Four Christmas Matchmakers by Cathy Gillen Thacker

Author:Cathy Gillen Thacker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-07-13T16:19:48+00:00

* * *

“How are the trees going?” Laurel Grimes asked Allison over the phone at seven o’clock Sunday evening.

“Good,” she fibbed, although that wasn’t quite true, since neither one was entirely finished yet. Worse, she was later than promised, packing up, to go back over to Sarabeth and Shawn’s to help Cade get the girls ready for bed and tucked in. Simultaneously working and babysitting was harder than she’d thought it would be.

“Jennifer Moore has already turned hers in, and I have to tell you, they’re both gorgeous. The one in her loft is eighteen feet tall.”

Allison rubbed at the tension in her temples. “Are you trying to discourage me?”

“No,” Laurel soothed. “I just want to know you’re giving it everything you’ve got.”

“I am.” The doorbell rang. She looked at the door and saw Cade through the glass windows that framed both sides of the portal. “Listen, I’ve got to go, but I promise I’ll have everything posted before nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”

Laurel Grimes paused, as if able to sense how overwhelmed Allison felt. “That’s wonderful to hear, because we’re counting on you.”

Allison rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I know, Laurel, and I appreciate the opportunity to vie for this position. I promise I won’t disappoint.” She hung up as the doorbell rang again.

“Coming!” She raced to get it. Cade stood on the porch. No one on either side of him. He did, however, have a to-go bag from the Cowgirl Café in hand.

Her joy at seeing him was tempered by concern. “Where are the girls?”

He was quick to reassure her. “At their house. Being babysat by my sisters Jillian, Faith and MacKenzie. I thought you might need some help.”

More like the kind of emotional support only he could give. She bit her lip, ushering him in. “I do. And I don’t.”

He slanted her a glance. “What does that mean?”

Suddenly feeling unutterably fragile, she sighed, once again aware how cozy and domestic this all felt. “It means yes, I could use your help, if you were an interior designer. But—” she drew a bolstering breath “—I am supposed to be doing this the way a single woman likely would, which is all by herself.” And not with the help of one very sexy, very attentive man. No matter how much she liked having him here to seduce and distract her.

“Ah.” He came near enough that she could feel his body heat. His gaze roved her face. “Back to the solo feminine perfection you’ve become famous for.”

Ignoring the melting sensation in her tummy, she acknowledged just as sassily, “Yes. Back to that.”

Laugh lines appeared at the corners of his eyes. “Does your brand allow you to eat dinner?”

Generally? “If it’s quick.”

He handed over the bag of takeout, his fingers brushing hers. “Quick as your favorite southwestern chicken salad.”

Her mouth watered.

The problem was, it had been such a long day and eating would make her sleepy. She couldn’t afford to nod off. Not for another four or five hours yet, minimum. “Thank you,” she said, putting it in the fridge.

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