* * *
Ice skating.
Megan never would have guessed the mega-wealthy, smooth operator Whit Daltry would plan a night of ice skating and burgers. Granted, they were the best burgers she'd ever eaten. But still, the laid-back quality of fun appealed to her.
He'd also taken Evie into account, something else that set him apart from other men who'd asked her out for a date-except wait, this wasn't a date. She didn't have time for dating.
Right?
She sat on a bench by the outdoor skating rink, eating the last of her sweet potato fries and watching Whit lead her daughter carefully as she found her balance on the children's skates. Moonbeams and halogen lights created the effect of a hazy dome over the crowded ice, which was full of people getting into the Christmas spirit early. His patience was commendable. A person couldn't fake that. He genuinely had a knack with kids.
Megan could see her daughter's mouth moving non-stop as she chattered away, her breath puffing clouds in tiny bursts. Whit nodded periodically. Other skaters whipped past, but he kept up the slow, steady pace with Evie, making sure to keep her safe.
She stopped and tugged his hand, so cute in her puffy pink snowsuit next to Whit, who towered over her in his blue parka. He knelt, listening intently. Then he stood, scooping her up and skating faster, faster, faster still. Evie's squeals of delight carried on the wind, mixing with music piping through the outdoor sound system. Megan's heart softened, a dangerous emotion because this could be so easy to get used to, to depend on. To crave.
Him.
She exhaled a very long stream of white vapor. She needed to steel herself and tread warily. She ate three sweet potato fries. Fast. Feeding her stomach because she couldn't address the deeper hunger.
Whit and her daughter circled the rink twice before he skidded to a stop in front of Megan's bench. He held Evie confidently. Her cheeks were pink from the cold, her little girl's smile wide and genuine for the first time since the twister tore apart their lives.
Megan scooted over on the bench to make room for them to join her. She patted the chilly metal with her gloved hand. "You're very good at ice skating for a Texan."
Whit lowered Evie to sit between them. "My parents moved around a lot when I was growing up, all over the U.S., actually. I spent some time ice skating on ponds because we couldn't afford the admission to a rink."
That explained why his accent wasn't as strong as others who lived in Royal. But she'd assumed he still came from a privileged background because he fit so seamlessly into the elite Texas world typified by the TCC members. She tried to picture him as a kid fitting in at all those new places. He'd earned all that confidence the hard way. She understood that road well.
"What other skills did you pick up over the years?" Megan passed her daughter the box of fries.
"You'll have to wait to find out." He stretched his arm along the back of the bench and tugged a curly lock of her hair.
"A man of mystery." Had she actually leaned into his touch? The warmth of his arm seared her through her coat and sweater and the temptation to stay right here burned strong.
"Just trying to keep you around."
Evie dropped her fry and looked up with worried green eyes. "Where's Mommy going?"
"Nowhere, sweetie." She gathered her child close to her side, love and the deep importance of her role as Evie's mom twining inside her. "I'm staying with you."
Her daughter continued to stare up at her. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
Evie looked down at her ice skates, chewing her lip before turning to Whit. "You said I could pick somethin' from the gift shop."
Megan gasped, ducking her head to meet her daughter's eyes. "Evie! You shouldn't ask Mr. Daltry to buy you things. He's already been very generous with this trip for the kitties and then entertaining us with ice skating."
He squeezed Megan's shoulder. "It's okay. Evie's right. I offered, downright promised. And a person should always do their best to keep their promises."
Megan raised her gloved hands in surrender. "Sounds like I'm outvoted."
"Yay!" Evie giggled.
Whit hefted her up, keeping his balance on the ice skates. "Did you have something already picked out, kiddo?"
She bobbed her head, pigtails swinging around her earmuffs-which she had instead of a hat so she could still wear her tiara. "I wanna get the snow princess costume so I can freeze the monsters."
Megan's stomach plummeted. This night may have felt like a magical escape from real life. But she couldn't afford to forget for a second that her everyday reality and responsibilities were still waiting for her once this fantasy weekend was over.
This night was all she could have with Whit.
* * *
The more time he spent with Megan on this trip, the more Whit was certain he should take his time with her, get to know her. Win her over gradually once they got home.
For now, here in their cozy ski chalet, he needed to keep his distance. He needed to bide his time. Rushing her tonight could well cost him all the progress he'd made. Megan wasn't the type to be interested in a one-night stand, and quite frankly, he couldn't imagine that once with her would be enough.
The chalet was a three-bedroom in Vail, with a full sitting room and kitchen that overlooked a lake. He'd originally gotten three bedrooms to assure Megan that he respected her privacy, while still leaving their options open. But that timetable had changed.
He'd just finished building a fire in the old-fashioned fireplace when Evie's bedroom door opened and Megan stepped out. Her hair was loose and curlier than normal around her face after their evening at the windy ice rink. She still wore her jeans and green fuzzy sweater, no shoes though, just thick socks. Her toes wiggled into the carpet as if she was anchoring herself in the room. Finally, he had her alone and today of all days he'd resolved to bide his time.
It would take all his restraint to keep himself in check.
Tucking aside some extra logs to keep the fire burning for a few more hours, he stepped behind the wet bar and pulled out a bottle of sparkling water. "Would you like something to drink? The bar is stocked. There's juice and some herbal tea..."
"Any wine? Preferably red." She slid a band off her wrist and tugged her hair back to gather it into a low ponytail. "One glass won't incapacitate me."
"Oh, sure," he said, surprised. He scanned the selection and found a good bottle from a reputable California vineyard. He poured a glass for her, water for himself. He passed her the crystal glass.
She savored a sip and smiled, sinking down in the middle of a pile of throw pillows on the sofa. She could have chosen the chair, but she'd left room for him to sit, even sweeping aside one of the pillows to clear a space. Intentional or not? He kept his silence and waited while she gazed into the fire for a long moment.
"Thank you for everything, Whit. For bringing us here, for going to so much trouble to arrange such a special evening for Evie too." Megan tucked her legs to the side, the flames from the fire casting a warm glow on her skin. "It was an incredible way to end an already wonderful day."
As she shifted, her socks scrunched down to her ankles, revealing a tiny paw print tattoo. How had he never noticed that before? Did she have others hidden elsewhere on her body? His gaze fixed on that mark for an instant before he took his tumbler and sat in the leather chair beside her.
Was that a flicker of disappointment in her eyes?
"No trouble at all," he said. "This has been a nice change of pace from eating alone or playing darts at the club."
"You aren't fooling me for a second." Her green eyes twinkled with mischief. "Your life is much more fast-paced than that."
"If you're asking if I'm seeing anyone, the answer is no." Although the fact that she would ask gave him hope he was on the right track playing this cool, taking his time. "You have my complete and undivided attention."
Her eyes went wide and she chewed her bottom lip. "Really?"
He angled back, hitching a booted foot on his knee. "That was impressive seeing you in action today. You were amazing interviewing the foster families and sifting through all that paperwork. I had no idea how much detail went into ensuring the animals are safe and well cared for."
"I'm just doing my job, a job I'm very happy to have. I get to do the work I love in an environment that is flexible about letting my daughter join me. It's the best of both worlds and I intend to be worthy of keeping the position."