Page 13 of Holiday Promise

The only thing that interrupted his time with Melody and his son was his work. He’d promised to take the two of them to a restaurant in town this evening, but they couldn’t leave until Thomas arrived with some paperwork. The documents couldn’t be signed digitally, and already Thomas was running late.

Blake glanced at his watch before returning his stare out the window to where the helicopter usually landed. Max and Melody were at the kitchen table behind him, drawing Christmas cards for Alison’s extended family.

He turned and, at that moment, caught Melody’s eye. Her soft smile had a most interesting way of putting him at ease. If he knew he could live the rest of his life seeing that smile every day, he’d die happy.

“Dad?”

His focus shifted to his son, and he turned fully. “What, buddy?”

Max tilted his head much like a puppy would when they were curious about something. “Why are you smiling at Miss Melody like that?”

Melody’s eyes widened, and she flushed deeply.

Blake moved across the room and pressed his palms onto the tabletop. “Because Miss Melody is doing a wonderful job. Don’t you agree?”

Max craned his neck around and stared at Melody for a moment. “Yeah, I guess so. Did you always want to be a nanny?”

Her gaze darted to Blake. “Actually, one time I thought I might want to be a teacher.”

“How come you didn’t?”

She shrugged. “I guess it had more to do with my finances at the time. In fact, when I got this job, I was going into the building your dad works at to get a job as a secretary so I could finish my degree.”

Blake frowned. He’d known that Melody hadn’t intended on being interviewed for the nanny position. But he hadn’t realized that she’d only planned on working so she could save for school. She hadn’t mentioned any of that in the interview, nor the year she’d worked for him.

Max studied her for a moment. “I think you would’ve been a really nice teacher.”

She smiled warmly at him, then ruffled his hair. “I sorta get to be your teacher. I taught you how to write your letters, didn’t I?”

Max grinned. “Yeah.”

“And I taught you how to build a snow fort.”

“Yeah,” he said, with more exuberance.

“So I guess I still got what I wanted.” Her gaze found Blake’s and her smile waned at his expression.

He wanted to tell her that she shouldn’t have to put her education on hold. If she wanted to teach, there was still a way for her to do that. But the front door opened before he could suggest it.

Thomas breezed through the house and down the hallway into the kitchen. “I’ve got those documents for you. I’m sorry I’m late. But to be fair, there was a blizzard in Portland just as we were leaving.” He glanced over to Max and Melody, then winked.

Blake stiffened, his eyes shifting from Thomas to Melody. It hadn’t been quick enough to gauge a reaction from her. How long had they been comfortable with each other like that? Was she interested in him? No, he would’ve noticed.

“Sir?”

Blake started and glanced once more at Thomas. “My office,” he muttered gruffly. “Let’s get this taken care of quickly. I promised Max we’d go to dinner.”

Thomas nodded, then shot another grin in Melody’s direction. “If he’s taking the kid, then maybe you’d like to go to dinner with me. I’d love the company?—”

Before Melody had a chance to turn him down, Blake did it for her. “She’s coming with us. You’ll have to get a raincheck.” He didn’t miss the apologetic smile she gave Thomas before they left for his office. She was just being nice. That was her way. Blake wasn’t going to let a bit of jealousy get in the way of the relationship they’d started to develop.

He gestured flippantly to the desk. “Put the documents there.” By the time he rounded his desk and pulled out a pen, Thomas had flipped the folder open and was pointing atthe place for him to sign. Blake scribbled out his name, then motioned for Thomas to flip the page.

“Sir?”

A grunt was all he could muster. His thoughts swirled with questions he had no right asking.

“Is something… going on between you and Melody?”