That Tender Feeling by Dorothy Vernon Page B

similar mission in years past, knew exactly where to look, and it wasn’t long before they were dragging their spoils back and dumping them by the kitchen door.
    Ros was kicking the snow off her boots by the door in preparation for entering when a snowball glanced by her cheek. She immediately retaliated, and for the next half hour they indulged in a boisterous snowball fight. Cliff’s aim might have been the better, but he was the kinder, and so his person was spattered with more white blobs than hers. Her cheeks burned with the cold and the exhilaration, and when they did eventually fall through the kitchen door, they brought ravenous appetites with them. She had made a casserole the day before that only needed heating up. It was more than just good, it was excellent, but Cliff wolfed his plateful down without comment. It’s an annoying trait in people, but when something is right, it’s taken for granted that it should be and passes without attracting attention. It’s only when it’s wrong that it gets noticed.
    She made mince pies, and again these were up to her usual standard. This time Cliff did comment. On tasting one, he asked by what fluke she had managed it.
    â€˜Could it be that you weren’t watching me?’ she said sweetly.
    He had been busy potting the tree and festooning the living room with holly and the sprig of mistletoe she’d seen him collect. As yet, she had no idea where it lurked, but when she found out, she had every intention of standing under it.
    She brought out the silver garlands and the tree ornaments she had purchased, and their joint efforts soon had the tree dressed in the Christmas spirit. The star that she had saved for the top defeated her. She expected Cliff to take it from her fingers and his long reach to achieve what she couldn’t; instead, he placed a hand on either side of her waist and lifted her up. She strained over his shoulder and fixed the star in place and was then brought back down to her feet. The descent was slow and fraught with tense excitement as she slithered the length of his long frame. There was a febrile pause in the procedure as their eyes drew level. The brooding intensity her eyes read in his clogged her throat. It had been a fun day, sparkling with joy and ecstasy, but throughout she had caught passing glimpses of much the same look that was on his face now. She knew that he wanted to kiss her, wanted to do more than kiss her. It was there, a torment straining his features and clenching his jaw. But he denied himself the opportunity, just as he had been ignoring opportunity all day, and set her unkissed on her feet.
    As his hands left her waist, her eyes dropped to the floor, and she saw two gift-wrapped packages, both bearing her name, under the tree. She put the mystery of why Cliff was acting as he was behind her and concentrated on the dismaying fact that she still hadn’t gotten a present for him. Her eyes raced to the clock. There was still time. If she got a move on, she would get into Gillybeck before the shops shut. Shops were limited, and so choice would be, too. She hoped that one of the two shops that specialized in gifts and souvenirs would have something suitable.
    She would have to take her car, because it was too far to walk, even though driving conditions might be precarious because of ice and the possibility of snowdrifts.
    â€˜I’ve just remembered something I want from the village,’ she explained to Cliff as she went to retrieve her boots from the corner of the kitchen where she’d stepped out of them.
    â€˜Whatever it is, can’t it wait?’
    â€˜No, it can’t.’
    â€˜If it’s that urgent, I’ll fetch it for you.’
    â€˜Honestly, all this fuss,’ she mocked. ‘I’m a careful driver. Anyway, you couldn’t go for me. As well as getting something I’ve forgotten, I want to make a phone call. There’s someone I’d like to wish a