The Christmas Catch by Ginny Baird

children, with Ty in particular.
    Tyler’s face fell with disappointment. “Are you sure it
wasn’t Santa?”
      “Santa hasn’t
gotten here yet,” Christine said.
    “And he might not come,” John said, forcing a stern look,
“if you don’t go back to sleep.”
    Tyler snuggled down under the covers, pulling them up to his
chin.
    “I’d probably better hit the road,” John told Christine.
    “Are you sure?” She desperately didn’t want him to go, but
knew deep inside that he should. She couldn’t exactly ask him to stay the night,
not with Ty in the house. It wouldn’t be right. Maybe it wouldn’t even be right
for her. They were leaving in less than a week. As wonderful as John’s kisses
were—and they’d been knee-melting terrific—it was likely better for
Christine to not get in any deeper. If he kissed her again the way he’d done
under the mistletoe, they might not be able to stop things there.
    Blue eyes sparkled with understanding. “I think my leaving’s
for the best, don’t you?”
    She knew he was right, so she didn’t argue. John mussed
Tyler’s hair and told him good night before heading for the door.
    “We still on for tomorrow at five?” he asked Christine.
“Christmas dinner at my place?”
    “We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said with a happy
smile.

 

 

 
 
    Chapter Ten

 
    The bright sun beat a path through the windows as wrapping
paper littered the floor. Christine sat on the colorful hooked rug by the fire,
helping Ty construct his Lincoln Log tower. He’d been as happy as a clam to
learn Santa had brought him his own set, one he could take back to Chicago.
He’d gotten a huge assortment of Legos too. That Santa really knew his stuff.
Christine’s cell rang and she nabbed it off the coffee table.
    “Still snowing up there?” It was Ellen’s voice on the other
end of the line.
    “Not at the moment,” Christine answered cheerily. She was
having the best New England Christmas. “But it never stops for long.”
    “That’s good,” Ellen said, “because I need somewhere to cool
off.”
    “What?”
    “A truly wicked sunburn,” she continued in a pitiful tone.
    “Oh my gosh! How did that happen?”
      “Let’s just say
Emilio and I spent some time at the beach.” She lowered her voice and spoke
with a mysterious edge. “A… very… private… beach.”
    “Didn’t you use protection?” Christine asked in shock.
    “Of course we did! But not sunscreen.”
    Christine blinked at Tyler, opting to take her conversation
to a more confidential locale. She stood, walking out of his earshot, then
whispered into the phone. “Ellen, oh my God. You’re burnt everywhere ?”
    “Some parts more than others,” she quipped. “But that’s
neither here nor there. I’m calling to tell you my time in the sun is done.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Emilio and I weren’t as compatible as I thought. He had a
much harder time taking a tanning. And that says a lot, considering I didn’t do
so well… In any case, I’m calling to tell you the happy news! I’m coming up to
relieve you in Vermont!”
    Christine swallowed hard, staring at Tyler. They were finally
settling in. Now clearly wasn’t the time to walk away. They had three more days
on their agenda. Besides, they had Christmas dinner plans. “Ellen, I really
don’t think that’s necessary. Ty and I are doing just great holding down the
fort.”
    “Of course, I don’t mean to push you out completely. You can
go home any time you want. Just make room for one more!”
    Christine sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. “When
were you thinking of arriving?” she asked weakly.
    “At four. I’m calling from the airport, as a matter of fact.”
    “Four today ?”Christine spouted in a panic. She’d
been looking forward to an intimate evening at John’s place. She hadn’t planned
on bringing along her brash best friend.
    “I don’t eat that much,” Ellen said, affronted.