A Laramie, Texas Christmas

“I could have told you that,” Miss Sadie huffed.

“Don’t fault him for doing his job,” Noelle soothed. She reached down to pick up her son and hold him on her lap. “Detective McCabe has to look at everyone if he hopes to find the culprit.”

“I’m glad you understand,” Kevin replied as Mikey wreathed both arms around his mother’s neck and rested his head on her shoulder.

She stroked his downy curls. “I do understand.” It didn’t mean she didn’t resent it.

“Hungee, Momma,” Mikey interrupted, with quiet urgency.

Guilt flowed through Noelle as she realized time had gotten away from her. “Oh, goodness,” she said, consulting her watch. “It’s dinnertime.” She stood with Mikey cradled on her hip, and began gathering up her things.

Kevin helped by retrieving toys and slipping them into her diaper bag. “I’ll walk you out,” he said, taking the child in his arms while she put on her coat, and then Mikey’s, too.

“Thank you,” she said grudgingly before taking Mikey over to kiss Miss Sadie goodbye. “We’ll see you tomorrow,” she promised.

“I’m looking forward to it.” Miss Sadie beamed.

Kevin bid her adieu, too.

“I don’t suppose I could get you to look at the community center this evening,” he said as they left the building and walked toward Noelle’s white van.

She hit the remote button on her keypad and heard the locks click open. After Kevin got the side door, she settled Mikey in his car seat. “I already looked at it earlier this afternoon and took notes. As soon as you tell me what budget you have in terms of decorations, I’ll let you know what I think you should do.”

Kevin watched while she made sure the safety strap was centered just right across Mikey’s chest. “How about we discuss it over dinner?”

Noelle handed her son his blanket and a book to “read” while she drove. “I can’t get a sitter.”

“Bring Mikey with us. Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant is right down the street.”

Noelle shut the rear door and climbed behind the wheel. This man sure was persistent. As were a lot of men, when it came to wanting her to go out with them. What was different about this was that she actually wanted to go. Keeping her guard up, she smiled up at him pleasantly. “Mikey doesn’t eat Tex-Mex.”

“Doesn’t have to. They have a children’s menu with all the standard items. Grilled cheese, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers and fries.”

“Fries!” Mikey echoed eagerly from the back.

Noelle knew time was of the essence if she didn’t want to have a meltdown on her hands. Still… “Mikey can be a rather impatient diner, especially when he’s tired and didn’t have much of a nap, as was the case today.”

Kevin shrugged. “Luckily for us all, I can be very patient.”

“Fries!” Mikey said again, even more urgently.

Oh, what the heck… “You’re paying?” Noelle said, just to get under his skin.

“Of course.” He shut her door, then waited until she started the van and put down her window. “I am a gentleman.”

Noelle snorted, aware they were flirting again, even though they really shouldn’t be. “Could have fooled me last night,” she muttered, snapping her own safety belt into place.

His eyes held hers. “Because I kissed you.”

And had me kissing you back, Noelle thought, aware how just thinking about that embrace made her tingle. “That can’t happen again,” she warned.