love affair.”
“Not if it’s cut short.” Not when I can’t give him or any man a baby. He’d told her Tessa needed a sibling. With the right woman, Rick could have several more children.
“I’m going back to the loft. I need to clean and do a wash before work in the morning. I hope you and Rex have a great evening. I can’t wait to hear about it tomorrow.”
As soon as Andrea got home she lit into her housecleaning until she was ready to drop. But she still spent a restless night dreaming about Rick, and she got up early the next morning to put more merchandise out on the floor. Her mother joined her in time to wait on a steady stream of customers. The weather had warmed up, bringing in shoppers.
The chimes sounded again. She happened to glance toward the entrance and found herself staring into the blue eyes of the firefighter she’d met at the hospital. He’d warned her he’d look her up, but she really resented it when he knew she’d been at the hospital to see Rick. “Andrea Fleming. I was hoping I’d find you here. Remember me? I’m Chase Hayward, from the hospital. How’s the invalid?”
He was attractive in his own way, but he had an aggressive nature she hadn’t liked at the hospital, and liked less now.
“I would imagine he’s still recuperating. This is my mother, Mrs. Bernard. Mom? This is one of the firefighters who came to the hospital to see Tessa’s father.”
“How do you do?”
His smile widened. “Now I know where Andrea gets her looks.”
“Thank you. If you two will excuse me, I have some business in the back.”
She wished her mom hadn’t left her alone with him. “Are you looking for a special gift? We have nutcrackers and pyramids.”
“No. I didn’t come to buy anything. I wanted to ask you out to dinner this evening, unless you and the captain are an item.”
This man would be the last person she’d ever want to go out with, but how to do this tactfully so as not to offend him or affect his relationship with Rick? “I’m friends with the captain’s daughter and haven’t been out with another man since my husband passed away. I still miss him terribly.” Though it was the truth, she’d gotten past the pain since meeting Rick.
“I’m sorry you lost your husband.”
Andrea had nothing more to say to him. “So am I. If you’ll excuse me, I have more customers waiting.”
“Andrea?” Her mother walked up to her with a serious expression. “You’re wanted on the phone. I’ll take over for you.” Andrea had the impression it was Rick, and she went to the back of the shop. Unfortunately she was breathless when she picked up. “Hello?”
“I’m sorry if I’m getting you at a bad time, but this couldn’t wait.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Yesterday you walked out on me and Tessa. After you left, she told me she wished you had stayed to read some more books to her. There’s been a breakthrough.”
“That makes me happy. She’s very precious,” Andrea said in a shaky voice, “but I’m afraid I can’t talk any longer.” Thrilling as those words were, it didn’t change her decision.
“Don’t hang up. Your mother just told me Chase Hayward was in the shop.”
She blinked. “Yes?”
“Is he still there?”
“I don’t know.”
“What did he want?”
There was no use lying to Rick, who sounded so terse. “He said he didn’t come to buy anything—he wanted to invite me out to dinner.”
“What did you tell him?” His voice sounded an octave lower.
“That I’m still mourning my husband. Then Mom told me I was wanted on the phone. What’s wrong?”
“Do me a favor and drive over to my house as soon as you can get here. Ask your mom if she’ll take over while you’re gone. This is important, Andrea.”
“Rick—”
“Just do it!” He sounded fierce before she heard the click and the dial tone.
Stunned by the call, Andrea found her mother on the shop floor and told her Rick needed to see her right away. “It sounded like an emergency.”
“Then go, and don’t worry about me.”
Andrea grabbed her purse and coat before flying out the back door. She couldn’t imagine what was going on, but knew it had to do with the other firefighter. During the drive she reflected on the scene at the hospital and Chase’s cocky behavior. Andrea felt as if he couldn’t have cared less about Rick’s condition. He hadn’t acted the same as Rick’s other friends and colleagues.
To her surprise Rick came outside when he saw her drive up. His long, well-honed body was clothed in jeans and a polo shirt, drawing her gaze. Andrea parked behind his car. He walked over to help her out. “Thank you for getting here so fast.”
“It sounded urgent.”
“I know I frightened the hell out of you, but I had to do something to get your attention.” He cupped her elbow as they walked into the house.
“Where’s Tessa?”
“Sharon’s gone to pick up her and Julie at school. Let’s go in the kitchen where we can talk.”
“You sound much better today.”
“I’m fully recovered.” In the next breath he pulled her into his arms and gave her a long, hungry kiss. To her shame it went on and on and left her gasping for breath once he relinquished her mouth. “I had to do that before we talk about Chase Hayward.”
She saw his lips tighten. So she hadn’t imagined tension between them at the hospital. “I hope you know I’m not interested in him.” Andrea decided to tell him everything. “I’m sorry to say I didn’t like him. Among other things he has an attitude problem.”
“There’s a lot more wrong with him than you can imagine.” At this point the glaze of desire in Rick’s eyes had vanished, to be replaced by the dangerous glittering look he’d given her in the shop that first morning. He let go of her arms so she could sit down at the table.
“I take it you’re not friends.”
“Anything but.” His hands went to his hips in a totally masculine gesture. “We joined the department at the same time eight years ago and worked at the same station for three years. He always saw everything as a competition. After his divorce, he got worse. When I was promoted to captain of my own ladder truck and transferred to the station I’m in now, it was a great relief.
“A year later I learned he’d made captain at our original station. On the rare occasion when we were fighting the same fire, he was openly hostile to me when the other guys couldn’t hear him. Arney confided that
