The Fireman's Christmas

by Meg Lacey

  Tessa shifted from side to side, looked down at the floor, then around the porch as if she'd never seen it before. "Great, that's great."

  Danny sent her a curious look. "It is? Did you hear what I said?"

  Tessa looked around again. "What? Oh sure, sure I did."

  Putting his drink down, Danny walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Okay, look at me. What's wrong?"

  Tessa met his eyes, but couldn't hold his gaze. "Uh, I'd like to go out Saturday night."

  Danny just stared at her. "You would? Well, that's a surprise. After what happened, you've been—"

  Tessa rushed into speech, tripping over her words. "Could you possibly babysit for me on Saturday night?"

  "Huh?" Danny said, removing his hands from her shoulders.

  "I checked your schedule and you're not on duty, right?"

  Danny frowned, "Uh, right. I'm off Friday and Saturday. Why?"

  "I've sort of got a date."

  Openmouthed, he stepped back and stared at her. Finally he recovered enough to say, "You what?"

  "I sort of…" Tessa crossed her fingers behind her back to protect herself from her lie. "There's this guy that I've been sort of seeing off and on for a while. He has this project he wants to talk to me about, and suggested we have dinner on Saturday. I can bring the kids over here, if that works better for you."

  Danny rubbed his forehead. "How do you sort of see someone?"

  "Uh, we go out every few months or so, like clockwork."

  "Every few months?" Danny blinked. "Sounds rather premeditated, like flushing your plumbing system."

  Tessa stiffened. "There's no need for insults." Tessa tried to avoid looking at him, because she knew Danny would see right through her lies if she continued. She could feel him staring at her. Sometimes Danny was too observant, but other times totally clueless, so maybe it would be all right.

  "You're right." Danny backed off the conversation, trying to recover the comfortable feeling of a few minutes ago. He already had one woman, his teenage daughter, mad at him today. "Sorry, Tessa. It's been a long day. Forget I said anything." He walked back to the swing, with Tessa following right behind him. He bent to pick up his beer and took a long drink before placing it down and turning to say, "Sure I can babysit for you. Drop the kids off whenever. There's more room here than your condo. You can even have this guy meet you here if that's more convenient."

  As her kids' voices drifted out to the porch, Tessa moved quickly toward the door, saying over her shoulder as Josie and Eric stepped through the doorway, "Thanks, I'll think about that. Josie, hold Fuzzface so he doesn't run into the street. Put him right into his cat carrier when we get in the car."

  Danny rubbed his hands together. Wait till this guy comes over. I'll make mincemeat of him. He watched Tessa shoo her kids down the steps before he called, "Maybe you could return the favor?"

  Tessa jerked to a stop. She whirled around to snap a look back at him. "Beg pardon?"

  "You can watch my kids while I go out."

  "I didn't know you were dating. Rhonda indicated—" She flushed. "That is…"

  "Trust me," Danny said. "I'm not a monk. I've had my eye on the hottest little ole babe you've ever seen." He grinned to himself as Tessa slowly turned away from him and continued walking toward her car. He leaned on the railing. "I'll let you know when, okay?"

  As Tessa waved in acknowledgment he wiped his brow. "Damn," he muttered, "where in the hell am I going to find a date?"

  * * *

  SATURDAY NIGHT TESSA TOOK great care to look her cool, sophisticated best for her date with Ted Willis. Inside was another story, however, as her stomach was churning faster than floodwaters. She tried to tell herself it was because of her date, but she knew it was actually because of Danny. She wanted him to look at her and hunger, which made no sense. She was the one who said their relationship should stay strictly business. Why should she wonder if she'd made the right decision now? It doesn't work when you mix business with pleasure, she thought, ignoring the tiny voice inside that reminded her that her ex-husband had always done exactly that and it didn't seem to hurt his job performance.

  "Mommy, you're driving past Danny's house."

  Josie's words recalled her attention to her driving. "Oops, sorry, I was thinking about something else."

  "Like what, Mommy?"

  "Quit asking questions, Josie," a sulky Eric ordered. "She has a date."

  The emphasis in Eric's voice didn't escape Tessa's attention. "Eric, we talked about this, didn't we? And what did you say?"

  Eric scowled, but being a fair kid with maturity beyond his age, he said, "That I knew you were happier than you were before and so are me and Josie, so it's okay if you make a new life."

  "That's right, that's what you said. Your father and I have been divorced for over a year. It's time for me to move on, and that includes seeing other people sometimes."

  "You see people," Josie interjected. "You see Danny all the time. I like Danny, don't you like Danny, Mommy?"

  Tessa parked the car while she answered, "Of course I like Danny. It's just that Danny and I—" Tessa stopped, not sure what else to say. She couldn't tell her young daughter exactly how much she liked Danny, nor did she want her son asking any more questions than he already had. She turned to finish answering Josie's question, but the twins and Emma racing toward the car had already diverted the child's attention. After one penetrating look at Tessa, her son decided to smile and get out of the car. Tessa watched as the swarm enveloped her children and swept them toward the house. There was no sign of Danny.

  "Bye, have fun," she called, suddenly wishing she could join them. That's no way to think, she chided herself, and put the car in gear to meet Ted. She hadn't wanted to take the risk of asking Ted to pick her up at Danny's.

  * * *

  THREE HOURS LATER, Tessa was once again pulling up to the curb in front of Danny's house, but this time Ted was following her in his car. Tessa got out and walked over to her date. "You didn't have to follow me."

  "Nonsense," Ted replied, sliding out of his own car and walking around to join her on the sidewalk. "I wanted to be sure you got home safely."

  "That's so sweet. Thank you, Ted. I had a lovely time." With a smile she turned and began walking toward Danny's house, but stopped as a tug on her arm stopped her and she found herself linked with Ted. She glanced up at him. He was a good-looking man with light brown hair, humorous hazel eyes and a slightly out-of-shape physique. He'd been easy to talk to and amusing. Tessa had had a good time. Beyond that Tessa had felt nothing for him, except a slight shame that she was using him in the hopes that her feelings toward Danny would change.

  "I insist on walking you to your door like a gentleman," Ted teased.

  "It's not my door. It's my babysitter's door."

  "No matter," Ted said, leading her up the walk toward the stairs. "I really had fun tonight, Tessa. I'm glad Rhonda arranged for us to meet."

  "Shh," Tessa warned. It would be just like Danny to lurk by the door.

  "What's the matter?" Ted whispered back. "Did I say something wrong?"

  Tessa indicated the house. "No, they might be asleep."

  Ted stared at the house that had been blazing with lights when they first pulled up. "It's only ten-thirty."

  "I know. My babysitter is older and goes to bed early. I'm sorry we had to cut our date short tonight, but I really do need my beauty sleep. I've got to be at work early tomorrow."

  Ted smiled. "Trust me, you don't need that beauty sleep at all." As he slipped his arms around her waist and leaned forward to kiss her, the porch light suddenly snapped on. The white glare was so intense that Tessa could have sworn Danny had switched the bulb to a higher wattage while she was gone. Before Tessa could say anything, the door swung open. Confronting them was a confident man exuding enough sex appeal in his well-fitting jeans and T-shirt to blast her date off the porch.

  "Oh, Tessa, sorry, I didn't realize you were out here.
I thought those raccoons were back again." If Danny's voice had gotten any more sugary she would have stuck to the porch.

  Tessa untangled herself from Ted's arms, which wasn't hard, since he was staring at Danny as if he'd just glimpsed a jungle cat. At the gleam in Danny's eyes and the fierce smile, Tessa decided he wasn't too wrong. "Uh, Ted, this is Danny. Danny, Ted."

  "How do you do," Ted replied, still with a stunned look on his face.

  "I do fine, thanks," Danny said, with a suggestive look in Tessa's direction. "Every chance I get."

  "Are you…I m-mean do you…Is he…" Ted stuttered as he looked from Tessa to Danny and back again.

  Danny smiled. "I'm the babysitter. Tessa spends every spare minute here."

  Outraged by his suggestion, Tessa tried to explain the situation to Ted, but he wasn't inclined to listen as he backed away, clearly uncomfortable.

  "It's fine, Tessa. No problem. I didn't understand, sorry…. I think I'll take off and the two of you can do—" he shrugged as he moved toward the steps "—uh, do whatever you do. I'll call you, okay?" With as much dignity as he could muster, Ted galloped down the stairs and headed for his car.

  A guilty Tessa called, "I really enjoyed tonight, Ted. I can't wait to see you again." Ted just waved and hopped into his car. Tessa turned and stalked toward the doorway. "Just what do you think you're doing?" she demanded of the man leaning against the doorjamb and trying hard to control a grin. "What gives you the right to ruin my date?"

  "I didn't mean to ruin your date. I told you—I thought it was raccoons."

  "Baloney!" Tessa exploded. "Don't try to get out of this with that charming smile. You knew there were no raccoons on your porch. Raccoons don't drive cars."

  Danny rubbed his chin and stepped out onto the porch. "Well, you've got me there. Still, they're mighty smart little buggers."

  "Stop it, just stop it. Where are my children? It's time to take them home."

  "They just finished some pizza and are watching a movie. It's almost over."

  "Then they'll have to finish it tomorrow. I need to get home." So she could lick her wounds in peace. The man had no right to look sexy as sin.

  "How was your date?" Danny said, leaning back against the doorjamb. "Ted seemed like a nice guy."

  "He was…is…I don't want to talk about my date."

  "That bad, huh? Sorry about that. Sometimes the chemistry just doesn't work."

  "Danny, I am not discussing chemistry with you."

  "Good, 'cause I suck at chemistry."

  Tessa narrowed her eyes at his statement. "You're not fooling me, you know. You're deliberately trying to unsettle me."

  "Why would I want to do that?" Danny asked, tucking a stray wisp of hair behind Tessa's ear.

  Tessa slapped his hand away. "So I will hop into bed with you."

  Danny's eyes were twinkling even as he tried to look solemn. "Tessa, have you forgotten that our relationship is strictly business?"

  "Association," she snapped. "Relationship sounds too…Anyway, I don't want to talk to you anymore. Please ask my children to come out here immediately." Danny just smiled and stared at her a few moments longer, as if he was memorizing her, as if he'd never seen her before. Tessa was torn between wanting to stiffen and a desire to throw herself into his arms. Why did he have to be so appealing? She folded her arms and tapped her toe. "Now, please."

  "I love that little black number you're wearing, sweetheart."

  Tessa's tense shoulders were practically up to her ears as she tried to avoid encouraging him to go further. "Danny…my kids. Now."

  Danny only smiled, kissing his fingers before placing them on her lips. "Someone who looks so sexy should be kissed good-night."

  Tessa could feel the burning his simple touch created and deliberately fished in her bag for her keys. "Send Eric and Josie out. I'll be in the car."

  "Tessa." Danny's voice was hot fudge and twice as inviting.

  "I'll be over at five-fifteen tomorrow to watch the kids."

  * * *

  THE NEXT TWENTY-FOUR HOURS passed without incident for Tessa and the children. It wasn't until Danny came home the next morning that the nerves he'd started arousing with his touch kicked into full gear. A weary-looking Danny nodded at Tessa and went straight to the coffeepot.

  "Long day?" Tessa asked, looking up from her coffee and the newspaper.

  "We had two calls last night. I didn't get much rest."

  "Nothing serious, I hope."

  "Everything we get is serious," he snapped.

  "I'm sorry," Tessa, said, taken aback by his tone, "I didn't mean to suggest…"

  "Forget it. Sorry, I overreacted." He took a sip of coffee. "One was a traffic accident, minor injuries. The other was a fire that we caught before it did too much damage." Danny leaned back against the counter and sipped his coffee. With each sip he looked a bit more alert. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. The chief told me a few days ago that I didn't get that promotion, so there won't be a change in hours."

  "Oh Danny, I'm sorry. You must be so disappointed."

  "Not really. Mike made the right decision. I would have gotten bored. He said something else is coming up for me, something better." Danny yawned, opening his mouth wide. "Sorry, shouldn't you be taking off?"

  Tessa drained her coffee and stood. "Yes, I guess so. I have to locate some plants today, so I'll be on the road a lot."

  "How's business going?"

  "They say the second year is always harder than the first." What she didn't reveal to him was the state of her finances, which were fast approaching the help-wanted stage. She wondered if she should start thinking of approaching Colin for more child support. She'd discovered just how expensive it could be for a single parent.

  "If you need a loan—"

  Unwilling to drop her worries on Danny's shoulders, she said, "No, no, it's just tight at the moment. Don't worry. I'll come up with something." She smiled and waved as she headed to the front door. Danny's voice stopped her.

  "Would you watch the kids Friday night?"

  She turned to face Danny, who was standing in the kitchen doorway, eyes steady on hers as he sipped his coffee. "Friday? Sure, sure, no problem. Do you want me to come over here?"

  "That would be good."

  "Okay, you've got it. Friday it is."

  Chapter Eight

  When Tessa, Eric and Josie showed up on Friday night, they found Danny in a well-cut navy blue suit complemented by a light gray shirt and patterned tie. He looked as if he'd just wandered in from the pages of GQ. Tessa's breath came a bit faster as she looked him over. I wonder who the lucky girl is. She didn't ask, because she was suddenly unwilling to know.

  "Why are you staring at me? Did I nick myself shaving? Leave my fly open?" He automatically checked to make sure the zipper was up.

  "Huh?" Tessa jolted out of her daydream. "Oh, no. You look nice."

  "Thank you. I do clean up every once in a while, you know."

  "So I see."

  After a searching glance at her, Danny checked his watch. "I have to go. I don't want to keep my date waiting."

  "No, of course not. Where are your kids?"

  "They're around somewhere. Rustle a bag of chips and they'll come."

  "I'll do that." Tessa smiled, followed him to the door and gave him a little push. "Go on, get out of here. Have fun." Tessa had never had to work harder at sounding casual in her entire life, but she was pleased with the result when Danny waved and headed for his car.

  Tessa had to stop herself from following him as she realized she'd have to spend the rest of the evening pretending to the kids that nothing was wrong. Truthfully, she wasn't sure what was wrong. She couldn't be jealous of Danny dating someone, not when she'd taken great pains to convince him that her interest was only as a child-care provider and that his kisses were unwelcome. But his kisses were more welcome than she wanted to admit. Her musing was interrupted as the twins came clattering down the stairs followed by an angry Alison close behi
nd.

  "I'm going to kill you guys if you don't stay out of my room."

  The two boys dashed behind Tessa for protection. "No, you ain't."

  "Aren't," Tessa automatically replied. "No, you aren't."

  The boys stuck out their tongues at their sister and crowed, "See, she said you aren't."

  "I didn't…I was correcting your grammar. Besides, the only one who is doing any killing around here is me." She turned to Alison. "Okay, what's this all about?"

  "They came to my room and went into my underwear drawer and they—" Alison was so angry she was turning purple and couldn't finish her answer.

  Turning to take a better look at the boys, Tessa noticed for the first time the underpants and bras they were wearing over their clothes. Despite their obvious guilt they managed to look innocent. Tessa had no idea how the twins did it, but it was effective. A small laugh escaped before she steeled her expression to disapproval.

  "Tessa, don't laugh. You said I could come to you, but you lied. You're like all the other women who want to get close to my dad by being nice to me."

  "Alison, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh. And that isn't why I'm nice to you."

  "You're always flirting with Dad and making him flirt back. I saw you at the picnic. I saw what happened when we weren't there." Alison almost spit the last sentence at Tessa.

  Tessa was mortified by the accusation, but before she could respond, Kyle and Kevin interrupted the conversation.

  "Look, we're hula dancers," they announced, wiggling around the room.

  "You two take those clothes off immediately," Tessa ordered. Instead of obeying, the boys danced around the room, which inspired Alison to scream, "I hate all of you," and chase after them.

  Into this commotion strolled Eric, obviously alerted by the chaos regardless of the headphones plugging his ears. "What's going on?"

  "We've got Alison's underwear," the twins taunted. "She wears bikinis."

  Alison stopped running, gave Eric one quick embarrassed look and burst into tears. "My life is ruined," she wailed.

  Then Josie and Emma wandered down the stairs wearing princess costumes. "I thought you guys were going to play dress-up with us."