The Christmas Proposition Read Free

was a look in the nurse’s eyes that he hadn’t noticed before. Sadness, yes. But also a longing that took his breath away.
    This was a woman who obviously loved children. While her husband’s death must have temporarily put an end to the dream of children of her own, he had no doubt kids were in her future. She was pretty and smart and personable. He was surprised she hadn’t already remarried and started a family. Of course, wearing a wedding ring probably kept the decent men away.
    Derek wondered if she’d consider him a decent guy. He certainly did his best to treat every woman with respect. That wasn’t always the norm in today’s society.Lots of men out there had no scruples. Lots of women, too. An image of his former fiancée flashed before him. He clenched his jaw and focused on the menu board.
    After ordering, Derek returned to the table with a pitcher of soda and three glasses filled with ice. “They’ll bring out the pizza when it’s ready.”
    In less than fifteen minutes a large golden brown pie oozing cheese appeared. After wolfing down three big pieces, Mickie spotted an old pinball machine in an alcove just off the dining room. Her eyes lit up. She smiled, showing a mouthful of big teeth.
    “Want to check it out?” Derek asked.
    The girl’s smile faded. She lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. “I don’t know how to play.”
    He pushed back his chair and stood. “I’ll show you.”
    After several pointers on how to best keep the silver ball in play, Derek gave her a handful of quarters and returned to the table. “She’s a natural.”
    They chatted for a minute or two about Mickie and pinball machines before the conversation petered out. Rachel put down her second slice of pizza and sought for a comment to fill the lengthening silence. It had been easy to make conversation while Mickie was at the table, but now…
    “Did you hear we have a seventy-percent chance of snow tomorrow?” Rachel asked.
    Derek groaned out loud. “Please, no more about the weather or the bump on my head. We’ve talked those topics to death.”
    He was probably right. Perhaps she’d tried a little too hard to keep the conversation general. But when thosebrilliant blue eyes focused on her as if no one else in the world existed but the two of them, she felt as unsure as a fifteen-year-old on her first date.
    Rachel placed her glass of soda on the wooden table with an unsteady hand. The man across from her had been to movie premieres. Partied with the beautiful people. And, according to the media, walked away from three engagements.
    She glanced longingly at the door, wondering how she’d ever thought this was a good idea. Right now she could be at home in her PJs playing Scrabble with Mickie. Oh, Derek was nice. But she didn’t like how he made her feel, all jittery and unsettled inside. “I’m a little nervous.”
    Derek lowered the glass he’d raised to his lips without drinking and Rachel wished she’d kept her mouth shut.
    Disappointment filled his baby blues. “Which tabloids have you read?”
    Rachel realized immediately that he’d misunderstood her comment. But the last thing she wanted was to discuss his troubles or her attraction to him. So instead, Rachel focused on the Derek Rossi she’d followed in the sports pages for almost a decade. “This will probably surprise you, but you and I go way back. I remember watching you pitch a no-hitter in the college world series. You were amazing. I followed your career after you were drafted by the Angels. Now it seems like every time I watch a sportscast, there you are with a microphone and an expert opinion.”
    His lips curved upward and Rachel, who’d planned to say even more, clamped her mouth shut. Dear God,what must he think? She’d been gushing like an out-of-control fan-girl.
    “What have you heard recently?” he asked.
    “I haven’t been following your exploits in the tabloids,” Rachel said. “If that’s what you’re