A Little Bit of Holiday Magic

Bill’s gaze met hers. “I don’t mind cooking.”

“Neither do I.”

“You’re a guest.”

“And you’re sweet.” She meant each word. “Consider my cooking breakfast a bonus on top of the postcard I’ll be sending.”

He glanced at a waiting Liam, then back at her.

“Okay.” He returned to setting up dominoes. “It’s better this way. The guys at the station aren’t that keen on my cooking.”

“I find that hard to believe.” He seemed like the kind of man who could do anything, including setting up dominoes while carrying on a conversation. “It’s hard to ruin pancakes.”

“Unless you burn them, turning breakfast into a three-alarm call.”

“You’re a firefighter,” she said. “I’m sure you can take care of any flames.”

“Oh, I know how to put out fires.” He looked up with a mischievous grin. “I also know how to start them.”

His words, flirtatious and suggestive, hung in the air. His gaze remained on her.

Grace’s pulse skittered. Attraction buzzed all the way to her toes. Something passed between them. Something palpable. Something unsettling.

She looked away. Gulped.

“I have everything you need.” He returned to the dominoes. “On the counter.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came from her Mojave-dry throat. “Thanks,” she finally said.

She shuffled to the kitchen in her bare feet, eager to put distance between them.

A few words from a gorgeous guy? A look? And she was incapacitated?

So not good.

Pancake mix sat on the counter, along with measuring cups, a wooden spoon, eggs and a stainless-steel bowl.

What was happening to her? She wasn’t in shock. She didn’t need more sleep. Maybe loneliness had finally sent her over the edge.

Grace measured the flour mixture. Her hand trembled and her vision blurred. She managed to fill the cup and dump the contents into the mixing bowl without making too much of a mess. She added water and eggs. Stirring the batter, she slowly regained her composure.

Dominoes clattered against the hardwood floor.

Liam laughed. “Oops.”

Bill released a drawn-out sigh. “We’ll have to try that again.”

Her son clapped. “Again. Again.”

“I’ve figured out your M.O.,” their host said. “You don’t do anything once.”

Bill impressed Grace. “You pick up quick. Are you sure you aren’t married with kids?” she asked him.

“Nope. Most of my friends are married, but my life is good, and I’m happy. Marriage and kids can wait until those things change. And if they don’t change, then I’ll be happily single.”

“Wait until you meet the right woman.”

“Why settle for one when there are so many out there?”

“So cavalier.”

He shrugged. “Some of my friends have great marriages. Others not so good. My parents have struggled with a long-distance marriage.”

Grace’s life had started the day she fell in love with Damon. He’d wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, but being a Ranger kept him away from home and cut his life short. “Being married takes work whether you’re together or not. Damon and I were apart a lot. Loving someone isn’t easy. But we managed. Had a child. Were a family.”

“My parents and I have never been much of a family. My dad is always away because of his job. His traveling is hard on my mom. Makes me wonder if the family thing is for me.”

“If you don’t know, it’s good you’re waiting to settle down.”

“Thanks for saying that. Everyone else has been telling me to grow up because I’m missing out.”

“I never said you weren’t missing out,” Grace teased.

She felt sorry for Bill. He could play all he wanted and be as sweet as could be, but she would never change places with him. At least she had Liam. One day, Bill was going to find himself lonelier than her.

“Cartoons. Cartoons,” Liam chanted. “Peanut wants to watch cartoons.”

Bill looked at her. “Is Liam allowed to watch TV?”

“Yes, but I limit how much.”

“That’s good,” Bill said. “Kids should be outside playing and making snow angels, not sitting on the couch inside.”

“You sure don’t act like a confirmed bachelor who doesn’t want kids.”

“I may not want children of my own, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like other people’s.”

“Fair enough,” she said. “You’re the perfect playmate and babysitter rolled into one. If you ever get tired of being a firefighter, you’d make great manny.”

His brow furrowed. “A what?”

“A male nanny.”

He rose to his feet with the grace of an athlete. “I’ve been known to babysit a time or two. Though I’m the call of last resort.”

That surprised her.

“Come on, little dude.” He picked up Liam and grabbed Peanut. “You get the best seat in the house. My favorite chair.”