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“I’m perfectly capable of walking myself to the door.” Riley huffed as they reached the front door. Opening the door, she stepped out onto the porch.
“Of course, you are,” he said. “But then I wouldn’t get the chance to do this…”
He bent down until their lips were nearly touching. “I could really do with another kiss.”
Big blue eyes looked up at him. “You drive me crazy!” Grabbing hold of his shirt, she stood on her toes and kissed him. “You can’t keep kissing me!”
He took her hand in his. “May I please take you out to dinner Friday night?”
“We’re leaving Friday morning.”
Frowning, he stared down at her. “Why not stay the weekend?”
“I work on Sunday.”
“What about tonight?”
Crossing her arms, she sighed. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“It’s dinner, Riley.”
“Not tonight. I don’t want to leave Dylan alone just yet. After Sunday, I’m still a bit worried about him.”
“What about a drink tomorrow night after we’ve been to Miracle Lake?”
“I have Dylan…”
“I’ll wait while you put him to bed. You’ve run out of excuses, Riley.”
Rolling her eyes, she sighed. “Okay, but it’ll have to be a quick one. We’ll have to be on the road early Friday morning to be on time for our flight.”
The tight band around his chest loosened ever so slightly. “Okay, see you tomorrow.”
Turning around, she jogged down the steps toward her car. He watched her until the taillights of her car disappeared around the corner.
As he turned back, his sister was leaning against the kitchen door. “You’re smitten, aren’t you?”
Shrugging he nodded. “I like her, she’s… feisty.”
Annie grinned. “Feisty, uh? Exactly like your Dorothy. So, what are you going to do about it?”
“There’s nothing to do. She’s leaving Friday, and I don’t think she’s planning to be back for Christmas.”
“Well, then. You’ll just have to change her mind, won’t you? Why don’t you send her your story? I’m sure she’s going to like Dorothy.”
“You done interfering in my life?”
“Not by a long shot.” Annie laughed.
*
By eleven o’clockon Thursday morning, Riley had taken hundreds of photos of Main Street. She’d had a lovely morning. All the shops were lit up, Christmas music was blaring from all sides, and everyone she’d met was friendly and warm.
She’d had coffee in Java Café, met interesting characters, and had even been asked to photograph the local firemen for a calendar for charity. At the flower shop, she’d met Risa, the owner, who seemed to know quite a bit about Riley’s brother and cousin.
As she exited the bookshop, she noticed the pharmacy on the opposite corner. A faint headache had been irritating her since early morning; she should pop in for some Tylenol before she continued her exploration of the town. She’d left in such a hurry she didn’t even grab her small first aid bag she usually traveled with.
Looking up and down the street before she crossed, she couldn’t help a smile. Although it was in the middle of the day, and the shops and businesses were all open, there was hardly any traffic and very few people around—the ideal setting for introverts like her.
