Jennifer Robins by Over the Mistletoe Page A

o'clock. He must know how excited she was about spending the evening with Stan. It was all he'd heard from her since he’d arrived home. Her dad had told her he wanted to meet this boy who had made his daughter so cheerful she was driving him crazy.
    At three-thirty, Rachael began nagging her father to get his jacket on so they could be on their way. She was already wearing her coat, scarf, boots, and gloves, and stood by the front door, egging him on while he took his jacket out of the closet.
    “All right, let’s go,” he said as he put it on.
    Parking downtown was always a problem, especially at that time of day. They had to take a space across from the department store next to the skating rink. Rachael hurried him across the street to the doors of the building where she would spend the next few hours with someone she really liked.
    Stan was waiting for her right by the doors. She saw him standing there watching as people were coming in and going out. When their gazes met, he quickly opened the door for her and her father.
    “You made it. I had a break so I came down here to keep an eye out for you.”
    She introduced her father and the men shook hands. “Nice to meet you sir,” Stan said.
    “It’s good to meet you too. I’ve heard some nice things about you.” Rachael watched her father size him up a bit while Stan continued talking to her.
    “I have a display to put together upstairs near the lunchroom. My boss said it was all right for you to come early and help out.”
    Andrew turned to his daughter. “I’ll leave you now, but I’ll be back at ten to pick you up.”
    “All right, Dad, thanks.”
    Boxes of holiday hats, garland, and paper cups sat on the floor next to the lunch room waiting to be unpacked. Stan picked one of the boxes up. “Let’s start with this one. These cups can be put on the tables. I’ll set the box in there.” He started for the lunchroom with Rachael on his heels.
    It didn’t take long to empty the box and fill the tables with stacks of paper cups. They went from one box to another, setting everything in its place and stringing the garland across the side wall. Only one small box remained to be addressed.
    Stan brought it in and set it on the counter.
    Rachael spoke up. “You know, Christmas is in three days. What are your plans for the holiday?”
    “I have none.”
    “What about your brother and any other family?”
    “Richard is going to his girlfriend’s and there is no other family. My parents died two years ago in a car accident.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry. How awful.”
    “I’ve never quite gotten over it, but I’ve learned to accept it. Richard has a little more of a problem with it during the holidays. That’s why he goes off with this girl he’s been seeing for the past five years. I don’t know why they don’t get married, but it’s the way he wants it.”
    He opened the box and suddenly it tipped over and the contents fell on the floor. Fresh mistletoe lay at their feet. He looked down and started to laugh. “Of all the things.”
    They stood face to face, straddling the dozens of little Christmas bouquets lying at their feet, and stared down at them. Stan raised his gaze to meet hers. “I guess we’re supposed to hang these somewhere. You know, for the under-the-mistletoe thing.”
    She started to back away from him, but he wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her closer. His face was right up to hers, his eyes fixed on hers, and his lips close to hers. “I wonder if the same rule goes for being over the mistletoe.”
    She could smell his clean spicy aftershave. Tingles ran up her back and her pulse quickened. When his mouth met her parted lips, her heart raced with desire. She brought her arms up around his neck. He whispered softly in her ear. “I love you, Rachael.”
    He kissed her again, then stood back. “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. I shouldn’t have been so aggressive, but I just couldn’t help myself. I meant what I said,