“I would!” Her older sister spoke at the same time Piper said she’d like it, too.

“Have your mother give me a call, and we’ll set up a time to go to the rink before you leave town. Your cousins and aunt and uncle can come, too.”

“Mom?” Everly asked. “When can we go?”

Harper didn’t seem to like being put on the spot. “We’ll have to see,” she said vaguely.

They began to complain but she continued to lead them away.

Tobias hoped Harper really would ask him. But he was pretty sure that “we’ll see” was her way of saying no.

Fortunately, Karoline didn’t say anything once they got in the car. They finished caroling and dropping off treats, and then they left the kids at home with Terrance, who was eager to finally watch the game he’d recorded, so they could get some Christmas shopping done.

But Karoline hadn’t forgotten about Tobias. That became apparent as soon as they were alone. “Why didn’t you tell me the guy who gave you that rose was so freaking good-looking?” she asked as they pulled out of the drive.

Careful not to take the bait, Harper turned on the radio. “Tobias? He’s not bad.” She’d managed to pull off an indifferent tone, but had to avert her gaze to avoid giving her true opinion. Tobias was gorgeous. And he seemed to get better-looking every day. But his looks weren’t the only reason he appealed to her. She liked almost everything about him—so far. The way he talked, the way he laughed, the way he kissed, the way he made love. He was street-smart. Savvy. Unpretentious. Real. He was also completely unaffected by his own good looks, humble in a way she’d never encountered.

“Not bad?” her sister echoed. “He’s so tall. And what a body!”

Harper shot her a quelling look. “Stop.”

“I may be married, but I still have eyes!” she joked. “He’s about as masculine a guy as I’ve ever met. You should go out with him again. If having his attention doesn’t help rebuild your self-esteem, I don’t know what would.”

“He hasn’t asked me out again,” she fudged.

“He said he’d take us all ice-skating. That’s an invitation right there. Why not accept it?”

“Because I’m not ready to introduce Everly and Piper to a new love interest. It’s too soon. And even if it wasn’t too soon, why would I get involved with someone who lives in Silver Springs when the girls and I will be leaving in a couple of weeks?”

Karoline slowed to make the turn that would put them on the winding highway to the coast. “There’s nothing holding you in Colorado, Harper.”