Read Online A Semi-Precious Christmas by Jan Elder - Free Book Online

dark splotch lurked under my right eye, now that awful yellowish-green, so I slapped on more concealer.
    Butterscotch leapt onto the bed, landed on my shoulder wrap, and slid into a furry heap upside down next to the pillows. Before he could snag my wrap with a claw, I snatched up the length of fabric and threw it over my shoulders. “Nice try, but not quite fast enough.”
    The doorbell rang. The clock beside my bed said Chris was five minutes early.
    I didn’t even have my shoes on. “Coming!” I grabbed the strappy heels I’d bought ages ago to match the dress. I peered through the peephole, and the glimpse of the handsome man drew a smile from my lips. Yeah, I was ready.
    Chris held a bouquet of flowers in his left hand, and the other hand fidgeted with his tie. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Was he as on edge as I was?
    Still shoeless, I swung open the door. His provocative lips bowed upwards in a smile to melt the sun, and I dropped my heels on the hardwood floor.
    Chris and I bent over at the same time to pick them up and nearly collided. He handed me the flowers and scooped up the killer red shoes. “Nice.” Those lips stretched even wider as he dangled my shoes from his fingers and checked out my dress. “Very, very nice.”
    I headed for the kitchen. “Thanks. And for the lovely flowers, too. Where are we going for dinner?” I searched for a vase to hide my nerves.
    Suddenly, he was right behind me, the barest hint of stubble tickling my neck. Gentle hands took my shoulders and turned me around. Then Chris guided me to a chair—flowers still in my hands—and knelt in front of me. He proceeded to slip on my shoes and fasten the straps, first the right one and then the left. “There. All better.”
    His touch had been tender, not the least bit suggestive, and he’d kept his hands where a gentleman should keep them. And yet, the simple action had fire radiating from my toes to my nose.
    As he sat back on his haunches, our gazes met and I quit breathing altogether.
    “Ready to go?” Chris stood and offered me his hand.
    A pleasant tingle shimmied up my back at his touch.
    “Uh, sure.” I stuffed the flowers in a vase, just barely remembering to add water. “Let me just go count cats, and we’re off. I haven’t seen Ginger in a couple of hours. If you wouldn’t mind searching this floor, I’ll look upstairs.”
    I was lucky I could manage the stairs.
    “Oh, and we’re going to the Bavarian Inn,” Chris called from below. “I hope you like German food, or Bavarian. Aren’t they pretty much the same?”
    I came down the stairs and rounded the corner into the living room. “Found her. She was under the bed in the guest room. As to German versus Bavarian, who cares? Let’s go get some schnitzel. I’m starving.”
    Chris helped me with my coat, and we were off.

13
    At the restaurant, the host seated us in a corner alcove by a picture window flanked with Christmas decorations. The panorama couldn’t have been lovelier. Twilight descended over the Potomac River, stars twinkling in the night sky. A server filled our glasses with ice water, memorized our order, and left with a pleasant nod.
    Silence reigned.
    Heat blossomed on my cheeks. I knew so much about this man, and yet I knew nothing.
    Chris fiddled with his napkin and cleared his throat. “I refuse to talk about the weather. We can do better than that.”
    “What did you have in mind?”
    Our drinks arrived—my Lady Grey tea and Chris’s coffee. The waiter set a basket of warm bread and spreads on the table.
    “From what I understand about women, I’m sure a deep discussion about your hopes, dreams, and aspirations would be in order.”
    I smothered a giggle. “Let’s start with something a little easier? Tell me more about Maggie. She’s such a lovable little girl.”
    Chris’s face brightened and that bothersome napkin settled in his lap. He placed a slice of pumpernickel on his bread plate and smeared it with