Finding Me in the Storm (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

Chapter Eleven

Elaina

“Today is the day,” I tell Nate as we make the short trek to the resort.

We have fallen into a sweet routine over the last two days since travel out of the cabin became possible. We would go to the main resort, Nate would take care of business, and I would make phone calls or curl up in the little library at the resort and just relax. I have not checked emails or messages from anyone to give a little reprieve before the tough decisions I have to make.

“Oh, you are finally checking emails,” he replies with a little scary wobble in his voice. “You scared or excited?”

“I mean, hopeful I have an offer and that it will be one I want to take,” I tell him. “The truth is, I needed this break, and I’m grateful for the time away from the hustle and bustle of my job. I also have had to focus on not dying with all the crazy things you are making me try.”

“I wouldn’t let you die. I mean, what’s a small broken leg or a concussion for if not a fun time?” he teases as I playfully punch him in the side. “Besides, the skiing, hiking, and even skating were just warm-ups for today.”

I feel myself come to high alert. It never bodes well for me when Nate gets that little half grin on his face. In fact, I would say that is the worst-case scenario. Before I came here, I would have assumed he was about to yank my chain, causing an unladylike reaction. We have gotten to know each other since I was thrust upon him by Luna, that grin now normally tells me he has some outdoor adventure that is going to challenge me in mind.

“What did you have planned?” I ask, with a slight roll of my eyes.

It’s all good fun because I’m actually loving how much Nate is challenging me to get outside my comfort zone. Unfortunately, the man has an ego the size of a small country, and I’m not about to let him know how much his activities are causing me to enjoy myself. I would never hear the end to the boasting, and dinner at the cabin would be a trickier affair. Also, this banter between us, I’m finding, is part of the dynamic I’m growing to love.

“Snowboarding,” he tells me as my stomach rolls over painfully.

“Nope. Not happening,” I tell him. “Skating down a cliff with both feet strapped in a row on a piece of wood sounds like certain death. I’m good.”

We enter the front of the resort, as Nate stops quicker than I thought. I slam right up against him as he pivots in my direction without warning. My hands splay over his chest; I feel heat invade my face as I raise my eyes to his. I notice his mouth forms an oh, as this weird tension builds around us. I swear he moves closer as if he might kiss me right here in the entrance, without a care as to who might see us.

“Nate,” someone calls, breaking the spell, as he startles and steps back from me.

“I’ll see you in a bit,” he mumbles and heads toward reception.

“Seriously,” I whisper to myself. “Get a grip.”

I try to shake off the odd interaction as I head toward the business center. The printer is in that space, and it is a little more secluded so I might review whatever emails have come my direction. I feel conflicted as I sit down and begin the sign-in process. What once had been anticipation for this next major milestone in my career is quickly being replaced with concern.

Yes, I still want to be a doctor. I’m simply not certain if eighty hours a week at a big city hospital is the only option I should be exploring. Additionally, I like general medicine so a couple of the more specialized clinics that had been on my short list seem as if I might be boxing myself in and limiting my career. Nate’s opening, talking things over with me these last few days, has really begun to make me admit something I have long kept hidden. The funny thing is, he hasn’t uttered a single opinion, simply listened to me vent—and yet he accomplished more than I have been able to alone for quite some time.

I open the emails and start spanning through them. I spot the email from my number one pick, at least the one I thought I wanted not so long ago.

My finger hesitates over the keyboard, not opening the message right away. This is a small specialty clinic located in Chicago. The elite team that works there does research alongside patient care, and it has always been a place that appealed to me. The roles that became available at the location are not that frequent, and so I was not overly confident when I placed the application it would even be accepted—and now here is the response I’ve awaited.

“What in the world,” I mutter not a full minute later as I read the entire agreement.

“Hey, you good?” Nate asks from right behind me. “I thought I would let you know that the chef did this amazing German lineup of pastries in the dining area if you wanted to sample them.”

“K,” I tell him, not turning to him.

I feel lightheaded and as if I’m going to be sick. This is the notice I wanted, the salary, and even the long-term next key milestone for my resume. Unfortunately, it comes with some big strings that greatly worry me.

“Hey.” Nate crouches down next to the desk and tries to draw my attention. “Bad news?”

I turn to him and see the slight bobble of shock as he peruses my face. “It can’t be that bad.”

“It’s not. This firm, called New Edge Specialty Medicine, which was my top pick, did send me a contract offer. It’s in Chicago, so I wouldn’t have to move, and the money is fantastic.” I try to hold tight to all the good points because the punchline is coming.

“That sounds like a good thing,” he says with a curious expression in his eyes. “So, why do you look like someone died?”

“I would have to leave in the next twenty-four hours and skip Christmas almost entirely this year,” I reply, with pain slashing across my heart.

“That can’t be right. I mean they can’t cancel your Christmas.” He looks from me to the computer with such confusion I would have laughed in different circumstances.

“Here.” I point to the screen. “I would be covering the holiday season for all approved time-off requests. They even list all the days here I would be on call coverage as well as working on site. I’d have to leave here quickly and prep for a long slog through the holidays before I would have any meaningful time off.”

“I’m sorry,” Nate says with the most empathetic look. “They better be paying you a ton of money.”

I point to that line on the document, and he lets out a low whistle.

“Is that enough, though?” I question as I fall into those expressive eyes of his. “I mean, I have other hikes to take, and I wanted to see friends for the holidays, along with family. I guess I just thought with residency over, my dues would have been paid up. I guess not, though.”

“Well, how about you don’t make a rash decision. Let me get a few things handled, and then we will hit the slopes, followed by some serious pros and cons list-making,” he says.

“Now you are just talking crazy. A man that makes a list, who are you?”

“I’m multifaceted,” he retorts. “We will figure this out,” he tells me, as a grin breaks through my face.

“I’ll see you in a bit. Oh, and I’m definitely going to binge on the pastries.”

He walks out as I watch his backside disappear and the door slowly shut. The man has me second-guessing everything. He gets me to open up and talk about my hopes, dreams, and aspirations in a way that not even my closest family or friends have. I am shocked that the man who I thought was going to be my archnemesis for all time might just be the person I lose my heart to fully before this is all over.