Marry Me under the Mistletoe

by Rebecca Winters

  Her lack of response poleaxed him, but there was always the New Year when she got back from Europe, because he refused to give up. Struggling for control, he moved to the doorway. He’d made a decision and would stick to it.

  Get out of here, Jenner.

  “Goodbye, Andrea.”

  He raced down the steps and through the shop. Her mother was waiting on a customer. “Merry Christmas and happy New Year, Mrs. Bernard.”

  Her gaze darted to him in surprise. “The same to you, Captain Jenner. As I told you earlier, words can’t express all our gratitude for what you’ve done for our family. We owe you everything.”

  “Say no more. It goes with the territory.”

  Once outside, he levered himself into the car and headed for Benton’s house to pick up his daughter. He needed her. Whatever they ended up doing today, he didn’t want to be alone with his thoughts. Andrea kept fighting him. He’d thought by now he would have broken her down, but such wasn’t the case.

  There was a reason she’d been invited to Spain. No doubt her late husband’s sister had picked out a man she wanted her to meet. A European whose occupation wouldn’t threaten her and who had the approval of the Fleming family. Someone safe.

  Rick’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. No man could be immune to her beauty. The guys at the station couldn’t stop talking about her. Neither could Benton. Chase had gotten sidetracked by it. Because of it he’d now be spending time in the hospital before he was sent to prison.

  By the time he reached Benton’s house it was noon. He went inside and discovered the children were finishing their lunch. After thanking Deanna profusely, he told her he was taking Tessa home with him for some daddy-daughter time. They went out to the car and he strapped her in before driving off.

  “How come I don’t have to go to school today, Daddy?”

  “Because I miss you and want you home with me.”

  “I miss you all the time.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. Every time you go away, I’m afraid you won’t come back.”

  Her words drove a pain deep into his gut. Andrea’s exact words about her father.

  When they reached the house and went inside, he carried her into the den and sat down with her. “Tessa? Will you tell me the truth about something?”

  She gazed at him out of those beautiful green eyes, then touched his hair. “What happened? It looks funny right here.”

  Andrea had warned him his daughter would notice. “I got too close to a Christmas candle. It’ll grow back.”

  His daughter’s expression sobered. “Julie said you were in a bad fire and had to go to the hospital again. I was afraid you’d die like Mommy and I cried all morning.”

  Oh, hell. Benton’s little girl had big ears and had probably listened in on her parents’ conversations. Naturally she had told Tessa everything. “Well, as you can see, I’m fine.”

  “No, you’re not. Your eyelashes look funny, too. I wish you didn’t have to put out fires. Julie’s daddy doesn’t have to anymore. She says he’s home a lot doing his work.”

  Tessa had never said these things to him before. “Does it worry you what I do, sweetheart?”

  Her eyes filled with tears. Suddenly she slid off his lap and ran out of the room. Alarmed, he got up and followed her to the bedroom. She lay down on her stomach, parka and all. He watched her body heave with silent sobs.

  “Tessa—look at me.”

  “I don’t want to.”

  His dark brows furrowed. “Why?”

  “Cos I’m afraid you’re mad at me for saying that.”

  He knelt down. “I could never be mad at you. I love you.”

  “Promise?”

  Heartsick over that question, he said, “Don’t you know that already?”

  She flung her body around and hugged his neck. “Please don’t die, Daddy.” Now her sobs were vocal. They held on to each other for a long time. Tessa clung to him until she’d cried out her tears and finally fell quiet.

  His phone rang, disturbing the silence.

  “Don’t answer it, Daddy! Don’t go to another fire!” The anxiety in her voice was terrifying to him. After the talk with Andrea, he realized how deep-seated his own daughter’s fear had become since losing her mother.

  How could he not have known? Though Tina hadn’t been thrilled about what he did for a living, she’d never let it become an issue. But maybe she and Tessa had talked about it in private and Tina’s death had brought their daughter’s fear to the surface.

  “I’m off duty, sweetheart, so I’m not going anywhere. I’ll just see who it is.” He pulled the cell from his pocket. The blood pounded in his ears. Andrea.

  Whatever was on her mind, he didn’t want to talk to her in front of Tessa. His daughter was already too upset. He let it ring, deciding to call her back when Tessa got busy doing something else. “It’s not an important call,” he lied. “What would you like to do today? I’ll let you choose.”

  More animated, she jumped off the bed. “Can we go to Andrea’s shop and look at the nutcrackers?”

  His heart thundered in his chest. All roads led to Andrea. His daughter had just given him an excuse to find out what Andrea wanted. So much for his decision to leave her alone. “Why don’t I call her and see if it will be all right?”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “THANK YOU. I’ll be by for it later today.”

  Andrea got off the phone with the car rental agency and started out of the bedroom. On the way downstairs her cell rang. She checked the caller ID and immediately clicked on. “Rick?”

  She knew she sounded out of breath. It had been ten minutes since she’d phoned him. When he hadn’t answered, she’d feared she’d angered him beyond forgiveness. Taking her silence as a firm goodbye, he’d left the loft like a shot and she’d wanted to die. He’d just saved her life, and she’d let him go without saying a word!

  “Are you all right?”

  I am now. “Yes. Thank you for calling me back. You’re a much better person than I am.”

  “What can I do for you?”

  He was upset.

  She leaned against the stair railing for support. “I—I’ve been thinking about what you said....” Her voice faltered. “Tessa has a whole fulfilling life with you, so being around me for another day isn’t going to be the end of the world for her. As you told her, you and I are friends. You were right about something else, too. After almost losing your life this morning, we should celebrate. If you still want to drive to Barrow’s Cove, I’d love to go.”

  “If you’re saying this because you feel you owe me, I’d rather not see you again.” His borderline wintry tone gutted her.

  “I want to be with you,” she admitted on a whisper. He would never know how much.

  “That’s all I needed to hear. Tessa and I will be in the alley in half an hour.”

  Excitement almost caused her to crush the phone in her hand. “Honk when you’ve arrived and I’ll come out.”

  After hanging up, she hurried downstairs to tell her mother what was going on. Under the circumstances her mom decided to close the store for the rest of the day and go home. It was music to Andrea’s ears that Rex would be going over there to inspect the damage in the garage and take her out to dinner.

  Once upstairs again, Andrea phoned the car rental agency and told them she wouldn’t be picking it up until later the next afternoon. All she needed to do now was pack her overnight bag and winter clothing.

  On impulse she phoned the inn and spoke to Carol, who sounded delighted they were coming and said she would get a couple of rooms ready for them. When she asked who the man was, Andrea told her it was a friend. Carol let it go at that.

  When Andrea heard the honk, she grabbed the pecan roll her mother had
brought her and hurried out the door. Rick got out of the driver’s seat at the same time. Their eyes met for a breathtaking moment before he put her things into the trunk. He’d forgiven her this time, but she knew her behavior could destroy any feelings he might have for her if she kept this up.

  “Andrea—”

  She knew that voice, and she climbed into the front seat before turning to his daughter. “Tessa—how are you, darling?”

  “I’m glad you could come on a trip with us.”

  “So am I. It’s kind of fun to miss a day of school.”

  She giggled for happiness. “Daddy says we’re going to a lake where he used to water-ski.”

  “I used to go there, too. We’d boat and swim and have a wonderful time, but it’s too cold to do that in winter. Years ago there was a place that took people sleigh riding around the lake in the snow. I’ve never done it, but maybe we could do it today before dinner.”

  “You mean like in Santa’s sleigh?”

  Rick darted Andrea a smiling glance.

  “Exactly like that.”

  “With reindeer?”

  He burst into deep laughter. “I think horses, sweetheart.”

  “We’ll eat treats and see what kind of birds and little animals we can spot. There’ll be a lot of them around the inn where we’ll be staying.”

  “What’s an inn?”

  “It’s another word for a hotel. My family used to spend our summers there. That’s where I met my best friends. After we get settled, we’ll go for a walk while your daddy takes a nap.”

  “He needs one. Did you know his hair got burned in the fire?”

  “It did?” She pretended to know nothing.

  “Yes, and his eyelashes.”

  She looked over at him. “He still looks good to me,” she said to hide her emotions. Whether injured, sleep deprived or unshaven, Rick was still the most striking male anywhere around, bar none.

  He grinned. “I think I like the sound of that.”

  Without snow or ice on the freeway, they made good time. When they came to the outskirts of Barrow’s Cove, Rick pulled into a family restaurant. “I feel like some hot chili. Do I hear any takers?”

  Andrea nodded. “That sounds delicious.”

  “I want a hot dog and a hot chocolate,” Tessa proclaimed.

  Before long they’d eaten and were on the road again. This made twice in one week Andrea had come here, but being with Rick and Tessa this time was so different and thrilling, she had to pinch herself to believe this was real.

  Soon the small hand-painted sign with a wooden arrow pointing up the hill announcing the inn came into view. There’d been no snowplows here. Part snow, part slush covered the gravel drive. Tessa was all eyes as Rick pulled to a stop near the sagging front wraparound porch.

  “Is this a haunted house?”

  Both Rick and Andrea burst into laughter. Trying to view the dilapidation and snow-covered tree limbs from a child’s vantage point, she knew it did look forlorn with only Carol’s pickup parked at the side.

  “No, darling. It’s a place loaded with happy memories. But the owner can’t take care of it anymore and is trying to sell it, so that’s why it looks a little sad. But you’ll find it cozy and charming inside.”

  Rick got the bags out and they climbed the porch stairs. To Tessa’s delight the golden retriever came running out the front door and started sniffing her. “This is Harper, Carol’s dog. She’s very friendly.”

  Carol met them in the foyer and hugged her. “How lucky am I to see you again so soon!”

  “I feel the same way. Carol Parsons, I want you to meet two very important people. Rick Jenner and his daughter, Tessa, from Providence. She’s in kindergarten and Rick is a firefighter for the Providence Fire Department.”

  The older woman beamed at them. “You can climb up the ladder to my window any time,” she teased, causing him to laugh. “Young lady? Did you know you’re my first customers today, but I’m expecting some more guests later. Welcome to the Gingerbread Inn!”

  “Gingerbread?” Tessa’s squeal reverberated through the hallway, causing the three of them to chuckle. “Does the Gingerbread Man live here?”

  Rick tousled her blond curls. His dashing smile turned Andrea’s heart over. “Who knows? After he ran away, maybe the fox didn’t eat him after all and he decided to hide here.”

  “Daddy...you’re funny.”

  “When the inn was built, they called it that to let guests know it was children friendly.”

  “It was always a magical place to me, Carol.”

  Tessa’s green eyes twinkled. “Santa Claus is going to bring me a gingerbread man.”

  “He is?” Carol clapped her hands together. “That’s right! Christmas will be here before we know it. Do you want to follow me up the stairs to your rooms?”

  “Come on, Daddy.” While Tessa trudged on up the old-fashioned staircase with Carol and the dog, Andrea reached for her overnight bag. Rick brought the rest.

  “I’ve put you in the rose room and the Jenners are across the hall in the lilac room.” Each room had two double beds, all of them four-posters with chintz quilts.

  Tessa walked in to look around. “Did you used to sleep in here, Andrea?”

  “With Casey, Melissa and Emily. We had a slumber party every night.”

  “I don’t think they slept much,” Carol said with a laugh. “They stayed up half the night gabbing.” Rick sent her another private, heart-grabbing smile.

  “We’re going on a sleigh ride!”

  Carol eyed Tessa ruefully. “If you’re talking about Sterling’s, they’re not doing that sleigh ride anymore. It’s a shame, but these are hard times.”

  Andrea’s spirits plummeted for Tessa’s sake. “Oh well, we’re going to have lots of fun anyway, aren’t we, Tessa?”

  She nodded her cute blond head. The dog had engaged her attention, which was a good thing. Clearly Tessa was so happy being out with her daddy, nothing else mattered to her.

  “Make yourselves comfortable. If there’s anything you need, come and find me in the kitchen. I’ve got fresh coffee and coffee cake for you. If you get hungry in the night, just rummage in the kitchen all you want.”

  “You’re too good to be true, Mrs. Parsons.”

  “Call me Carol.”

  Andrea hugged her. “You’re an angel.”

  After she disappeared, Andrea walked across the worn carpet to the other bedroom. “I bet your father is sleepy. Shall we let him lie down while you and I take a walk around the inn?”

  “Yes. You go to bed, Daddy. You need your sleep.”

  Rick didn’t put up a fight. After what he’d lived through over the past few days, Andrea knew he needed rest more than anything. “Thank you.” He mouthed the words to her before she left with Tessa.

  Andrea could see his exhaustion was so great, he might sleep longer than a few hours. In anticipation, she talked to Tessa about going for a long walk by the lake instead. His daughter was willing to go along with anything.

  As it turned out, Rick didn’t wake up till the next morning. After their walk with Harper, Andrea and Tessa ate dinner in the kitchen with Carol. They talked about the plans for the wedding-vows party and how they would decorate. Then they sat in front of the fire to eat coffee cake for dessert. Carol brought out an old puzzle, which they all worked on until it was time to go to bed. Andrea kept Tessa in her own room so Rick wouldn’t be disturbed.

  * * *

  At four in the morning, Rick came wide awake. He raised himself up in bed and saw that Tessa’s bed hadn’t been slept in. Once again he’d slept a solid twelve hours.

  Unable to lie there anymore, he got up to shower and shave. The long uninterrupted sleep had made him feel like a new man. If he didn’t suspect his
daughter was asleep in Andrea’s room, he’d go in and make love to the beautiful woman—the woman who had stolen his heart—until the sun streamed through the windows.

  Barring that, he had to do something with all this energy. He decided to take Carol up on her offer and raid the kitchen before he took a walk outside in the snow. Between heavy conversations with Andrea and Tessa, he had a lot of serious thinking to do about his life and where he wanted to go from here.

  One thing he knew beyond all else. He couldn’t imagine a life that didn’t include Andrea. The idea of her leaving for Spain after Christmas was unthinkable to him.

  It was six-thirty when he returned to the inn and went up the stairs. After removing his boots and parka, he slipped across the hall to Andrea’s room. The two people he loved most in the world were still sleeping peacefully. He hunkered down at the side of the bed.

  “Andrea?” he whispered.

  She stirred and opened her eyes. Heavens, she was beautiful. Then she sat up in alarm. “Rick—is something wrong with Tessa?”

  It thrilled him that her concern for his daughter was at the forefront of her mind. He couldn’t fall in love with a woman who didn’t love his daughter as much as possible. He knew Andrea did.

  Taking precautions, he put a finger to her lips. “She’s still out for the count. I need to talk to you alone. This is important. Come across to my room. We’ll leave both doors open. If she wakes up, she’ll know where we are.”

  Her eyes wandered over him. “You’re already dressed.”

  “I woke up early and took a walk outside.”

  She took an audible breath. “I need to put on some clothes.”

  “I’ll wait for you in my room.” Rick pressed a kiss to the base of her throat before he left. He stood at his window and looked out at the lake until she joined him wearing jeans and a becoming plum-colored sweater. With her golden hair, she looked fantastic in everything. “Come over here by me.”

  “I’m afraid to.”

  “That’s honest. By now you know I’d like to eat you alive, and that’s just for starters.”