A Mistletoe Proposal. Rebecca Winters

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.