Just Around the Corner

“Know of him is more like it,” Becca said, sounding impressed. “I’ve invited that man over more times than I can count in the four years he’s been in town. How’d you manage to actually get him to say yes?”

“I’ve been talking with one of his students for him—a girl who’s a bit troubled. She’s staying in town for Christmas and we’re having her over.”

“Okay, then, but we’ll still see you sometime during the holiday, right?” Becca asked. “We have to exchange our gifts.”

“Of course we’ll get together,” Phyllis said. “I’ll give you a call over the weekend.”

“And you’ll be coming to the annual holiday open house, right?” Becca asked. “I’m really glad we moved it from Christmas to New Year’s. So many more people can come.”

“Yeah, I’ll be there,” Phyllis said, remembering last year’s party, how warm and full she’d felt, being accepted and included in the families of Shelter Valley. She’d spent much of the time playing with Bethany, who’d been just under six months old. And worrying about Tory and Ben—who’d canceled at the last minute when Ben was suddenly granted complete custody of Alex.

Warmed by her friend’s obvious caring, Phyllis decided it was time to tell Becca and everyone else about the babies. She was three and a half months along—had made it through the first trimester and gone almost two weeks without bleeding.

And when they asked who the father was?

She’d just have to—

The doorbell rang.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

PHYLLIS KNEW WHO was there. Heart pounding, she sat in her chair and tried to wipe the memory of the last five minutes of Matt’s visit the previous night from her mind. Like an idiot she’d kissed him. Full on the mouth.

And it hadn’t been a consoling kiss, or a friendly kiss, she thought, heading for the door when the bell rang a second time. This kiss had been hot and hungry. Like the kisses in the sound booth that day in September. The kisses that had led to the babies she was now carrying inside her.

But she and Matt were older now than they’d been three months before. Older and wiser. They’d broken off last night’s kiss simultaneously and then, as if by mutual consent, he’d left before either of them could say anything about it.

Surely they could put it behind them…

Pulling open her door, she schooled her face into what she hoped was a noncommittal smile. “Hi, come on in,” she said just as she had almost every night for the past two weeks. Tonight, though, instead of meeting his eyes, she looked past his left shoulder. Still, she was proud of how normal she sounded. Even if she felt anything but.

“Have a good day?” Matt asked, striding by her and into the kitchen to collect the trash. He didn’t look at her, either.

Ugh.

“Yeah.” As usual, she followed him. “You?”

“Fine.” He pulled out a fresh garbage bag and lined her kitchen waste container before taking the partially full bag around the house to the various containers in other rooms. “Sophie’s really glad to be joining us for Christmas dinner,” he said when he returned to the kitchen, twisting the bag and securing it with a tie.

“Good.”

He went out back to deposit the bag. He still hadn’t looked at her.

She’d looked at him, though. A huge mistake.

He was wearing his maroon leather jacket. It was her favorite because of the way it came in tight at his waist. And the jeans he wore had not only seen many washings but knew just how to mold themselves to his tight butt.

Must be pregnancy hormones that were making her insides quake. Phyllis had learned to control her emotions long ago.

“I noticed a big box in the nursery,” he said, entering the house, locking the back door behind him.

“Christmas presents I ordered through the Internet.”

“Tell me you didn’t carry it in there.”

“I didn’t.” She was staring over his shoulder again. “I was here when they delivered it, and the guy was nice enough to carry it back for me.”

“So, you need help getting it unpacked?” He stood in a familiar position, his fingers tucked into the front pockets of his jeans.