The Christmas Proposition (5 page)

Even with her head bowed, Derek could see Rachel smile.

He took a deep breath. “Thank You, God, for not only this wonderful food but also for bringing Rachel and Mickie into my life. Amen.”

Derek realized as he said the words that they weren’t just the “right” thing to say, he meant them.

The perfectly seasoned soup was delicious. The grilled sandwich made with three cheeses, the best he’d ever eaten. And unlike the afternoon at the pizza place, the conversation flowed easily.

Over lunch he and Rachel talked about everything from her volunteer work at a local free clinic to his current dilemma—whether to renew his lease on his L.A. apartment or look for a new place to live. Derek let his gaze linger on her face. Her skin was smooth and creamy and her eyes reminded him of the Wyoming sky. She’d ditched the ponytail from this morning and her golden blond hair now hung loose to her shoulders.

She was amazing. Not only was she beautiful, she appeared to have it all together while he felt as if he’d let his life stray off course. Not just in relation to his faith but also in his commitment to his family. He loved his mother and sister, but he’d let weeks go by without calling them. “Have you ever looked at your life and wondered if you’d taken a wrong turn somewhere?”

Rachel’s eyes widened and Derek realized he’d spoken aloud. He was trying to figure out how to call the words back when Mickie answered.

“I turned the wrong way once when I lived with my
aunt and uncle.” Her voice which had started off strong unexpectedly began to tremble. She twisted a strand of hair around one finger, her green eyes clouded. “By the time I finally got home it was dark. I was really scared. Aunt Amy was worried, but Uncle Wayne was mad. She wouldn’t let him go bowling until she knew I was safe.”

The pain in the child’s voice told Derek everything. He could only imagine how “Uncle Wayne” had treated the child once she’d gotten home. He tightened his fingers around his soup spoon.

“I hadn’t lived there long, but I knew what happened when you made Uncle Wayne mad,” Mickie said. “Especially when he was drinking beer. And he was always drinking beer.”

Silence descended over the table for several heartbeats.

“Did he hit you?” Rachel asked finally.

Mickie lifted a shoulder, then let it drop. “Sometimes.”

Fred, who’d been lying on the floor at Mickie’s feet, sat up. Without looking down she scratched his head.

The muscle jumping in Rachel’s jaw told Derek exactly what she’d like to do to Uncle Wayne.

He understood. He felt the same way. Although he’d seen it often enough in his role as a Big Brother, the harming of a child never went down easy. He shoved down the rage rising inside him and forced a casual tone. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”

He placed his spoon on the table and took an unfrosted sugar cookie from the plate in the center of the table. He broke it into two pieces, handed one to Mickie
and kept the other for himself. “He shouldn’t have hit you.”

Mickie took a bite of cookie. “I know lots of kids who get hit.”

Derek winced. Yeah, he did, too.

“That won’t happen here,” Rachel said softly. “You’re safe with me.”

Mickie crumbled the rest of the cookie between her fingers. “What if I say or do something that makes you mad?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Rachel said, her eyes filled with compassion. “An adult should
never
hit a child. For any reason, but especially not out of anger.”

Derek remained silent. This conversation was between mother and daughter, er, between Rachel and Mickie.

“Do you understand?” Rachel covered the girl’s hand with hers.

Mickie nodded her head in several quick jerks.

“And I want you to know you can be honest with me about your feelings,” she continued.

The child’s face scrunched into a frown. “I don’t…understand.”

“Just tell me what you want when I ask,” Rachel said.

“In other words, if you don’t like anchovies, it’s okay to say you don’t like them,” Derek clarified.

“If you’re worried or afraid, I want to know that, too.” Rachel grabbed a cookie and absently took a bite. “I can’t make something better unless I know it’s an issue.”

Derek took another cookie. These were even better
than the ones his mother made every Christmas. In fact, they were the best he’d had in years. He caught Mickie staring as he popped half the cookie into his mouth.

“Okay, I understand.” Mickie’s gaze shifted back to Rachel. “But can we decorate the cookies before you and Mr. Rossi eat them all?”

Rachel chuckled.

Derek grinned.

Mickie giggled.

Fred woofed.

And in the cozy kitchen, with the light streaming through the windows, for the first time in years, Derek felt part of a family.

R
achel had expected Derek to leave immediately after lunch. In fact, when he’d first arrived, she’d thought of several excuses, er, reasons, to make sure that happened. She’d been concerned that he would misconstrue her generosity and think she was interested in him.

But he’d been a perfect gentleman and they’d been having such a good time that she’d impulsively asked him to stay and decorate sugar cookies with her and Mickie. Even though applying frosting and sprinkles was more of a “girly” thing to do, she’d been confident he’d say yes. After all, from how many he’d eaten it was apparent he loved her cookies. She’d been shocked when he’d begged off with some pitiful excuse about needing to talk with his agent.

Rachel wasn’t sure who was more disappointed—her, Mickie or…Fred. The animal had taken a shine to Derek
and now sat staring at the door long after the man had walked through it.

“I wish Mr. Rossi could have stayed.” Mickie crooked her elbow on the table and rested her chin on her hand.

“Me, too.” Rachel forced an upbeat tone. “But you and I’ll have fun, just the two of us.”

Mickie kicked at table leg. “I guess.”

Rachel thought for a minute. “How about I see if Addie and Lexi can come over and help us decorate these cookies?”

Mickie’s eyes lit up. She straightened in her seat. “That would be fantabulous. I need to talk to Addie anyway.”

Rachel had pulled out her cell phone, but now paused before flipping open the cover. What could Mickie possibly need to speak with Addie about? “Is it anything I could answer? Or help with?”

“It’s nothing important.” Mickie avoided Rachel’s eyes. “Addie knows I don’t have many toys and she loaned me her Barbie and Ken. Last night I had them go on a date. I need to ask her what comes next.”

Rachel’s heart went out to the young girl. With her parents dying so young and her aunt and uncle being less-than-stellar role models, Mickie probably didn’t have a clue how men and women
should
interact. “Do you want them to fall in love?”

“Of course.” Mickie sounded shocked she’d even asked.

“I’d say another date comes next,” Rachel said. “If Barbie and Ken are going to fall in love and—”

“Get married,” Mickie said, completing the sentence.

“Right.” Rachel hid a smile. Who knew the little girl was such a romantic? “Well, then, the two need to spend time together.”

“That’s what Addie said.”

“Addie is correct.”

Mickie chewed on her lower lip. “Do they
have
to go on a date?”

Rachel thought back to her own dating years. “When Tom and I were getting to know each other, some of my fondest memories are when we simply hung out and talked.”

“Then you fell in love and got married, right?”

“We did,” Rachel said. “But some couples discover after spending a lot of time together that they don’t work, that they’re not really meant for each other.”

“They
are
meant for each other. And they have to fall in love,” Mickie said with a vehemence that took Rachel by surprise. “Ken thinks Barbie is pretty and she thinks he’s handsome. I don’t see why they wouldn’t get together, do you?”

Rachel opened her mouth to tell Mickie that it takes a lot more than physical attraction to make a relationship work, but reconsidered at the last minute. These were dolls they were talking about, not real people.

With that thought firmly planted in her head, Rachel smiled and leaned forward. She gently pushed a strand of hair back from Mickie’s face with her fingertips. “With you doing the matchmaking, I firmly believe your two are destined to walk down the aisle.”

A look of pure joy filled the young girl’s eyes. Before
Rachel knew what was happening, Mickie jumped out of her seat and flung her arms around Rachel’s neck. “I think so, too.”

Rachel wrapped her arms around the child and returned the hug, unexpected tears stinging her eyes.

When she’d agreed to care for Mickie, she thought she’d be able to bring the little girl into her life for thirty days and then let her go. But now, that seemed an impossible task. Knowing and loving this child as she did, Rachel couldn’t imagine letting Mickie walk out of her life…ever.

Mickie sat in the hard wooden pew and watched the families slowly file into the church. Hope rose in her chest. Very soon she’d have a mommy and a daddy, too. That was, if God didn’t strike her dead first.

She hated having all this time to think. Hated having all this time to worry about God being angry with her. They’d arrived early and Rachel had told her to take this time to talk to God.

The trouble was, God probably didn’t want to hear from her, especially not after what she’d done. Still, if God really did know everything—like Rachel said he did—surely he knew how important it was that Rachel and Mr. Rossi got together. And really, if Rachel had thought about it, she’d have emailed Mr. Rossi and invited him to church herself. So, when Mickie used Rachel’s private email address to ask Mr. Rossi to come this morning, it was almost as if she was doing everyone a favor.

“Is he here yet?” Addie whispered in her ear.

“Do you see him sitting with us?” Mickie’s whisper
held a sharp edge. But darn it, Addie had made her believe it was possible to get Mr. Rossi there. But with only five minutes left before church started, it looked like he would be a no-show.

“There’s still time,” Addie said in her ear. “Pray harder.”

Mickie obligingly screwed her eyes shut and clasped her hands tight together.
Dear God, please let Mr. Rossi come. Please let Mr. Rossi come. Please let Mr. Rossi—

“Is this seat taken?” a familiar deep voice asked.

Mickie opened her eyes. Her lips curved into a relieved smile. It looked as if her prayers had been answered after all.

Derek stood at the edge of the pew, his confidence slipping away with each passing heartbeat. When he’d checked his email this morning he’d been shocked to see one from Rachel. They’d all been discussing email addresses at Mary Karen’s house and he’d mentioned what his was in passing. He hadn’t expected her to remember it or to send him an invitation to attend church with her and Mickie.

The way she was looking at him now told him she’d never expected him to show.

Uncharacteristically nervous, he shifted from one foot to the other. “If it’s too crowded…”

“There’s plenty of room.” Mickie leaned across Rachel and motioned for him to enter the pew.

“Yes, there’s more than enough room.” Rachel slid closer to Mickie.

“Hi, Mr. Rossi.” The girl’s green eyes sparkled like
emeralds. He’d never seen a child so happy to be in church.

“Good morning.” He returned her smile and settled in next to Rachel.

“I didn’t expect to—” Rachel began, but then the organ wheezed and the congregation rose. She held out the hymnal so they could share.

While they sang, he slanted a sideways glance at her, marveling at her beauty. Today she had on a fluffy blue sweater and a black skirt. Her hair hung to her shoulders in soft curls and she smelled as good as he looked. Derek forced his attention back to the hymn and realized their voices blended with such ease that it was as if they’d been singing together for years.

Even though there was no chance to talk, it felt good simply being next to her. He might not have known her long, but he felt comfortable around her, and comfortable being back in church.

He was glad he’d accepted her invitation. And to think he’d almost blown her off. But then, he’d reminded himself that he wanted to get back into the habit of regular worship. Still, that hadn’t been the deciding factor. It had been the last line of her email that had made it difficult for him to stay away.

I’d really like to see you again.

Rachel was so private about her feelings that he knew it must have taken a lot for her to add that to the email. He worried that if he didn’t show up, she might take his absence personally.

No, he had to be here. The last thing he wanted to do was disappoint this lovely lady.

He stopped singing for a second and leaned close, his lips brushing her ear. “I’m glad I came.”

She turned, her cheeks a bright pink, her eyes a breathtaking blue. “I’m happy you did, too.”

From that moment on, Rachel had difficulty keeping her mind on all things God. Like right now, she was trying to listen to the sermon, but how could she concentrate with Derek’s muscular thigh pressed so tightly against her leg?

Not to mention the way his spicy cologne teased her nostrils and how each time his hand brushed hers, her heart skipped a beat. A curious thrumming filled her body and the type of thoughts running through her head had no business in a church.

She determinedly forced her attention back to the sermon, to the message of hope and promises fulfilled. Every so often she’d glance at Derek, but his eyes and attention were on the minister. On her other side Mickie hummed happily under her breath.

The day, which had started out so simply, had taken an odd turn. What worried Rachel the most was she didn’t mind. Not one bit.

“Are you coming to brunch with us?” Lexi asked Derek after the service ended, taking the words right out of Rachel’s mouth.

She’d planned to extend the invitation immediately after the benediction, but Nick had called out a welcome from farther down the pew and then David and July had hurried over. With everyone talking, Rachel could barely get a word in.

“The food at The Coffeepot is great.” David cast a
pointed glance at Travis, who’d just sauntered up with Mary Karen and her three boys. “Though I can’t vouch for the quality of the company.”

“Hey.” Travis punched David in the shoulder. “The Almighty has big ears.”

Mary Karen grinned. “It’s nothing He doesn’t already know.”

“I appreciate the invitation,” Derek said. “But I ate before church specifically so I could head to the slopes to get some skiing in before the storm hits this afternoon.”

Beside Rachel, the humming stopped.

“I wish I could go with you,” Travis said. “But I’ve got a patient in labor and need to stay close.”

“We’re still on for Friday?” Derek asked.

“You bet,” Travis said. “That’s my day off and one of my partners is taking call.”

After saying their goodbyes, the couples hurried off, children in tow. Rachel understood the hasty departure. The Coffeepot was
the
place to go after Sunday services and you had to get there right away to get a table.

From where she stood, Rachel rested her back against the pew, pretending her off-balanced feeling had to do with her new high heels and not the way Derek made her feel. “Are you going to Snow King or Jackson Hole?”

“I’m thinking Jackson Hole, though I may change my mind,” Derek said, seemingly no longer in a rush to leave. “I’m not meeting anyone, so it’s just where I feel like going once I leave the house.”

“The conditions couldn’t be better,” Rachel said, unable to keep a hint of wistfulness from her tone. The mountain slopes already had a good solid base of snow
and a recent storm had added eight inches of perfect powder.

Mickie stepped forward. “I want to learn to ski. Addie knows how and she’s only eight.”

By the time the little girl finished speaking her cheeks were bright red. Still, her eyes remained riveted on Derek’s face. Rachel clamped her hand gently but firmly on Mickie’s shoulder. She knew the little girl wanted to learn to ski, but teaching her wasn’t Derek’s responsibility. “I’ll take you this week, sweetie. I promise.”

“If you don’t have plans for the afternoon, we could all go together,” Derek said.

“You don’t have to invite us—”

“Sure he does,” Mickie interrupted.

“No.” Rachel shot her a warning glance. “He doesn’t.”

“I want you to come.” Before Rachel knew what was happening he reached over and took her hand. “You. And Mickie.”

His thumb caressed her palm, making rational thought difficult.

“Mickie doesn’t have anything to wear—” she stammered.

“We can stop at one of the village stores,” Derek said in a husky baritone that sent shivers up her spine.

“Please, Rachel. Pleeeeease.” Mickie grabbed her sleeve. “I really want to go skiing with you and Mr. Rossi.”

Over Mickie’s curly brown head, Derek’s eyes found hers.

“It’s up to you.” The liquid blue depths drew her in,
tempting her. Asking her to venture from the solid shore of what she’d always known to a place where she could be over her head in an instant. The moment the thought tried to take hold in her mind, she rejected it. What a ridiculous, fanciful thought.

“Please, Rachel,” Mickie said.

“Please, Rachel,” Derek echoed.

Rachel settled her gaze on Mickie. She was doing this for the child, she told herself. Not for any other reason. “It looks like you get your wish. Today you’re going to learn to ski.”

Mickie let out a whoop.

“Shh—” Rachel said, but her smile took any sting from the admonition.

“I’m glad you’re coming,” Derek said softly, his gaze widening to include Mickie.

“Thank you for inviting us,” Mickie said.

“I don’t think we gave him much choice,” Rachel laughed.

“He wanted us to come with him, didn’t you, Mr. Rossi?”

“I did.” Derek shot the child a wink, though his gaze remained focused on Rachel. “After all, what man wouldn’t like to spend the afternoon with two beautiful women?”