First Impressions

promised, pleased to be in on the surprise. “And if she does, I’ll just say the person who bought it wants it held until Christmas.”
    “Clever girl,” he complimented. “Thanks.”
    “Vance.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “She looks kind of down today. Maybe you could take her out for a while and cheer her up. Oh, Shane,” she continued quickly in a normal tone, “how did you manage to keep those little monsters quiet for twenty minutes? Those are Clint Drummond’s boys,” she explained to Vance with a shudder. “I nearly ran out the back door when they came in.”
    “They were thrilled that school was called off because of the snow.” Instinctively, Shane reached for Vance’s hand as she came in. “What they wanted was to work out the fine details of a few engagements so they could have their own Battle of Antietam with snowballs.”
    “Get your coat,” Vance told her, planting a kiss on her brow.
    “What?”
    “And a hat. It’s cold outside.”
    Laughing, Shane gave his hand a squeeze. “I know it’s cold outside, fool. There’s already six inches of snow.”
    “Then we’d better get started.” He gave her a friendly swat on the seat. “You’ll need boots too, I suppose. Just don’t take all day.”
    “Vance, it’s the middle of the day. I can’t leave.”
    “It’s business,” he told her gravely. “You have to get your Christmas tree.”
    “Christmas tree?” With a chuckle, she picked up the duster Pat had set down. “It’s too early in the season.”
    “Early?” Vance sent Pat a grin. “You’ve got just over two weeks until Christmas, and no tree. Most self-respecting stores are decked out by Thanksgiving.”
    “Well, I know, but—”
    “But nothing,” he interrupted, taking the duster from her and handing it back to Pat. “Where’s your holiday spirit? Not to mention your sales strategy. According to the most recent poll, people spend an additional twelve and a half percent in a store decorated for the holidays.”
    Shane gave him a narrow glance. “What poll?”
    “The Retail Sale and Seasonal Atmosphere Survey,” he said glibly.
    The first genuine laugh in nearly twenty-four hours burst from her. “That’s a terrible lie.”
    “Certainly not,” he disagreed. “It’s a very good one. Now go get your coat.”
    “But, Vance—”
    “Oh, don’t be silly, Shane,” Pat interrupted, giving her a push toward the stairs. “I can handle the shop. We’re not likely to have customers pouring in with all this snow. Besides,” she added, shrewd enough to know her employer, “I’d really love a tree. I’ll make a place for it right in front of this window.” Without waiting for a reply, Pat began to rearrange furniture.
    “Gloves too,” Vance added as Shane hesitated.
    “All right,” she said, surrendering. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
    In little more than ten, she was sitting beside Vance in the cab of his small pickup. “Oh, it’s beautiful out here!” she exclaimed, trying to look everywhere at once. “I love the first snow. Look, there’re the Drummond boys.”
    Vance glanced in the direction she indicated and saw three boys pelting each other violently with snow.
    “The battle’s under way,” he murmured.
    “General Burnside’s having his problems,” Shane observed, then turned back to Vance. “By the way, what did you and Pat have your heads together about when I went upstairs to get my things?”
    Vance lifted a brow. “Oh,” he said complacently, “I was trying to make a date with her. She’s cute.”
    “Really?” Shane drew out the word as she eyed him. “It would be a shame for her to be fired this close to Christmas.”
    “I was only trying to develop good employee relations,” he explained, pulling up at a stop sign. Taking her by surprise, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly. “I love that little choking sound you make when you try not to laugh. Do it again.”
    Breathless, she pulled away from him. “Firing a trusted employee is no laughing matter,” she told him primly, and adjusted her ski hat. “Turn right here.” Instead of obeying, he kissed her again. The rude blast of a horn had her struggling out of his arms a second time. “Now you’ve done it.” She ruined the severity of the lecture with a smothered chuckle. “The sheriff’s going to arrest you for obstructing traffic.”
    “One disgruntled man in a Buick isn’t traffic,” Vance disagreed as he made a right