The rainbow of wingback chairs formed a semicircle facing the bookshelves that she now knew revolved to create an entrance to Desiree’s office. Rance stopped before they reached the chairs. “I have a favor to ask.”
She turned to face him as warmth traveled from the clasp of his hand up her arm and through her body. “Of course. I’m happy to be your emissary. I have a good relationship with?—”
“This isn’t about going to another publisher.”
“No? Then what is it about?”
“The Wenches will be discussing my book tomorrow. I’ll be there and I’d like you to be there, too.”
“Discussing your… they’ve all read it?”
“Most of them. Mom’s contacting each of them now to see if they can manage to finish by two o’clock tomorrow.”
“But it’s Christmas Eve Day! What’s the rush? And don’t you have to work?”
“I just checked with Clint and he’s agreed to change my hours. I’ll be working Christmas Eve, instead.”
“But then you can’t do the sleigh ride.”
“Not necessarily. I might be allowed fifteen minutes to take a spin up and down Main Street.”
“Rance, what’s going on? I saw you having what looked like a serious talk with your mom and Andy. What happened?”
“They asked why we weren’t speaking to each other. I told them.”
“All of it?”
“Not all. Just that we’ve developed strong feelings for each other and as a result you’ve decided you can’t be my editor. And that I… haven’t reacted well to that decision.”
“What’s that got to do with asking the Wenches to gather for a critique on Christmas Eve Day? It makes no sense.”
“It will.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
His gaze searched hers. “I love you.”
Her brain stalled and the air left her lungs.
“Do you believe me?”
She nodded as she struggled to breathe. She’d assumed he did. But hearing the words while drowning in the emotion reflected in his eyes…. that packed a wallop.
“Then please believe this. I want the best for you, even if that means we’ll never be together.”
She finally found her voice. “Same here.”
“I know. I treasure that. And I’m asking you to trust me enough to go along with what sounds like a crazy plan.”
She took a deep breath. “All right. It’s absolutely nuts, but I’ll be here. I’ll check to see if I can borrow my folks’ truck.”
“No need. I’ll pick you up at one forty-five.”
And she’d lose the ability to get the hell out of there if she wanted to. “I’ll find out if there’s a problem. If they need the truck, I’ll let you know.”
“You’re afraid to let me be in charge of your transportation?”
“I don’t know what I’m getting into.”
