Be Mine at Christmas Read Online Free Page A

does she do for a living?” Lewis asked.
    “Um…she’s in sales,” Angela said and felt some of the tension leave Kayla as the girl smiled more easily.
    Lewis stepped aside to let some people pass through to the exit. “What about Stephanie’s mother? She used to babysit me when I was four. Only for afew months, but I still remember her. Does she live in Denver, too?”
    The merry music and Christmas atmosphere lost some of its charm. Angela missed Betty, who’d been such a part of this place. This Christmas couldn’t be like the ones she used to know. Not without Betty. “No. She had a heart attack and passed away a little over a year ago.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that.”
    Angela nodded politely. “It was tough to lose her. She was a nice woman.”
    There was a respectful pause, then Matt said, “We’d better get back to work.”
    “See what a slave driver he is?” Lewis teased.
    Angela smiled. “It was great to see you again,” she told him and meant it. But she wasn’t sure she felt the same about Matt.
    “Would you and your daughter like to join me and my family for dinner tomorrow night?” Lewis asked. “Matt will be there, too, right, Matt?”
    Matt blinked, as if Lewis had caught him off guard and he didn’t know how to escape.
    “I wouldn’t want to impose,” Angela said.
    “It’s no trouble,” Lewis insisted. “You might remember my wife. Peggy Sutherland?”
    “Was she my age?”
    “She’s four years younger.”
    “I can’t quite place her,” Angela admitted.
    “Maybe you’ll recognize her when you see her. Anyway, I know she’d love to have you over. She likes to entertain.”
    By now Angela could see a muscle flexing in Matt’s cheek, but if Lewis bothered to notice, he completely disregarded his friend’s less than eager response. And, with the goal of getting to know Matt better, Angela chose to do the same. She’d come for a reason, after all. “If you’re sure…”
    “I’m positive,” he said and Angela gave him her cell number so they could make the arrangements.

CHAPTER THREE
    A S SOON AS THEY were inside the fire station, Matt pulled Lewis to a stop. “What the hell were you doing back there?”
    “When?” His friend’s eyes widened as if he really was as innocent as he pretended to be.
    “At the restaurant!”
    “I was doing you a favor, buddy. Didn’t you see how beautiful she is?”
    He’d been reluctant to acknowledge it. She and Stephanie must have slipped him something that night when they were juniors. He knew it. He’d never wanted Stephanie before. So how had he wound up in bed with her? And at a party, no less? “I’m not coming to dinner.”
    “Why not?” Lewis said. “I know you’re thinking about… what happened. I was there that night, too, remember? At least I was there later on, when Danielle walked in and caught you. But that was thirteen years ago. It’s time to forgive and forget. Danielle’s married and has two kids. And you heard Angela. She’s not attached.”
    “She said she’s not married. That doesn’t mean she’s not attached.”
    “I got the impression she’s not seeing anyone.”
    Matt stomped into his office. “She doesn’t even live here!”
    “You might not be living here either, right?” Lewis called to him. “Maybe you’ll want to move to Denver instead of Arizona.”
    Matt cursed under his breath.
    “What did you say?”
    “Now I’m really tempted to fire you.”
    Lewis stood in the doorway. “You don’t want to do that.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because I have your best interests at heart.”
    Matt slumped into his chair. “Yeah? Even my mother isn’t as meddlesome as you are.”
    “It’s time for you to settle down. Being a father is awesome. You’re missing out, my friend.”
    Matt said nothing. He wanted a family. He’d just never cared about anyone the way he’d cared about Danielle.
    “Besides, wouldn’t you like to know what happened that night?” Lewis went on. “You’ve