The Christmas Date. Michele Dunaway
friends for over thirty years, Nora and Frieda were also each other’s worst enemies, especially when matchmaking and gin games were involved. Each of them hated when the other one won. Ever since Sandra had died, the two women had taken on Kate’s love life as a top priority, second only to those gin games and the Neighborhood Watch.
Ready to put an end to the dinner idea, Kate stepped into the kitchen. However, the daring look Tyler shot her curled her toes, and Kate struggled for composure. Did she wipe that smug expression off his face by rejecting his offer, or take his challenge and accept?
Tyler Nichols had the body of a god. From what she’d seen of his interaction with the Dogwood Lane matrons, he also had a sense of humor. His job told Kate that he had bravery, drive and ambition. He could afford a decent house. He was the type of man she could fall for. But his career meant he wouldn’t stick around. Kate needed permanence.
Best to remain simply neighbors. Look, but don’t touch. Dream, but don’t dare. Be safe. The fantasy was always better than the reality. The heck with not appearing weak. Bowing out gracefully was the better option. Pandora’s box would remain closed.
“Take her somewhere good,” Frieda told Tyler. “Kate doesn’t get out enough, and her idea of eating out is fast food.”
“That’s for sure,” Nora added, stealing the conversation. “I can’t even convince her to slow down long enough to go to Ponderosa with me.”
Tyler arched his eyebrows and peered down his nose at Kate. Defiance sparkled in his warm chocolate eyes as he prepared for her rejection.
“How about I take her to a wonderful little microbrewery I know of, Nora?” Tyler proposed. “The food is the best, and they brew their beer on the spot. It’s also off the beaten tourist path…on the other side of town, over by where I used to live.”
“Kate doesn’t like beer.” Nora gave a sniff.
Kate bristled. How did Nora know what Kate did and didn’t like? Time to regain control of this situation, especially since it was her life they were planning. She shouldn’t have let the silliness go on this long, as it was. “Would you three stop talking about me like I’m not here?”
She drew herself up and moved to stand near them. “For your information, Nora, I’ve been known to have an occasional beer. I just don’t prefer it, that’s all. A microbrewery sounds like fun. Although I’m really not available. I work full-time and I have school, remember? Finals start next week and I have a major research paper due.”
“Fine.” Frieda gave a huff that was all for show. “I was only trying to be helpful. You need to socialize more. You’re always cooped up in that house.”
Kate rubbed her hands on her sweatpants. Wendy had pretty well said the same thing. “I’m sure Tyler and I can find a time convenient to both of us to have dinner—if we decide to go to dinner.” She stressed the if, hoping Tyler would catch on. “No help from either of you is necessary.”
“Tomorrow night,” Tyler said. “How about it, Kate?”
Had he not heard her say if? Frustration found her, and Kate began formulating her excuse. But in the midst of delivering her refusal, she paused. Neither Frieda nor Nora was paying any attention to her. Instead, Nora was peering through Tyler’s blinds. “Someone just pulled into your driveway, Kate. Driving a dark blue sports car.”
Kate glanced at the clock on the stove. She’d set the time herself. Eight-fifteen. That meant…Oh no! Once Nora had arrived, she’d only meant to stay a few minutes. Had that much time really elapsed? How could she have forgotten? Then again, how could she have missed the Hummer? Today was simply not her day….
Chapter Four
As Kate threw her hands up in exasperation, for the second time that day Tyler caught himself staring at her chest. Droplets of water from the yellow gloves had adhered to her shirt and formed an interesting pattern that his fingers suddenly itched to touch.
Kate began peeling off the gloves. “I forgot all about Wendy. She’s going to kill me. I’m not ready for the party!”
“You’re going to a party?” Those gray eyebrows of Nora’s lifted in query. “You never go to parties.”
“I go to parties,” Kate protested. “Not often, but I go. And I was attending this one. I was supposed to be ready at eight. I only planned on being over here a little while.”
“It’s a quarter after,” Nora replied with a shrug, as if it were somehow Wendy’s fault. “She’s late.”
Kate dropped the gloves in Tyler’s sink. “She’ll never forgive me for forgetting that we had plans. We talked before she left the office.”
“Why don’t I go over to your place with you?” Tyler offered. “I’ll explain that I sidetracked you.”
“Thanks, but that won’t help,” Kate said. She paused a moment. “Seriously, I’m not trying to be rude. It’s a sweet thought, but no matter what, Wendy will be furious with me when she discovers I’m not ready. I promised. I’ll have to meet her at the party. I still need a shower, and—Oh!”
Tyler had gripped her elbow, and Kate was looking up at him in surprise. Ah, immediate silence. So the technique did work. Tyler had often seen his father merely put his hand on his mother’s arm, and instantly, she’d stop speaking, even in midsentence. Kate’s expression was not one of passivity but of interest. Again her lips were parted, and her mouth was delectable open like that. Definitely kissable.
Tyler continued to hold Kate’s elbow, and her skin warmed where his fingers curled around her arm. Interesting. He decided he liked touching her and made a mental note to continue exploring the phenomenon of touching Kate.
“I told you I would come with you,” he told her. “Let’s go meet this Wendy friend of yours.”
Tyler threw open the door without looking first, the movement receiving Nora’s reproach. He ignored her disapproval. If bullets flying over his head counted, he had definitely been in many more dangerous situations than this one.
“Wendy?” Kate called.
“Kate! Are you outside?” Wendy stood under Kate’s carport, her hand over her eyes as she squinted into the shadows. Normally, Tyler appreciated tall leggy brunettes, but none had affected his equilibrium quite like the shorter blond woman by his side.
“Ah, you must be Wendy,” Tyler said as he and Kate stepped into the light.
“Kate!” Wendy shrieked as she saw Kate’s attire. “You’re not ready! You forgot!” And then, as if realization dawned, Wendy’s gaze registered that Tyler stood there. Her mouth opened into a silent O.
“Hi, Wendy. I’m Tyler.” He held out his hand, and Wendy returned his firm grasp with a limp handshake. “Kate was just telling me about you. It’s true she only now remembered your party. I’m afraid I’ve been distracting her terribly. I just moved in today and—”
Tyler broke off as Kate’s jaw dropped open as though to say something. Tyler put a forefinger under her chin, leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Shut your mouth, darling. I might have to do something to help you shut it.”
Wendy’s mouth closed at the same time as Kate’s, Tyler noted with a grin. Oh, how he loved American women. They were the greatest in the world, and not just because they were so predictable. He knew exactly what thought had crossed each of their minds at his deliberate words. He gave Wendy a devilish smile.
“Wendy, please don’t blame Kate,” Tyler continued. “She didn’t mean to lose track of time. These things sort of happen. She did tell me she could be ready quickly. She needs to grab a shower first.”
Wendy wobbled on her high heels as she eased toward her car. “You could have called, Kate, and let me know about your change of plans.”
Kate