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She brushed her hair, swallowing down the lump that had been lodged in her throat.
So this was it. The end of their one-night affair. They’d agreed that was all it was. And as he hadn’t said anything to suggest otherwise, she didn’t plan to either.
Their lives couldn’t really have been any more incompatible. And however delicious it might have been to pretend they could begin a relationship, she had to be practical. The way she’d always been before—until last night.
“What are your plans for today?” she asked, keeping the tone as casual as possible.
He glanced up. “I’m catching the 8:00 a.m. train to Syracuse, if it’s still running.”
Of course, to see his daughter. The thought had emotion closing her throat. She would have loved to meet Gully. The little girl was probably as much of an original as her father.
She nodded. “I bet Gully can’t wait to see you.”
“The feeling’s mutual,” he said in a low voice. “Although she’s not going to be too impressed with the lack of a Christmas present.”
“Why don’t you get her one now, before you go?” she said, forcing a brightness and enthusiasm into her inquiry that she didn’t feel. “It’s only six-thirty. You have loads of time.”
He pushed off from the desk. “Nah, I don’t think I can face all those dolls again. I’ll give her an IOU. I’m taking her to Disneyland next week. I can get her something there.”
“Don’t be silly. You have to get her a Christmas present.” She shoved the brush into her bag, determined to keep the helpful smile fixed on her face. “I could help you find something. In fact…” Inspiration struck and she thanked God for her in-depth knowledge of the store’s merchandise—pathetically grateful that she could do this small thing for him and the child who meant so much to him. “I think I might know the perfect gift.”
Ten minutes later, they were standing in the computer department.
“Damn, this is…,” he paused, staring at the brightly colored packaging of the ComicArt Toolkit she’d handed him. “This is really great.”
“You see, it has a digital camera and the software has loads of different layouts, plus she can add dialogue and thought bubbles to the action,” she babbled, pointing out the different features like a shop assistant on acid. “You said she liked making her own comic strips. With the camera she could take pictures of her new puppy and make one about that. And given your expertise in that area, you could help her with the photos.”
“It’s perfect. She’ll love it. I love it.” He turned the box over to read the copy on the side, and her gaze caught on the long tanned fingers, the dusting of dark hair on the back of his hands. Large, capable, caring hands that had held her so securely all through the night.
The lump grew to boulder-sized, and she swallowed painfully. She needed to make a quick getaway now, before she made an idiot of herself.
“Right, I should dash,” she said, hoisting her purse onto her shoulder. But before she could shoot off, he grabbed her hand and rubbed his thumb across the knuckles.
“I’ll walk you down,” he said, tucking the box under his arm.
They headed down together, bumping into the sales staff who had started to arrive to prep the store for the big sales opening that had been put back a day due to the inclement weather.
She managed to hold it together despite the feel of his rough palm against hers. Although she did have one major wobble, after she’d apologized to Charles for her earlier rudeness and they said their good-byes, and stepped into the snowbound alleyway together.
The drifts were several feet high, but before she could start to pick her way through them, he passed her the gift.
“Here, hold this,” he said, and scooped her up into his arms.
“For goodness’ sake, Ryder,” she protested, the feel of his arms around her almost more than she could bear. “I’m perfectly capable of walking.”
But he just slanted her that sexy, lopsided grin. “Shut up, Katherine.”
So she shut up and, holding onto his neck, snuggled against him for the last time as he toted her down the alleyway to Fifth.
And while she was in his arms, she made her first ever Christmas wish. A silly, fanciful, foolish wish that she knew had no hope of coming true, but she made it anyway, in honor of her best Christmas ever.
He put her down gently when they reached the curb, took back the gift, and whistled for a cab.
A yellow taxi skidded to a halt in front of them far too soon. “You take it,” he said, his voice strained. “I’ll get the next one.”
“I don’t need one. I’m only going a few blocks. And you have your train to catch.”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Right, well, I guess this is good-bye then.”
