The Christmas Catch

loud. Tyler stared up at her with joy in his eyes. “Can we Mommy? Puhleeze? ”
    John met her gaze and said firmly, “I do know where all the best hills are.”
    “Sledding sounds great,” Christine said with a happy grin. “Only I don’t think there’s a sled at the house.”
    “No worries. I’ll supply one. Where are you staying?”
    “Winterhaven. Do you know it?”
    “Know it?” John lowered his voice. “Carlos used to date the woman who lives there.”
    “Oh,” Christine whispered back, intrigued. “What happened?”
    “She’s a very nice person,” John replied quietly. “Just didn’t share Carlos’s sense of… adventure.”
    Christine’s cell rang, startling her out of the moment.
    “I’m sorry,” she told John. She checked and saw the call was from Ellen. “I think I’d better take this.”
    “I hope you’re having half as much fun as I am,” Ellen chirped. Her voice wavered, almost as if it were windblown. “I’m about to go airborne!”
    “What?” Christine shrieked, before getting herself under control and turning politely away from John and the other interested coffee patrons. She found herself facing Carlos, who pointedly lowered his paper. “Ellen, what on earth is going on?”
    “Parasailing, Christine. My gorgeous man Emilio and I are setting our sights for the sun!”
    “Be careful. That sounds dangerous.”
    “Dangerous, ha! It’s a blast! This is our second time up!”
    “Well, seeing as how you survived the first time, do you think I could call you back? I’m kind of busy with something.”
    “Just as long at that something spells his name S… T… E… A…”
    Christine pressed End Call and whirled on her heels, finding herself nearly in John’s arms. She backed away from his broad chest seconds before crashing into it.
    “Everything all right?” he asked, steadying her by the elbows. Even through her layers of winter clothing, the electricity from his touch tore up her arms and sent tiny shivers racing down her spine. Christine’s stomach flip-flopped. She wondered if she was getting sick or was just nervous. John’s stare dove into her and she felt faint from his perusal. Had to be the nerves. Yeah, those combined with the coffee.
    “Oh yes. Everything’s fine.” She affected a laugh. “That was just my best friend Ellen. Senior editor, too, but we’re friends as well. Anyhow…” She drew a deep breath. “What time were you thinking about for sledding?”
    He released her with a heartwarming grin. “How’s two o’clock tomorrow sound?”
    “Two o’clock sounds good.” She smiled feebly in return, wondering if she looked as smitten as she suddenly felt. Oh God, was she crushing on the professor just like some silly coed? And right in front of the entire town’s tiny population, including his inquisitive best friend?
    Christine took Tyler’s hand and raced out into the weather, hoping the frigid wind would drive some sense into her. She was only here on vacation, not poised to spend the rest of her life! What was she doing letting her emotions get the best of her?
    “See you tomorrow!” she called, as she and Tyler headed for the SUV. “And thanks again!”
    “Mommy?” Tyler asked as she snapped him into his car seat. “Is John your friend now?”
    She smiled at him and answered uncertainly. “I think so, sweetie.”
    “It’s about time!” he declared.

Chapter Seven

    John couldn’t believe he was doing this, taking Christine and her young son sledding. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear he’d already tumbled headlong down a hill and taken a knock on the noggin. John wasn’t even interested in getting involved. With that potential promotion looming, he had to make work his priority. When John made Associate Dean, then he could entertain thoughts of a personal life. Even if his advancement came off, he’d want to keep things clean and simple while he took to his new task. What he’d been doing up until now worked fine. Occasional outings with certain lady friends, no fuss and no strings attached. That was what he wanted, wasn’t it?
    John recalled that moment in the café when he’d been trapped in the heat of Christine’s gaze. Hell, it had been more than one moment. There were several times, in fact, when he’d felt his pulse pounding and his reason racing into overdrive. It wasn’t just that she was pretty; there was something else about her too. She was obviously smart and could hold her own in a