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“I'd love to have dinner with you,” Jared grinned, he'd seen a twinge on Katherine's face when her mother had issued the invitation, so he thought he'd just tweak the lion's tail. “How's that leaky pipe I replaced under your bathroom sink? Is it giving you trouble, Grace?"
“It's been bone dry under there. You did a good job. Course I have a small roof leak I meant to call you about. We might have to wait until it rains to find it."
He shook his head. “We better stop it before it rains and does damage. I'll check it in the next couple of days."
Jared and her mother discussing house repairs like an everyday occurrence baffled Katherine. She picked up another piece of the puzzle of who Jared really was and found it didn't fit the image she'd already formed, especially in light of that cell phone conversation.
They made their way back to the living room, and Katherine toed the carpet with her boot. “All we're having is leftover roast beef. It's nothing fancy.” He probably ate all his meals at posh restaurants. “We can throw in a kosher pickle for style."
“And homemade peach cobbler. My daughter can really cook, Jared."
She scowled at her mom, trying to get her to stop shooting compliments like Cupid's arrows, particularly when they were misdirected. Why doesn't Mom put a neon sign on my forehead that flashes ‘She's Available’ twenty-four hours a day? “I wouldn't brag too much, Mom. The recipe's pretty simple, mix the ingredients in a bowl, dump them in a pan and bake.” With her busy schedule, every meal she served required no fuss and a bare minimum of preparation time spent in the kitchen-preferably twenty-minutes.
Her mom beamed at Katherine's scowl as they all walked into the kitchen.
After heating and dishing out the dinner, Katherine squirmed in her chair again. She wanted to scream, listening to her mother carry on a polite but pointed conversation, prying personal information out of Jared.
“You look awfully young to have a law practice in downtown Houston and a branch office in New York."
Jared's gaze speared Katherine's. Amusement lit up his face as he turned his attention back to her mother. “I guess I am, but I've worked hard to make it happen."
“How old did you say you were, Jared?"
Katherine grimaced. I'm going to kill her.
“Old enough to avoid the obvious, Grace.” He chuckled and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Thirty-four."
“And how'd you end up with Harriet's place, God rest her soul?"
“Harriet was my aunt. When she died about a year ago, she willed me the property."
Her mother smiled at Jared. “Why didn't you sell it?"
He grinned back. “I didn't want to."
“Why would a big, strapping young man like yourself want to live in a quiet neighborhood like ours?"
“Harriet talked about this neighborhood all the time. I came here and enjoyed the people so much that I decided to keep the house-at least for awhile. I divide my time between Harriet's, a penthouse in New York and a ranch I own in Katy, Texas."
“You own a ranch, too?"
He nodded and glanced at Katherine, who wanted to crawl under the table-and stay. The rapid staccato questions fired by her mom continued for twenty more minutes, interwoven with equally embarrassing personal facts about Katherine.
“So, Jared, you missed your high school prom and always regretted it. That's too bad."
That's it. I can't stand this Barbara Walter's routine one second more. Katherine glared at her mother. “His favorite color is green. He went to college on a football scholarship. Oh, and he gets hives when he eats strawberries. Anything else you want to know?"
“Dear, we must show interest in our guest, or he'll think we're rude."
Jared wiped his mouth with the napkin again, but she saw his grin, all directed at Katherine.
“Mom, I want another sandwich and a pickle,” Matt said.
Katherine passed the platter, glad for the diversion.
Her mother turned her head toward Jared. “Are your parents still living?"
Katherine stared at Jared when he didn't answer right away. His eyes blinked, his mouth tightened and his usually sardonic, lazy eyes grew angry and hard. What was that all about?
“No, they're both dead,” he said coldly.
“I'm sorry,” Katherine whispered. He looked up and their gaze held. For a brief moment, they shared some painful emotion that tugged at her heart. An emotion she could not understand.
Wrenching her gaze away, she assaulted Matt's food with a knife and fork. She shredded it into an unrecognizable heap.
Matt stared at his plate, his mouth wide open. “I don't like it tiny."
Jared placed his hands over the top of his own plate, guarding its contents against any invasion into his territory with her pulverizing knife. She felt her face grow hot. “I'll get you another sandwich and pickle, Matt."
Katherine appreciated a man with a good appetite. Jared put away a large salad, two sandwiches, three pickles and two helpings of hot cobbler. She hated to admit it, but he even looked sexy when he chewed. The way his jaw tightened and his muscles flexed made his profile stronger.
“You know what?” Matt said in between bites.
Gasping, Katherine dropped her fork, and it clanged against her plate.
Her mother and Jared stared. Katherine lifted her fork, speared a bite of pickle and shoved it into her mouth.
Please let it be something I can do. Let it be something I can do on the ground, something I can lift by myself without Hercules over there-she glanced at Jared-having to assist. I do not want to depend on him every time Matt says, “You know what?"
“What, pal?” Jared asked.
Matt glanced at her and placed his finger on his chin. “We gotta find Santa and tell him we're at Grandma's again. He might deliver our presents wrong."
She breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness. Finally, something she could do by herself.
Jared watched Katherine throughout the meal.
He couldn't figure out exactly why she fascinated him, but she definitely did. And her anything-but-subtle mother made sure he learned even more fascinating tidbits about her daughter during their conversation.
Katherine, he decided, was an enigma. And he loved a mysterious woman.
She certainly didn't fear tackling this two-story house, even though she had no business climbing, according to Grace. Katherine loved outdoor sports, which indicated her adventurous nature. But she'd planned her accounting career path carefully, passed exams and obtained her license as a Financial Planner. She owned her own investment firm, an overachiever, like himself.
She looked pretty, except when she got that soft, dreamy look in her eyes watching Matt or her mother. With love shining in her jade eyes, she changed into the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Radiant in fact.
He fought the memory of her sprawled on top of him on that roof, her thighs squeezing his. He wondered if she wore that same sensual look in the throes of passion. She was also the most infuriating woman he'd even met, he reminded himself, forcing the erotic thoughts from his mind.
Jared didn't know what to make of this enigma, or the fact she'd been divorced for two years. The ‘don't-bother-me-look’ Katherine shot his way when he tried to help, and the way she fought her mother's attempts at matchmaking told him she didn't need or want anyone-especially him.
Well, she needed him to meet Matt's newest request, although she didn't know it yet. A little favor he did for a friend who normally played Santa would allow him to be intimately involved in making Matt's wish come true.
“I know where you can find Santa and his schedule for the week.” He provided the name of the mall, the location and the times Santa would appear.
Matt squirmed in his chair like fire ants invaded his pants. “Can we go tomorrow?"
Jared didn't appreciate the wary look Katherine gave him, which did not correlate with her words. “Thanks a lot."
“Yes, we've got to go shopping in the mall, so we'll drop by and visit with Santa.” She turned toward Jared. “You don't need to take us. I can manage this on my own. Thanks."
There went the enigma again. Thank you on one hand, cold-shoulder on the other. Fascinating.
“Oh, I had no intention of volunteering.” He enjoyed the tempting picture her full, bow-shaped mouth formed as it flew open to say something, but closed instead. Positively kissable. “But, I would like to take everyone riding around the neighborhoods to see the lights next Saturday night.” Matt almost flew out of his chair in his excitement, begging to go. Katherine rolled her eyes, smiled faintly, and reluctantly nodded in agreement.
Jared grinned at her unwilling smile, and caught his breath when her tongue licked her lush lips. No, he wouldn't offer to take her to the mall. He couldn't possibly be in two places at once; he had no intention of taking them to see Santa since he was Santa.
Maybe she'd sit on his lap and tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas.
After Matt finished his bubble bath, Katherine dried him and the drowned bathroom floor. She dressed him in his favorite teddy bear pajamas and carried him to bed. His warm, chubby arms went around her neck and gave her a hug. He snuggled under the mountain of covers while she lay beside him and read.
“Do you think I need to tell Santa my list of toys when I see him tomorrow?” he asked.
She scrunched up her forehead in confusion. “You already saw Santa and told him what you wanted for Christmas. I don't think you need to repeat the list."
“Maybe he forgot me."
She rubbed the tiny worry lines between his eyes. “How could anyone who meets you possibly forget you, Matt? You're pretty special.” Since he believed it was important to keep Santa informed of his whereabouts, she wanted to reassure him. “I think you need to tell him whose house you're visiting and everything will be fine."
He beamed at her. “You know who else said I'm special?"
“Grandma,” she guessed.
He giggled. “No. I mean someone new, today.” He paused. “Mr. Randall said I'm special. We're pals. I like spending time with him, ‘cause he really likes me. He's not like Dad."
Hugging Matt, she wanted to make up for all the pain she knew his father caused him. Why couldn't Paul spend time with his son? Why couldn't he love his son?
Minutes later, Matt yawned and closed his eyes. Half asleep he cuddled against her on the bed. “You like Mr. Randall?"
Katherine breathed deeply and lifted her shoulder blades, rotating them back to relieve the tension that question caused. Did she like Jared? Something about him irritated the heck out of her every time she laid eyes on him. Her mother shoving him down her throat didn't help. Jared liked Matt and went out of his way to please him. She certainly liked that.
Did she like Jared? Well, she didn't hate him. But she didn't want to get involved with a man like him. From what she'd seen and heard, he was cut from the same skirt-chasing cloth as her faithless ex-husband.
“I like him. I think he's a good man.” Not good for her, but the memory of lying atop him on the roof snuck into her mind. Hmm, he'd give her a hell of a ride though.
She kissed her son goodnight.
He yawned again and rolled to face the wall. His voice muffled with sleep as he said, “Good. ‘Cause he's got horses and wants to show me how to sit on ‘em."
Damn, caught again.
Katherine stood in her nightgown and robe and studied the photos lining the mantle in the living room. A smile tugged at her lips when she spotted the one of she and her dad decked out for fishing. Next to it stood the photo of the first fish she'd ever caught. She laughed at the goofy expression on her six-year old face. The fish looked like a very large minnow, too small for eating, and she'd begged him to let her keep it. He'd given in to her and allowed her to carry it around until all the neighborhood cats started following her. She laughed again until tears formed in her eyes. The fish stank so badly that he took it away from her. They held an elaborate funeral for it so she'd stop crying. She touched her finger to the glass framing the photo and rubbed the smile on her father's face. “I really miss those summer fishing trips, Dad."
She turned from the pictures and gazed out the window at the moonlit star-filled night, wishing she hadn't stopped fishing after her father died. But she couldn't shake the loneliness when she thought about trying to go fishing without him.
The teakettle whistled and she hurried to the kitchen. She prepared two cups of herbal tea. Taking them back to the living room, she placed one on the coffee table beside her mother's chair and rested hers on the carpet.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Katherine reviewed the lists they'd worked up earlier for the party and inhaled the tangy scent of honey and lemon as she sipped her tea. She looked up when her mother entered and took a seat. With her legs curled up under her, Grace looked almost exactly as Katherine remember her mother twenty-years ago. At fifty-six, her Mom was still an attractive woman, she realized in mild surprise.
“You want to review these?” Katherine held up the list of invitees to the party.
Her mother nodded. “Oh, yes. We don't have much time, because I doubt Matt will put up with a naked Christmas tree for very long."
They both chuckled. Katherine could already hear his, “You know what?” followed by Jared's attempted rescue.
After reviewing the list of names they'd prepared earlier, she looked at her mother. “Okay, we have a headcount of twenty-five so far.” Instead of smiling, her mother closed her eyes, and her chin quivered. “Mom, what's wrong? If you're too tired, we can do this some other time."
Her mother glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner as it chimed. “Heavens, it's only nine-thirty, child. I'm not tired in the least. My neighbors look forward to this yearly get together, and I'm excited about having them over. I thought we'd do it Tuesday. I know that's only four days from now, but everyone's just waiting for the ‘official date’ so they know when to show up."
“Well, let's hop to it and get this done.” Katherine tore the papers from her notebook, trying not to notice that Jared's name stood out at the top. “I'll leave the lists on the end-table for you to review in case we've forgotten anyone, or you decide you want to change what I'm making for the party."
Katherine glanced at her mother who stared blankly at the window. What was wrong? Was she missing Dad? She looked so far away at times. Her mother couldn't be worried about the expense of the party; Katherine had always paid this for her parents.
“Why don't we do something festive with the tree?” her mother said. “Maybe buy new decorations and follow a classic color scheme of white, gold and cranberry."
Katherine pointed to the five boxes scattered around the living room. “What's wrong with using what we have?"
“What's in those boxes is a hodgepodge of decorations we've bought or made over a time-span of thirty-years. We need a change.” Her mother's eyes filled with tears.
“But it's tradition. I thought you'd want to keep everything the same."
“I understand why you would want that, but it can't ever be the same, dear. That time is gone.” Her mother popped a tissue from the box and wiped her eyes. “The one constant in this house is love. That will always remain."
Tears burned Katherine's eyes as her mother continued. “I appreciate your coming to help early this Christmas, but I'm concerned that you're trying to live in the past, Katherine. Christmas traditions are one thing, but I've often thought you're putting your whole life and Matt's little life on hold, waiting for your lost love to return."
Katherine's pulse raced at the chilling and absurd thought. Paul's love was a farce from the beginning, their divorce a godsend. Loving Matt and keeping their family just the two of them was the only sensible thing to do.
She had herself to blame for her mother believing that she pined for her ex-husband. Thinking Paul loved her, Katherine had married him; later she learned he'd married her to please his parents. She discovered that from the day they said their vows, she'd shared her husband with his mistress. Shamed, she lied to her parents, and to everyone else about the state of her marriage. When it became necessary, she lied about the reason for their divorce. The only ones who knew the truth were she and Paul-and all the women he'd been with. What a secret to share.
“I'm not waiting for Paul,” she whispered.
Standing, her mother walked to the window. With a firm hand, she pulled back the curtain and looked out. “I don't believe you.” She paused. “Will Paul be here this Christmas?"
Katherine hoped Paul would not come and ruin Matt's Christmas. “I don't know if he'll make it or not. Of course, we hope so, but he's very busy."
Her mother turned from the window wearing an angry scowl. “And you're not busy? If Paul took more interest in Matt, I might understand your hope. I would even encourage it, but he can't manage to spend time with his son. I'm worried that you aren't even trying to move on with your life."
Katherine avoided her gaze. “I have moved on. I bought a house, and started a business that has expanded to include three partners.” She looked at her mother. “How can you possibly believe I'm not moving on with my life?"
Her mother narrowed her eyes and stared at her. “That's your physical life, but how have you moved on with your emotional life? How often have you dated since the divorce?"
“I'm raising my son. Right now he's my whole world."
“And what about when Matt grows up and leaves for a life of his own? What life will you have after he's gone?"
She chuckled. “I think I have a little bit of time before that happens."
“Trust me, Katherine. Life flies away like dust in a whirlwind. That time will come before you know it. What's wrong with reaching out for something new? Not only for Matt, but for yourself, for that woman deep inside you."
Katherine gasped and automatically thought of Jared. Was this why her mother kept pushing them together? “Mom, I'm not ready for a relationship, or anything permanent, at least not right now."
“You used to have dreams for yourself, Katherine. Don't you still want a marriage and more babies to hold in your arms?"
She blinked, a single tear fell from her eye, remembering those innocent dreams that had died. “Of course I do, but I need more time.” Maybe forever.
“More time to waste moping for Paul?"
If believing that would keep her mother from matchmaking and throwing Katherine at Jared, what did it hurt to go along with the lie? Hell, Paul didn't want a wife to crimp his style. No danger there. Katherine nodded.
Her mother grew quiet, crossed the room and hugged Katherine.
Rubbing the arms that held her so tenderly, Katherine whispered, “I love you, Mom. I'm calling it a night, I'm beat.” She headed up the stairs with questions zinging through her mind.
Her mother had never talked to her this way. Oh they'd had the normal mother-daughter talk about boys and sex, but nothing like trying to open these old wounds. Maybe she should have confided in her. No why add that burden to her, particularly when she was already still upset. Whatever the reason behind this mother-daughter talk, it had something to do with Mom crying earlier, she knew it.
Raised voices filtered to the upper floor through a vent from the living room and woke Katherine from a restless sleep. The pain in Jared's eyes haunted her dreams throughout the night and his words, “Not all moms” echoed in her subconscious. Sitting up, she tried hard to make out the muffled conversation.
Her mother said, “It's almost eleven. Be quiet, or you'll wake Katherine."
A masculine voice quieted, but the words were still plainly audible. “Why can't you go to the party, Grace? Will you tell me why?"
Katherine made her way down the stairs and stood where she could see them, but they didn't notice her. She strained to listen and follow the conversation between her mother and a tall, thin-framed man, dressed in a casual pair of gray slacks and a burgundy pullover.
“Thomas, I told you my daughter's home. Besides, I don't want to leave her alone, and then there's Matt. What would he do if I went to a party?"
“Bring them along. You know they're welcome."
“Katherine wouldn't approve, and I can't ask her."
“You can't stop your life like this either!"
“Thomas, you have to understand-"
He shook his head. “I will never understand."
Katherine entered the living room. The shocked look on her mother's face made her wonder about Thomas. “Where ever the party is, we accept.” She smiled, extended her hand and introduced herself, noting the gray around his temples, the full head of dark hair and his over six-foot frame.
“I'm Thomas Hughes, one of Grace's neighbors. I'm pleased to meet you, Katherine."
Her mother seemed flustered and blushed. “Katherine, you don't need to do this. It's just a birthday party the neighbors are throwing at the church for Mrs. Taylor, nothing fancy. I'd be sittin’ anyway."
“Except for a slow waltz or two,” Thomas added.
Smiling, Katherine recalled Jared's joke. She felt glad her stunt on the roof hadn't kept Mrs. Taylor from making her seventy-fifth birthday. “Matt and I would love to go."
Thomas glanced at her mother. “I'd better be going. Pleased to meet you, Katherine."
Katherine stared at her mom walking arm-in-arm to the door, escorting him out. She wondered from the conversation she'd overheard if he was much more than a friendly neighbor to her mother. She heard the door close and her mother returned.
“I'm sorry we woke you, dear."
Katherine bit her lower lip. “I don't know how to ask except right out. Is something going on between you and Thomas Hughes?"
Crossing the room to her chair, her mother sat down. “No, sweetie. He's the dearest friend I have. His wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer four years ago. Later, when your father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, Thomas understood the pain and trauma I faced each day. I leaned on him as a friend, and we shared a lot of pain. Both our loved ones died within two months of each other."
Katherine rubbed her forehead. “I must have met him at the funeral, but I can't remember, everything's a blur. I'm glad you could lean on someone like him, Mom."
“He came the night before the funeral to pay his respects. He's a dear friend, Katherine, nothing more. Don't play matchmaker, and I won't either. Go back to bed and get some sleep."
Making her way back to the comfortable bed that beckoned, she didn't recall seeing Thomas's name on the guest list for the tree-trimming party. She'd pencil him in tomorrow.
The thought that her mother had lied about her relationship with Thomas Hughes seemed ridiculous. Dad had been dead ten months, and Mom didn't seem the type to fall in love that fast. Besides, what reason would she have to lie?
“We've been at this shopping mall forever. Do we have to rest again? Santa's gonna leave, and I'll miss him.” Matt dropped his chin to his chest and sighed.
“He stays late on Saturday. I promise you we'll see him today.” Smiling wearily, Katherine placed her packages on the bench and collapsed next to Matt. “We're almost finished. We need to buy an angel for the top of the tree from the store right over there.” She pointed to the specialty shop behind them, holding out the final carrots for his sacrifice. “We'll have pizza at the food court. Afterwards, we'll go see Santa.
They'd made a lot of progress in two hours in spite of trips to the bathroom, trips to stow packages in the car and frequent rest breaks on the benches. She'd bought angel hair, beautiful ropes of gold and crystal beads, miniature candle lights with cranberry and gold lamp bases. In addition, she found delicate, white doves and Christmas ornaments of antique white, gold and luscious cranberry spun silk. Everything new, like her mom wanted, rather than the family tradition.
“We've rested enough,” Matt said as he pulled on her hand.
Katherine laughed. “Slave driver."
They stood and he released her hand. He looked up at her and rolled his eyes. “Come on."
She gathered her packages, and they hurried to the specialty shop. After five minutes of walking up and down aisles hunting for the right angel, Matt gasped and pointed to the top of a display tree way in the back of the store. “Isn't she beautiful?” He pulled Katherine's arm, and they moved in unison.
Poised above the tree, hovering in mid-air, a white apparition of light appeared. Her blond hair circled with a garland of white beads; her silk wings outstretched and ribbed with the same pattern of beads that rimmed the neckline of her full-flowing gown. Handmade, delicate, lace and netting overlay her gown and formed the sleeves of her dress. In her right hand she held a gold staff, topped with a gold star, and from it sprang thin gold filaments that held tiny stars at each end.
“Can I make a wish?” Matt asked with his voice full of excitement.
“That's on evening stars,” she reminded him.
He pointed. “She's got bunches of stars."
“Okay, but don't tell me, or it won't come true.” From the sad expression on his face, she imagined she knew Matt's wish. He probably missed his father and wanted him back in his life.
He turned to her and took her hand. “You make one."
Looking up at the angelic face topping the tree, she wished that Matt would have the father he wanted so badly, one who would love him and spend time with him, totally disregarding that he'd also be a husband to her.
Katherine swallowed hard and stared at the perfect being depicted by the porcelain figure. She felt in her heart that somehow this Christmas would be special. “Yes, Matt, she's perfect.” Katherine retrieved the box containing the angel from the shelf. “And she's ours."
Jared couldn't keep his eyes off Katherine as she made her way toward Santa's North Pole Station. A strand of black hair fell casually across her cheek, bringing his attention to her flashing, jade eyes and her parted lips tinted with a pink lipstick called.-? Well, if the shade she wore wasn't called ‘tantalizing’ it should be, because it tantalized him to no end, wondering what it might be like to kiss her.
A smile tugged at his lips watching her head his way. Skillfully dodging a toddler, Katherine held large bags in both hands and carried on a conversation with Matt, who wore an infectious grin. A tall overweight man turned a corner too sharply and plowed into her, almost knocking her backwards. Jared's hands fisted when the jerk placed his beefy arms around Katherine. After a brief nod and a smile at the buffoon, she continued through the minefield, jabbering to Matt like nothing happened.
She wore casual black slacks, flats and a blue crewneck sweater peaked from the collar of her blazer. The snug outfit reminded him of her perfectly proportioned figure.
A new line of expectant children, laughing, crying, screaming and wetting, drew his attention from Katherine and Matt. He glanced up after some time and saw Matt make his way to the head of the line. He came forward and sat on Jared's lap. Katherine smiled and waved from the sidelines.
“Ho-ho-ho. Have you been a good boy this year?"
Matt nodded, his eyes flickering with excitement.
Jared smiled. “And what do you want Santa to bring you, little boy?"
He grabbed a handful of Jared's white beard none too gently, causing Jared to lean forward. “I knew you wouldn't remember. I told Mom you wouldn't remember me ‘cause I'm at Grandma's for Christmas. Mom thinks I'm special, so there's no way you could forget me, but she's wrong.” His brows furrowed. “Do you need me to go over what I want again?"
Prying Matt's fingers from his beard, Jared tried to diffuse his blunder and remove the hurt he saw in Matt's eyes. “Matt, I haven't forgotten you."
His mouth rounded. “You remembered my name."
“Of course I do. I have elves around the world that help me keep up with where kids live so we don't goof up any of the orders. I thought you might have forgotten something when you told me the first time. Do you want to add to your list?"
Matt shook his head and put his arm around Jared's shoulder. Pressing his chubby legs further up the padded Santa belly, Matt leaned close and whispered in his ear. “Can you do something for grownups, or you only help us kids?"
Jared furrowed his glued-on white bushy eyebrows. “I specialize in kids, because they're the ones who ask for help each year, but I can help grownups, too. They never ask. Do you want me to help some grownup?” He gazed at Katherine, who smiled at them from the sidelines again. A vivid picture of her on his lap flashed into his mind.
Placing his finger over his own lips, Matt said, “Shhh. It's a secret. Mom would never ask for your help, but she needs it."
“Okay, it's a secret,” Jared whispered back, excited to hear how he could help Katherine. “What can I do for your Mom?"
“Bring her a baby."