“Emergency call,” he said breathlessly and apologetically. “Chimney fire. Everyone’s okay, but I should’ve messaged.”
Before she could think, she stepped closer and reached up, her thumb brushing the soot from his cheek. The moment her skin touched his, James went utterly still, his breath catching as their eyes held. Time narrowed to that single point of contact…her thumb tracing the line of his jaw, wiping away the dark streak, the intimacy of it sending a shiver down her spine.
She’d feared he’d let her down. Broken his promise. But here he was.
Her hero.
She was only vaguely aware of Daniel walking over to the kids and saying hello to Bash. Only vaguely aware of the play starting again.
But there was nothing vague about her awareness of James.
He smiled, and her stomach flipped. She was falling for this man and falling hard.
But it didn’t seem to matter anymore, because she knew he would catch her.
Wordlessly, she slipped her hand into his, and he squeezed it lightly before they turned and watched the play. His thumb brushed hers once, barely a touch, but enough to send a warm pulse spiraling up her arm.
But where did they go from here? How did they take the next step?
They needed time alone. Time to talk. Perhaps she could ask Sorcha to look after Jake and Bash for an evening.
But then Daniel came to the rescue.
“Aunt D,” Jake tugged at her sleeve as the story ended. “Maisie and Teddy asked me to go over for a sleepover.”
“What does Daniel say?” Doreen asked as her concern spiked.
Doreen had never expected to be put in a position to make this kind of judgment call. Maybe she should phone Pauline and ask if it was okay for Jake to sleep over at Daniel’s.
“Daniel said it would be fine.” Jake looked down at Bash and ruffled his ears. “Bash really wants to go.”
“I’m not sure…” Doreen slipped her hand in her pocket and closed her fingers around her phone.
James leaned in close, his voice a low murmur near her ear that sent goosebumps skittering across her skin. “They’ll be safe. Daniel’s a wonderful dad.”
She flexed her fingers and let go of the phone. She trusted James. Trusted his judgment. “Okay,” she said, and the kids erupted in cheers. “When?”
“Now,” Jake said. “They’re having s’mores and hot chocolate. And sleeping in a tent in their living room!”
“Now?” Doreen asked. Her fingers brushed against something in her pocket. Her wish.
She hadn’t even written it, and yet it had come true.
Alone time with James.
“Wait, what about pajamas? And a toothbrush?” Doreen asked, her practical side kicking in.
Daniel waved away her concern. “We’ve got spare everything. Don’t worry.”
“And what about Bash?” she pressed.
“He’s had his dinner,” Jake said. “And he can have a late breakfast when I get home.”
Doreen glanced at Jake’s hopeful face, then at Bash’s tail thumping eagerly against the ground. She knew when she was outnumbered. “All right, I surrender.”
“I can drop them back tomorrow morning,” Daniel offered.
“No need. I’ll pick them up,” Doreen replied. “I’ve got to do some grocery shopping in town anyway. My fridge is starting to echo.”
