Her Christmas Protector by Terri Reed

wasn’t nice to tease, but it was such fun.
    Luke noticed his mother’s interested stare and gave her an innocent look before taking a bite of his lunch.
    “You behave yourself,” Dottie admonished with a pleased smile.
    “Always,” he answered with a lopsided grin.
    Faith snorted beneath her breath. He nudged her with his elbow. “What?”
    She turned her face toward him and it took a great deal of effort not to lean in close and taste her lips. Instead, he gave her a slow smile and savored her blush.
    His mother’s voice drew his attention away from Faith. “I think I saw a raccoon this morning.”
    “They’re seeking warmth. I’ll make sure I let Leo know so he can plug any holes in the llamas’ barn.”
    Dottie motioned toward the bookshelf against the wall. “Luke, hand me those photo albums, please.”
    “Ahh, Mom. You’re not going to start showing my baby pictures are you?”
    “But, of course.” Dottie bestowed an innocent look on him. Faith burst out laughing.
    Luke glowered in mock outrage. “You think that’s funny, do you?”
    Still laughing, she nodded.
    “Well, I’ll give you something to laugh about.” He set his plate on the coffee table and then his hands found the tender spot on her rib cage and began tickling. She squirmed beneath the onslaught.
    His mother’s rich laughter stilled his hands.
    Stunned, Luke couldn’t ever remember being compelled to tickle anyone, let alone doing so in front of his mother. Embarrassed to his toes, he picked up his plate and stared at the big Douglas fir tree by the window. “The tree looks great by the way.”
    Mirth still danced brightly in Dottie’s eyes. “Yes, it does. Thanks to Faith, the whole house is ready for Christmas. I can’t believe just five more days. I need to go to town and do some shopping.”
    “I’ll take you tomorrow, if you’d like,” Luke offered.
    “Perfect. Maybe we can talk Faith into coming as well,” his mother said, her expectant gaze on Faith.
    She swallowed and her expression showed the panic going on inside her head. Luke had already assured her the P.I. had left town, so why was she still so worried? “Or we can pick up anything you need,” he offered.
    Her relieved smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll make a list. The pharmacy has a refill that needs to be picked up.”
    “I can do that.” He rose. “I need to check on Lucy.”
    “She’s due soon, isn’t she?” his mother asked.
    “After Christmas.”
    “Lucy?” Faith asked.
    “One of the llamas is about to be a mama,” Luke explained as he retrieved the photo albums his mother had requested and handed them to Faith. “Have yourself a good laugh.”
    Faith took the offered books and looked up at him. Traces of panic still lingered in her gaze and Luke hesitated. Part of him wanted to gather her close and reassure her that everything would be all right. He wouldn’t force her to go or do anything she didn’t want to.
    A bigger part of himself ordered him to stand down. He was getting too entangled. She was his employee! And that was a road he didn’t want to travel. He forced himself to look away and breathe deeply.
    After kissing his mother’s cheek, he headed toward the door. On the threshold, he paused and looked back. Faith still watched him, her expression tinged by a sadness he didn’t understand. He ached for her and felt a compelling pull to do whatever it took to make her relax.
    Employee or not.

     
    “And this picture was taken at Luke’s sixth birthday party.”
    Faith stared at the snapshot of Luke wearing a miniature cowboy hat, leather chaps and showing a gap-tooth smile for the camera. Her fingertips brushed over the image.
    Today she’d seen a glimpse of the little boy he must have been and she liked the playful side he’d displayed. She didn’t know what to make of him. He’d protected her, kissed her and now teased her outrageously. He made her head spin so fast she became dizzy any time she tried to hold on