santas on lawns. By contrast, Dante’s place was completely dark and hers only had a few flameless candles in the front windows. Maybe she should find out about getting some lights for the front window and maybe a wreath for her door.
As she walked up to the porch, she glanced next door. Obviously Dante wasn’t home yet. She wondered how late he was going to work and wished they had the kind of relationship where she could simply call and invite him over for dinner. Not that she had anything to eat. Still, they could get takeout. Maybe Chinese.
She went inside and flipped on lights. After hanging up her jacket, she hit the switch for the gas fireplace, then waited for the whoosh as it started up. She wandered into the kitchen, already knowing there was nothing to eat, and wondered why ordering takeout for one didn’t sound as exciting as when it was for two.
Someone rang her doorbell.
Evie felt herself starting to smile as she hurried back to the living room. Dante was home, she thought happily. He’d decided to come over and—
She pulled open the door, then felt her whole body tense as she stared at her mother.
“Hello, Evie,” May said.
“Mom.” She automatically stepped back to allow the other woman in, then wished she hadn’t.
“How are you?” May asked.
“Fine. I just got home from work.”
“The girls are getting ready for their performance?”
Evie nodded, then watched as her mother slipped off her coat and hung it on the back of a chair.
The Stryker brothers all shared similar looks. Dark hair and eyes they’d inherited from both their parents. The brothers were tall, with broad shoulders and muscles. Evie assumed she took after her father—not only with her light coloring, but with her lean build. When the family was together, no one questioned who the brothers belonged to. Strangers had always assumed Evie was someone else’s child. As she’d gotten older, she’d been presumed to be the girlfriend or a neighbor.
“I thought we could talk,” May said, sitting on the sofa and patting the cushion next to her.
Evie tried to figure out a way to say she was too busy, but she couldn’t come up with an excuse. And knowing May, her mother would want to know what was more important than them talking.
“All right.”
Evie sat in a chair across from her mother, rather than next to her, and waited.
May looked around. “You don’t have a lot of furniture.”
“The place came furnished.”
May nodded. “That’s right. Your apartment in Los Angeles was furnished, too.”
“I like to travel light.”
“Eventually you’ll want to settle down.” Her mother looked at her. “I was hoping you’d stay at the ranch a little longer. It was nice having you there.”
Evie drew in a breath. “With me working in town, this is more convenient.” She hoped she would get points for being polite because what she really wanted to say was “Why on earth would I want to live anywhere near you?” But that sounded harsh, even in her own mind.
It wasn’t fair—her mother had been horrible to her for years and years. But Evie was now expected to be reasonable. To understand, maybe even forgive. When was it her turn to be the mean one? Not that she wanted to be mean, but she wanted some kind of payback.
No, that wasn’t right, she thought, shifting on the chair. She honestly wasn’t sure what she wanted, but it wasn’t them pretending all was well.
May drew in a breath. “Fool’s Gold has many holiday traditions. Even more than I remember from when we lived here before. On the fifteenth is the annual Day of Giving. The town welcomes all kinds of charities to come in and talk about what they do. There are booths set up, and people can ask questions. The same day is the Take Home a Pet Adoption.”
Evie wasn’t sure where this was going. Money was always tight in her world, and right now she was saving every extra penny she had. Not that there were very many of them.
“Carina