The Christmas Proposition

Oh! Could Christmas love Be ‘round the bend For this lovelorn motley crew? A blossoming happy family Would make holiday dreams come true!

In less than two weeks he’d be gone … forever. There could be no happily-ever-after with this man.

And that was just fine with her.

Rachel waited until he shut the trunk, then she kissed him. Right out in the parking lot for anyone to see.

Surprise lit his eyes, even as a pleased smile lifted his lips. “What was that for?”

“Does there have to be a reason?”

“Absolutely not. But let’s go home. With Mickie not there,” Derek said, “it’ll be a good time to get her gifts wrapped.”

“If we have time. We might be too busy.”

“What else would we be doing?”

“No child in the house. The two of us alone.” She gazed at him through lowered lashes. “You do the math.”

Dear Reader,

Sometimes the idea for a book’s story line is so strong, the book practically writes itself. That was the case with In Love with John Doe, book two in the RX FOR LOVE miniseries. The Christmas Proposition took a little longer. When I first started writing it, I went in one direction then quickly realized I didn’t like that path. So, I reined myself in, made some changes and let the characters take control. I have to say, I never envisioned matchmaking kids or that Mary Karen and Travis would be such strong secondary characters. So strong, that I’m hoping my next book out will be their story.

Anyway, back to this book. I’m really pleased with how it turned out. It was a lot of fun to write and I hope you enjoy reading it!

Warmest regards,

Cindy Kirk

About the Author

CINDY KIRK has loved to read for as long as she can remember. In first grade she received an award for reading one hundred books. Growing up, summers were her favorite time of year. Nothing beat going to the library, then coming home and curling up in front of the window air conditioner with a good book. Often the novels she read would spur ideas, and she’d make up her own story (always with a happy ending). When she’d go to bed at night, instead of counting sheep, she’d make up more stories in her head. Since selling her first story to Mills & Boon in 1999, Cindy has been forced to juggle her love of reading with her passion for creating stories of her own … but she doesn’t mind. Writing for the Mills & Boon^® Cherish™ series is a dream come true. She only hopes you have as much fun reading her books as she has writing them!

Cindy invites you to visit her website at www.cindykirk.com.

The Christmas Proposition

Cindy Kirk

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To my editor, Patience Smith.

After all these years together,

wI still think you’re the best!

Chapter One

One of Derek Rossi’s earliest memories was throwing a Wiffle ball to his dad. Since that day he’d pitched in more baseball games in his thirty-two years than he could count. Surprisingly, he’d never been hit. Until today.

He didn’t even see the ball which dropped him to his knees. One minute he was talking with the coordinator of the Pitching and Catching Workshop, watching the boys and girls leave the Jackson Hole Indoor Sports Facility. The next, his head was pounding like a son of a gun. Derek blinked, trying to clear his suddenly blurred vision.

As if by magic a blond-haired blue-eyed angel appeared and knelt before him, her brows furrowed in concern. She smelled like vanilla and the bright lights in the gym gave her an ethereal glow. It didn’t seem right to be on his knees before such a creature. He tried to stand, but she grabbed his arm and held on tight.

“Sit down.” The warmth of her touch jolted him back to reality and told him this was no apparition. “I need to make sure you’re okay before you start moving around.”

The beating of the bass drum in his head nearly drowned out her words. Derek struggled to focus. “Are you a doctor?”

“Emergency room nurse.” She held up her left hand. “How many fingers am I holding up?”

He squinted and the hand came into focus. “Two.”

Her gaze met his and for a second he found himself floating, drowning in the azure depths … Until he became conscious of the noise—and the people—moving closer, encircling him, suffocating him.

The woman must have sensed his sudden distress because her voice rang out above the conversational din. “Everyone, back up.”

“Come on, folks, move along,” a man’s voice echoed. “He’ll be fine.”

The crowd dispersed and Derek’s panic subsided. Chatter turned to a distant hum. Ron Evans, one of the event’s coordinators, stepped in Derek’s field of vision. But the older man’s focus was on the nurse. “Do you think we should call an ambulance?”

“No ambulance,” Derek answered for her. The last thing he needed was more publicity. Besides, he felt okay. Or he would if his head would quit pounding.

“I don’t think an ambulance is necessary, Ron. But an ice pack and some Tylenol would be helpful.” The nurse’s lips lifted in a rueful smile. “I’m afraid I locked up the first-aid kit a little too quickly.”

“Coming right up,” Ron said, hurrying off.

Even as she reached into her purse and pulled out a penlight, the nurse’s attention didn’t waver from Derek’s face.

A light flashed in his left eye. He jerked back.

“Hold steady,” she said in a voice that was soothing yet brooked no argument.

He did as she asked and the light flashed again.

“Your pupils react well to the light,” she said in a professional tone he found reassuring. “How’s your vision?”

“Fuzzy but getting better.” He rubbed the spot just above his left temple. “My head sure hurts.”

“Ron should be back any second.” Even though the nurse’s expression remained composed, her gaze lingered on his head, on the knot that he could feel growing larger by the second. “Can you tell me who you are?”

He may have only been in Jackson Hole a short time, but there’d been lots of buzz about the baseball workshop he was holding this first weekend in December.

“I’m Derek Rossi,” he said, surprised she hadn’t recognized him.

As if she’d read his mind, her lips quirked upward. “I know who you are. I just needed to make sure you did.”

He wondered if she knew how lovely she looked when she smiled. Then he scoffed at the thought. Of course she did. She was a beautiful woman. They always knew stuff like that. Although she was married—he’d seen the diamond on her left hand—he found himself curious about his angel of mercy. “And who are you?”

“My name is Rachel Milligan.” She brushed a wayward strand of blond hair back from her face with a slender hand. “I’m an emergency room nurse at Jackson Hole Memorial. I was in charge of the first-aid station today. I’m afraid my little girl is the one who beaned you.”

“I didn’t mean to do it.”

The small voice came from his left. Ignoring the pain, Derek slowly turned his head in that direction. Rachel’s daughter stood off to the side, anxiously shifting from one foot to the other.

Rachel gave the girl a reassuring smile. “This is Mickie.”

“I’m really sorry, Mr. Rossi,” the child said, drawing closer.

Derek guessed the girl to be nine, maybe ten. She was thin but not undernourished. Her face was covered in freckles and her eyes, instead of being blue like her mother’s, were a vivid green, framed by thick brown lashes. But what Derek noticed most was her hair. It hung in long corkscrew curls halfway down her back. It was a tan color, not blond but not really brown either. She was cute, rather than pretty. He decided she must take after her father.

“I noticed a ball on the floor and I threw it to you.” By now the child had tears in her eyes. “I didn’t mean to hit you.”

Before Derek could respond, the event coordinator returned juggling a cup of water and Tylenol in one hand and an ice pack in the other.

“Thanks, Ron.” Derek swallowed the pills and pressed the ice bag gingerly against the side of his head.

Once that was done, he reflected on what the child had said, wondering if he’d heard correctly. The ball that had hit him had packed a wallop. Had it really been thrown by a girl?

“Do you forgive me?” By now tears were slipping down the girl’s cheeks.

“Mr. Rossi understands it was an accident.” The woman stared into his eyes. Her expression reminded him of a tigress protecting her young. “He’s not angry with you.”

Derek shrugged off Rachel’s hold and rose to his feet. She quickly followed, standing close, as if worried he’d fall. For a second that seemed possible, but thankfully the spinning room righted itself.

“I’m not angry,” he said. “I’m impressed.”

Mickie cocked her head, clearly puzzled.

Rachel’s jaw dropped. “Impressed?”

“Your kid has one mean throw.” He shifted his attention to the child. “How long have you been playing ball?”

Mickie blinked. “Never. I just came here today to help Rachel.”

“You call your mom Rachel?” Living in California, Derek knew lots of kids who called their parents by their first names. In fact, most of those moms and dads insisted on it. He just hadn’t expected that to be the case in Jackson Hole.

“Rachel is my foster mom.” The girl ducked her head and stared at her feet. “I’m just staying with her temporarily.”

An armful of bats hit the hardwood and Derek jumped. A knifelike pain sliced his head open. He inhaled sharply.

“You’re hurting.” Ron stepped closer, his eyes filled with concern. “I think we should get you to a doctor—”

“I’m fine.” Derek pressed the ice pack more firmly against his head and gestured to Rachel. “I have my own personal emergency room nurse.”

“They don’t come better than Rachel. She was on duty last year when they brought my son in.” For a second the older man’s eyes darkened, then he placed a fatherly hand on Derek’s shoulders. “If you’re still in pain next weekend, we can cancel your appointments.”

“No way.” Derek had made a commitment to do private lessons next Saturday and he honored his promises. Not to mention the proceeds were essential to Jackson Hole’s fledgling Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

“At least promise you’ll take care of yourself this week,” Ron pressed.

Derek knew some guys might have been irritated by Ron’s hovering. But the event coordinator had a big heart. Derek had seen that heart in the considerate way the gray-haired man had treated the kids and parents today.

“You got it,” Derek said.

“Good.” A look of relief crossed Ron’s face. He removed his hand from Derek’s shoulder and glanced at his watch.

“Go ahead and leave, Ron,” Rachel urged. “I’ll lock the doors.”

“Closing up is my responsibility, not yours,” Ron protested.

“Yes, but Amy Sue is expecting you at her piano recital. Your granddaughter will be disappointed if you don’t show.” Rachel’s tone turned persuasive. “Besides, it will give me more time to observe Mr. Rossi before I clear him to drive home.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Derek interrupted, annoyed at being discussed as if he wasn’t in the room. “A couple hours and I guarantee I’ll be good as new.”

“See, Ron?” Rachel said. “Derek thinks you should go to the recital, too.”

It wasn’t exactly what he’d said, but Derek wasn’t about to argue. Ron didn’t need to hang around because of him.

The older man thought for a moment, then nodded. “You’ve convinced me.”

Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. For a second she’d thought the older man might insist on staying. But family was important to Ron. After losing his son in a motorcycle accident last year, he’d made his loved ones even more of a priority. Still, instead of immediately hightailing it for the exit, the event coordinator turned back to Derek.

While the two men talked, Rachel stayed silent, listening, amazed at Derek’s commitment to youth mentoring. It was a far cry from what she’d read and heard in the media recently. In fact, the tabloids had her believing the only thing Derek Rossi cared about was himself.

“Rachel, I’m hungry,” Mickie whined when Ron finally strolled off. “When are we going to eat?”

“I’m a little hungry myself,” Derek said.

Rachel turned. His eyes were blue, like hers. But while hers were just average run-of-the-mill blue, Derek’s reminded her of the color of the ocean off a Caribbean island.

They were the eyes of a man who’d left a trail of broken hearts in his wake. Clean-shaven, with dark hair cut stylishly short, the former professional baseball player had a lean muscular build and a classic handsomeness that most women would find appealing.

She, on the other hand, preferred her men bigger, more rugged and bulky.

Like Tom.

Her heart gave a little ping.

“How about we all get something to eat?” Rachel said without thinking.

Derek’s gaze turned speculative. “What about your husband? Will he join us?”

“I’m not married. Not anymore.” Rachel spoke in the even tone she’d perfected the past three years. “My husband died.”

Confusion clouded his eyes. “But you’re wearing a wedding ring.”

Rachel glanced at her left hand. Should she try to explain? He wouldn’t get it. Even her friends didn’t understand. How could they? They’d never had a husband murdered. Never kissed their spouse goodbye and had a sheriff show up less than an hour later with devastating news. They hadn’t gone into early labor from the shock and been consumed by guilt because the baby, their long-awaited first child, had been too small to survive.

“Wearing it makes me feel like Tom is still with me, close by,” she said unapologetically. “It probably sounds crazy to you—”

“Not at all,” he said with such conviction that she almost believed him. “My father passed away from cancer when I was a little younger than Mickie. My mother wore her wedding ring until I was out of high school.”

The empathy in his voice took her by surprise. And oddly, it made Rachel feel better to know another young widow had also sought comfort in the familiar….

“I think Rachel likes pizza,” she heard Mickie say.

Rachel pulled her thoughts back to the present, wondering when the conversation had made the jump from rings to food. “Pizza is good.”

“Great. Let’s meet at Perfect Pizza.” Derek turned and headed toward the door.

“Wait.” Rachel hurried across the shiny hardwood after him, Mickie trailing behind her. “You shouldn’t drive. Not yet.”

He paused and turned. The hand holding the ice pack dropped to his side. “I told you, I’m fine. Once the Tylenol kicks in, I’ll be ready to pitch a no-hitter.”

Rachel couldn’t keep her eyes off the large hematoma on the side of his head. This was her fault. She should have watched Mickie more closely, made sure the child didn’t throw a ball to someone who wasn’t looking.

“It’s not your fault,” he said softly as if he could read her mind. “Or anyone’s fault. That’s why they call ‘em accidents.”

He seemed quite sincere. Gracious as well as handsome. It was a potent combination. Rachel could see why women liked him.

“Seriously,” he said. “I’m more than capable of driving myself.”

The easy thing would be for her to agree. After all, he’d probably be okay. But then again, he’d taken a hard hit. He’d been confused and unsteady. No, she couldn’t in good conscience let him get behind the wheel. Not yet, anyway.

“How about you humor me and ride with us over to the restaurant,” she said. “Depending on how you’re doing after we eat, you can either drive yourself home or I can drop you off.”

Derek’s quicksilver grin flashed. “You are bound and determined to get me in your car.”

Although her heart skipped a beat, Rachel ignored the charm this guy seemed to have in abundance.

“I’m not going to let this drop.” She resisted an unexpected urge to banter. “I don’t want anything to happen to you on my watch.”

His lips twitched. “Your watch?”

“Say yes,” Mickie said, finally speaking up. “I want to eat.”

Derek thought for a moment, then nodded, shifting his gaze to Rachel. “Ms. Milligan, you’ve got yourself a date.”

A date? All she’d done was offer to drive him for pizza. Because they were hungry. Not because she wanted to get to know him better like you would if you were … dating … someone.

Rachel opened her mouth, then shut it. There was no point in getting hung up on semantics. They both knew it wasn’t a date. After all, if the guy once voted “The Sexiest Player in the Major Leagues” was going to jump back into the dating game after his engagement scandal, it wouldn’t be with her.

Chapter Two

Even though it was only five o’clock, Perfect Pizza was surprisingly busy. But Derek quickly located an empty table in the center of the small dining area.

He pulled out chairs for Mickie and Rachel, then took a seat opposite the two. After he was sure they were settled in, he snagged menus from the holder on the table and handed them each one. “What kind of pizza do you like?”

Mickie didn’t even look at the menu in her hand. “Whatever you want is okay with me.”

He’d noticed the child had done that a lot on the drive from the gym, refusing to offer an opinion, waiting to answer as if wanting to make sure her response was right. She was an odd bundle of energy and insecurity.

Derek fought the impulse to tease and lost. He’d grown up with a younger sister and Mickie reminded him of Sarah.

“How about anchovies, cream cheese and pineapple?” It was all Derek could do to keep a straight face at the look of horror that stole over the young girl’s face.

“I think we’ll pass on that combination.” A tiny smile lifted the corners of Rachel’s lips. She glanced at the menu and scooted closer to Mickie. “We can negotiate on the pineapple and cream cheese, but anchovies are definitely out. Right, Mickie?”

The child cast a look at Derek. What she saw must have reassured her because she nodded decisively and swiped the air with one hand. “Anchovies aaaaare out.”

She sounded so much like an umpire that Derek had to laugh. After some friendly banter, they decided on a hamburger pizza with extra cheese. Rachel wanted him to stay at the table and rest, but he insisted on going to the counter to order.

While waiting in line, he glanced back at the table. Mickie was chattering on about something and Rachel gave the child her full attention. There was a look in the nurse’s eyes that he hadn’t noticed before. Sadness, yes. But also a longing that took his breath away.

This was a woman who obviously loved children. While her husband’s death must have temporarily put an end to the dream of children of her own, he had no doubt kids were in her future. She was pretty and smart and personable. He was surprised she hadn’t already remarried and started a family. Of course, wearing a wedding ring probably kept the decent men away.

Derek wondered if she’d consider him a decent guy. He certainly did his best to treat every woman with respect. That wasn’t always the norm in today’s society. Lots of men out there had no scruples. Lots of women, too. An image of his former fiancée flashed before him. He clenched his jaw and focused on the menu board.

After ordering, Derek returned to the table with a pitcher of soda and three glasses filled with ice. “They’ll bring out the pizza when it’s ready.”

In less than fifteen minutes a large golden brown pie oozing cheese appeared. After wolfing down three big pieces, Mickie spotted an old pinball machine in an alcove just off the dining room. Her eyes lit up. She smiled, showing a mouthful of big teeth.

“Want to check it out?” Derek asked.

The girl’s smile faded. She lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. “I don’t know how to play.”

He pushed back his chair and stood. “I’ll show you.”

After several pointers on how to best keep the silver ball in play, Derek gave her a handful of quarters and returned to the table. “She’s a natural.”

They chatted for a minute or two about Mickie and pinball machines before the conversation petered out. Rachel put down her second slice of pizza and sought for a comment to fill the lengthening silence. It had been easy to make conversation while Mickie was at the table, but now …

“Did you hear we have a seventy-percent chance of snow tomorrow?” Rachel asked.

Derek groaned out loud. “Please, no more about the weather or the bump on my head. We’ve talked those topics to death.”

He was probably right. Perhaps she’d tried a little too hard to keep the conversation general. But when those brilliant blue eyes focused on her as if no one else in the world existed but the two of them, she felt as unsure as a fifteen-year-old on her first date.

Rachel placed her glass of soda on the wooden table with an unsteady hand. The man across from her had been to movie premieres. Partied with the beautiful people. And, according to the media, walked away from three engagements.

She glanced longingly at the door, wondering how she’d ever thought this was a good idea. Right now she could be at home in her PJs playing Scrabble with Mickie. Oh, Derek was nice. But she didn’t like how he made her feel, all jittery and unsettled inside. “I’m a little nervous.”

Derek lowered the glass he’d raised to his lips without drinking and Rachel wished she’d kept her mouth shut.

Disappointment filled his baby blues. “Which tabloids have you read?”

Rachel realized immediately that he’d misunderstood her comment. But the last thing she wanted was to discuss his troubles or her attraction to him. So instead, Rachel focused on the Derek Rossi she’d followed in the sports pages for almost a decade. “This will probably surprise you, but you and I go way back. I remember watching you pitch a no-hitter in the college world series. You were amazing. I followed your career after you were drafted by the Angels. Now it seems like every time I watch a sportscast, there you are with a microphone and an expert opinion.”

His lips curved upward and Rachel, who’d planned to say even more, clamped her mouth shut. Dear God, what must he think? She’d been gushing like an out-of-control fan-girl.

“What have you heard recently?” he asked.

“I haven’t been following your exploits in the tabloids,” Rachel said. “If that’s what you’re asking.”

“Still, I’m sure you’ve heard all about Niki and me.”

She’d have had to be living in a cave not to have heard the news of his broken engagement to the young actress he’d been planning to marry last month, just before Thanksgiving.

She’d been disappointed that he would make such an important commitment, then walk away. Not just once, but three times. Still, it wasn’t her place to judge. And she firmly believed it was better to walk away than say your vows to the wrong person. “Who you choose to marry, or not, is your own business.”

The tiny lines of strain around Derek’s eyes eased at her matter-of-fact tone. “No questions? No, how could you break it off only two weeks before the wedding?”

Would he tell her the truth if she asked? Rachel tamped down her curiosity. “Not my business. I’m sure you had your reasons.”

“Thank you.”

“But I am curious about one thing.”

A resigned look crossed his face. “What’s that?”

“How long do you plan to stay in Jackson Hole?”

A look of surprise skittered across his face. “That’s the question?”

Rachel smiled.

“Not quite a month.” Derek leaned back in his chair. “My buddy gave me the use of his vacation home just outside of Wilson until New Year’s. Then I’ll head back to L.A.”

“Is that home?”

“For now.” He took a sip of soda. “I’m originally from Minnesota. Most of my family still lives there.”

Rachel relaxed against the back of her chair, enjoying the conversation. “I’m surprised you’re not spending Christmas with them.”

“If I’d married Niki, we’d still be on our honeymoon.” His eyes took on a faraway look. Then he blinked and the moment was gone. “My sister and her family are spending the holidays with my brother-in-law’s side of the family. My mother and Jim, her ‘man-friend,’ are in Florida visiting my aunt and uncle.”

“I don’t understand how you ended up in Wyoming.”

“Great place to stay. Lots of good skiing. Best of all, no paparazzi.” Derek grinned. “Feels like paradise to me.”

Rachel picked up her half-eaten piece of pizza and took another bite, suddenly hungry.

“I’ve a question for you,” he said.

Rachel forced the chunk of pizza past a sudden thickness in her throat. “Ask away.”

“I’ve thought about doing foster care, but my schedule seems too chaotic to give a child the stability he or she needs.” His eyes were bright with curiosity. “How do you make it work?”

Rachel leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table. Here was a topic she could discuss for hours. “I’ve had my license for a couple years. While a full-time placement wouldn’t work with my schedule, I’ve done quite a bit of emergency foster care.”

Although his eyes remained focused on her, he trailed a finger down the side of his glass. “Tell me more about that.”

Rachel’s mouth went dry. She swallowed, her heart fluttering in her throat. “An emergency placement can last anywhere from twenty-four hours to a month. Most kids I have for a day or two.”

“How long will Mickie be with you?”

“Through the end of the month.” Rachel shifted her gaze and let it linger on Mickie. Fingers on the side buttons, brows furrowed in concentration, her entire attention was on the game. It was typical Mickie. Her determined nature was only one of her many good qualities. Although the child hadn’t even been under Rachel’s roof a week, she’d already stolen her heart.

“Looks like she’s made some friends.”

Derek was right. The little girl had several new “friends” peering over her shoulders, watching her make the bells ding.

“Mickie is very social.”

Derek could hear the pride in Rachel’s voice. “What do you know about her history?”

Rachel thought for a moment. “I know her parents died in a car accident when she was five. After that she was sent to live with an aunt and uncle and four cousins. Several years later they divorced and relinquished Mickie, saying neither of them could afford to keep her.”

Rachel’s voice quivered. It had been hard losing her own parents when she’d been in college. But at least they’d been there while she was growing up and she had all those wonderful memories. Mickie had confided she barely remembered hers. And then to be turned out by the only family she had left …

Derek’s eyes remained firmly fixed on her face. “What happened then?”

“Up until recently she’s been living with a retired couple. Unfortunately their daughter has a chronic health condition that has worsened. They left for Arizona to be with her. According to the social worker they aren’t planning to come back.”

Rachel placed her glass of soda on the table and tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. She’d had men stare at her before, but when Derek gave her his full attention, it was overwhelming.

“What’s going to happen to her once she leaves your place?” Derek asked, sounding truly concerned.

“The social worker told me they hope to have another home for her after the first of the year. If that doesn’t pan out, she’ll live in a group setting until one opens up.”

Most people got a glazed look in their eyes when she talked about her foster kids. Not Derek. “I still don’t understand how you can watch her and work full-time.”

“I’m not working while she’s with me,” Rachel explained. “I had enough hours built up to take off the rest of the year.”

His head cocked to one side. “You’re taking vacation time to watch her?”

He made it sound as if she was making a big sacrifice when nothing could be farther from the truth.

“I don’t have family here. My friends are understandably busy during the holidays with their husbands and children.” Rachel lifted a shoulder in what she hoped was a casual shrug. “I find this time of year goes better for me if I keep busy. I love children, so having Mickie with me is the best way I can think of to spend my vacation. Trust me, it’s a win-win situation for both of us.”

Her eyes were clear and blue, her tone sincere. Even more revealing, she acted as if what she’d done was no big deal. Derek found himself not only impressed, but intrigued. Here was a woman he’d like to know better.

But he’d sworn off dating for the next six months. And no matter how lovely the woman, or how tempted he was to ask her out, there was no way he was breaking that pledge.