The Christmas Promise (Heartsong Presents)

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  He didn’t bother to stop her. He slipped into his lab coat and wondered for a minute if Keira would be attending the ball. Not likely, since she didn’t get out much. From what he’d gathered from Josh, this holiday season was the most Keira had been out since her husband’s death.

  It was kind of sad, really. A beautiful young woman holed up in a shop day after day, year after year, never enjoying life. A thought occurred. “Meghan!” He turned and bumped into her. “Sorry, I didn’t know you were there.” He shared his thought with his assistant, then rocked back on his heels, waiting for her reaction.

  She looked shell-shocked. “I love it, but I can’t believe you thought of it.” She gave him a teasing grin. “I’ll get right on this and let you know what I come up with.”

  “Thanks.”

  She winked at him and hustled into his office.

  He felt his cheeks warm. He hoped he hadn’t made a mistake trusting Meghan with such an important task. This was clearly outside her job description. He moved to tell her never mind, but when he saw the animated expression on her face, he couldn’t. He ran a hand along his neck and pondered his sanity. What had come over him? Ever since he’d met Keira, his world had been turned upside down.

  * * *

  “Susan, I need your help.” Keira spoke into the phone keeping her voice low, so Holly and her customer wouldn’t hear. “I invited Pete over for lasagna tomorrow night and I’m out of the noodles. Would you have time to stop and get some?”

  “Sure, but not until tomorrow. I’m hosting my Sunday school class tonight. Do you need anything else? Salad, bread, dessert?”

  What had she been thinking, inviting Pete to dinner? There was way more to planning a meal than she’d thought. Plus Cody would be starving and ready for bed by the time the lasagna finished cooking. “I’ll get the dessert and bread from the bakery, but if you could take care of the salad and noodles, that’d be helpful.”

  “Will do. See you tomorrow.”

  “Okay, thanks.” She hung up the phone and checked on Cody. As she’d predicted, he’d zonked out on the cot she’d finally been able to set back up in the storage room.

  Keira slipped an apron over her head and moved beside Holly. “How’s it going?”

  “It’s been a little slow, but we had steady customers the whole time you were out.”

  Keira grinned. “Well, it doesn’t hurt that you’re so cute.” Her accounting showed that sales were great when Holly was manning the counter. “I think my customers like you. I hope you’ll consider coming back next year.”

  Holly’s eyes shone. “I’d like that, but it’ll depend on my schedule.”

  “Looks like everything is under control out here. I’ll be organizing stock if you need anything.” Keira’s mind drifted to her dinner plans with Pete. Too bad Susan couldn’t drop the pasta by tonight. She’d be able to get everything ready ahead of time and just pop it in the oven. Oh, well. Her stomach fluttered just thinking about Pete.

  * * *

  Pete parked behind Keira’s building and scooped up the puppies, one in each arm. Molly licked his face and he lifted his chin to avoid a direct hit to the mouth. The clock on the dash read 6:20 p.m.—a little early. Maybe he should walk the dogs a bit first. Then again, what were ten measly minutes?

  He stepped out, pressed the auto-lock key and carefully climbed the stairs. It’d snowed earlier and a couple inches of fresh powder covered the steps. A light shone in the kitchen window where Keira stood holding a glass to her lips.

  She waved and a moment later the door opened just as he reached the top. “You made it.” She stepped back, allowing him to enter. “Go ahead and put them down. Cody is finishing up with his bath, and then I promised him a little playtime with the puppies.”

  “He isn’t joining us?”

  “I’m afraid not. He had a fun day snowmobiling with his grandparents and he’s pretty wiped out. Besides, I like him to be in bed by seven, so he ate earlier.”

  “You let him snowmobile? I’d think you’d be afraid to allow that.”

  “I know, but they are very careful and it’s not like they’re doing it where it’s dangerous. My mother-in-law, Mary, said I shouldn’t smother Cody and she’s right.” Keira moved into the kitchen. “I was just putting together the salad. Lasagna will be ready in a half hour. Sorry it’s so late, but I figured if you’re starving, we could start with salad and French bread.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Pete followed the pups around the apartment, making sure they stayed out of mischief. A few Hot Wheels and a pile of blocks were scattered near the window. He reached down to pick up the toys.

  “You don’t have to do that. Cody will clean up when he comes out.” She set a basket of bread on the table.

  “I’m afraid one of the dogs will chew on something and choke.”

  “Oh. I didn’t think of that.” She frowned and looked around the small space. “I suppose I’ll need to get a few bins with lids.”

  “That’d be a smart move.”

  The bathroom door opened and Cody came out in bare feet and car-printed pajamas. “Hi, Mr. Pete.” His face lit. “Max and Molly!” He dropped to the floor and scratched each dog on the back.

  Pete raised a brow toward Keira.

  “I wanted the dogs to be a surprise, just in case your plans changed.” She walked over to her son and squatted beside him. “Puppies are like toddlers. They pick up things with their mouths and could choke. Will you please put your toys away before you play with the puppies?”

  Cody scrunched his nose. “Jacob stuffed a bean up his nose in church. Will they put stuff up their noses, too?”

  Pete chuckled. This kid was too much. “They’d need fingers to do that. Want some help putting your blocks away?”

  “Sure. I bet I can put more away than you.” Cody scooped handfuls as fast as he could into a box.

  Pete found the strays and tossed them in.

  “I win!” Cody raised his arms above his head. “Now can I play?”

  Keira nodded. “Just don’t get them too excited. We don’t want any accidents.”

  Pete meandered to the front window that overlooked Front Street. “This is a pretty nice setup. I wasn’t paying much attention the last time I was here.” The sides of the apartment were windowless, but the back overlooked the alley and had a river view. The bedrooms occupied one side of the space and he assumed each had a window, one facing the front, and the other the back with a bathroom in the middle.

  She came up beside him and looked out the window. “Thanks. It’s home.”

  Thirty minutes later she convinced Cody the puppies had to go to sleep, so it was time for him to go to bed, also.

  “I’ll be right back.” Pete leashed the dogs and strode to the exterior door. He returned several minutes later holding a large round dog bed under an arm and the dogs’ leashes with his other hand. “I thought this would be a good idea.”

  The puppies circled, then snuggled together on the large pillow.

  “They’re adorable.” Keira grinned and cut into the lasagna. “You ready for dinner?”

  He’d been ready for hours. “Sure.” He moved into the kitchen and sniffed the pan of hot pasta. “Smells good.”

  * * *

  Keira slid a generous slice of steaming lasagna on a plate and handed it to Pete. He closed his eyes and inhaled. She chuckled to herself. For a second, she wasn’t sure the food would make it to the table before he took a bite.

  “Thanks.” He took the plate and sat.

  Keira sat across from him, her stomach a bundle of nerves. Hopefully the food would taste as good as it smelled.

  Pete offered a blessing, then forked a generous amount into his mouth. Keira watched his face for a clue to what he thought. He chewed slowly with the hint of a smile. Yes! His gaz
e slammed into hers. She looked down and took a quick bite.

  Pete cleared his throat. “Have you heard about the Christmas Ball?”

  Keira choked on her lasagna and nodded. Her eyes watered and she reached for her glass of water.

  “You okay?”

  “Fine. Sorry.” Why would Pete bring up the ball?

  He studied her a moment longer as if to assure himself she really was okay. “About the ball. I think it could be interesting and I was hoping you’d accompany me.”

  Keira’s eyes widened. This sounded like a date and he’d been very clear on that issue. “I thought—”

  “I know. But this would just be two friends going together, having a fun time.”

  Keira frowned and picked at the lasagna, then took a long drink of water. If she told him she might be going with Susan, it’d sound like she wasn’t interested, but at the same time she couldn’t uninvite her friend. She finally set her glass down. “I already asked Susan to go with me, but to be honest it’s doubtful she’ll come.”

  “We could all go together. Unless of course you’d rather not.” He raised a brow.

  “I think it’d be fun to go together.” Just so long as she could keep her heart intact. No way could she fall for him. Who was she kidding? He was her knight in shining armor—scratch that—slightly tarnished armor.

  “Great.” His eyes lit with satisfaction, and then he shoveled a forkful of pasta into his mouth.

  “Yeah.” She’d have to call Susan and fill her in, and she still needed to find a sitter. She didn’t want to bother her in-laws again, but Cody would be most comfortable with his grandparents.

  “I’m working on a surprise for you.”

  “Seriously?” A chill shot through her. She gave herself a mental shake. It was probably no big deal, but the look on his face said otherwise. Talk about sending mixed signals. They were just friends. He’d said so himself. She appreciated that he desired her friendship, but could her heart handle just friendship with a man she was so drawn to?

  * * *

  Pete pushed back from the table and patted his flat stomach. “That was delicious. After a meal like that, it’s hard to believe you don’t consider yourself a cook.” He glanced at his watch. It was only eight, but maybe he should take off since Cody was sleeping. He’d noticed the child’s door stood ajar and he’d hate to wake him.

  “Thanks.” She grabbed the salad bowl and bread basket and took them into the kitchen. She covered the leftover lasagna and put it in the fridge.

  Pete grabbed their plates and rinsed them in the sink. “I have a recipe for chili that’s impossible to mess up.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Cody won’t eat beans.”

  “That’s too bad.” He checked on the puppies and grinned. The duo snuggled together on the dog bed, sleeping like the dead. “Thanks for having me over tonight, but I should probably head out. I know you have early mornings.”

  Keira nodded. “I do, but there’s no reason to rush off, unless you’re in a hurry.”

  He shook his head. “I’m not.”

  “Good. I picked up apple dumplings from the bakery up the street. You’re going to love them. Just let me pop them into the microwave. They’re much better warm.”

  Pete sat at the bar and watched Keira load their plates into the dishwasher and grab dessert dishes from the cupboard. He hadn’t anticipated her already having plans for the ball. It seemed out of character for her, but what did he know. At least his surprise could accommodate a third person. It was a shame he wouldn’t have Keira all to himself, though. Then again, it was probably for the best. He trusted Keira as a friend, but beyond that was still a struggle. Although the more time he spent with her the more he wanted to forget about his dating rule.

  Keira handed him a bowl and spoon, and then curled up on the chaise. He settled into a nearby chair. The only sound in the room was the gentle snores coming from the puppies.

  Keira cleared her throat. “I’m a little confused about something. You made it very clear that we have no future as a couple, but yet every time I turn around, there you are.”

  Pete raised a brow. “I also said I’d like to be friends.”

  “This feels like more. What’s going on, Pete?”

  Whoa. He dropped his eyes to the bowl and slowly dug into the dumpling. He stopped and pushed the bowl aside. “I don’t know what you mean. I’m only trying to be your friend.”

  “Friends don’t usually date.”

  “Okay, but they hang out. We’re just two friends attending a community event together.” He shrugged. “If you’d rather not go to the ball with me, that’s fine.” He held his breath, hoping she wouldn’t back out.

  She cut her dumpling into smaller and smaller pieces until it resembled chunky applesauce. “I didn’t say that. I’m just confused.”

  “That makes two of us.” He rubbed the back of his neck. What was he thinking? Had he become obsessed with helping her because he felt bad about her driving phobia? Or was what he felt for her more than that? He shrugged. “I like you, Keira. A lot, actually. I want us to be friends.”

  Keira stared at her dessert. “I’m sorry. I guess I overreacted.”

  “Are we still on for the ball, or would you rather not go with me?” He wasn’t sure he cared to hear her answer right now. He stood and took his half-eaten dessert to the kitchen. Turning, his hand knocked the dish Keira carried, nearly dislodging it from her grasp.

  Keira caught her breath and managed to stop before plowing into him. “Whoa!”

  He reached out to steady her. “You okay?”

  “Mmm-hmm, and yes, I would like to go with you.”

  A grin slipped into place. “I’m glad. I’ll get back to you with the details. Meet me and the dogs in the park on Monday?”

  “Sure.” Her gaze captured his and held. “That’s becoming Cody’s favorite thing to do. He really looks forward to playing with those rascals.”

  Pete realized his hand still gripped her arm. He touched his thumb to her cheek and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her lips parted slightly and drew him to her like a magnet. Would her lips be a soft as her cheek? Leaning toward her, he tilted his head. “You have the most incredible eyes.”

  She sucked in a breath, and he stopped inches from her face.

  “Keira?”

  Confusion filled her eyes where light had sparkled just seconds ago. She took a step back. “Funny, I remember thinking the same thing about your eyes.” She breezed past him and set her dish on the counter. “Would you like help with the dogs?”

  “Ah. No, but thanks.” He clamped his jaw. What had he just done? Had he destroyed their fragile friendship before it even had a chance? Time to vacate before he did something even more stupid.

  * * *

  Keira wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and sat in the darkened room lit only by Christmas lights. Tears meandered down her face and dripped from her chin. Her nicely ordered world was spiraling out of control much like the snowflakes outside. It was all Pete’s fault! That man mixed her up beyond words.

  She’d thought for sure he was going to kiss her tonight, but that was crazy. He was very clear he only thought of her as a friend. He’d certainly said it enough times. Her heart ached from the loss of her husband, but something new had begun to fill its place. Or maybe it was someone new, and that terrified her. Especially since he wasn’t interested.

  She shuddered and hugged her knees to her chin. She couldn’t allow Pete into her heart. If she let him in and he walked away he’d hurt her and Cody. They’d lost enough already.

  Chapter 9

  Pete tapped a pen against the file. “Well?” He leaned forward and rested on his forearms.

  “Everything’s set. Oh, and I was able to clear your schedule so you can go to that c
onference in Seattle tomorrow.” Meghan cuddled Molly in her arms as the puppy licked her chin. She tilted her head back and giggled. “That tickles.”

  “Great! Now I just need to find a dog sitter.”

  Meghan back away. “Don’t look at me.”

  “Maybe Keira can help me out.”

  “Good thinking. After all, this will give her an idea of what she’s in for. Besides, once you tell her about what you have planned there’s no way she’ll say no.”

  “Except it’s a surprise.” Pete grinned, then sobered. What he was trying to do for Keira felt like mountain climbing in a blizzard but it was worth it. He pushed back from his desk and stood. What if she hated his surprise? “Maybe my surprise is a bad idea.”

  “No, it isn’t.” Meghan set Molly down. “I don’t want to speak out of turn, but you are one boring man. This is the most life I’ve ever seen in you. Whoever this woman is, she’s good for you. You’re not canceling.”

  “Ouch.” He grinned. He wasn’t boring. She just didn’t know him outside of work. He hiked and skied among a plethora of other outdoor activities, although he usually did those things alone.

  Meghan bit her lip and shook her head. “Sorry. My mom always says I’m too blunt for my own good.”

  “No problem. Will you keep Molly during lunch today?” He took Max out of the kennel, attached the green coat around him and then latched his leash.

  “Sure. She’s such a sweet thing, and it’s good for these two to spend time apart. Come Christmas they’re going to miss each other.”

  “Yeah.” He’d thought of that several times, but in the back of his mind he hoped to continue meeting Keira in the park and the dogs would see each other then. But maybe that was unrealistic.

  With a sigh, he plunged into the cold winter day. Snow swirled around his boots as he walked toward the village park. The clip-clop of horse hooves on the cleared road drew his attention. A large black mare pulled tourists through the village in an open-top carriage decorated for Christmas with a small round wreath and red flowers. He grinned and waved to the driver.