A Mistletoe Proposal. Rebecca Winters

Except for you,” she added. “No wonder you wanted her to have that gingerbread man. It was meant for a child like that.”

      “I agree, but she was really devastated.”

      “When you were her age, you had a few meltdowns, too.”

      “I probably did, but this seemed different. She believes I lied to her.”

      “Honey, you know children.”

      “Actually I don’t, Mom. I won’t ever know them, since I can’t have one of my own. After this incident it’s probably just as well, since it appears I’m not so great in that department.”

      “Andrea—”

      “It’s true.”

      Her hope for a family wasn’t meant to be. She wasn’t destined to be a wife and mother, and she needed to get over her self-pity. Thankfully more customers entered the store, keeping her too distracted to wallow in her deepest emotional wants for the time being.

      After lunch Andrea was showing her newest customer a music box when the chimes sounded. As she glanced up and saw Tessa’s striking father, she clung to the edge of the display table for support. He wore a forest-green crewneck sweater beneath his black bomber jacket. The lines bracketing his hard mouth led her to believe he was upset. It enlarged the pit in her stomach left from his distraught daughter’s visit earlier in the day.

      He wandered around the shop inspecting the merchandise until she was alone once more, then approached her. “I heard what happened here this morning,” he said without preamble. “Sharon admitted she’d brought Tessa to the shop to get me a gift—she’d had no idea what was going to happen.”

      Andrea took a quick breath. “Is Tessa all right now?”

      “She’s fine. I had a talk with her and explained Santa already knew what she wanted without a letter.”

      “Did that satisfy her?”

      “Enough for her to go to school this afternoon. I’m sorry she made things uncomfortable for you.”

      “She was the one who was upset. I didn’t want her to think I’d lied to her.”

      “I appreciate you keeping my secret. Sadly, Tessa has gotten her way too often when she wants something. It’s a habit I’m trying to curtail.”

      Andrea shook her head. “I didn’t help when I took matters into my own hands the other day to grant her wish. Forgive me. It’ll teach me not to do anything like that again.”

      His dark brows rose. “You couldn’t have known the struggle I’ve been having, and it is Christmas after all, as you reminded me that first day.” His comment relieved her. “Right after Tina died, I’m afraid I indulged her too much. So did both sides of the family, but my wife’s in particular.”

      “Naturally everyone is still grieving.”

      “True, but I finally recognized that giving in to her at every turn wouldn’t make the pain go away and was setting a negative precedent for the future.”

      “You sound like a very responsible parent doing the job of two on your own.”

      “I’m trying, but I learned quickly that I can’t be the mom.” No. That job was given out to the very luckiest of women. “My housekeeper helps with that.”

      Andrea smiled. “While I floundered, she handled Tessa very well at the shop.”

      “Sharon said she was impressed you thought of the elf idea.”

      “It was a stretch.”

      Stillness enveloped them both while he studied her intently. “I don’t see a ring on your finger, so I presume you’re single.”

      “Yes.” She fought not to show emotion. “My husband was killed in a car accident fourteen months ago. Like you and your wife, we thought we had a whole lifetime together.”

      More silence, then, “That’s tragic.” The compassion in his voice got to her.

      “Yes,” she said, followed by the first thing that came into her mind. “If you’ve come by to pay me for those gifts, your effort has been in vain.”

      “I already got that message at the station,” he said in a grating voice. “One of my reasons for being here is to thank you properly. You’ve convinced me there really is a Santa Claus.”

      “If I could do that to a man of your age, then I’m convinced miracles really do happen.”

      His dark brows quirked. “A man of my age?”

      “You’re older than ten, right?” He chuckled. “What’s the other reason you came in?”

      He shifted his weight. “My closest friends have invited me to a Christmas get-together tomorrow night. If you’re not busy after work, would you like to come with me?”

      His invitation excited and dismayed her at the same time. “I’m afraid I can’t, but thank you.”

      “You already have plans with the person who took you out of town?”

      Her mother must have told him. “That’s not it. I went to visit one of my best girlfriends at Barrow’s Lake. She’s been having a bad time lately. We’re planning a Christmas Eve party for our other friend who’s on her second honeymoon right now. When she gets back, they’re going to renew their wedding vows. I was hoping that in making plans, it would cheer up my friend.”

      “Did it help?”

      “I don’t think so.” And all the trip had done for Andrea was make her realize she was in a depression and needed to climb out of it.

      “I used to water-ski there from time to time when I was in my teens. As I recall, there was an inn.”

      “Yes. The Gingerbread Inn. My family went there every summer for years. Casey is staying there right now. It’s where we’re planning the party.”

      “I see. You made a quick trip.”

      He was too observant for words. “Yes. I didn’t want to leave my mother alone too long.”

      “She’s charming.”

      “I’ll tell her.” Andrea wished he would leave.

      “Is there someone else in your life, then? If so, just tell me.”

      His persistence surprised her. “No. I mean, there isn’t anyone else.”

      “But you’re still turning me down.”

      “Yes,” she answered in a quiet voice.

      “Is it because it’s too soon for you?”

      “Yes.” Another monosyllable. She grabbed at the excuse, which wasn’t far from the truth.

      “I’m a grown man, as you reminded me earlier, so I’m going to be blunt. If I were to call you up in say a month and ask you out, do you think you would go?”

      She sustained his gaze. “I’m afraid not.” Andrea could be blunt, too. She had to be to protect her heart from this man whose chosen career could be cut short in a fire. She couldn’t handle that kind of anguish a second time. She wouldn’t.

      “I have to admit it’s refreshing to meet a woman who speaks her mind, even if I don’t like the answer. Maybe we’ll see each other again, Mrs....”

      “Fleming.”

      If she wasn’t mistaken, she saw a hint of satisfaction light up his eyes. “Even if you didn’t want to know, my friends call me Rick.”

      After he left the shop, Andrea was so out of sorts she couldn’t calm down. Once she’d closed up, she made a sandwich and watched TV to get her mind off him, but it didn’t work.

      After a restless night