The Mistletoe Affair

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