Chapter 4

Charlotte blinked as she processed his words then snorted. “Are you high?”

“Er, what?”

“We met yesterday and hung out for like two hours. Most of which you spent making decorations. Then you show up today, laden with stuff, saying you like me?” Her gaze narrowed. “What are you really after?”

“A chance to get to know you.”

She shook her head. “I am not looking to date anyone right now.”

“Which I respect. I was just being honest. I’m kind of surprised by it myself.”

Her gaze narrowed.

“That didn’t come out right. More like, I wasn’t looking for a relationship either. Then you and Greta appeared and, well… What can I say? There’s something about you that I can’t seem to ignore.”

“Must be my shining personality,” her dry reply. At the same time, what he said struck a chord. Made her feel warm and attractive. It had been a while since that happened.

His lips twitched. “I don’t mind a strong, confident woman. After all, I’m the only boy in the family. I am used to being bossed around.”

“I highly doubt anyone can make you do anything you don’t want.”

“You’d be surprised. Selene won the second serving of Mom’s shepherd’s pie last week. She gives a deadly purple-nurple.”

Charlotte blinked. “Your sister attacked you?”

“More like asserted her claim on dinner.”

“Sounds like abuse.”

He snorted. “Hardly. Abuse involves tears and bruises and fear. When we roughhouse, it always ends in laughter.”

“I wouldn’t know. Only child.”

“Speaking of my sister, she actually told me to take things slow with you. That rather than jump into dating, we should see how we are as friends.”

“You talked to your sister about me.” Like, holy slam on the brakes. She’d just met the guy, and he was having discussions about a nonexistent relationship. She didn’t know if she should be flattered or get a restraining order.

“I also mentioned you and Greta to my mom.” He held up the pies. “Which is why she baked these special for you.” He lifted his other arm. “And she put together some extra Christmas stuff for Greta.”

“What did your sister send?” she asked with an arched brow.

“Nothing. Yet. She did ask if Greta was allowed to have a rabbit. She raises them on the farm.”

Charlotte pulled the door shut and hissed, “Don’t you dare mention that to Greta. I don’t have the money to take care of a pet.”

“Selene said you wouldn’t have to worry about that ‘cause she’d supply everything it needs.”

“No. Just no.” She shook her head.

“No to what?”

“You. This. Everything. There is something weird about you, Ares McMurray. You are too good-looking to be trying so hard to get in my good graces.”

“You think I’m attractive?” He grinned and got even more handsome.

“Don’t you play cutesy with me. You know you’re hot, and no hot guy is this nice with someone who’s been barely polite with him.”

“I understand why you’re standoffish. You’re obviously working hard, with being a single mom and all. I’m a guy, and I know for a fact some of us can be scum. And you’ve got Greta to watch out for. Can’t let just anyone close to that sweet princess.”

She stared at him. “Is someone whispering in your ear telling you all the right things to say?”

“No, although my mom’s often in my head yattering on about being a gentleman and doing unto others and all that.”

“I told you before I don’t need charity.”

“This isn’t charity.”

“Then what is it?” She crossed her arms.

“Me putting my foot in my mouth?” He offered a wry grin.

“Ares!” Greta flung open the door and squealed at the sight of him. “You came back.”

“I most certainly did, and I brought pie.”

“Oooh. What kind?” Greta asked, craning on her tiptoes.

“Apple and sugar.”

“I wuv it!” The tyke stretched her fingers as if to grab.

“Not until after dinner!” Charlotte exclaimed.

“Awww.” Greta pouted, and Charlotte could see Ares struggling as he got blasted with the cuteness. Before he could cave and hand the kid the pies, she muttered, “Bring it inside.”

“Actually, this is just the first load.” He handed over the pies to Charlotte and the bag to Greta. “I’ve got some more stuff in the truck.”

Before Charlotte could argue, he returned with another box. Inside was a plastic-covered container and an unopened package of uncooked spaghetti, as well as a shaker of parmesan. “I brought some of my mom’s sauce. Thought it would make a tasty dinner.”

“Ooh, ’pagettis!” Greta crooned.

“I also brought something very special. Something my dad used to put on our front lawn every year. But now that we’re, like, super old, I thought a certain princess could use it instead. How do you feel about having one of Santa’s reindeer in your front yard?”

“Is it Rudolph?” Greta asked, wide-eyed.

“How did you guess?” he exclaimed.

“He’s my favorite.”

“Mine too!”

And that was why and how Charlotte’s tiny front yard suddenly ended up with an ugly plastic reindeer and lights that wrapped around her front door and window.

Charlotte wanted to be mad. Instead, she melted like a marshmallow in hot cocoa. How could she not? Ares enlisted Greta’s help, letting her climb the ladder he’d brought but sticking close to grab her if she fell. He looked so damned pleased when they plugged the strand in and Rudolph’s nose turned pink, the faded red plastic no longer bright.

Greta soaked up the attention, and it gave Charlotte a pang. If only Greta’s actual dad had been so nice. But everything changed after her birth.

When they came inside with rosy cheeks, Charlotte murmured, “How old is that thing?”

“My dad bought it when Athena was born, and she’s twenty-nine now.”

“It’s practically a family heirloom,” she noted.

“It is, but me, Mom, and my sister agreed it was time it stopped gathering dust and brought joy to another kid.”

She shook her head. “You’re something else, Ares.”

He was also unlike any man she’d ever met. He sang along to cartoon Christmas carols with Greta as they added more decorations to the tree, including a strand of lights he’d brought. A fortuitous thing, since she’d forgotten to grab some.

“Don’t you need this stuff for your place?” she’d asked at one point.

“We’ve got tons more. Mom used to go nuts.”

“Used to?”

“She says it’s not the same now that we’re all grown up. Although that will change next year most likely since my big sister might be preggers.”

“You’ll make a good uncle,” Charlotte stated.

“Yeah, I will.” He grinned. “I plan to be the fun one. Gotta make sure my niece or nephew loves me more than Selene.”

“You’re going to compete with your sister?”

“Heck yeah. It’s a sibling thing.” He laughed.

Charlotte shook her head. “If you say so. I wouldn’t know. Like I said before, only child. By choice. My parents weren’t exactly thrilled with the whole child-raising thing.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“Meh.” She shrugged. “It’s how they were.”

“Are they at least better grandparents?”

“No, because they died not long after I got pregnant with Greta. Freak animal attack when they were on a nature hike.”

“Shit.” His mouth rounded. “Sorry, didn’t mean to swear in front of Greta.” Greta hadn’t noticed, as she was coloring in a Santa from the activity book Charlotte splurged on at work.

“She knows not to repeat bad words.” Charlotte saved him from his chagrin. Not many guys would have apologized.

“I’ll try and watch my tongue. Speaking of tongues, mine’s getting hungry. Let me get dinner started.”

“I can do it,” Charlotte quickly said.

“Nope. I barged in. I will cook. And clean!” he added.

He meant what he said. He got two pots going, one for the sauce, the other for the pasta. Charlotte set the table and toasted some sliced bread, which she buttered and sprinkled with garlic. Not a baguette, but it would sop up the sauce nicely. He’d brought enough to make at least another dinner and maybe even a lunch.

The meal proved discomfiting, as he paid equal attention to her and Greta. Praising her artwork, asking about her kindergarten class. He also inquired as to where Charlotte worked, which led to her having embarrassed red cheeks when she told him, “I’m a clerk at Giant Tiger.”

“Love that place,” he exclaimed. “Best deals around.” He didn’t make a comment about her working a low-end job.

“Before we moved, I used to work as a receptionist for a dental office. I’ve applied to a few places. Problem is, no one can check my references as the place burned down and I don’t know where Dr. Jones is working out of now.”

Ares appeared pensive. “That’s unfortunate.”

“It doesn’t help I don’t have a car to get to most of the dental offices, and I can’t get one on my current salary.”

“I might be able to give you a hand with that. My mom and sister are going on a two-week cruise. You’re more than welcome to borrow Mom’s car while she’s gone.”

“I wasn’t looking for a handout,” she quickly retorted.

“It’s called doing a friend a favor.”

“I didn’t know we were friends.”

“We shared ‘pagettis,” he declared solemnly. “We are officially friends. And friends can loan each other things.”

“You said it’s your mom’s car,” she pointed out.

“It is, but I guarantee she’ll be fine with it. It’s insured and spends most of its time parked even when she is home. Chances are you can borrow it until you upgrade employment and can afford one of your own.”

“She seriously wouldn’t mind?” This kind of generosity baffled.

“If Mom were here, she’d have already handed over the keys.”

“I…” Charlotte ducked her head and looked at her fingers flexing on the table. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Most people choose to go with thank you, but I’m also okay with, ‘Ares, you’re so wonderful,’ or ‘Why don’t I cut you a piece of sugar pie to match your sweetness.’”

She blinked at him and, before she knew it, erupted in laughter. “You’re too much. Thank you. For everything.”

“Did I hear pie?” Greta came flying from the living room, leaving the Christmas cartoons she’d been watching.

The pie was beyond delicious. The day was the most fun she’d had in ages. Charlotte had not realized how tense and stressed she was until she relaxed.

After Ares helped tuck Greta into bed—reading her a story about a snowman first—he didn’t make a move on her but said, “I should head out. I’ll be back with the car tomorrow after I finish work, so get your resume ready.”

“Will you stay for dinner again? I was going to make homemade mac and cheese with ham.”

His lips pulled into a wide grin. “One of my favorites. See you tomorrow, Charly.”

He left without trying to kiss her.

Left, but glanced back twice before getting into his truck parked in the driveway out front.

Left, but she kept smiling.

Maybe this time the nice guy wouldn’t turn into a monster.