Mistletoe Magic by Lynn Patrick Read Free Book Online

Can you walk back and forth between those marks on the floor?”
    “Sure.”
    Gazing through the camera, he took in her delicate features, the soft sweep of hair that looked gold in the bright light. Her small breasts were outlined by her soft sweater, and as she walked her hips swung gracefully beneath the layers of petticoats and skirt. Melissa turned and smiled at the camera’s lens. Was she giving him the expression again? His body reacting to it, Rafe groped for a safe topic of conversation.
    “So you’re a teacher, huh? We both have something in common, working with children and all.”
    “Yes, and you have two beautiful children yourself.”
    “Aren’t they great? They’re the best part of my marriage—my ex-marriage, that is. I’m divorced. My wife lives in California now.” But he didn’t want to talk about Nicole. “Okay, why don’t we do some close-ups now? Sit down again.”
    As Rafe switched to a portrait lens, Melissa repeated, “Your wife lives in California?”
    “My ex-wife. I don’t have a wife at the moment. Not that I wouldn’t like one, but it’s hard to find a woman who’ll accept a ready-made family.” Trying to distract her from asking questions about his disastrous marriage, he jokingly said, “Guess I should put an ad in the paper or something.”
    “Do you think it would work?”
    “Probably not. I need a miracle.”
    After turning a spotlight directly on her, he moved nearer to adjust her pose. Her eyelashes fluttered as, with one gentle hand, he turned her face toward the light. Her clear skin was as soft as silk and he could see the pulse beating in her throat. Rafe was pleased she didn’t try to move away, though her eyes were wide, staring at him. Standing so close, watching her pink lips part as she inhaled, he wanted to cover them with his own. Would she resist?
    But any ideas he had were vanquished by the sound of the front door being slammed open.
    “Daddy!” Gretta ran across the studio and jumped into his arms. Then the little girl noticed Melissa. “The tooth fairy! How come you’re here? I didn’t lose another tooth yet.”
    “I can get rid of one for you, Sis,” said Hank, pretending to threaten her as he held up a fist. When he received a stern look from Rafe, he amended, “Aw, I’m just kidding, Dad. I wouldn’t hurt her.”
    “How come you don’t have your wings on?” Gretta demanded, running over to Melissa and clutching one of her hands. She reached down to brush at the small girl’s bangs.
    “They’re too heavy to wear every day.”
    “And what are you doing here with Daddy?”
    “Uncle Hux wanted me to take some pictures of her,” Rafe explained, grabbing Gretta and tossing her up and down so she squealed with delight. “Before I get back to work and you go upstairs with your grandmother, tell me how school was today.”
    “We played a pretend game!” Gretta told him excitedly. “We had pretend prizes and stuff and I won! Then we practiced coloring and writing A,B,C. Then I made a phone call.”
    “To whom?” Rafe frowned as he knelt beside his daughter, holding her loosely within his arms.
    “To Mommy,” said Gretta. “She said everything was better and we’re gonna see her longer this time. We’re gonna have some neat Christmas and it’s gonna last for lots of days!”
    “Don’t worry, Dad. She only called from a play phone,” Hank explained. “They have a bunch of those plastic ones in the first-grade rooms.”
    Putting his arms around both kids, Rafe led them back toward the entryway and talked to Hank. “I’m not worrying. It’s just that I like to be there when you call your mother. I appreciate your keeping an eye on your little sister, son. It makes me proud you’re so responsible. How’d everything go with you?”
    “Okay. I’m going to put my geography lesson on my computer.”
    “Will that help?”
    “It’ll make it more fun. When are you going to get through in here, Dad?” Unsmiling, Hank glanced