Doreen reached for the serving spoon just as James moved to pick it up from the sideboard.
“Oh…” The handle slipped beneath her fingers. The spoon clattered once against the wood and tipped toward the floor.
Instinct kicked in, and both of them lunged forward to catch it.
Their hands collided, skin against skin, before he deftly twisted his hand and caught the spoon.A jolt shot through James so fast it stole his breath. Doreen inhaled sharply, which told him all he needed to know. She felt it too.
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. Her palm rested against the back of his hand as something unspoken flickered between them. Surprise, longing, the awareness of how close they suddenly were.
She licked her lips, and it would be so easy to just lean in and kiss her. But this was not the right time or the right place.
They straightened together, still caught in the moment.
“Thanks,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
James managed a small, helpless smile. “Anytime.”
Before either could say more, Christopher appeared at James’s elbow, carrying a steaming jug.
“Custard, anyone?” he announced cheerfully, oblivious to the tension he’d just shattered as he set down the pitcher of warm vanilla custard beside the crumble.
Doreen startled and stepped back. James did too, slowly letting out the breath he’d been holding.
His bear sighed.We almost kissed her. Over a spoon.
Not helping,James replied, though his heart hadn’t quite stopped racing.
Doreen busied herself arranging the dessert on the table, though James saw the way her fingers lingered for a fraction too long on the spoon’s handle, like she was still feeling the warmth of his touch.
The dessert, like the rest of the meal, was delicious. But they hadn’t long finished and washed the dishes when Jake let out a massive yawn that seemed too big for his small frame. Bash, sensing the change in energy, flopped dramatically onto the floor with a heavy sigh.
“I think that’s our cue,” Doreen said, smiling at her nephew, who was rubbing his eyes. “It’s been a long day.”
They shuffled toward the door in that awkward dance of departure, grabbing coats and scarves from hooks while Sorcha insisted they take leftovers home. James lingered near Doreen as she slipped on her coat, breathing in her scent.
“We should do this again before you leave, Doreen,” Christopher said, clapping James on the shoulder and flashing him a smile.
“I’d like that,” Doreen replied. “If it’s not too much trouble. This must be a busy time of year for you.”
James didn’t want to hear any reminder that Doreen would one day leave. But he would never turn down an invitation to spend more time with her.
“Oh, we’ll find time,” Sorcha said.
“Okay.” Doreen kissed Sorcha on the cheek. “I’ll bring the contracts over for you to sign. But it might be in a couple of days. I’ve asked for a small revision to one section.”
“You’re the best,” Sorcha said, catching James’s eye as she looked over Doreen’s shoulder.
She is,his bear rumbled in agreement.
“I’ll walk you back,” James offered, trying to sound casual. “Paths get icy once the temperature drops.”
Doreen hesitated for just a second, adjusting her scarf, then nodded. “That would be nice, thank you.”
We escort our mate to safety. Obviously,his bear stated with satisfied certainty.
James kneeled down to help Jake with his coat zipper, which had caught on the fabric. “There you go, buddy,” he said, giving the boy’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.
“Thanks, Deputy Pike!” Jake grinned up at him, then turned toward the door where Bash waited impatiently.
