We Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by Brenda Novak Page B

him dinner seemed to cross the “too personal” line. Ever since the day Rick left, when she seemed to know just what he needed and had reached out to him in his office, he’d been careful to keep his distance. If he didn’t, he could end up raising another family, and he just didn’t have it in him for a repeat performance, especially after raising a child as difficult as Rick.
    “I don’t mind, but neither do I expect it,” he said, rounding the island to find coleslaw, an apple-nut salad and what looked like breakfast biscuits waiting in separate bowls for him on the table.
    “I know it probably seems like an odd medley,” she said, glancing at the food. “But you didn’t have any fruit aside from apples, and you had very little produce. I’ll goto the grocery store tonight. Tomorrow’s dinner will be better.”
    Tomorrow’s dinner? Was she going to make a habit of this? Cole opened his mouth to explain that he had no intention of having her cook for him on a regular basis. But the food smelled so good, and she seemed so pleased with her efforts, that he decided to save the “never again” until later.
    “It looks great.”
    “Good.” She put a single place setting on the table and started serving up his plate.
    “Am I eating alone?” he asked. Considering the amount of food, he’d expected her to join him.
    She checked her watch. “Unless you’d like to invite someone over. I have just enough time to clean up the dishes. Then I’m off to pick up my kids.”
    The single setting and her brisk, matter-of-fact manner quickly dispelled the intimacy of her having cooked for him. He even felt embarrassed about the way his mind had jumped to the conclusion that she was probably trying to shackle him. But instead of bringing Cole the relief he expected, the thought made him feel…slightly disappointed. Apparently the pot roast didn’t mean anything.
    “Are you saying you’re willing to cook as part of your job?” he asked.
    “Just until I can learn more about real estate. I’ve signed up for some home-study classes to get the mandatory school credits out of the way and to help me prepare for my state test. And I’m hoping you’ll still train me around here when you get the time. Meanwhile, I thought I could do some cleaning, maybe take over the laundry, pick up your dry cleaning, that sort of thing. I know this is a…difficult time, with Rick gone, and I want to help. You’re paying me too much to just answer the phone.”
    She seemed in earnest. Cole couldn’t help but admire her work ethic. He couldn’t see how he stood to lose, either. As long as Jackie could manage what he needed her to doin the office, she could fill in around the house. Why would he want to say no to home-cooked meals, to having his shirts cleaned and pressed? It was like getting the benefits of a wife without the liabilities. She wasn’t even planning to eat with him. Certainly she had no designs on him as her children’s new daddy.
    He cut a piece off the slice of roast she’d given him and took his first bite. Delicious. Every bit as good as the smell had promised.
    “How is it?” she asked, above the water running in the sink.
    “Excellent.” He smiled for the first time since discovering her in his kitchen. “I’ll give you some money so you can go to the grocery store and get whatever you like.”
    “Any special requests?”
    He sampled the salads and was surprised to find them almost as good as the roast and potatoes and gravy. If she could do this well with what he’d had in his cupboards, the situation might definitely be taking a turn for the better.
    “Meat loaf,” he said decisively. “It’s been fifteen years or more since I’ve had meat loaf.”
     
    R ICK WAS EXHAUSTED . It had been three weeks since he’d quit Perrini Homes, but the last person he wanted to see, other than Cole, was Chad, standing on his front doorstep when he returned home after a long day.
    “Did Cole send you?” he