Christmas 2011 Trio A. Кейт Хьюит

was a sensible man. He wouldn’t intrude on his daughter’s life. He’d accept whatever Julie wanted and keep his mouth shut—as he should.

      “He wouldn’t approve.”

      “So?”

      “So,” she continued, “I suspect he’d quit his job.”

      “That decision is his, don’t you think?”

      “Yes,” she agreed after a lengthy pause. “But he needs this job and for more than the money. It’s been wonderful for him, Roy. I’m so grateful you gave Dad a chance to feel productive again. It’s been exactly what he needed.”

      “Leave your father to me,” he told her. Roy would square the situation with Dean and make sure he had no objections.

      Still Julie hesitated.

      “You don’t need to decide right this minute. Take a few days, think it over. I’m not going to withdraw the offer.”

      A tremulous smile lifted the corners of her mouth. Roy was disappointed by her lack of excitement, although he wouldn’t admit it. He’d hoped Julie would show as much enthusiasm for his idea as he felt himself.

      Then it hit him. Naturally she was hesitant. She wanted it all, especially that ring on her finger, before she moved in with him.

      “You want me to marry you first, don’t you?”

      “That’s the way it’s generally done,” she said. “So … yes, I guess I do.”

      He appreciated her honesty and felt he couldn’t be any less honest with her. “Sorry, Julie, it isn’t going to happen. I’m not interested in marriage.”

      She took the news easily enough.

      “Fine,” she said, her voice just a bit unsteady. “But what are you offering me?”

      Roy shrugged. “I’m offering you a place in my life and in my home. I’ll be generous and attentive.” He couldn’t think of anything else she’d want. Although he hadn’t spelled it out, he intended to give her all the things women craved. She could buy whatever she wanted: jewels, clothes, cars. It was up to her.

      “I don’t doubt that you’d be good to me.”

      “Then what’s the problem?”

      “For how long?”

      His patience was slipping. “You want guarantees?”

      “Six weeks? Three months? A year?”

      “How am I supposed to know? For however long the two of us last.” That should satisfy her. The way he felt just then, it could be a very long time, but she was right—maybe it wouldn’t. Who could tell?

      “You’ve done contracts with other businesses, haven’t you?”

      Roy had the feeling she was thinking out loud. “Yes—”

      “You were ready to make a commitment to them, weren’t you?”

      “Yes—”

      “But you aren’t willing to make a commitment to me.”

      Ah, he was beginning to understand. “I can break a contract for a price. Is that what you’re talking about?”

      “Are you suggesting payment?”

      He should have wised up by now, but she’d had him fooled. Still, he didn’t care. He was a man accustomed to paying for what he wanted. At the moment that was Julie, and he wanted her badly.

      “Fine,” he said. “We can draw up a financial agreement.”

      She pulled her hands free of his. “That wasn’t what I meant. I don’t think you realize how insulting that is, Roy.”

      “Insulting? I thought it was what you wanted. Okay,” he said, doing his best to figure her out. “Just tell me what it would take—other than marrying you—to get you to move in with me.” He couldn’t make it any plainer than that. Aimee had moved in without a moment’s hesitation. He couldn’t understand why Julie needed all this discussion.

      “I don’t know … I want to think this through.” As if in a daze, she stood and walked slowly back to the kitchen.

      Roy followed her. This night wasn’t going the way he’d anticipated. He’d never been much good with relationships, and his experience with Aimee hadn’t helped.

      “What about love?” she asked, suddenly turning around.

      Roy had come to detest the word. He didn’t know what it was anymore. “Julie, you’re searching for an excuse, and I’m not going to give it to you. You’re looking for ways to talk yourself out of something we both want. This would be an agreement between two mature people who are strongly attracted to each other. Nothing more and nothing less.”

      “What about your mother?”

      “What about her? She’d be thrilled. She’s been saying for a long time that I work too hard, and she’s right. Knowing her, she’ll kiss you on both cheeks and thank you.”

      Julie didn’t seem to believe him.

      “If it’s any consolation, you should know I’ve only had one other woman live with me.” Aimee. And whatever happened with Julie, it couldn’t possibly end as badly as that relationship.

      Taking two bowls and two wineglasses from the cupboard, Julie set them on the counter. “I want to think this through,” she said again. She gave him a weak smile. “Like you said, this offer is good for more than twenty-four hours.”

      “Take all the time you need.” But he wanted her in his home and in his bed. The sooner the better.

       Twenty

      “I don’t know about anyone else,” Goodness said, still in a huff, pacing inside Roy’s office. “But I’m outraged.” She fluttered her wings so her friends would know she wasn’t kidding.

      Papers slid off Roy’s desk and he looked up, clearly puzzled by the sudden draft.

      “Roy’s a man,” Mercy chided her, far too willing to overlook his weaknesses. “What do you expect?”

      “And I’m an angel,” Goodness said right back. “What do you expect?”

      “These are human matters,” Shirley insisted, lurking behind Roy’s chair. “We can’t interfere.”

      “Julie knows better. Mark my words—she’ll refuse to do it.”

      Mercy sighed and sat on the corner of Roy’s fancy desk, protecting his files from further disruption. “I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you. She’s tempted.”

      “Then we’ll untempt her.”

      Shirley shook her head. “That’s not our department. They send in the Warrior Angels to deal with temptations.”

      True, but Goodness had intense feelings when it came to the humans involved in her prayer requests. Shirley, Goodness and Mercy had worked hard to bring these two together. She no longer felt any uncertainty about their choice; Julie was the woman Anne had prayed for. After all their efforts, the least Roy could do was marry her! Time was running out. They had to think of something quickly if he was going to propose by Christmas Eve. After that, they were off the case. Oh, dear, this could turn into a real disaster and of course Gabriel would blame the three of them.

      “We’ve got to make Julie see sense,” Goodness said urgently. If Mercy was right, then Julie might indeed give in to temptation. The prayer request was ambiguous; Anne hadn’t stated that Roy needed to marry this woman, although it was implied.

      “He hasn’t heard from her in two days.” Mercy flipped the pages of Roy’s desktop calendar.

      “Don’t