A Mistletoe Proposal. Rebecca Winters

wanted to invite me out to dinner.”

      “What did you tell him?” His voice sounded an octave lower.

      “That I’m still mourning my husband. Then Mom told me I was wanted on the phone. What’s wrong?”

      “Do me a favor and drive over to my house as soon as you can get here. Ask your mom if she’ll take over while you’re gone. This is important, Andrea.”

      “Rick—”

      “Just do it!” He sounded fierce before she heard the click and the dial tone.

      Stunned by the call, Andrea found her mother on the shop floor and told her Rick needed to see her right away. “It sounded like an emergency.”

      “Then go, and don’t worry about me.”

      Andrea grabbed her purse and coat before flying out the back door. She couldn’t imagine what was going on, but knew it had to do with the other firefighter. During the drive she reflected on the scene at the hospital and Chase’s cocky behavior. Andrea felt as if he couldn’t have cared less about Rick’s condition. He hadn’t acted the same as Rick’s other friends and colleagues.

      To her surprise Rick came outside when he saw her drive up. His long, well-honed body was clothed in jeans and a polo shirt, drawing her gaze. Andrea parked behind his car. He walked over to help her out. “Thank you for getting here so fast.”

      “It sounded urgent.”

      “I know I frightened the hell out of you, but I had to do something to get your attention.” He cupped her elbow as they walked into the house.

      “Where’s Tessa?”

      “Sharon’s gone to pick up her and Julie at school. Let’s go in the kitchen where we can talk.”

      “You sound much better today.”

      “I’m fully recovered.” In the next breath he pulled her into his arms and gave her a long, hungry kiss. To her shame it went on and on and left her gasping for breath once he relinquished her mouth. “I had to do that before we talk about Chase Hayward.”

      She saw his lips tighten. So she hadn’t imagined tension between them at the hospital. “I hope you know I’m not interested in him.” Andrea decided to tell him everything. “I’m sorry to say I didn’t like him. Among other things he has an attitude problem.”

      “There’s a lot more wrong with him than you can imagine.” At this point the glaze of desire in Rick’s eyes had vanished, to be replaced by the dangerous glittering look he’d given her in the shop that first morning. He let go of her arms so she could sit down at the table.

      “I take it you’re not friends.”

      “Anything but.” His hands went to his hips in a totally masculine gesture. “We joined the department at the same time eight years ago and worked at the same station for three years. He always saw everything as a competition. After his divorce, he got worse. When I was promoted to captain of my own ladder truck and transferred to the station I’m in now, it was a great relief.

      “A year later I learned he’d made captain at our original station. On the rare occasion when we were fighting the same fire, he was openly hostile to me when the other guys couldn’t hear him. Arney confided that Chase was jealous of me because not only had I been promoted earlier than him, but I’d made captain of the ladder truck in the downtown station.”

      “Why would he care?”

      “Because our station fights the most dangerous fires. It’s a matter of pride with him.”

      With those words it felt as if a bomb had exploded inside her. Rick had just given her more reason to walk away from him as soon as Sharon got back.

      “That had to have been a wound to his colossal ego,” she murmured.

      “You could say that. He was the only firefighter I knew who didn’t come to my wife’s funeral. As Benton said, he was conspicuous by his absence.”

      In a fraternity like theirs, Andrea realized any absence would be noticed. “Then I don’t understand why he came to the hospital with the other guys to see you.”

      “I’ve been asking myself the same thing, but I think I know now.” His hands gripped the back of one of the chairs. “How long was he there at the shop?”

      “I don’t know. I left first.”

      “Let’s call your mother and find out. Ask if he ever went into the back area. Put it on speakerphone.”

      Rick had a definite reason for asking that question. Andrea was positive it had nothing to do with her. She reached into her purse for the phone and made the call. When her mom answered, she asked about the firefighter who’d been in the store earlier. Andrea explained this call was at Rick’s request.

      “Well, he wandered around the shop for about five minutes looking at all the merchandise while I waited on some other customers. He eventually picked out a smoker and paid for it. Then he thanked me and left.”

      “Rick wants to know if he went in the back.”

      “No.”

      “Thanks, Mom. I’ll explain later.”

      She clicked off and looked up at Rick, who’d started pacing. “Tell me what you’re thinking.” His grim expression made her nervous. “Obviously something is very wrong.”

      He came to a standstill. “Didn’t Hayward tell you he wasn’t there to buy anything?”

      “Yes.”

      “But in the end, he bought something from your mother.” Lines marred his handsome features. “I don’t want him harassing you again.”

      “After what I told him, I’m sure he won’t.”

      Rick averted his eyes. “Excuse me for a minute while I make a phone call. Don’t move.” He gave her a long, hungry kiss that left her thoroughly shaken and trembling before he let her go and walked out of the kitchen.

      While she sat there dazed, Tessa came running into the kitchen from the door leading into the garage. She was carrying a packet and Sharon was right behind her. “Hi, Andrea!”

      What a change in her! Andrea thought. “Hi yourself!”

      “Where’s Daddy?”

      “He’s on the phone in the other room.”

      “Is he still in bed?”

      “No.”

      “That’s good. I want him to get well really fast.”

      “So do I. How was class today?”

      “Rodney Carr threw up by the teacher’s desk. He ate corn dogs for lunch. Everybody ran out in the hall.”

      “Oh, dear.”

      “His mom had to come and get him. Mrs. Riley said the flu is going around. If we start to feel sick to our stomachs, she doesn’t want us to come to class.”

      Amazed at all the information pouring out of her, Andrea tried to stifle her laughter. Wait till she told Rick. “Did you like the corn dogs?”

      “No. They’re yucky.”

      “Then I bet you’re hungry,” Mrs. Milne interjected.

      “Yes. What are we going to have for dinner?”

      “I thought I’d make tacos.”

      “Um. Daddy and I love those. He’s always hungry and eats anything.”

      That child had worked her way into Andrea’s heart. “Well, that’s lucky. Somewhere I read that a firefighter consumes a lot of calories when he’s on duty.” She was still trying to stifle her laughter.

      Sharon