A Mistletoe Proposal: Marry Me under the Mistletoe / A Little Bit of Holiday Magic / Christmas Magic in Heatherdale

“You actually drove there to see?” A glint of satisfaction entered his eyes.

“Yes. I was concerned when I found out there were injuries...and a death.”

He nodded gravely. “A father of four.”

“I heard. It’s so tragic.” Her voice shook. “Thank heaven it wasn’t you. Tessa wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

“I don’t plan to die on her if I can help it.” He bit out the words.

“I realize that.”

“Now that you’re here, would you be willing to wait long enough to drive me to the station for my car when I’m released?”

“I’ll drive you home first,” she said without hesitation. “Doctor’s orders. We’ll arrange for your car later. Don’t talk anymore, Rick. Give your throat and lungs a rest. If you’ll give me your housekeeper’s phone number, I’ll let her know you’ll be home in another hour.”

Andrea knew she shouldn’t be overjoyed that he wanted her help to get home. But if he hadn’t asked her, she would have worried that much more about him.

* * *

When the nurse pushed Rick outside the hospital in the wheelchair, Andrea was waiting right there in her car. The woman was tying him up in knots. He climbed inside and fastened the seat belt before they took off. If it had taken him breathing too much smoke to see her again, he wasn’t complaining.

The doctor had said his heart rate was a little high. What the medic didn’t know was that moments before, Andrea had walked into the cubicle. After figuring he’d never see her again unless he made it happen, he knew the shock of realizing she’d come to see him on her own had played havoc with his vital organ.

A lot could happen in twenty-four hours. He planned to use every one of them wisely.

“Are you feeling terrible?” Andrea sounded anxious.

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.”

He looked over at her lovely profile. “I’m sorry that the death of one of my colleagues alarmed you enough to bring you to the hospital. I’m sure it was a reminder of what happened to your husband. I wish you could have been spared. Tell me. What did you do with your day after your father left?”

“Besides worry about you, I bought some dowels and put them in the windows.”

“I’m glad you took my advice.”

“If they’ll act as a deterrent, then I’m indebted to you.” He noticed her hands grip the wheel a little tighter. “Was the furniture mart a set fire?”

“Benton thinks so, but it’ll take a day to find the proof.”

She flashed him a glance. “What’s your opinion?”

“I think this particular pyro is having a field day.”

“Tell me about your friend who died. How old are his children?”

“He has two teenagers and two in their twenties.” Rick saw telltale tears trickle from her eyes. “Becoming a firefighter is a lot like joining the military. Everyone knows there’s going to be risk.”

“I’m sure they do.”

He wanted to get off that subject to talk about something more important. “Is your father going to be in town for the week?”

“No. When he comes two or three times a year, he’s always just passing through.”

“It’s obvious you’re very close to your mother.”

“As opposed to my father, who was never a family man, but I’m sure you already figured that out even before you met him.”

“It’s his great loss for not spending time with you. He told me he doesn’t like you living on your own.”

“He said that because the loft is small and I don’t have a guest room for him.”

“Andrea? Be serious.”

“I am. He hates my couch.”

Rick shuddered to think what kind of father hers had been. All the lost opportunities.

Andrea pulled into his driveway, where she parked to the side to leave room for another car. He gave her a covert glance. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”

But he didn’t hear her response because he’d already opened the passenger door and Tessa had come running out of the house without boots or a parka. “Daddy—” She sounded ecstatic and flew into his arms.

After giving him a hard hug, she stared at Andrea. While his mind sought an explanation his daughter could handle, Andrea spoke up. “Hi, Tessa. Your daddy needed a ride home because he was so excited to see you. Now I’m going home.”

His little girl shifted her gaze back to him. “Sharon said you breathed too much smoke, Daddy. I’m going to take care of you because Mommy told me to.” She pulled on his hand to get him out of the car.

His daughter’s sweetness made his heart quake. “You always take perfect care of me.”

“See you,” Andrea called to them before backing out of the driveway. Helpless to do anything else at the moment, Rick had to let her go. The last thing he saw was the sheen of her wet blue eyes before she drove off.

Tessa helped him inside the house. “Sharon says you have to take a shower and go straight to bed.”

His housekeeper met him in the foyer. “We’re glad you’re home. I’ll bring you dinner when you’re ready.”

Rick was so drowsy from whatever had been put into his IV, he barely made it to his bedroom. After he collapsed on the bed to get his second wind, he knew nothing more until thirst brought him out of a deep sleep. He reached for his water and drank until he’d emptied the glass.

When he opened his eyes, he discovered it was quarter after nine. That was the time he’d gone to his room last night. It meant he’d slept twelve hours! The last thing he remembered was being ordered to bed.

He rolled off the mattress, aware he was breathing more easily. He didn’t feel he needed the inhaler. But once on his feet, he still felt weak. Some breakfast would make all the difference.

After a visit to the bathroom, he left for the kitchen in his sweats and T-shirt, expecting to see Sharon and Tessa, but they weren’t there. He checked the note on the fridge under the magnet.

Nancy came over this morning and took Tessa home with her so you could sleep. She’ll bring her back this afternoon. I’ll be home from the grocery store shortly. Your friends brought your car home from the station, so don’t worry about a thing.

He drank a quart of milk and munched on a banana and a couple of peanut butter sandwiches before checking his phone messages. There were half a dozen, but of course nothing from Andrea. She didn’t have his cell phone number, but he had given her the land line number so she could call Sharon. But when he checked those messages, there still wasn’t one from her.

Remembering the tears in her eyes before she’d backed down the drive, he realized she’d heard Tessa and didn’t want to say or do anything to upset his daughter more. Though touched by her sensitivity, he didn’t want Andrea distancing herself because of it. He’d find a middle ground for them no matter how long it took.