Brigit smiled and opened up a drawer. “You don’t have to say anything. I was the one who needed to do the talking. Now…after you’ve set the table, would you mind peeling some carrots for the relish tray?”
Colleen accepted the peeler her mother handed her, both relieved and sad their conversation was at an end. “Of course. And Mom?”
Brigit paused in walking toward the stove and glanced back.
“I know we’re completely different people. But I’ve always been proud to be compared to you.”
Brigit’s lips trembled. She came over and gave Colleen a quick but heartfelt hug before she resumed her cooking, averting her face. Colleen noticed her surreptiously wiping at her cheek with her apron. Poor Mom. Always so protective of her feelings, Colleen thought with a bittersweet mixture of fondness and sadness.
What her mother had said was true. They were very different women, but Colleen loved Brigit—imperfections, mistakes and all—just the same.
Brigit’s unexpected insight and advice had made Colleen feel a little less burdened by her worries. Nevertheless, when she heard the doorbell ring at six o’clock sharp that evening, her heart began to flutter erratically.
“That’s Eric. I’ll get it,” Natalie said, closing the refrigerator door. She’d come a few hours early in order to help with the cooking. Liam, Marc and Mari were already there, watching football in the family room with the kids.
“No, that’s all right,” Colleen said breathlessly. “He’s my guest. I’ll get it.”
Natalie paused in mid-stride, her eyes going wide.
“I…I hadn’t realized. That’s wonderful.”
Colleen gave her a smile—albeit a nervous one—and headed toward the front door. Before she answered it, she hurriedly tossed off the flats she’d been wearing while she cooked and slid on the heels she’d brought.
He stood on the front porch, looking very handsome in a dark blue overcoat, a starkly white shirt and a conservative black, white and burgundy print silk tie showing above the collar of his coat. In one gloved hand he held a bottle of wine, and in the other he carried a large basket wrapped in plastic. It was tied very artfully in an elaborate bow, making it seem especially frilly given the virile, broad-shouldered man who held it.
She smiled, and he returned it.
“Come in,” she said. “You’re right on time.”
“I wouldn’t dare to be late my first time to the Kavanaugh house,” he said, glancing at her appreciatively. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she replied lightly, even though she was stirred by the earnestness of his tone. She held out her hands for the basket and wine so he could remove his coat. “You came bearing gifts.”
“Didn’t think it could hurt,” he admitted. “There was a time when I was the last person in town your mother would have invited for dinner.”
“Well, things change,” she said, balancing the enormous basket on her hip.
“Good,” Eric growled softly before he kissed her, taking Colleen by surprise.
Pleasant surprise.
His lips were cool on the surface from the chilly November night, but she felt his heat underneath. He smelled like soap and spice—even more delicious than the scents wafting from the kitchen.
She blinked dazedly when he raised his head a moment later. His smile was a little devilish as he fleetly unbuttoned his overcoat.
“Thought I better get that in before family descended,” he said, his tone hushed in deference to the sounds of conversing voices, the sports commentary on the football game, excited yelps coming from her niece, Riley, and rattling pans in the distance.
She started to chastise him out of old habit, but caught herself. “Good idea,” she said instead. She ceded the large basket to him when he’d hung his coat on the coat rack and his hands were free. “This is absolutely gorgeous,” she said, referring to the elaborate basket filled with scrumptious-looking bakery items. “Did you order it from Sultan’s?”
“I did. I wanted to look good.”
Her glance ran over his tall, fit form garbed in an immaculately cut gray suit, not bothering to hide her admiration. “I have to say, you do a pretty good job of making yourself look good without any help, Dr. Reyes.”
His playful expression hardened. Mirth gleamed in his eyes, but so did elemental male desire. A thrill went through her at the sight of it.
“Is that a compliment? From Colleen Kavanaugh?”
She hitched her chin toward the hallway and grinned over her shoulder.