Page 26 of A Christmas Bargain

CLAIRE

“Derek?”

Okay, my eyes aren’tthatbad.

It was him, lifting his hand to wave at me.

Talk about déjà vu.

I smiled, surprised to run into him on Main Street. Just passing the spot where the vendor with the jellies had been set up, I felt another flicker of connection to him. This was where Naomi saw me. Where we’d walked past.

This rugged, sexy man was still a stranger to me, mostly, but already, I was filing memories in a bank to revisit later. Over the weekend, I’d replayed the visions of how he almost smiled. And how sincerely he asked me to get a hot beverage with him.

It wasn’t fair that I’d bump into him now, here, when I had a meeting to get to.

I really would rather talk to him again. I’d love a chance to try to make him smile. Something suggested that he didn’t do it often, or at least not when it wasn’t directed toward his darling daughter.

“Derek,” I greeted. “It is you.”

“Still haven’t made that eye appointment yet, huh?” he teased as we met each other on the sidewalk.

I laughed lightly. “No. I haven’t.” The only appointments I’d focused on making were ones with sellers around here. Like the owner who’d agreed to meet me at the coffee shop smack in the middle of Preston to discuss some of their land along the river.

“Sorry. That’s not right.” He shook his head and swiped his hand through the air, as if wanting to clear it. “I shouldn’t tease about that. It’s none of my business.”

“Oh, no.” I laid my hand on his forearm, needing all of his attention to keep him from feeling guilty. “It’s no worries. Truly. It’s sort of… an inside joke about me.Everyoneteases me about needing glasses.”

He huffed a slight laugh. “That doesn’t make it okay for me to jump on the bandwagon.”

“Nah. No worries. No hard feelings.” I couldn’t help but glance at my watch.Dammit.If I lingered any longer, I’d be late to meet that owner whomightwant to sell their land. “And I really do need to make an appointment. As soon as the holidays are over.” I nodded, smiling wide.

He cocked his head to the side, seeming curious. “Is there a reason you haven’t made an appointment?”

“Yeah.” I laughed once. “Too busy working.”

“It’s not that you’re afraid of having to wear glasses, is it?”

I shook my head. Glasses would take some adjustment, but I’d manage. “I actually did have them when I was younger. I was farsighted back in second grade, but then I outgrew it.” I shrugged. “Just too busy to make an appointment.”

It was kind of sweet that he’d ask after me like that, almost like he wanted to make sure I was taking care of myself.

And on that note…I hated to sound like a broken record, telling him that I had to go for my job. “Listen, as glad as I am to run into you again, now’s not an ideal time.” I winced, hating that I had to excuse myself already. It wasn’t often that people could lure me away from focusing on business, but hedid. He tempted me to be uncharacteristically late for a change, just so we could chat a little longer. I didn’t know what kind of superpower he possessed, but it was potent and strong. I was addicted to the allure of being in his presence and enjoying the glow of knowing he’d noticed me.

“It isn’t?” He looked at his watch, furrowing his brow.

“No. I’m supposed to be meeting a prospective seller. Well, a person I’ve contacted to discuss some details about a property in Preston.”

He nodded.

“And unfortunately, I’ll be late to meet them if I don’t get to the coffee shop.”

“Wouldn’t want to be late to a meeting,” he quipped, backing up toward the door and giving me space to pass him.

“Oh, that would be unforgivable,” I replied.

“Hmm. Since we’re both right here,” he said, reaching for the door handle and pulling it, “and I firmly believe in ladies first, it seems that I would be the late party to arrive.” With a ghost of a smile, he brandished his hand for me to enter before him.

“Huh?” I smiled, charmed by his gentlemanly gesture of opening a door for me like that. It sadly wasn’t common anymore—not just men holding doors for women, but anyone letting another precede them in this day of hurrying and hustling everywhere.

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