The Christmas Proposition (15 page)

“I think she knows exactly what she’s doing and what she wants,” Derek said with a chuckle. “And so does Trav. Those two have it bad for each other.”

Rachel rolled her eyes. “I told you, they’re old friends.”

“Friends don’t kiss each other like that,” Derek pointed out.

“You kiss
me
like that,” Rachel reminded him. “And you and I are just friends.”

“About that.” Derek cleared his throat. “I—”

“There you are.” David rushed into the kitchen, his gaze focused on Derek. “I’ve been looking all over for you. It’s time.”

“For what?”

“For you to get into this suit and do your thing.” David shoved a wadded-up bundle of red velour and white fur into Derek’s hands. “Hurry, the kids are waiting.”

“What is this?”

“What does it look like?” David chuckled. “It’s a Santa suit.”

“Why would I need one of those?”

“I must have forgotten to tell you.” David’s smile widened into a grin. “Whoever hosts the party plays Santa Claus.”

By the time the last child had hopped off Derek’s lap with their bag of goodies, his irritation at David’s last-minute announcement had disappeared.

He’d planned on spending the entire evening with Rachel, not listening to squirming children recite their
“I wants.” But he had to admit he’d enjoyed playing Santa. Not surprisingly, the experience had resurrected a long-forgotten memory of the times his father had played Santa Claus for the neighbor kids.

His father had been so patient, so kind. But what Derek remembered most was how, just before each child left his lap, he’d ask them what they wanted for Christmas that didn’t cost money.

Derek remembered one year vividly. He hadn’t yet realized that the man in the red suit was his father. He’d confided in Santa that he’d gladly give up all his gifts if his daddy could just be home more. That next year his father took a job where he didn’t have to travel. Derek had never made the connection. Until now.

For fun, Derek had asked Mickie that same question. She hadn’t hesitated. She’d told him she wanted Mr. Rossi and Rachel to get married and adopt her.

He’d promised to do his best, knowing it wasn’t just Mickie’s wish that would come true if that happened, but his as well.

“A
nyone know how to play this?” July called out to the crowd, sliding her hand reverently across the top of the shiny black grand piano.

“I know how to play,” Derek said when no one else volunteered. His mother had made both her children take lessons until they were well into their teens. Still dressed in the Santa suit, Derek made his way to the piano. “Is there something you’d like to hear?”

“‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.’” July’s gaze dropped to the nine-month-old on her hip. “It’s one of his favorites.”

“It’s one of Santa’s favorites, too.” Derek gave a hearty ho-ho-ho and then pulled out the bench and sat down. He had to wedge his large stuffed belly between him and the keyboard. “But if I’m going to play, I’ll need a couple helpers.”

July shook her head when he glanced in her direction.
She gestured to the baby bouncing up and down in her arms.

Derek then turned to Rachel and Mickie who’d wandered close. “How about you two lovely ladies? Will you help out old St. Nick?”

When they hesitated, the guests in the area clapped and shouted encouragement.

“I don’t know how to play the piano,” Mickie said.

“But you can turn the pages of the sheet music, can’t you?” he asked.

“As long as you tell me when to do it,” Mickie said with an earnestness that touched his heart.

“It’s a deal.” Derek kept his voice deep and jolly. He then fixed his gaze on Rachel. “You look like a woman who knows her way around a piano.”

Rachel lifted a hand, moving it side to side and took a step back. “I haven’t played in years.”

“Ho-ho-ho. No worries.” Derek patted a spot on the bench beside him. “We’ll play together.”

Last week Derek had found a book of Christmas duets in the cabinet. Although he could easily play any Christmas song with his eyes shut, he found himself wanting to share the experience with Rachel.

“I don’t know—”

“Surely you don’t want to disappoint all these fine people?” He flashed his best Santa smile.

With obvious reluctance she sat beside him. Then, with the smile still on her lips, she leaned close to him and spoke between gritted teeth. “What part of ‘I don’t want to play’ don’t you understand?”

“Did everyone hear that? The lady wants old St. Nick to kiss her. Must be the mistletoe.” Derek glanced up
and she followed his gaze. He knew the exact moment she saw the tiny sprigs because her eyes widened.

He pressed a kiss against her lips. It was altogether unsatisfactory, thanks to beard interference.

“Blasted white fur,” he muttered.

She chuckled.

Thirty minutes later, he and Rachel rose from the piano and bowed to riotous applause.

“Santa needs to get back to the North Pole,” Derek told the children who begged him to stay. “The reindeer and elves are waiting.”

With one last ho-ho-ho, Derek sprinted up the stairs. He reappeared minutes later dressed in the dark pants and gray shirt he’d worn earlier. After mingling for several minutes, he found Rachel by the window with her back to him.

He slipped his arms around her waist. “I was hoping you’d come up and help me change.”

She turned in his arms, offering him a sexy smile. “I was tempted,” she said, planting a kiss on his jaw. “But then I remembered that this is a G-rated event.”

“Tell that to Mary Karen and Travis.”

Rachel’s gaze darted around the crowded room. “Where are they?”

“Last I saw, they were stumbling into the guest bedroom upstairs,” he said.

“Oh, my.” Rachel’s mouth formed a perfect
O.
“What did you say?”

“I told ’em, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Derek planned to say more, but she looked so beautiful and appealing in the firelight’s glow that he pulled
her to him and kissed her…under another sprig of mistletoe. He owed Travis a check for a job well done.

Despite being up late the night before, Rachel rose before the sun had come up and headed to the kitchen. She ground some beans and got the coffee brewing.

Three years ago to the day, Tom had gone out for orange juice and never returned. But surprisingly this morning her thoughts weren’t on Tom but Derek. When she’d been with Tom, everything had revolved around their home life together. They hadn’t socialized with friends or other couples because they hadn’t needed anyone else. They’d had each other. It had been enough.

But as happy as she’d been, Rachel wasn’t sure that a relationship of that nature would suit her now. She liked spending time with friends. She liked doing “couples” activities.

Rachel felt like a butterfly that had finally found its wings. The changes hadn’t happened overnight, but rather had been occurring gradually these past three years. But Derek, well, he’d shown her how to soar.

“I love him,” Rachel said aloud, the realization welling up from deep inside, the words right and strong against her tongue. “I love Derek Rossi.”

She felt a momentary stab of guilt as her gaze was drawn to her wedding picture. Rachel crossed the room and picked up the frame. She slowly ran a finger across his lips, outlining Tom’s smile. This man had been her friend. Her first lover. Her beloved husband.

She hugged the photo against her. Was that understanding she’d seen in her husband’s eyes?

“Being with Derek in no way diminishes what I felt
for you,” she whispered. “You taught me how to love and how to accept love. Even when it looked like we might never have a baby, you were so sweet, insisting that I was all you needed to be happy.”

Tears welled in Rachel’s eyes and spilled over. She let them fall, finding healing in them.

“Since you died, I’ve been just going through the motions of living.” She sat the picture down and pulled the ring slowly from her finger. “I know that’s not what you want for me. You want me to be happy. Derek can make me happy.”

But can I make him happy?

Derek wanted children. Children she probably wouldn’t be able to give him. It had been a struggle to get pregnant when she was in her mid-twenties. What would it be like now? She was a nurse. She knew the odds.
Practically impossible.

Before there were any promises made, she would tell Derek about her infertility journey. She would hold nothing back. There would be no secrets between them. It would then be up to him. If he made the choice to walk away, she would try to understand.

Regardless of what he decided, it was time she moved on with her life. She placed her diamond in front of the picture. This way it would be the first thing Derek saw when he walked into the room.

Thinking back to those little boys and girls sitting on his knee, she found herself wishing she could whisper in his ear
her
one desire.

All she wanted for Christmas, all she would ever want in the future, was him.

Derek reached into his pocket making sure the tiny black velvet box was still there. Since he’d left Idaho Falls, he’d checked his pocket at least a half-dozen times.

Despite what his past engagement history would suggest, Rachel wasn’t just another woman in a long line of women; she was The One. They shared the same values and enjoyed spending time together. Not just in bed, but out as well. As corny as it sounded, she was the half that made him feel whole. He couldn’t wait to make her his wife.

Though the ring was burning a hole in his pocket, he told himself he wouldn’t propose until after Christmas. When he popped the question he wanted it personal and private and perfect.

What if she says no?

The question came out of the blue and Derek immediately dismissed it. He was confident Rachel loved him. Although he’d initially worried he’d be competing with a dead man the rest of his life, Rachel’s behavior said that wasn’t an issue. She’d pursued him. She’d made it clear she wanted him. And her love was the only thing he wanted….

Not only for Christmas. But for eternity.

The Christmas Eve worship service at Jackson Hole Community featured the children of the congregation. While Mickie did a great job in the chorus, Addie’s solo rendition of “What Child Is This” stole the show.

With Rachel seated beside him, Derek couldn’t imagine being happier. While his feelings for her went far
beyond the physical, he liked the way she looked tonight. The soft pink cashmere sweater with its bits of gold glimmer hugged her curves quite nicely. The matching skirt was long enough to be proper, but short enough to show off her gorgeous legs. And there was something about a woman in heels…

He leaned close, brushing a strand of hair back from her face. “Have I told you how incredible you look tonight?”

“Shh.” Rachel gestured with her head toward the minister. But the flush in her cheeks told him that his compliment had pleased her, and when he reached over and took her hand, she curled her fingers around his.

After being ushered out to the large common area of the church, he and Rachel waited with Lexi and Nick for the children to be dismissed. The mood in the church was a festive one.

“Do you think we’re supposed to go and get them?” Rachel asked Lexi when five minutes turned into ten.

Nick glanced at his watch. “If we’re going to make the caroling, we need to leave pretty quick.”

Every year, a local church invited citizens in the area to join them for caroling in the Jackson town square. With white lights on the arch made of antlers shining brightly and everyone holding candles, it was, according to Rachel, a not-to-be-missed experience.

“We’ll go check.” Lexi took Rachel’s arm and the two women hurried off through the crowd.

“Hurry back,” Derek said, watching until she disappeared from sight.

“I recognize that look,” Nick said, an easy smile on his lips. “You’ve got it bad, my friend.”

“I love Rachel,” Derek said, overcome with the sudden urge to say it out loud and make it seem real. Waiting to propose until after Christmas was turning out to be a real challenge. “I plan to ask her to marry me.”

“I’m happy for you, man.” Nick slapped him on the back. “Mickie and Addie will be thrilled that all their efforts weren’t in vain.”

Derek pulled his brows together. “What are you talking about?”

“C’mon, you must have picked up on their matchmaking ploys.” Nick shook his head and chuckled. “Though I have to admit a couple were fairly clever.”

This was the first Derek had heard of this effort. He wondered if Mickie had said anything to Rachel. “How did you find out about it?”

“Addie told her mother.” Nick shrugged. “Lexi told me.”

Derek couldn’t imagine what tricks an eight-year-old and a ten-year-old could employ. Still, he was curious. “What kinds of things did they do?”

Nick waved to Ron and his wife across the room before answering. “Simple things like making sure you and Rachel ran into each other to more complicated ones like using technology to their advantage.”

Derek lifted a brow.

“There was something about a couple of text messages.” Nick chuckled. “Apparently Mickie made it look like the texts had come from Rachel.”

The knot in Derek’s stomach twisted. If this were true it meant Rachel
hadn’t
reached out to him after all. Had he built all his hopes on a false premise? On a lone text message she hadn’t even sent?

“Interesting,” he said, when he realized Nick was expecting a response.

“Harmless kids’ stuff,” Nick said. “But amusing. And quite ingenious.”

“No denying those two are smart,” Derek said, forcing a chuckle. He told himself this didn’t change anything. Yes, he’d taken Rachel’s text as a sign she was over Tom, he still knew—he
knew
—that Rachel loved him.

As much as Tom?
a voice inside his head whispered. Derek clenched his jaw so tightly that his teeth ached.

She does love me,
he told himself.
If not more than Tom, at least as much.

She had to…because he wasn’t going to be second in a woman’s life ever again.

Although there was no reason to get up early on Christmas morning, Mickie was awake by seven. She dressed quietly, not wanting to bother Rachel. But when she and Fred reached the kitchen, Rachel was already at the table.

“Good morning, Mickie.” Rachel smiled a welcome.

“Merry Christmas.” Mickie returned the greeting carefully. Rachel’s eyes looked sad. Just like they’d been when she’d kissed Mickie goodnight.

Just thinking about last night made Mickie’s stomach hurt. It had started out okay. Addie’s mother had made a yummy dinner of chili and cinnamon rolls. And the church singing had gone well. It had been fun standing with the other kids and hearing everyone clap.

“Mr. Rossi kinda acted weird last night,” Mickie said to Rachel.

“I think he was just tired.” Rachel’s words were reassuring, but the worried look in her eyes told a different story. “This has been a busy week for him.”

“He was supposed to come over here after we sang in the square,” Mickie reminded her. “We were going to decorate your tree together and then he was going to help me wrap your gift.”

Instead, he’d made some lame excuse about needing to make a few phone calls. Maybe that was true, but it had reminded Mickie of the excuses Uncle Wayne used to give Aunt Amy.

“We’ll see him this morning.” Rachel smoothed a wayward strand of hair on the top of Mickie’s head. “Why don’t you let Fred out? He’s been inside all night and it’ll be good for him to…stretch his legs. But don’t leave him out too long because it’s really cold this morning.”

Mickie headed to the back of the house, each step heavier than the last. She opened the door and let the air waft over her. Even after Fred ran past her, Mickie stood there a few moments longer. Rachel was crazy. It wasn’t cold outside at all. When she finally shut the door, Mickie realized the reason Rachel thought it was so cold outside was because the house was so hot.

After wiping the sweat from her brow, Mickie went searching for a ribbon to put around Fred’s neck.