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Frances’s gaze dropped down to her hand, and Lucie withdrew it at once. She needed to stop reaching out without thinking, but it was difficult not to with Frances standing so close. She caught the slightest twitch at the corner of Frances’s mouth, gone as quickly as it appeared. Had the touch been welcome or unwelcome, or was she overthinking everything she did around Frances? The ease between them only a few nights ago felt distant now, a distance she didn’t know how to close.

Lucie lifted her rucksack over her shoulder as Frances opened the front door. A blast of cold air swept in. As she turned to leave, Frances’s hand came to rest on her arm.

Lucie’s breath stalled.

“Thank you,” Frances said, her voice low. “It’s been lovely having a few hours where I didn’t have to worry.”

Her skin seemed to tighten beneath Frances’s fingers as they lingered there.

“I’ve enjoyed it,” Lucie managed, the words coming out steadier than she expected.

Frances studied her for a moment. “You didn’t find it too much?”

“No.”

“Good, I’m glad. Not for us, though I’m relieved you are coming back. I meant... I’m glad it wasn’t painful or brought back memories.”

Lucie hesitated. “I didn’t say it hadn’t, but it wasn’t too much.”

Frances’s expression tightened slightly before she nodded.

“By the way, I’m going to send you a link to a simpler TV remote. It might help your mum.”

“I didn't know there was such a thing.”

“There is a lot of help out there if you look for it,” Lucie said gently.

Frances smiled in return. “I’m beginning to see that. Thank you — and for bringing the puzzle. Mum seems very settled.”

“You’re welcome.”

“We still have to discuss payment for your visits.”

“Let’s leave them as visits. I come because I want to. I don’t want payment.”

Frances opened and closed her mouth. Lucie took the opportunity to jump back in.

“One last thing. Would you both like to join us for Christmas Day? Your mum mentioned there would only be the two of you, and, well, it’s just the three of us... so.” She forced herself to stop, fearing she was blathering.

The glow on Frances’s face answered before her words did.

“We’d love to. Thank you. And don’t think this is the end of the conversation about payment. Now get to work and stay warm. I need to get back to Mum before she eats all the lebkuchen.”

Lucie stepped out into the frigid air. “I’ll try.”

The cold bit into her immediately, making her want to step back into the warmth, into Frances’s presence. Instead, she let out a slow, satisfied breath and headed towards the hall, a tingling sensation bubbling inside.

She had a whole day with Frances to look forward to now, and Christmas Day at that.

CHAPTER 13

“Are you off?” Mara’s voice carried across the reception area as Frances closed her office door.

“Yes.”

“It’s a bit late for you, isn’t it?”

Frances approached her, wanting to be out of earshot of the receptionist, who was putting her coat on behind her desk.