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  The answer: she couldn’t forget the way he took care of a sweet little girl.

  Since their dinner and game night, she hadn’t encountered him at city hall or anywhere in town. Sometimes she wondered if she’d dreamed the whole thing. That wasn’t the case, because she’d heard talk among the women about the mayor’s handsome consultant. She wondered if he was avoiding her. That was probably just as well. She didn’t want their acquaintance to make trouble for either of them in the ongoing budget assessment.

  Thanksgiving had come and gone, along with a brief visit from her parents. They had celebrated the holiday with her mother’s relatives who lived in a small town in northern Virginia. Even her parents asked about her nonexistent love life, probably because most of her cousins were now married with children. They were most likely getting the grandparent itch, but Amelia couldn’t marry and have children to please them. Besides, as long as they remained in Germany, they would hardly ever see grandchildren if they had any.

  The phone on her desk rang, bringing her speculation about the future to an end. The caller ID indicated the call was coming from the mayor’s office. What now? “Amelia Dunford. How may I help you?”

  “Hi, Amelia.” The voice of the mayor’s assistant, Janice Engstrom, came over the receiver. “Mayor Potter would like to see you in his office in fifteen minutes. Can he expect you then?”

  “Absolutely.” Amelia hoped this wouldn’t be the end of her job. Surely the mayor wouldn’t terminate her position right before the Christmas dance. “Do you know why he wants to see me?”

  “It has something to do with that consultant who’s been working on the city budget.”

  “Oh, okay. See you in fifteen.” So she was finally going to see Scott again. Should she acknowledge their association or leave it left unsaid? Play it by ear and let Scott take the lead? Amelia tried to make use of the time before the meeting to prepare herself for the worst. She prayed she wouldn’t lose her job. She had to remember that nothing would be decided today. The city council would vote on the upcoming budget after the last city council meeting of the year in two weeks. She hoped the new year wouldn’t start with her standing in the unemployment line.

  Amelia practiced her smile as she shuffled down the hall toward the mayor’s office. David Potter was a portly man with a large nose, a receding hairline, and an overestimation of his importance to the community, at least in Amelia’s mind. But he was the man who might hold her future in his hands.

  Before Amelia entered the office, she took a deep breath to calm her nerves. As she put her hand on the doorknob, a voice sounded on the other side of the door. She couldn’t mistake Scott’s voice. Her heart skipped a beat.

  How would she maintain her cool when coming face to face with Scott—the man who made her heart race?

  She could do this. Standing tall, she opened the door. Scott and Mayor Potter looked her way.

  Scott gave her a wry smile as he raised his eyebrows. “Hello, Amelia.”

  “Hi, Scott.” Good. She wouldn’t have to guess whether she should acknowledge that she knew him.

  The mayor glanced from Scott to Amelia. “So you two already know each other?”

  Scott stepped toward her. “Yes. She rescued my dog.”

  Mayor Potter clapped Scott on the back. “Then this should make my request a lot easier.”

  Amelia’s radar for bad news immediately went into action. “What request?”

  “I’d like you to take Scott to the Christmas dance so he can see what these rec center activities are all about. It will give him a better perspective about the need for such things in the budget.”

  The mayor’s statement puzzled Amelia. He was being quite presumptuous. How did he know she didn’t have a date? Had he suddenly decided that the recreation department’s programs had merit? What was his game? The questions did nothing to ease her mind.

  Besides, what did Scott think about this forced togetherness? After all, he had appeared to avoid her since their last meeting, even though they had been working in the same building for nearly two weeks. Would he feel sorry for her because she didn’t have a date to her own dance?

  “What do you think?” Scott asked.

  Amelia forced herself to look at him with a smile. “Looks like you have a date.”

  “Looking forward to it.”

  “Sure.” As she turned her attention to the mayor, Amelia wondered whether Scott would say that if the mayor hadn’t arranged the whole thing. “Mayor Potter, is there anything else?”

  The older man grinned. “No, that’s all I have for now.”

  For now. What other schemes did the man have in mind? “Thanks. I’ll get back to work.”

  Scott motioned toward the door. “I’ll walk Amelia back to her office so we can discuss the details of the dance.”

  “Good idea.” Mayor Potter extended his hand.

  “Thanks, sir.” Scott shook the mayor’s hand before he opened the door and indicated that Amelia should precede him.

  Amelia scurried into the hall, awkwardness hot on her trail. Should she apologize to Scott for the mayor’s trap?

  “Amelia.”

  “Scott.”

  They both spoke at once, then laughed.

  “Ladies first.” Scott gave her a crooked smile.

  “I’m really sorry the mayor roped you into this.”

  Scott raised his eyebrows. “So you don’t want to go to the dance with me? That’s a big hit to my ego.”

  Amelia placed a hand over her heart. “Oh no, I didn’t mean it like that. I just felt awkward that you were forced into this.”

  “I meant what I said. I’m looking forward to it. Just don’t tell Lily, or she’ll have us married before Christmas gets here.” Scott gave Amelia a cheesy grin, followed by a grimace.

  The whole scenario made her feel uncomfortable and nervous. What if Scott hated the dance? What if he was only trying to make the best of it? She should, too. “That’ll probably be easier said than done. She seems determined to marry you off.”

  Scott laughed out loud. “She is, and I’m not sure how to handle that.”

  Amelia wasn’t sure how to handle Scott’s statement. “You’ll figure it out.”

  “I wish I had your confidence in my abilities to deal with a six-year-old with big plans.”

  “She seems pretty well adjusted. So you’ve been doing a good job so far.”

  Scott smiled down at her. “Thanks. I worry about a single guy raising a little girl.”

  “Here’s my office.” Stopping in front of a door, Amelia wondered if she would ever find out why Lily lived with him. “Thanks for escorting me, although it wasn’t necessary.”

  “It was necessary. I had to make sure you were good with the mayor’s idea.”

  “Did he give you warning?”

  “Not exactly, although he hinted at it.” Scott shrugged as he pulled his phone from the pocket of his pants. “I need your phone number and address so I can pick you up for our date.”

  As she recited her address and number, Scott entered the information into his phone. She wondered where this unexpected date would lead. Did she want there to be more? “Did the mayor say why he wanted you to take me to the dance?”

  “He said you’d be the best person to show me what’s involved.”

  Amelia couldn’t help thinking they could have accomplished that without going with each other. “I suppose that’s true. It also means we’ll be there well beforehand to make sure the setup goes according to plan.”

  “No problem. Just let me know what time I need to get you there.”

  “I have to be there at six for the setup.”

  “If I pick you up at quarter till, will that be good?”

  Amelia nodded. “That’ll be great.”

  “See you Saturday, if not before around here.”

  “How are things going with the budget?” Amelia wondered again why she hadn’t seen him b
efore today, but she wasn’t going to ask.

  “I’m making progress. I should have a report ready for the December city council meeting.”

  “Then what happens to your job?”

  “If the budget’s approved, my work is done.”

  “And you move on?” Amelia had to admit, the thought made her sad.

  “No. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Scott placed a hand on the wall and leaned into it as he stared down at her with an intensity that made a lump rise in her throat. “I got that job I mentioned, with the small manufacturing company here in Hallburg.”

  “Congratulations!”

  “It’ll be a good change for Lily. This new job means a more settled life, with me coming home every night. Too many of my consulting jobs put me on the road. She used to stay with my sister when I had to be out of town, but my sister shouldn’t have to shoulder the responsibility of another child.”

  The question of Lily’s parentage was on the tip of Amelia’s tongue, but she pressed her lips together to keep from asking the question. If Scott wanted her to know, he would tell her. Otherwise, it was none of her business. “I hope it all works out for you and Lily.”

  “Thanks.” He pushed himself away from the wall. “I’ll give you a call, and you can put my number into your phone.”

  “Okay. Thanks.” Amelia grimaced inwardly. Did he think she was dismissive because she hadn’t asked for his number? Just his presence discombobulated her mind. “See you.”

  He waved as he turned back toward the mayor’s office.

  Amelia collapsed onto the chair behind her desk. Now she had to find a fancy dress in less than a week. Maybe Jenna could help. Amelia picked up her phone. It rang in her hand. Scott. Should she answer it or let it ring? Why did he have her constantly questioning her own actions? She would let it ring. After all, he wasn’t calling to talk to her, only to give her his number. After the phone quit chiming, she punched in Jenna’s number.

  “Hallburg Veterinary Clinic, how may I help you?”

  “Jenna, it’s Amelia.”

  “You have another stray dog on your hands?” Jenna laughed.

  “No, I have a date for the dance, and I need a dress.”

  “Who?”

  “Scott Graham.”

  “The dog guy?”

  “Yes.” Holding her breath, Amelia waited for Jenna’s reaction.

  “This sounds interesting.”

  “Don’t read anything into it. The mayor’s idea, not Scott’s.”

  “Really? Please explain.”

  Amelia recounted the meeting in the mayor’s office and the subsequent conversation with Scott in the hallway.

  “Sounds promising. I had no idea our mayor was a matchmaker.” Jenna chuckled.

  Amelia sighed with exasperation. “I hardly think the mayor is matchmaking. He’s probably hoping Scott has a terrible time and will want to cut the dances out of the budget.”

  “If that’s the case, I think the mayor’s plan will backfire.”

  “I wish I had your confidence.”

  “Come over tonight around seven, and you can try on some of my old dresses.”

  “Thanks so much. You don’t know how much I appreciate this. See you tonight.” Amelia ended the call, feeling a little less trepidation. Now she had to follow up on the final preparations for the dance. She wanted as much stuff in place as possible. She had to show Scott that the dances were good for the community.

  Chapter Six

  The sparkly trim on Amelia’s red dress shimmered like the icicles on her Christmas tree. Scott stood transfixed as Amelia grabbed her wrap from the closet. She took his breath away, while his heart thundered. He had convinced himself that taking Amelia to the dance was something that wouldn’t affect him.

  He should have known better.

  He should have known the mayor’s request would lead to feelings he didn’t know how to squelch. Did he tell her how good she looked in that dress, or would that be treading on territory better left unexplored in a business environment?

  Compliment her tree. That should save the day.

  “You did a great job decorating your Christmas tree. Where did you get it?”

  Amelia smiled. “Thanks. I always get one from a tree farm just east of here. You can cut your own or pick one that they’ve already cut. I usually pick a cut one.”

  “I don’t have a tree yet, and Lily is bugging me every day to get one.” Scott helped Amelia put on her coat, her nearness making his heart beat even faster. “Thanks for the tip.”

  “You’re welcome. I can give you a brochure for the place. I’ll have to look for it.”

  “Great. We can do that when I bring you home after the dance.” He wasn’t sure how he was managing a normal conversation. “Are you ready to go?”

  Amelia nodded as she picked up her purse. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Now I have to make sure everything’s in order at the rec center.”

  “Will you need help?” Scott held the door open. “I’ll be glad to do what I can.”

  “I won’t know until we get there, but thanks.” Amelia locked her door.

  Scott hurried to open the passenger door for her. Did he dare mention that Lily helped him clean the car, making sure no stale French fries littered the floor? She was excited about her sleepover with the little girl down the street. He couldn’t help thinking about Lily’s insistence that he should kiss Amelia when he took her home. He couldn’t convince her that this was business, not a date. He was having a hard time convincing himself, but he had better keep that fact in mind. There would be no kisses tonight, no matter how tempting.

  When they reached the rec center located near the town square, Scott parked his car by a side door. “Is this good?”

  “Yes. Everything should be ready, and my assistant should be here any minute.” Her footsteps echoing on the tile floor, Amelia sashayed into the cavernous space, with a stage at one end and tables and chairs lining the walls.

  “Who’s your assistant?” Scott squinted into the room, where emergency-exit lights sent up a caution signal as they glowed in the semidarkness.

  “Lesley Ackerman.” Amelia went to a bank of switches near the main door and flipped them.

  The room glowed like a living, breathing creature as mini Christmas lights glistened behind some kind of gauzy material. Giant paper snowflakes intertwined with more mini lights, and chandeliers made from clear Christmas bulbs surrounded by strings of sparkly stuff transformed the place into a winter wonderland.

  Scott gazed around in amazement. “Who did all this?”

  “Lesley, me, and whoever we could corner to help us, including the maintenance staff.”

  “You did a fantastic job.” Scott wondered about Amelia’s statement regarding the mayor’s thoughts on the recreation department. If the man wanted to cut the city’s budget, why had he insisted that Scott attend this function when it would showcase something positive?

  The mayor had made no move to insert himself into Scott’s assessment of the town’s budget. He truly seemed to want an unbiased opinion of how the town was spending its money.

  “Thanks. It was a team effort.” Amelia’s smile lit up the room as much as the lights glowing behind her.

  “Let me know if you need any help.” Watching the floor-length skirt of her dress swish from side to side as she walked ahead of him, Scott cautioned himself not to let a beautiful dress, a pretty face, or a charming personality sway his decisions. Although he wanted to enjoy this evening, he couldn’t let it lead to romantic thoughts about Amelia. This was business. He couldn’t ignore that reality.

  Amelia shrugged out of her coat and hung it on the rack near the door they had entered, then waved a hand in his direction. “No need for you to do anything. Just make yourself comfortable.”

  As Amelia disappeared through a door on the far side of the room, Scott took off his coat and hung it next to Amelia’s. He wandered over
to one of the long rectangular tables sporting a white tablecloth and some kind of red cloth littered with an array of glittery pinecones and white candles in glass holders. He sank onto one of the folding chairs and hoped he wouldn’t feel useless all evening. Since Amelia had to be here early, he wasn’t even sure when this thing actually started. When would other people start arriving?

  Scott didn’t have to wait long for an answer. A lone man, not dressed for a formal dance, came through the side door. He glanced around until he spied Scott and headed his way.

  “Do you know where I can find Amelia Dunford?” The man’s gaze darted around the room.

  “You’ll find her through that door on the far wall.” Standing, Scott pointed toward the other side of the room.

  “Thanks.” The man turned on his heel and strode toward the door.

  Scott followed close behind, wishing he had gone to fetch Amelia rather than sending a strange man after her. Instead of thinking about her safety, Scott had been caught up in his own pity party.

  Amelia walked into the gym, and the man approached her. Even though she appeared to know him, Scott prepared to jump to Amelia’s defense if she needed him.

  While Amelia talked to the man, worry clouded her features. Before Scott could intervene, a young woman rushed by Scott, her long light hair flying behind her. She skidded to a stop next to Amelia. The threesome had an animated conversation that Scott couldn’t hear. Should he join them or keep his distance?

  Just as he took a step toward the group, Amelia broke away and came toward him. She looked as if she was ready to cry. She placed a hand on her forehead and looked up at him with misery in her eyes. “The band I hired for tonight’s dance has been in a car accident, and two of the members are on their way to the hospital. What am I going to do?”

  Scott’s mind was a blank for a moment. She was asking for his help. He could come to the rescue. He could be her knight in shining armor. “I can help.”