The Mistletoe Affair Read online

  “Don't laugh. There's nothing funny,” Katherine said.

  “Dear, I didn't know it would turn out like that."

  “I felt humiliated. From now on, no more matchmaking from you, and I'm keeping those sanitary pads under lock and key for the rest of my life.” As she fingered the plastic tablecloth, she squirmed in her chair. “How can I face that man again?"

  Her mother clucked. “He's a prominent attorney. I'm sure, in his line of work, he's seen and heard it all. Besides, real men don't care about a silly thing like those pads."

  Katherine sighed. “Well, I certainly do. Every time I look at him, I'll see him walking down the street like that."

  “I'm sorry. I can't help it.” Her mother grabbed the dishtowel and held it over her mouth to stifle another fit of laughter. The absurdity of the situation suddenly hit Katherine, and she laughed harder than her mother. Their laughter stopped when they heard heavy footsteps stomping on the roof.

  Katherine glanced at the ceiling and gulped.

  He's back.

  After her mother plugged in the coffeepot, she turned toward Katherine. “He'll be finished soon.” She opened the vacuum-sealed cookie jar on the counter. It hissed, and the smell of oatmeal and coconut escaped, turning the kitchen into a culinary delight. Taking the cookies out one by one, she arranged them in a circle on a platter and set them in the middle of the table.

  Katherine stared in amazement. “What are you doing?"

  “Hmm, getting ready to offer him coffee and cookies, dear. He'll be hungry after he gets through. It's the least we can do after he's done us a favor."

  “Please don't get any more ideas.” Her mother wore a matchmaking gleam in her hazel eyes. Katherine shook her head in warning. “I don't want to date him or anything like that."

  “Gracious! You young folks today. Whatever happened to talking, walking and getting to know someone as friends first? Besides, I don't think you have anything to worry about. He doesn't date much either.” The coffeepot finished spurting and her mother poured them a cup.

  Katherine wondered why he didn't date much. He might be gay. She didn't want to find out he was gay. Not that she cared, of course. His sexual preference didn't matter to her. Hell, she wasn't interested in him in the least.

  As if she read Katherine's mind, her mother smoothed her dress down and smiled. “He's definitely not gay. His fiancée jilted him a year ago right at the altar, at least that's what I heard folks say.” She paused. “Course, mind you, I'm not one to gossip.” She shook her head. “He hasn't dated any decent women that I know of since that terrible thing happened to him."

  That didn't sound good. “Meaning what?” she said casually around sips. “He dates indecent women?” She held the steaming cup to her nose, and inhaled deeply, enjoying the fresh hazelnut wafting from the brown liquid.

  Her mother blushed and lowered her voice. “Not exactly indecent, mind you, but they have a reputation for being kind of wild, if you know what I mean."

  Katherine set her cup down and frowned. She knew what her mother meant only too well. He preferred the kind of women her ex-husband kept as mistresses.

  “I told you, he's a prominent attorney. Wins every case.” Her mother pointed to the magazine rack. “He's got offices in New York and Texas.” Katherine stood, walked to the rack hanging on the wall and lifted People magazine out. Jared Randall's wolfish smile stared back at her from the cover. A supermodel draped on each of his tuxedo-clad arms, helping him celebrate after winning another whopping divorce settlement for a major movie star.

  After replacing the magazine, she spun around and shook her head.

  “Don't you get that sour look on your face, Katherine Marisa Cahill. There's nothing wrong with Jared. He helps around the house when things tear up on me. The man's just looking in the wrong places for what he really needs. As for you, you don't want to look ‘cause you got singed.” Her mother touched her hip and grimaced.

  Katherine moved to her side. “You've been on your feet too long. Rest.” She helped her to a chair.

  Her mother swatted at Katherine's hands. “I'm not an invalid. They put a pin in my hip. It's bionic now."

  A picture of her mother jumping over hurdles popped into Katherine's head and she chuckled. “Bionic, huh?"

  Katherine reached down and rubbed her mother's hands, remembering the fall in the tub that necessitated the emergency surgery. “I came home three weeks early to help you with the cooking and shopping for Christmas. Please, let me be your arms and legs this year. I don't want you overdoing it."

  The back door swung open and Matt sped into the kitchen. “I made sure he didn't miss any spots.” Matt beamed. “We tested ‘em. Santa can land fine now."

  She dragged her gaze to the door and froze. Jared stood watching her. The smile he wore gave him an air of innocence, but the look in his eyes made a tingling start in the base of her skull. His gaze trailed down her body to her toes before it meandered back up. The seductive grin hadn't changed a bit when he finally met her eyes again. She swallowed unevenly. He knew what he was doing to her, saw the way her shirt lifted and fell on shallow breaths.

  Is this his hobby, she wondered angrily, making women swoon for his own macho-entertainment?

  He's no good. Definitely, no good.

  Good for her or not, her breath still came short and shallow. The top of her knees banged against the table leg, as she jerked away. Traitorous body. Fortunately for her, no one noticed her agitation.

  Her mother coughed.

  Katherine's face flushed even hotter and stared down, away from the others.

  You'd better tread carefully, Katherine girl, lest you jump from the frying pan into the fire.

  She glanced down to find Matt gazing at her. He looked down at the dirt covering his hands, which happened to be where her grim stare ended. Matt backed up a step and placed his little hand in Jared's huge one. “We gotta go wash after we've been outside, or Mom will get mad.” He led Jared down the carpeted hall.

  Her face still burned from embarrassment when they returned. Matt led Jared to stand in front of her for an ‘official hand inspection'. She had her dad to thank for the predicament she found herself in right now. He always laughed and obediently stood behind Matt to set an example for his grandson. Her throat went dry at the mischief in Jared's eyes and the thought of touching and feeling the warmth of his skin.

  “Smells good in here,” Jared remarked innocently, holding his hands out.

  Oh my stars!

  Chapter Two

  Jared wore black denim, a rich-chocolate shirt and smelled of mint soap from washing up. Katherine didn't touch the broad hands he extended. His long, thick fingers made her thoughts turn to distinctly unwelcomed ideas. She studied them with reluctant interest. At least on his hands his skin had a tan. A fleeting thought of where else he might be tanned made her blush and pronounce them clean.

  He regarded her with amusement and whispered, “Chicken,” before he moved aside for Matt to have his turn.

  She glanced to the side. Her mother winked at Katherine and patted the chair, motioning for Matt to sit beside her. Jared remained standing around the table, looking down at her with that dark, arched brow and the hint of a roguish smile.

  Where were her manners? Katherine leapt from her chair and offered Jared a seat, sloshed some coffee into a cup and shoved it in front of him. He reached out, she pushed it forward, wanting to keep distance between them, and the cup toppled over.

  It spilled across the table. Katherine stared at the spreading mess. Jared's eyes were reflected back at her in the creamy brown pool of coffee. Eyes she could drown in. She turned, grabbed paper towels, wadded them up and sopped up the puddle. Tossing the wet mess in the trashcan, she turned, topped his cup again and handed everyone napkins. Anything to keep her clumsy hands occupied.

  Jared held his cup close to his chest, as if protecting it. He frowned every once in a while like she represented the plague moving in his direction.
How could she blame him? She'd suddenly turned into the biggest butter-fingered klutz in Texas.

  “Help yourself to some cookies,” she said.

  Jared reached out to the plate piled with still-warm cookies and removed his unsettling gaze from her. She breathed a sigh of relief. From the gallon container, she poured Matt a glass of milk, set it in front of him and smiled when he helped himself to three of the largest cookies.

  “She baked these,” her mother said, smiling at Jared. “They have raisins and coconut. Matt loves them."

  Katherine rolled her eyes, silently pleading. Please. No matchmaking.

  Jared picked out a plump, juicy raisin, rolled it between his fingers and plopped it into his mouth, before he took a bite of the cookie. “These taste even better than they smell."

  Everyone nibbled on cookies, except Matt. He inhaled one and came up for air, looking expectantly at Katherine. “You know what?"

  She almost spilled her coffee and Jared gave her the plague look again. Oh, no. Please. Not, “You know what?” Say anything but “You know what?” Last time Matt said that, she climbed a ladder, almost fell off a two-story roof and bloodied Jared's nose. She held her breath.

  “What?” Jared asked, taking another bite of cookie.

  “We gotta get a Christmas tree.” Matt held his hands up as high as they could reach. “A real big one. For big presents."

  Katherine exhaled slowly, relieved. Surely she could handle getting a tree for Matt. What could possibly go wrong?

  She thought about the toys hidden in the closet, none that came fully assembled. She convinced herself that men did this to get even with women. First, the instructions were written for mechanical engineers. Second, parts were always left when she finished and she'd have to start all over to figure out exactly where those parts belonged. She did not look forward to putting Matt's toys together at all.

  Jared glanced at her. “You want to go this afternoon around five and get a tree, or do you have something else planned?” he asked in a casual tone, never taking his eyes off her.

  Going anywhere with him spelled trouble. Maybe he thought because she was divorced, and he assumed she had been celibate for a long time she was an easy lay, like the women he dated. But, he couldn't know she'd stayed celibate. She gazed at him and bit her lower lip. Could he? I mean a thing like not having sex for a very long time, that doesn't show, does it?

  “We can manage. Thank you.” She lifted her chin so he'd get her message.

  Jared sipped his coffee, watching her intensely over the rim. “You're doing it again."

  “Doing what?"

  “Reading something into my actions that I never intended, like when I stopped your fall and accidentally grabbed your you-know-whats."

  Katherine gasped. She choked on her cookie and gulped down a stream of hot coffee, fighting for air.

  Her mother placed the back of her hand over her mouth, hiding a fit of laughter.

  Matt turned and beat between Katherine's shoulder blades. He repeated what he'd heard her say for years when he swallowed wrong. “Did that cookie have a bone in it?"

  She wiped at the water filling her eyes. “Yes, it did, but you made it better.” She coughed again. “Thanks, Matt."

  Jared leaned toward her. “Are you all right? Your face is really flushed. How about more coffee?"

  She shook her head and whispered, “I'm fine. Really."

  He fell silent a few seconds before suggesting, “If this afternoon's not convenient, I'd be willing to change it to some other day."

  I'll bet you are. “We wouldn't dream of making you change your plans. We'll be fine without your help."

  “Dear.” Her mother turned toward her with a dreamy, far-away look Katherine recognized immediately. That twinkle in her eyes meant one thing. Matchmaking. “What Jared's offering sounds like a good idea. How are you going to fit a tree into that small car of yours?"

  Katherine didn't want any part of what Jared might be offering-especially with his ‘bad-boy’ reputation. “Other families manage and we will, too."

  Jared pursed his lips. “I don't think you can manage the tree by yourself.” Lifting his hands, he moved them upward. “Matt wants a big tree. You'll need a truck like mine to get it home."

  “You have a truck!” Matt said to Jared. Her son turned toward her with excitement dancing in his eyes. “Mom, I'd love to ride in his truck, can we?"

  “Maybe we can ride in it some other time.” She straightened her shoulders and glared at Jared.

  He rolled his eyes. “I'm picking mine up today. Katherine might as well come along and let Matt select his tree."

  Her mother nodded. “I still think that's a wonderful idea, Katherine. It'll be fun to let Matt ride in a truck."

  Everyone was against her. Katherine breathed deeply and nodded, surprised at the flash of male triumph that flitted across Jared's face.

  “While you're gone, I'll do my exercises again. When you come back we can finish the plans for our tree-trimming party.” Her mother turned to Matt. “Would you like a party?"

  He clapped his hands. “Yes, ma'am, just like when Grandpa lived here.” Matt looked at Jared. “He's in heaven, but he sees us."

  Katherine's heart squeezed tight in her chest. It had already been ten months. When would the knee-jerk reaction stop?

  Tears glistened in her mother's eyes. “That's right, Matt, and we're going to have a good time this Christmas for him. You go with them this afternoon and get that special tree you want for Grandpa."

  Katherine slumped in her chair.

  What is Jared-the lonely divorcee welcome wagon?

  * * * *

  Five o'clock, right on time. Jared Randall watched Katherine stroll from the house. She bent over to zip up Matt's coat. Jared stifled a groan when her rounded jean-clad bottom bobbed temptingly in the air. Secured with a clip in the back, strands of her long black hair escaped and fluttered in the breeze.

  He opened the passenger door and stepped back to let them in. She propelled Matt like a missile onto the middle seat and jumped in behind him. Jared shut her door and climbed in his side, wondering why she was so prickly about this.

  Before he started the pickup, he glanced over. Katherine zipped her jacket part of the way up and hugged the truck door. If she got any closer, she'd plop out onto the pavement for sure. She half-turned and started to buckle Matt's seat belt, however Jared beat her to it. “I got it. Relax."

  He turned on the radio, and they listened to Matt attempting to sing Christmas carols for several miles. The temperature during the day stayed at sixty degrees, but it dropped to forty at night. He wished the weather would turn cold, so it would seem more like Christmas. Houston weather differed from hometown New York, where he'd spent years practicing law. Everything was different, which is why he'd moved here in the first place. Nice people. Quiet lives. His engagement to Shannon had proved even he was different. He'd thought he had found someone to love him back. Someone to share his dreams, build a future with. He clenched his jaw. He'd been wrong. Since then, if he wanted sex, willing women were easy to find and even easier to leave and forget.

  He glanced over again at the icy beauty. Her rosy cheek appeared practically pasted to the window. He looked back at the road with a silent grunt. She could sit on the roof for all he cared. She didn't have anything to worry about from him. The last thing he wanted was to get mixed up with her. Hell, he liked his women to at least be approachable. But she sure made the scenery more beautiful with those rich jade eyes, ebony hair and silky, smooth skin-not to mention those lush, sweet curves. If she knew how much he enjoyed touching her body, she would brain him with a rolling pin.

  Now that the singing from between them had stopped, he glanced down at the source of small snoring sounds. Matt snuggled deeper onto his arm. A warm feeling of tenderness filled Jared's chest. The little boy reminded Jared of himself as a child with the broken family and absent father. Matt was resting his eyes until they got there, as Jar
ed used to put it.

  Katherine glanced over at him and Matt, clutched her shoulder bag tighter to her chest, turned her head and stared out the window. The look she threw Jared reminded him of a rattler about to strike.

  He glanced down at Matt again and straightened his coat, remembering once again how he stood up for his mom today. How could a man leave a boy like Matt? More incredulous, how could his father not see his son every chance he got? He ground his back teeth together. What if Matt's father was like his-never gave a damn about his son?

  Turning his head, he glanced at Katherine, wondering why she'd gotten divorced. As an attorney, he'd seen some flimsy excuses. Were her excuses flimsy? That thought brought him up short. Whatever the reasons, they were certainly none of his business. Don't even go there, he warned himself.

  “You sure are quiet over there,” he said. “You fall out that door and I'll have to administer mouth-to-mouth.” He chuckled when she scooted across the leather away from the door.

  He'd never seen anyone so jittery around a man. Did she dislike all men, or just him? She must have a problem. He liked his women a little calmer and a whole lot more sure of themselves sexually. No pretending about what they wanted. No shyness about being a woman. They articulated loud and clear their desire for a man to take them to bed.

  He glanced at Katherine again. No, sir, there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell he would make a fool of himself over her. She wasn't his type.

  * * * *

  “But, I want this one,” Matt said, standing in the tree lot.

  Katherine stared at the beautiful, gigantic, silvery-blue tree. Her father always bought traditional green ones that smelled like evergreen. She bent, lifted the branches of the Arizona Cypress and sniffed, enjoying the same sharp, pungent evergreen scent that brought back so many happy memories. But the idea of not holding to the traditional past bothered her.

  A gentle breeze drifted through the tree-lot tent, carrying with it the smells of pine, woodchips from trimming the base of the trees, and cedar. She moved to stand beside a twin to this tree only vivid green instead of silvery-blue. “How about this one?” she coaxed.