“Merry said me and Alex have to share with you guys.” His daughter pushed out her pouty lip. “I wish I’d brought a present.”
“They’re grown-up presents anyway,” Alex said with a condescending tone. “Mama said sometimes people bring white elephants but there weren’t any elephants at all, which is dumb.”
Carlisle glanced at Merry, who was trying not to laugh.
“I want to go back to Grammy’s and put the city together,” Grace mumbled.
“I’m afraid it’s already getting close to your bedtime,” Carlisle said, and his daughter pushed out that lip even further.
Merry said something to her softly, and Grace crawled onto her lap. Carlisle watched the two as the group played a strangely lighthearted game of giftstealing, which resulted in teasing and laughter. It was different from any Christmas party he’d ever attended. Yet he found himself relaxing in the shared joviality of the people.
Grace fell asleep, and Merry had to enlist Alex’s aid to nick her choice of the remaining presents. Somehow, they did all the back-and-forth without waking his daughter. The package Merry opened which no one could steal held a small tool set meant for a child. Carlisle’s final gift was a certificate for a pedicure.
When he made a face, Merry laughed softly. “That was my contribution, and I’m sure Grace will love it.”
Carlisle glanced at his daughter, her head resting against Merry’s shoulder. It made quite a pretty picture.
“I was wondering if you might assist me with something,” he said, wondering if this were the right place and time. He didn’t wish to make the ball attendance take on more significance than it should, so perhaps this setting would suit.
“Sure. What do you need?”
“Gretchen has informed me I must attend the Christmas Ball, and I must bring a plus-one. I was wondering if you were already planning to attend.”
“I was thinking to go with my mother—” Merry blinked. “Oh. Are you askingmeto be your plus-one?No.” Her look of disbelief shifted to one of chagrin, and her cheeks flushed. “Of course, you’re not.”
Carlisle felt suddenly like a schoolboy again, asking a girl out for the first time. Which was nonsense because things weren’t like that between him and Merry. They were both still grieving over their late spouses. Perhaps that was it. Merry hadn’t begun dating again either.
“But Iamasking you. I’m comfortable in your company, and we have many things in common.”
“Yes,” she agreed a little too quickly, her cheeks growing even pinker. “Like single parenting and our children being friends.”
Carlisle didn’t understand why his invitation made her uncomfortable. Yes, he’d wanted to kiss her earlier. But, more important than that unexpected impulse, he’d found he appreciated her friendship. He didn’t wish to do anything to put that in jeopardy.
“It was merely a passing thought.” He swallowed the lump which had grown in his throat. He’d actually been giving it a great deal of thought and had even begun to look forward to spending the evening with Merry. “I understand completely if you’d prefer to attend with your mother.”
“What’s that?” Linda asked, stepping beside Merry.
“Your daughter just informed me she was planning to attend the Christmas Ball with you.”
“Did you ask her to come as your guest?” Linda asked, sending her daughter a quick, appraising glance.
“I did but—”
“No buts about it. Merry should go with you. Barb Hurst called me yesterday to say she needed a partner since her husband will be out of town. We’d already been talking about it.” Linda stepped back and looked her daughter up and down. “And I know just the dress to make for you.” With that, she walked away.
“I fear I’ve placed you in an uncomfortable situation,” Carlisle said. “Please don’t feel as though you are obligated to accept my invitation.”
“I’d love to attend the chamber dance with you.”
Merry hadn’t hesitated to reply, but the smile she wore held a wariness he didn’t understand. Perhaps she feared the two of them attending together could change their comfortable camaraderie. Well, he would do his best to put her fears to rest.
* * *
“That went well,”Merry’s mother said as they shut the door behind the last of the employees. “And now it’s time to think about your gown.”
“I can just get something off the rack.” At her mother’s flat look, Merry laughed. “It doesn’t have to be anything fancy.”
“Yes, it does. It’s about time you started having a social life—with men—again.”
