Her Christmas Detective - Laura Ann Page 0,14

too much, causing a bump on her forehead from hitting the desk. “It’s nothing,” she hurried to say. Backing up, she ushered him in. “Let’s close the door before Mother Nature thinks she’s invited in as well.”

“We wouldn’t want that,” Henry said, stepping fully inside and starting to take off his coat. “Especially with tree bark waiting for me. She might get jealous.”

Bella snorted and took his coat, walking it to the front closet. “You’re hilarious. A regular comedian.”

Henry was smirking at her as she came back. “Think I should quit my day job?”

Bella sidled up to him and looked up. “Probably not. I mean, with that much talent, you’re just going to make the rest of us look bad.”

Henry laughed and held out his elbow. “Can I escort you to this treat you promised me?”

“Hang on.” Bella rushed to the front desk, grabbed the cordless receiver, and tucked it in her back pocket. “Okay. Now you may.”

She slipped her hand into his elbow and reveled in the feel of his muscles beneath the shirt. She could feel them flex as they walked, and it was far more enticing than the chocolate they were headed for. “In there.” Bella pointed to the kitchen door.

Henry held it open for her and Bella strutted ahead, as if she owned the room.

“Hey, Bel, whatcha need?” Emory asked after glancing quickly over her shoulder. She paused, however, when Henry followed Bella in. “Detective Gordon.” Emory turned, grabbing a towel from her shoulder and wiping her hands on it. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“I’m afraid I was lured here by the promise of chocolate,” Henry said a little sheepishly. He scratched at his jawline and looked to Bella for help.

She almost stood back and let him suffer a little, but she still hadn’t gotten a kiss from the handsome man, so she decided not to push her luck. “I invited him to come try your peppermint bark,” Bella explained.

“Gotcha.” Emory nodded firmly, all business as usual. “Let me just plate some up.”

“Don’t go to any trouble,” Henry said quickly.

“I can just grab the jar,” Bella piped up, knowing it would drive Emory crazy.

True to her reputation, Emory stopped and glared at her cousin. “There will be no grabbing,” she stated fiercely. “If you’ll take your guest to the dining room, I’ll bring some in for the two of you.”

Bella tried to bite back her smile, but she couldn’t help it. Emory was far too predictable. “Anything you say, dear cousin,” Bella said sweetly. She caught Emory rolling her eyes and the laughter Bella had been holding back bubbled up and out.

Grabbing Henry’s hand, she led him into the dining room and planted him in a chair.

“I didn’t realize it was going to be such a big deal,” he said, his cheeks slightly pink under a few day’s beard growth.

Bella sat down beside him and crossed her legs, angling her calf his way. A girl has to use every advantage she can, she reminded herself. “Nah...it’s not a big deal. Emory’s always been like that.”

He raised a single eyebrow at her. “Why do I get the feeling that you take shameless advantage of that fact?”

Bella laughed and threw her hair over her shoulder. “Because you’re an amazing detective,” she teased back, then leaned in. “Obviously, nothing gets past you.”

HANK SWALLOWED HARD. Was the room hotter than it should be? He glanced around for a fireplace, making sure to keep his eyes off Bella’s lovely legs, sitting oh-so-perfectly for his perusal. She was wearing a modest knee-length skirt and a blouse that was buttoned up to where it should be. But the tiny, fierce package inside those clothes was proving to be quite irresistible to him.

He’d dated a few women in his time, but never had he had one who was so clear about making her interest known. It was heady and a bit intimidating at the same time. Was he supposed to just give in and jump into a relationship? They both had a timeline, and Hank wasn’t really into things with an expiration date. Bella was definitely different than the other women he’d known. He was afraid she would get under his skin, and when the mystery was gone and she went back to California for her job, he would find a hole in his life...and possibly his heart.

“Your flattery isn’t going to work on me,” Hank said, pushing his attraction to the back burner. He was an adult, he could handle