‘What about your own family?’ He stared at her in exasperation, wondering why this was turning out to be so hard. ‘Aren’t they expecting you home for Christmas?’
He’d arrange for her to have the day off if that was what it took to get her out of his life.
There was a long silence and then she cleared her throat. ‘I don’t have any family, Mac.’ Suddenly she sounded weary. Defeated. ‘It’s just me. Me on my own.’
He saw the loneliness shining out of her eyes and felt something twist inside him.
Damn.
He felt guilty.
‘You must have someone. Everyone has someone.’ He jabbed his fingers through his hair. ‘Heaven knows, I have trouble getting rid of people. Every time I turn round I trip over someone checking if I’m all right.’
‘That’s because you live in a village where everyone looks out for their neighbours. You think they’re nosy but I think they’re caring. And I think you’re lucky, Mac Sullivan. Lucky to be surrounded by people who give a damn how you’re feeling and whether you’re sad or not.’ She gave a wistful smile. ‘Weird, isn’t it? You don’t even know what you’ve got.’
Mac sighed. ‘I like the village, I never said I didn’t. But I also like privacy.’ He eyed the decorations. ‘And I don’t do Christmas. It isn’t my best time of year.’
‘I know. Josh told me. And I’m sorry.’ Her tone was flat. ‘Maybe I got carried away, but I always do at Christmas. Everyone does family stuff and I don’t have family. When Josh told me about the two of you on your own in this big house, I thought I could just move in and make it home for a few weeks. I wanted to do a fairy-tale Christmas. I thought you’d enjoy it, too. But perhaps I was wrong.’
Guilt throbbed like a vicious wound and Mac let out a breath.
‘Are you saving me or yourself?’
She gave a brave smile. ‘A bit of both?’
The bravery was his undoing. If she’d cried or begged he could have sent her on her way. But she didn’t do either of those things. Instead, she managed to look strong and vulnerable at the same time, and the combination finished him.
He sighed. ‘All right. You can stay.
Her look changed to one of cautious optimism. ‘Really?’
He must be mad. ‘Really.’
‘Thank you.’ She spoke with quiet dignity. ‘I know I can make your life more comfortable and you won’t even know I’m here.’
Oh, he’d know she was there.
One of the reasons he’d been determined to send her away was because he couldn’t help noticing her. He noticed everything. The warmth in her eyes, the curve of her hips, the endless legs...
He stared into her soft brown eyes and felt something flicker to life inside him.
He really should send her away.
‘Mac?’
He closed his eyes briefly. ‘Just don’t think you can rope me in on this fantasy Christmas that you’re planning.’
‘All right.’ She chewed her lip and glanced around the hallway. ‘But can the decorations stay and can we have a tree?’
‘You’re pushing your luck.’
She waved a hand around her hallway. ‘It’s just that your house is so perfect.’ Her cheeks dimpled. ‘A tiny tree? Just a few bits from the garden?’
His gaze flickered to the bursts of greenery that now adorned his hallway. ‘You’ve already transferred half the garden to the hall. I don’t do Christmas, Louisa. But if you want to, that’s fine with me.’
‘Correction,’ she said happily. ‘You haven’t done Christmas up until now. But this year you’re doing Christmas, Mac. And you’re doing it in style.’
He was more prickly than his holly, she mused as she tasted the casserole and added a pinch more salt and pepper.