The Fireman's Christmas

by Meg Lacey

  Danny took a big gulp of his drink. "My reasons are very simple. I said no. Don't tell me you're one of those women who let their kids run over them."

  "No, I believe in reasonable limits and communicating with my children."

  "Did your husband feel that way, too?"

  "Not exactly. When he noticed the kids at all, he was much like you in some ways. He was always convinced he was right. He made the money, so he made the rules, he said." Tessa drained her glass. "One day he made one rule too many and that was that."

  Refilling their glasses again, Danny said, "My wife liked having someone helping to make decisions. We were a team."

  "A team where you made most of the rules, though. Right, Danny?"

  "We didn't think of our relationship that way—not after I started my career with the fire department. It just made sense and made our family life easier to handle. After she died, I guess our family rules became more important to me."

  "You must miss her very much."

  "Yes, I do, especially now that Alison is growing up. She looks so much like her mother. I just want to protect her and keep her safe the way I couldn't with Laurie."

  "I know, Danny. I wasn't criticizing. But girls are so different than boys."

  Danny exhaled. "That's the truth."

  "When my mother could bother to notice me, she'd tell me that if I didn't shape up she'd trade me in for a new model."

  Laughing, but with a touch of sympathy in his eyes, Danny touched his glass to Tessa's. "I'll keep that in mind." His gaze met hers, the sudden warmth in it bringing a flush to Tessa's cheeks. He reached out and touched her nose. "Your nose is pink. Is it too hot in here? I can turn on the fan."

  "Just call me Rudolph," Tessa quipped, flushing even more. "I always get a red nose when I drink wine." And when you look at me like that and touch me I get even more flustered.

  "Well, it's a good thing it's gone then, isn't it?"

  Horrified, Tessa peered at the wine bottle. "We drank the whole bottle!"

  Danny's laughed boomed. "You make it sound as if we were having an orgy. The whole bottle is only three glasses each."

  Tessa spoke without thinking. "I thought an orgy meant sex and food. Don't you need those, too?"

  Eyes gleaming, Danny stared at her over his wine. "Is that an offer?"

  "What? Oh, no, no, of course not."

  "I wasn't sure, because we've already had the food, so I thought—"

  "You did not."

  Danny raised an eyebrow. "I'll tell you what. I'll make some coffee and we can talk it over."

  "Why don't you plug in the coffeemaker and then go talk to Alison?"

  Danny stood and picked up the bottle and glasses. "You're not going to let that drop, are you?"

  "I think you'll both feel better. Maybe she can invite some friends over instead." Tessa grinned. "It's always good to have a counter offer in your pocket."

  "I'll try to remember that." He went to the kitchen to start the coffee.

  Tessa propped her chin on one hand and fanned herself with the other in an attempt to cool down—from the wine or the conversation, she wasn't sure which. After a few minutes she was fighting to keep her eyes open. After all the fresh air, working the dirt, a full stomach and three glasses of wine, she'd give anything to curl up and take a nap. Yawning, she stood and stretched. She noticed the window seat in the dining room's bay window, now shaded by the big oak trees outside. She'd been wanting to try it out.

  When Danny came back with the coffee, he discovered Tessa sound asleep. Quietly he put the coffee down and walked over to look at her. She looked exhausted. Her hands were folded like a child at prayer, curling tendrils of hair framed her face, long eyelashes brushed pink cheeks and her pursed lips made a charming sound, almost like a gurgle, although he'd tell her she snored when she woke up later. There was something about teasing her that was just irresistible.

  He decided to let her sleep for a while and took the kids out for some ice cream. When he got them back to the house he settled them down with a DVD and went in to check on Tessa. Since she was still asleep, he got his training manuals and began to study for an advanced fire qualification. Except for the sound of the TV in the living room, the house was quiet, peaceful. Another half hour passed before Tessa stirred. Danny took off his glasses and watched her wake, her movements bringing an ache to his heart. How many times had he found Laurie grabbing a quick nap in that very spot? Too many to remember. And now Tessa was doing the same thing. She looked nothing like Laurie, not really, but every once in a while there was an expression and an attitude that reminded him of what he'd lost.

  Tessa pulled him from his melancholy thoughts as she jerked to a sitting position. "Oh…what time is it?"

  Danny glanced at his watch. "Just after eight."

  "I fell asleep, didn't I?"

  With a chuckle, Danny studied her dismayed face. "Either that or you were in a hypnotic trance for the past hour and a half."

  "Where are the kids?"

  "I stuffed them full of ice cream and put them in front of the boob tube."

  "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to leave you on child-care duty tonight."

  "No problem. I think you needed the sleep."

  "I haven't been sleeping well."

  "Anything I can do to help?" He didn't mean that to come out seductively, but it did.

  "Such as?" Tessa asked with a mistrustful glance.

  He laughed. "Shame on you if you're thinking what I think you're thinking."

  Tessa laughed back, acknowledging the hit. "I'm not awake yet." She yawned. "I have to round up the kids and get home. I have some things to do tonight."

  "Why don't you stay? I have to work tomorrow, so you have to come back anyway."

  Tessa looked at him, a long look that started his blood boiling. "I don't think that's a good idea."

  "Why not? You spend the night when I'm not here."

  "Exactly. That's the point—you're not here." Standing, Tessa smoothed her hair and tucked in her shirt before she looked at him again. "I just think it would be better if I go home."

  Danny nodded. "Whatever you say. You're the boss."

  "Oh, now I'm the boss."

  He smiled. "At the moment."

  "I guess that's better than nothing." She turned to smooth the pillows on the window seat.

  "I talked to Alison."

  That statement got her full attention. "You did? What happened?"

  "Nothing much, but at least we're talking. I told her she could plan next week for some friends to come over. After I meet them, then we can discuss her going out sometimes with these friends."

  "Great. That's just great, Danny."

  Danny shrugged. "I hope so, because my every instinct is to lock my little girl in a tower and throw away the key."

  "I'm sure most fathers feel like that."

  "Wait until Josie is fourteen. Your ex-husband will be a nervous wreck."

  "I doubt that. He's too busy finding female friends of his own to worry about Josie."

  "He what?"

  "I'll see you tomorrow morning," Tessa added, walking from the room to leave Danny to wonder just what had made Tessa divorce her husband after all—her desire for independence or his infidelity.

  Chapter Six

  A few days later, on Sunday morning, Danny woke up early. He wandered down to the kitchen and made a cup of extra-strong coffee. He stretched his aching muscles, realizing he'd spent too much time Saturday working on the boat he was restoring. The house was silent around him. His children were still asleep, but instead of the usual reassuring feeling, the silence made Danny restless.

  Carrying his mug to the front porch, he bent to retrieve the paper. More than anything else, Danny missed the Sunday mornings spent with his wife. When his off days fell on a Sunday they'd wake early, he'd lock the door and then he and Laurie would snuggle in bed, whispering, touching and giggling like children before following up the touching and laughter with lovemaking.r />
  Danny sighed, then sipped his coffee before placing it on the table to attack the paper. More bad news. Suddenly restless, he tossed the paper aside. Grabbing his coffee mug, he stalked across the porch and leaned against the railing. It was going to be a warm day judging by the sky and the early-morning sun that peeked shyly around a cloud. It was a day made for—for what? Danny's restlessness increased as he decided it was a day for something special, something magical.

  He wondered what Tessa was doing today.

  He sipped his coffee and hitched a leg up to sit on the rail. Maybe he should call her. He could just say hello, hi, how ya' doing, and then suggest they do something…with the kids, of course. It would be just a casual outing, no big deal. It wouldn't be because he wanted to see her. It would be a change of pace, with both of them and all of the kids together doing something.

  Without giving himself time to change his mind, he flipped his cell phone out of his jeans pocket and dialed Tessa's number. It rang for what seemed a long time, but just as he was about to hang up he heard Tessa answer.

  "Hello." Her voice was husky with sleep.

  "Tessa?"

  "Mmm-hmm," she purred, causing Danny to grip the phone as all his muscles tightened in response.

  "Tessa, it's Danny."

  "Mmm-hmm," she repeated, sounding all cozy and only half-awake.

  "Tessa, are you awake?"

  "Awake?" she repeated, obviously still half-asleep.

  He chuckled at her incoherence. "Yes, awake. It's Danny."

  "Danny." She sighed. Then her voice sharpened. "Danny, what's wrong?"

  "Nothing's wrong. Everything's fine."

  "What time is it?"

  "I don't know. Early." He checked his watch. "Oops, very early."

  "It's five forty-five! It's Sunday. You have the day off. I have the day off. I like to sleep late on my day off."

  He winced at her tone. "Would you like me to call you back later?"

  "Yes. No. I'm awake now."

  "I was thinking," Danny said, Rubbing the back of his neck. "You have the day free, I have the day free—let's do something together."

  "Together," she said slowly, "as in you and me?"

  "Well, you, me and six kids."

  "What did you have in mind?"

  "I wasn't sure. Maybe canoeing and a picnic. How does that sound?"

  "Like hard work. I've only been canoeing once since I was a kid."

  "Don't worry, it'll come back to you." Danny played his trump card. "Your kids will love it."

  "I'm not sure it's a good…" She was silent for a moment and Danny could swear he heard the wheels turning. Finally Tessa said, "Okay, okay, we'll go."

  "Great, I'll pack a picnic lunch and—"

  "I'll pack the lunch," she said, obviously gaining her full senses by the minute. "I'm not as fond of peanut butter as you are and that's all you seem to eat."

  "That's un-American. Next thing is you hate apple pie."

  "Not true. I love apple pie." Tessa exhaled, now sounding wide-awake and laughing. "How do you always suck me into these idiotic conversations?"

  Danny laughed back. "I'll pick you up at nine, okay?"

  "Fine. See you then."

  At nine o'clock on the dot, Danny knocked on Tessa's door, leaving three excited kids bouncing in his SUV. As usual, Alison was pouting in a corner very unhappy that Tessa was coming with them. Or as she had put it, "We don't need her along." Danny hoped the day would go smoothly without one of Ali's famous sulkfests. Maybe he should have let her bring a friend, as she'd asked. But he wanted this day to be about their families having fun together.

  He knocked again and this time the door opened immediately. He was almost barreled over by Josie and Eric as they ran to the car, leaving Tessa standing there with a tote bag and huge straw picnic basket. Danny ran a quick eye over her, from her feet in canvas boat shoes up her long legs to stylish shorts and a coordinating top to the floppy straw hat perched on her head. She looked as if she was headed for a day sailing on a yacht instead of a day on the river in a canoe. He'd have to take her out on his sailboat if he ever completed his renovations.

  Tessa frowned. "Why are you staring at me?"

  Danny met her eyes. She looked a bit defensive as well as wary, as if she was doing something incorrectly. As he stared at her, something vulnerable came into her eyes and she touched her hat. "Did I do something wrong?"

  "No," Danny said, his tone gentle. "You look lovely. I like the hat—it will keep the sun off this cute little nose." He couldn't resist touching the nose in question. He wanted to take her in his arms and soothe her sudden anxiety, but he didn't think she'd appreciate it.

  "Let's go, you guys," one of the kids yelled.

  Danny laughed. "Ah, the sweet voices of our children's bellow. Here, let me take the basket." He took it from her and led the way to the car. "This is heavy. You must have packed for an army."

  "I packed extra for this bunch."

  A half hour later they arrived at the canoe rental, rented canoes and were ready to hit the water.

  "How are we going to do this?" Tessa asked, a worried look on her face. "There are two canoes, but the kids and I are practically novices, so I don't think—"

  "Don't worry. I'll take Emma, Josie and Kyle. You'll take Alison, Eric and Kevin."

  "But—" Tessa said, about to protest.

  "Dad, I don't want to go with her. I want to go with you," Alison wailed. At her father's look she flushed as she realized how rude she had been. "I don't mean I don't want to go with you, Tessa. I just haven't been canoeing with Dad for a long time is all. We used to do it more often when my mother…"

  "It's okay, Alison, I understand.'

  Danny glanced at Tessa and saw that she probably did understand very well. "No, Ali," he said, his impatience with Alison's attitude breaking through. "You're going in Tessa's canoe and I don't want to hear anything else about it." Danny turned to Tessa.

  "There's nothing to worry about," he said, handing Tessa a paddle. "It will all come back to you. Besides, Alison and Kevin are old hands on the river and Eric will catch on with no problem. Just remember to use the paddle on both sides of the canoe and develop your rhythm. That's it."

  "It will be a piece of cake, I suppose?" Tessa murmured with a pointed look at Danny, who only grinned.

  Eric patted his mother's arm. "Don't worry, Mom. If you fall overboard, we'll haul you out."

  "Great. Thanks, Eric," Tessa said with a skeptical look at the canoe. Then Danny saw her glance at Alison, probably wondering if the teenager would do the same.

  Emma walked over to Tessa and patted her leg. "Don't worry, Tessa. Daddy won't let anything happen to you, 'cause he's a fireman and he rescues people."

  Tessa knelt to give the little girl a big hug. "Thanks, Emma. I feel better now."

  Emma grinned, then whispered in Tessa's ear, her breath tickling. "But you have to be good or he won't let you ride his big boat when he gets it finished."

  "Okay," Tessa whispered back.

  Then Danny struck a pose resembling a general addressing his troops. "We're burning daylight, people. Now, once in the water, I'll take the lead. Make sure you all wear your life jackets. Oh, and don't stand up. Emma, come on, you're with me."

  With a determined grip, Tessa stalked over to the first canoe. "All right, Eric, grab the picnic basket and let's go." Danny and the kids followed, and without mishap they pushed off into the river.

  Tessa's canoe was a bit unsteady and tended to go in circles every once in a while, but for the most part both teams survived without trauma, except for Emma losing a barrette when she bent over to peer into the water at a fish.

  "That's where we'll stop," Danny called, pointing at a small area surrounded by forest. Both canoe teams headed toward shore.

  Arms and legs aching with effort and tension, Tessa managed to haul herself out of the canoe without falling flat on her face. She was tempted to kiss the ground at having made it downstream s
uccessfully.

  Danny slung a friendly arm around her shoulders. "How are you doing?"

  "If my muscles would quit shaking I could tell you."

  Laughing, Danny squeezed her. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it. You're using different muscles than you usually do."

  "Trust me, I'm using muscles I didn't know existed." Looking around, she stepped away from Danny. "Where are the picnic tables?"

  "There aren't any. This isn't a developed picnic area, but at the other edge of the woods is a small clearing that will be perfect for sitting on the ground."

  "I have a blanket, so we can spread that."

  "That's what I love—a woman who thinks of everything."

  Tessa could feel her cheeks flush at Danny's comment. Love? Stop imagining things. He didn't mean it that way. Trying to ignore her quickening pulse, she changed the subject, "Okay, lead on. The kids are probably starving."

  "Let's go, gang," Danny said, picking up the tote bag and picnic basket and heading into the forest with Josie, Emma and the twins whooping and hollering behind him. Not wanting to be stuck with the women, Eric hustled to catch up with Danny, while Tessa and Alison brought up the rear.

  "Thanks for helping paddle, Alison. I couldn't have done it without you. You were a lifesaver."

  Alison gave her a typical shrug and muttered, "No big deal."

  "Yes, it was. I'd still be circling in the water if it weren't for you. So thanks." Tessa nudged Alison with her elbow, trying to get a response.

  "Everyone does that at first."

  "Do they? I'll bet your mom was good at it," Tessa said, hoping the young girl would warm up and talk about her mother.

  Alison hesitated, then confessed, "My mom was hopeless."

  Tessa smiled. "I don't believe that. You're just trying to make me feel better. From the way your dad talks, your mother did everything very well."

  "She did, but I think she was afraid of the water. She only went because Dad and us kids liked to go." Alison's face clouded with memories. "Mom was brave like that."

  "She sounds wonderful. I wish I'd known her. You must really miss her." Tessa's compassion rushed over her, but she resisted touching Alison to comfort her, as she wasn't sure it would be welcome.