Yuletide Hearts by Ruth Logan Herne

too close…
    Are you worried about Jake or you?
    Both. Callie tugged her hoodie into place, grabbed a pair of fingerless gloves and headed back downstairs.
    Matt’s grin was the first thing she saw as she rounded the bottom step, his shirt cuffs damp from the sprayer, his hands wound tight around a mug of coffee. He flicked a gaze toward the clock, then back to her. “Right on time.”
    She faced him, tongue-tied. Despite her efforts, she couldn’t get beyond that smile to create a quick comeback. And he saw that. Recognized the reaction. Probably because girls fell at his feet on a regular basis. His grin widened, lighting his eyes.
    Not me, not now.
    Callie grabbed her insulated coffee mug, not ready to play this game. Maybe she’d never be ready, and that might be okay. She headed out the door with Matt following, but asshe passed the front corner of the house, she couldn’t ignore what he’d done. She turned back and caught him studying her, his gaze curious. Maybe a little concerned. “Thank you.” She waved toward the front and a hint of his smile returned. “You’re welcome.”
    â€œIt looks much better.”
    He nodded, quiet, still watching her, one eye narrowed as if wondering something.
    She pointed over his shoulder and slightly left. “Except where you peeled the paint above the window.”
    His smile deepened. Softened. He shrugged. “Distracted.”
    Talk about smooth.
    Again the flush rose from somewhere deep and low, the pleasure of having a man flirt with her awakening sweet memories.
    Memories that crashed and burned, honey. This guy’s way cute, but he’s here today, gone tomorrow. Let’s not forget that.
    She headed across the road, chin down, knowing he followed a pace behind, not hurrying to catch up. Was he waiting for her to come back? Match her pace to his?
    Or just enjoying a walk with his coffee?
    â€œHouse looks good, Matt.” Buck smiled and nodded appreciation toward the Marek place as they drew alongside. “And that means we can rig up Shadow Jesus soon, I expect.”
    â€œAnd the lights,” Hank added. “Jake sure is excited.”
    â€œI got that.” Matt grinned, took a sip of coffee and settled an easy look Callie’s way. “He’s a good kid.”
    â€œThanks. Same assignments as yesterday, boss?”
    A muscle clench in his chin said he recognized the marker drawn. “Sure.” He headed right while she moved to join her father and Buck on the roof they’d begun the previous day, but his light whistle followed her, the tune young. Bright. Carefree. It called to her, but she’d put carefree aside a lot of years ago and it would take more than clean clapboards and perfect teeth to bring it back. Most days she was pretty sure it was gone for good.
    Â 
    So much for maintaining a distance, Matt thought as Callie headed across his roof on steady feet a few hours later. “Tom said you needed a hand over here.”
    Matt nodded, brisk, pretending immunity. “I do, thanks. The pharmacy called to say his wife’s prescription was ready.”
    â€œAnd he didn’t want her waiting.” Callie adjusted her gloves, flexed her fingers and squatted beside him, close enough to notice how her lashes curled up on their own with no help from mascara. “That’s Tom, all right. And since Dad and Buck are capping twenty-three, I was the logical choice. Looks good, Jim,” she noted, raising her voice so Jim could hear. “And it’s almost straight.”
    Jim made a face at her. “Ha, ha. Do I have to remind you that I’ve put on more roofs than anyone else in Allegheny County?”
    Callie laughed. “Since there’s no one here to argue the point, I’ll let you stake your claim. In the meantime,” she turned her gaze toward Matt.
    â€œDo you want to feed or nail?” he asked.
    â€œI’ll nail. Then we can switch