Mistletoe Rescue (Mistletoe Kisses)

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

“ H olly,” Kathy called from the ER nurses’ station.

Holly had almost finished reviewing the paperwork about a motorcycle accident that had happened while she was busy moving. The interruption would have irritated her, but the tone in the woman’s sing-songy voice made Holly rise from the desk instead.

“Someone has a delivery for you.” Kathy nodded at the young man standing at the counter.

Holly had never seen him before. He wore a heavy coat since the weather had turned unusually cold again, but his expression was also nervous.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, hurrying to join them.

“Nothing.” He handed her a package.

“Well, open it,” Kathy said, when Holly turned it over, searching for information about the sender.

But Holly’d had a stalker once in Denver, some guy who’d come in for stitches and fixated on her. When she had rebuffed his advances, things turned ugly. She knew that not all packages were gifts. Just one more thing she didn’t mind leaving behind in Colorado. Please don’t let it be happening here.

“Who’s it from?” she asked, looking up. But the delivery guy was already heading outside. “Hey, wait.” Holly put the package on the counter and jogged after him.

When she called his name again, he broke into a run. “Wait!”

With his longer legs, he quickly outpaced her. Feeling foolish and cold since she was only wearing her scrubs, Holly stopped.

“Everything all right?” Dr. Miller asked, approaching her.

“It’s probably nothing.” She tried to keep the words casual, but some of her worry must have crept in because the older man frowned. Holly said, “Someone delivered a package at the hospital for me, but when I went to find out who, the guy ran away.

“Oh, my dear girl.” Dr. Miller gave her a fatherly smile. “Christmas is coming, and people like their secrets. You’ll find many of the patients who are grateful for our services will send little presents to us this time of year. Go back inside. You’re shivering.” He waved her ahead of him.

“What was that about?” Kathy asked when Holly entered.

She explained about the stalker in Colorado.

“We don’t have people like that here.”

“You didn’t have anyone shoot people in a city council meeting, either. Until you did.” Holly wished back her words at Kathy’s expression. “Sorry.”

“No, you’re right. We don’t live in Happy Valley anymore, but I have to hope that was an anomaly. People really are trying.” Kathy pointed to the package. “To be honest, this looks like one of those packages of candy or maybe hot chocolate.”

Holly picked up the parcel to examine it again. “The wrapping looks professional. We don’t have any big department stores here who normally offer gift wrapping.”

“There’s a church group doing a fundraiser,” Dr. Miller said, joining them at the desk. “I’ve seen this paper before, so it looks like they did it. Aren’t you going to open it?”

“Do you think they would tell me who sent it?” Holly asked.

The doctor shot her a flat look while Kathy covered her mouth to hide a smile.

“Fine. I know I’m ridiculously suspicious.” With a sigh, she tore open the paper to expose one of the really nice tins of gourmet hot chocolate.

“I told you,” Kathy said. “And it’s even Hazelnut, your favorite.”

“Did this come with it?” Dr. Miller asked, holding up an envelope.

“Yes.” Kathy arched her brows. “Open it. It might say who sent it.”

Holly turned it over, charmed against her will that it had a wax seal with a Christmas candle imprinted on it. “Hand me the letter opener.”

“Oh, I love this kind of thing. It’s so fun,” Kathy cried, handing it over.

“This is definitely the church group,” Dr. Miller said, leaning closer. “One of the ladies is into calligraphy.”

“Would she tell me who bought this?” Holly asked as she slowly slid the thin metal under the seal to keep it from cracking.

“No, but you can rest assured they wouldn’t do it for someone they didn’t trust.” He turned toward his office. “Let me know when we have work to do.”

“This is our break,” Kathy called after him. He merely waved his hand but didn’t look back.

Holly gave a contented smile. She was growing to love working with these people more every day. None of the doctors in Denver had been this good to work with.

“Well?” Kathy urged. “What does it say?”

Holly slid out the handmade card depicting a snowy winter scene with the Christmas star shining over a decorated Christmas tree. She flipped it open and found a sweet message.

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. ~Janice Maeditere

Your Secret Santa

“I told you,” Kathy declared, leaning back.

Holly ran her fingers over the beautiful script. “But who would do this?”

“How many people have you helped to treat over the past four months?” Kathy pointed to the Christmas tree in the entry, where grateful patients had dropped packages off for the hospital staff. They always sorted out the obvious goodies to eat right away but would open the gifts closer to Christmas and donate them to a local charity.

“But none of them claimed to be a Secret Santa for anyone.”

Kathy’s grin turned sly. “I’m thinking you have a secret admirer.”

Holly immediately thought of Zack, but that was stupid. They were only friends. Right? Then she remembered how good he’d smelled. Her cheeks went hot at the memory. He would have said something then if he’d noticed. Could the attraction she felt for him be one-sided? And did it matter if she wasn’t ready for more?

She closed the card and carefully returned it to the envelope. What did this Secret Santa want from her?

Zack grinned when he heard Holly’s door open. He’d been waiting for the sound so he could oh-so conveniently step outside at the same time she was leaving.

“Hey, Holly,” he said as he turned to lock his door. “How was work today?”

“It wasn’t too bad. We were busy enough to not get bored but nothing too horrible. You?”

“I worked traffic today. People who speed in school zones should have their licenses revoked.” Zack shook his head in disgust. “I was happy to ticket a guy who was not only driving too fast but on his phone too. He barely missed a kid.”

“Even one extra mile can make a difference when a car hits a child.” Holly shuddered and pulled her scarf higher up her neck. “Where are you headed?”

“I’m helping with the festival tonight. Aren’t you?”

“Yes, as if you don’t know that, since Kathy said you’re helping set up the vendor booths.” She shivered. “Do you think this cold weather will keep people away?”

“I don’t think so. Not with everyone in town so invested in it.” Zack pointed to his truck. “Would you like to ride together?”

“Sure.”

He hurried to open the truck door for her. When he gave her a hand up, he wished they didn’t have gloves on.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Something in the way she said it gave him even more hope. How did he play on their attraction without making it only about the physical? Because he wanted much more than that from Holly, and he didn’t want her to get distracted by thoughts of her ex and her sister.

Once they were on the road, with Christmas music playing, Zack wondered what to talk about, but Holly beat him to it.

“Have you ever had a Secret Santa?”

When she said the words, they took a moment to register. He could only pray it was dark enough inside the cab she couldn’t see his red face. Because it was flaming, and his heart raced. Had Holly already caught him? The lady he’d bought the card from assured him she wouldn’t give him away.

“Sure. When I was in college and lived in the dorm, they did it as a kind of gift exchange. They asked us not to spend a lot of money because starving students .” Since his voice mostly sounded almost normal, he added, “Why? You thinking of doing one at the ER?” There. That came out sounding natural.

“No, but maybe I should mention it to Kathy. Though she’s so involved with the festival, she probably doesn’t need to add anymore to her plate.” Holly glanced at him. “Where are we going, by the way?”

“The community center.” Zack wanted to ask her more about the Secret Santa, but then it might be obvious he was the sender. “It’s the main staging area. The guys and I will work on some booths and games, while I understand you’ll be helping with the food.” He could see her watching him from the corner of his eye, so he shot her a sly, sidelong glance.

Holly laughed, her cheeks flushing.

“Some of the local restaurants are sending people to help with the kitchen food too.” Zack frowned. “I remember you had to work during the Watermelon Festival last September and missed it.”

“I was so tired that I just had to get home and crash, but I’m looking forward to helping with it next year.”

Zack liked how she was planning to be here that long. “Well, Canyondale knows how to throw a party. We assumed you would help with the cooking, but would you rather work on the construction projects?”

“I know my way around a toolbox, but it’s not my strong point, that’s for sure.” Holly leaned her head against the seat back. “I’m actually looking forward to working with McKenzie since I’ve tasted some of her Unity Sweets. She has a wonderful gift.”

“Yes, she does. Kathy is just a happy helper.” Zack grinned. “She’s always said she can be a good sidekick, that she can follow a recipe and get a decent result, but she’s not creative like McKenzie.”

“That’s an excellent description of me too, so I’m glad someone like her is in charge and will tell me what to do.”

Zack pulled into a parking spot at the bustling community center, glad to see so many formerly divided community members working together for a common goal. He jumped out, hurried around to open Holly’s door, and extended a hand to help her down.

“This is exciting.” He felt like he was going to burst with pride. He recalled too well the night of the shooting, when the animosity amongst residents and members of the city council had been almost palpable. Zack had even asked Marc if he thought the town could ever heal from it. It was just a shame people had died to make it happen.

“It’s contagious, isn’t it?” Holly scanned the people getting out of their cars before meeting Zack’s gaze. “I’m going to be honest with you.”

“I hope you’ll always feel comfortable talking to me.”

“It’s hard. I think I’ve bottled everything up too long, and it’s hurting me. Not them.”

It was an important realization, but Zack didn’t say it aloud. He didn’t want her to think he was judging her.

“Your ex and your sister?” he asked, keeping his voice soft.

“And my parents too.” Holly dropped her gaze. “It all came down on December 23rd. The wedding was supposed to have been on Christmas Eve.”

“Ow. Going through hard things is always made worse when it falls on a holiday.”

“That’s why I’ve been dreading this year. Until now.”

“Just let me know if I can help with anything.” Zack meant every word and made sure his feelings came through in his voice.

Holly met his gaze again, those beautiful eyes shining in the glow of the streetlight. Like a moth to a flame, her full lips drew his attention. He knew they would be soft because she was always putting on scented lip balm. What would she taste like?

“Great, you guys are already here!” Marc called.

Zack startled back, and Holly looked down, her cheeks turning red. Marc pulled up in their large SUV.

“Oh, no,” Zack muttered. “They’ve brought the boys with them.”

“Is that a problem?” Holly asked, her voice a little tremulous.

“They’re just full of energy and very creative.” Zack took her hand, and they hurried toward the building.

He had almost kissed her. Would it have been a mistake? Part of him said it was too soon, but another part wanted to risk it.