A Christmas Mystery by Noelle Adams

Author:Noelle Adams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: holiday, opposites attract, Christmas, grumpy hero
Publisher: Noelle Adams
Published: 2024-12-13T00:00:00+00:00

Seven

THEO PULLS UP BESIDE my tiny house at exactly 6:14 that evening.

I’ve been watching for him at my front window, so I step out onto the deck as he parks and gets out. I fussed for way too long over what to wear. He said he’ll be coming straight from work and will change into workout clothes at the fancy health club at the Green Valley country club, so I’m wearing regular clothes and will change at the gym too. A soft, thick green sweater dress that is cozy rather than particularly flattering and my favorite boots.

After much debate, I decided to keep it purposefully casual so that it doesn’t look like I’m expecting a date.

Theo is smiling as he walks around his car to stand at the steps up to my deck, handsome and rumpled in a dark gray suit—slightly wrinkled from a day of working—and a dark red tie. His eyes run from my face to my boots and back up. “You look really nice.”

My cheeks get hot. I was trying so hard to not make this feel like a date, but now it definitely does. “Thanks. I’m all ready.” I’ve got a bag hooked over my arm.

“Can I meet Claude and Ed?” he asks, coming up the steps to stand beside me.

When I say my deck is small, I mean it’s tiny. With both of us standing here, there are only a few inches between our bodies. My breath catches in my throat. “Sure.”

I brush up against him as I turn back toward the door. He’s only a few inches taller than my five-nine, but he feels a lot bigger somehow. His shoulders are broad, and his body seems to generate heat. It makes me want to snuggle up against him.

I resist the impulse.

Claude and Ed are at our feet as we come inside and delighted by this unexpected reprieve from heartless abandonment. Theo leans over to pet Ed, who promptly rolls onto his side and stretches out to better enjoy the attention. Claude, predictably contrary, keeps himself just out of reach, walking suspicious circles around Theo to assess his intentions and quality.

Theo crouches all the way down into a squat, grinning at Ed and avoiding making direct eye contract with Claude.

Maybe it’s accidental and he’s simply focusing on the friendlier cat, but the show of respect works on Claude anyway. Slowly his circles tighten, getting closer and closer until he’s rubbing against Theo’s side.

Theo gently reaches over to scratch the cat’s ears. “Thank you. I was wanting to say hello to you, so I appreciate you letting me.”

Claude gives a deep, approving purr and then climbs in a series of graceful leaps onto the high shelf where he likes to perch.

I smile up at him. “He doesn’t like a lot of pets like Ed does, but you got his mark of approval.”

“Did I?” Theo is still smiling as he shifts his gaze up to me. “He strikes me as a hard sell.”

“He is,” I reply, unable to keep from smiling back.

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