Free Mistletoe Magic by Lynn Patrick Page B

do with Christmas? That day’s coming up later this week. Aren’t you excited?”
    “Yeah! I’ll paint Santa Claus.” Uninhibited, Gretta picked up a sheet and proceeded to paint a large purple circle with a small green body and red dots for eyes.
    “Is that Santa?”
    “No, it’s me!” Gretta informed her. Melissa laughed as the child put a smaller figure in the corner and pronounced that it was Santa, then told her what presents he was carrying in his sack.
    What fun it was to work creatively with children! That’s why Melissa enjoyed her job with the library so much. And there were no discipline problems like there had been at the public school.
    “This is you.” Gretta drew Melissa’s attention back by pointing to a tiny red blob at the edge of the page.
    “Very nice,” commented Melissa, flattered the child had thought to include her. She hoped both of Rafe’s kids would like the Christmas gifts she planned to give them before she left tonight.
    “And now I’m going to make another picture.” Gretta grabbed a clean sheet and slapped yellow paint on it. “Do you know what this is? Californ’ya. I’m gonna go there tomorrow. And guess what? I made a real big wish to Santa.” Gretta drew circles and added arms and legs. “See? This is Daddy and this is Mommy. I wished they’d be back together again.”
    Melissa’s smile froze, but Gretta wasn’t paying attention. They both turned when Rafe walked into the kitchen.
    “Hey, my two lovely ladies. I finally finished all the work down there. Saved up some hugs and kisses for a tired man?” Embracing Gretta, he grinned at Melissa over his daughter’s head.
    “Hi, Rafe.” She hoped there wasn’t a suspicious look on her face. Thrown off balance by Gretta’s painting and announcement, she wondered if Rafe actually ever planned on getting back with Nicole. Was that why he didn’t talk about his ex-wife? Were they still in love? Was that the real reason he’d never made love to Melissa? Or was she merely reacting insecurely to something any child whose parents had divorced would say?
    Giving Gretta and her father the benefit of the doubt, Melissa rose, aware the little girl was watching, and offered Rafe a sedate, welcoming kiss.

Chapter Five
    Later, holding Melissa in his arms as they relaxed on the huge sectional sofa in the living room, Rafe wondered why she’d acted a little strange when he’d first seen her tonight. Was she annoyed because he’d pleaded exhaustion and ordered out for pizza instead of taking her to dinner at a restaurant? He knew he hadn’t been courting her the way a man was supposed to. Unfortunately, December was one of his busiest months and they’d both had unusual schedules.
    “I’m sorry I don’t feel like going out tonight.”
    “We didn’t make definite plans,” Melissa said. “And it’s nice to curl up and watch the fire.” She gazed into the flames burning in the brick fireplace before them, then turned her head toward the decorated tree in one corner of the room. “Your Christmas tree is pretty to look at too. When did you put it up?”
    “Last night.” Rafe nuzzled her soft cheek, cradling her shoulders in the crook of his arm. The ivory silk of her antique blouse felt slippery beneath his fingers and he noticed the lacy edge of an undergarment revealed by the garment’s low neck—as well as a few inches of creamy flesh. Repressing his natural reaction to her innocent sensuality, he said, “As far as going out, I promise I’ll make it up to you. I’ve had one heck of a work schedule the last few weeks. I wouldn’t ordinarily ask a date to casually drop by my place.”
    “What do you usually ask women to do?”
    “Well,” Rafe began jokingly, “it might be too naughty to tell.”
    “You’ve been doing naughty things with other women?” Melissa pouted.
    Rafe laughed. “You don’t need to be jealous. I’ve rarely gone out with anyone more than once or twice in the past two years. I