Just for Christmas - Emily Harvale Page 0,25

hurt my feelings, I promise. Not that my feelings come into this. You’re effectively a client and this is a professional relationship, even though we happen to be friends.’

He gave her a curious look and a wan smile, but after a second or two, he brightened and beamed at her.

‘No. No, Molly. I loved everything you bought. Everything. I couldn’t have chosen better myself.’

Molly grinned. ‘Well, that was the whole point, wasn’t it? You couldn’t choose for yourself. That’s why you asked me to help.’

‘Good point. What I meant was that I want everything you bought, in my home. All of it. I can honestly say there wasn’t one thing I didn’t like. Not one.’

‘Okay. That’s a bit too much praise.’ She grinned at him some more. ‘But if, going forward, you don’t like something, or you think your girlfriend won’t, please just tell me straight away.’

He nodded. ‘Okay. I will. But I don’t think that’ll happen. I can see why your design business is such a huge success. You really do have the ability to put together the perfect home. A dream home. I feel entirely safe in your hands. I mean, I feel my cottage is entirely safe in your hands. From an interior-design point of view.’

‘I understand.’ They took a short cut across a snow-covered grassy area that sat along the middle of the next road. ‘I hope Miracle hasn’t driven your mum crazy. Or wrecked the place. I feel a bit guilty for leaving him with her all day.’

‘No need to. She offered. She loves dogs and she loves to feel needed. Believe me, you rescuing Miracle and coming to stay with us is probably the best thing that could’ve happened this Christmas.’

‘Really?’ Molly doubted that. ‘I wish Miracle thought so. He’s been sadly lacking in his appreciation.’ She laughed softly. ‘Not that I expected him to send me a Thank You card, or buy me a present or anything, but you know. It might be nice if he could stop causing havoc wherever he goes. Or at least refrain from peeing on people’s Christmas trees.’

Chance threw her a look and laughed too. ‘It was really good of you to stop and take him in. Not everyone would’ve done that.’

‘Believe me, if I’d known there was no room at the inn, or anywhere else, I’d have left him where he was. The last thing I needed was a crazy dog.’

‘No, you wouldn’t. You’re far too nice a person.’

A warm, fuzzy feeling was trickling through her and the way Chance was looking at her was making her go weak at the knees.

‘What’s Jolene like? Do you have a photo of her on you?’

‘Jolene?’ He said her name as if he’d forgotten who she was. ‘Er. No. I’m not the sort of guy who carries photos in his wallet. I’m not the sort of guy who carries a wallet, so perhaps that’s why.’

‘Where d’you keep your money?’

He sniggered. ‘That sounded as if you were going to mug me. I keep it in my pocket. I think I’ve got about eighty pounds and one bank card in there at the moment. And my phone.’

‘That’s almost worth mugging you for.’

‘I’d like to see you try.’

‘Believe me, I could take you in my sleep.’

‘Oh yeah.’

‘Yeah.’

They glanced at one another and sniggered.

‘What about on your phone? Surely you’ve got a photo of her in your gallery? Or saved on the cloud or whatever.’

He shrugged. ‘Nope.’

‘What? Not one photo? Not even of the two of you together, having fun. Or on holiday or something? Or at a party? Everyone’s got photos like that.’

He shook his head. ‘Not me. I’m not really the kind of guy who takes random photos.’

‘Random? Taking photos of you and your girlfriend is hardly random. Are you human?’

‘Superhuman.’

‘Yeah, right. In your dreams. And I bet I could still take you.’

‘Not in a million years.’

They grinned at one another, looked away and walked on. But after a few steps, Molly stuck out her right foot and tripped him up.

Falling, he reached out and grabbed her, managed to get his balance, but as laughter filled his eyes, he pulled her down with him onto the deep blanket of snow.

They rolled around play-fighting while she went for his jeans pocket, missed, and her hand caught him somewhere far more personal instead.

They both stopped laughing and looked at one another, Molly half on top of him, and his left hand tantalisingly close to her breast.

‘Sorry,’ she mumbled, blushing profusely as heat spread over