Bet on a Mistletoe by Yvette Hines

thanks to her
uncle and Richard. Just the thought of him caused heat to infuse her body. Her
mind returned to the conversation she had with Tasha. Regardless of her
feelings toward Richard, there were a lot of unanswered questions. Yes, he had
kissed her, but did he want a relationship? Was he just curious?
          She
wanted him. There was no doubt about that, but did she want to put her heart on
the line where he was concerned, again?

Chapter Five
          Richard
heard the knock at the door. Setting his mug down on the counter he turned off
the eye before heading to the living room. Max stood up from his place by the
stove.
          “Well,
Max, looks like we’ve got company.”
          Max
gave a soft bark.
          “Maybe
it’s some beautiful snow bunny,” he rubbed his dog’s head.
          Opening
the door, he saw who stood there and said, “Merry Christmas to me.”
          Lorna
smiled and his heart beat firm in his chest. He loved the light sparkling in
her brown eyes and the curl of her full lips. Lorna was beautiful no matter how
he looked at her.
          “The
snow is clogging the roads. This was the first house I came upon.”
          “Thank
God for snow.” He and Max stepped back so she could come in.
          This
time she giggled. “Do you mind if I stay here until Mr. Julian comes through?”
          “Be my
guest, please.” He helped her out of her jacket. “I was just about to have some
cocoa, would you like some?”
          “Is it
your mom’s recipe from the restaurant?”
          “I
don’t know how to make it any other way.”
          “I have
perfected the packet.” She still stood by the door and fidgeted with her hands.
He wondered if she was nervous around him. Maybe that kiss had set her off
balance as it did him.
          Max
used that moment to bump against her thigh.
          “Wow,
Max you have really gotten big.” Kneeling down in front of the golden retriever
she stroked him behind the ears. “You’re all grown up now, boy.”
          He
watched Max’s eyes close as if he was in paradise. His dog had a heart for
Lorna since he was a puppy. He use to take Max to the lake in high school and
his dog would find her out of the masses every time.
          “Why
don’t you have a seat on the couch and Max will keep you company while I get
the drinks.”
          “Do you
mind if I use your phone? So, I can call my parents?”
          “Sure.
You’re parents are probably worried, they should know your safe from the
storm.”
          Leading
the way deeper into his front room, Richard showed her to the chair by the
phone.
          While
she called her parents, Max laid his chin on her lap as she idly stroked his
head.
          Richard
went into the kitchen for the drinks. He’d only returned an hour ago from the
restaurant.
          They
only opened for breakfast and lunch on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas.
If he’d delayed in town he would have been stuck and missed this time with
Lorna. That he would have regretted.
          The
fact that he had Lorna in his house alone was making his heart and mind race.
He’d dreamed about this moment so often he wanted to pinch himself to ensure it
was real.
          Placing
the mugs on a serving tray, he topped them with whipped cream and set a saucer
with four molasses cookies beside them. He went into his pantry and collected
the last item and put it on the tray under a pile of napkins.
          “The
house is beautiful. My dad told me about you and your father building it a few
years ago.” She commented when he entered the living room.
          She was
standing before the fire place staring at the pictures of his family on the
mantel.
          “Thanks.
I didn’t think it would ever be done. I’m glad you like it. I’m pretty proud of
the finished product.” He set the tray down and waited for her to join