The Christmas Date. Michele Dunaway

reason he was having this overwhelming reaction to Kate. He’d better move away before he did something stupid and impulsive, like kiss those lips, which were slightly parted with anticipation. “Those guys are waiting.”

      “Yes.” Her voice faltered as she moved a pace back. “Good idea.”

      As soon as he left the room, Kate sat in the chair he had vacated. The wood still felt warm from his presence.

      Wow. Whenever he’d touched her, even briefly, she’d felt shivers run down to her toes. Jack had never made her quiver. Certainly not like this. Tyler had boldly pulled her hair from her bun. Forgetting she had gloves on, she reached up to touch the strands.

      “He’s quite a doll, don’t you think?” Frieda strode into the room, a small white trash bag dangling from her hand. “I tell you, if I were forty years younger, he wouldn’t stand a chance.”

      “He’s very nice,” Kate hedged. There was no way to describe what Tyler was, but doll didn’t come close. He put Barbie’s ex, Ken, to shame.

      “He’s definitely an improvement over Myra, God bless her. We could use some younger blood on the street.”

      “Are you matchmaking again?” Nora entered and glared at Frieda.

      Frieda didn’t hide her guilt. “Of course I am. I think Tyler would be a good match for anyone.”

      “He’s busy with work, as am I,” Kate replied, deciding to nip this situation in the bud. All night Frieda and Nora had swept her along, and she couldn’t escape the feeling she’d forgotten something important.

      Besides, she’d had enough of Frieda’s and Nora’s matchmaking attempts two years ago after Sandra’s death. To prove to the matrons she wasn’t hurting anymore, Kate had gone on three disastrous blind dates, and then she’d rebounded straight into Jack. There were worse things than being alone, she reminded herself.

      Nora patted Kate on the shoulder. “There, there, dear. Ignore Frieda. Niles will be in town over Christmas. That’s only a few weeks away.”

      Great. Kate sighed inwardly. She had no intention of dating Niles, either. She just didn’t have the heart to tell Nora outright, which she’d have to do if Nora kept insisting on fixing them up. Nora had been such a support after Sandra’s death that Kate hated to flat-out reject her grandson. Thus, getting out of a date would take some creative thought. “I’m busy with school and work,” she said somewhat lamely.

      Nora didn’t seem too perturbed. “We’ll just have to arrange something that fits into your schedule. You’ll love Niles. He was a magna cum laude at Georgia Tech.”

      “He’s a geek,” Frieda announced. “You can say no, Kate. Have you seen Niles’s photos?”

      “Frieda Webster!” Nora placed her aged hands on her hips and gazed over her glasses. Despite her petite size, Nora packed a powerful punch. “You take that back. Niles is perfect for Kate.”

      Frieda tossed her head, her hair-sprayed gray hair not budging an inch. “No, he’s not. Tyler’s much better.”

      “Much better at what?” Tyler strode back into the room and grinned. “Thelma—I think that’s her name—is organizing my underwear drawer. I figured a hasty retreat was best.”

      Still sitting in the chair, Kate dropped her head into her hands. How could he be so nonchalant and naive? Didn’t he have a clue? Dogwood Lane would be gossiping about his boxers or briefs for weeks to come. The residents thrived on things like that to spice up their bunco nights.

      “Well,” Nora said, relaxing her posture somewhat, “why don’t you just take a break and keep us company. I was telling Kate all about my grandson Niles. He’s visiting over the holidays. Normally, I travel to Jacksonville, but this year, as the family is going every which way, he’s agreed to come down here for a change.”

      “Really?” Tyler feigned interest as he poured himself a glass of water from the tap. He’d given up on beer after finishing the first one.

      “Yes. Did Rita tell you about her granddaughter Jane? Such a pretty little thing. She’s an elementary teacher in Lakeland.”

      Tyler shrugged. “She forgot to mention that part.”

      “Well, you’ll have to meet her. Just like Kate is going to meet my Niles,” Nora declared.

      “Oh, I’m sure she’s looking forward to it,” Tyler said, giving Kate a wink. After listening to all the single-women stories, he knew exactly what Kate dealt with. Her neighbors were the matchmakers from hell.

      “Of course Kate wants to meet Niles,” Nora insisted.

      Frieda coughed, the noise sounding like the word bull.

      “Frieda!” Nora’s expression was aghast.

      “Something stuck in my throat,” Frieda said, waving her hand in front of her face.

      “I’m going to check on Thelma.” As if unable to endure the conversation any longer, Kate left the room.

      “So. About Jane,” Nora began, ignoring Kate’s departure.

      “About Jane,” Tyler interrupted. He had no plans to date anyone’s granddaughter. Although Kate…She was someone he wouldn’t mind knowing better—intimately better—in spite of his rule not to get involved with his neighbors.

      “It’s probably just as well that I don’t meet Jane,” Tyler said, ready to stop the matchmaking madness. “Unfortunately, I don’t have time for relationships. I’ll be on another assignment in just a few days. While I’m thinking of it, my sister is a tall thin blonde who drives a BMW convertible. Tara will pop by occasionally when I’m out of town to check on the place. She’s got a key.”

      Nora nodded. “I’m glad you told me. We’re very careful on this street.”

      “She keeps binoculars and a notebook by every window,” Frieda said.

      Good grief. He’d thought Kate had been exaggerating. “Kate said you were very vigilant.”

      “Someone has to be. There’s nowhere safe anymore,” Nora said. “Have you ever seen those It Takes a Thief shows?”

      “The last bit of action we had on this block was when raccoons knocked over Elmer’s trash cans last year,” Frieda interjected.

      “One still can’t be too careful,” Nora persisted, shooting Frieda a dirty look. “Kate is prone to just opening her door without peering outside first. And you can’t leave windows ajar anymore without having window guards. My Niles is good with tools. He said he’d install some for Kate while he’s here.”

      Niles in Kate’s house? Even though he’d known Kate mere hours, Tyler didn’t like the sound of that. “You know, Nora, the fact that this neighborhood is pretty safe is a credit to you, and I can agree with your point. I’ll secure Kate’s windows. I’m quite handy, although probably not as handy as your Niles.”

      That sounded good. Compliment and go for what you want at the same time. His mama hadn’t raised a fool.

      “You’d do that?” Nora paused, her expression skeptical behind her glasses.

      “Of course I would. I could also get it done sooner, since security is of such essence and Niles won’t be here for a few weeks. The TV news just reported on how thieves increase their activity around the holidays.”

      He wasn’t sure if that was true, and he drew himself up a little straighter under Nora’s scrutiny. “After all,” he told her, “it’s the very least I can do after Kate’s been so neighborly to help me out by cleaning.”

      “Hmm.” Nora pondered the idea for a moment, refusing to cave easily.

      “I think you should take her to dinner, instead,” Frieda stated. Her smile widened. “In fact, that would be a perfect way to repay Kate