That Time We Kissed Under the Mistletoe (Abieville Love Stories #4)
Chapter 40
70%
Chapter Forty
Three
Props to all the people who regularly do kitchen triage after enormous meals. Especially if they also happen to be operating with a concussion. Still, residual brain fog notwithstanding, I promised Sara I’d return this place to its pre-Christmas dinner spotlessness. So after she heads to her room to spend some time thinking, I spend the rest of the night up to my arms in dish soap, plastic wrap, Tupperware, and Windex.
A lot’s riding on Ryan Detweiler officially approving this place on Wednesday, not to mention Sara seeing I’m a man of my word. I want to show her how much I care about her. How much I’ve always cared. The truth is, I’ve been in love with Sara Hathaway for years, but I gave her good reason to doubt me. Namely by telling her I wasn’t. So once I have the dishwasher running and the refrigerator stacked with the leftovers from our dinner, I text Kenny.
I’ve got some proving to do.
Me
Hey, man. You’re probably in the midst of the whole nighttime-routine thing with the wife and kids, or maybe you’re already in bed. So if you don’t reply right now, that’s cool. But I could really use your help if you’ve got a minute tomorrow. Preferably early in the day. But I’ll take what I can get.
I don’t expect a response, which is a good thing, because I don’t get one. But by the time I crawl into bed, I do have most of a loose plan in place. All I need is for good old Kenny to come through for me. And if he can’t, I’ll just have to throw myself at Sara’s feet and beg for her forgiveness.
Either way, I’m so wiped out from the physical and mental events of the past few days, I don’t even realize I’m falling asleep, until I wake the next morning to the scent of coffee brewing and Sara knocking softly on the door.
“Come in,” I croak, sitting up, rubbing my forehead. Thanks to Sara, I haven’t missed a single dose of meds since Saturday, but I’ve still got a lump above my right eye that likes to say “hey” when I move too quickly.
She peeks her head in. “If you want to shower and eat something before we head to the hospital, you’d better get up. We don’t want to be late.”
Right. Sara doesn’t want us to miss the appointment where the doc will most likely decide I’m safe to be left alone. Once he does, she’ll be free to return to the city and forget everything that’s happened since she returned to Abieville.
After what I told her last night, she may never want to see me again. But I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn’t happen.
One quick shower later, I’m climbing into Sara’s car, and she hands over a travel mug of coffee and a bagel she toasted up for me.
“Thanks. ”
“I noticed you didn’t have any breakfast, and I didn’t want your stomach growling in the middle of your follow-up exam.”
“Fair enough.”
“But I don’t think the car ride to the hospital is the right time and place for us to talk.”
“Fair enough.”
She puffs out a breath. “Is that all you have to say to me this morning?”
“You said you weren’t ready to talk. I’m just waiting for a signal from you.”
“Fair enough.” Sara’s lip actually twitches, which has to be a good sign, doesn’t it? Either way, I don’t want to push my luck. So we make the trip to Northampton in silence, as per Sara’s wishes. That is until my phone chimes with a text from Kenny.
Kenny
I should be able to get away when the baby goes down for a morning nap. What’s up?
Me
Great. Can’t talk right now, but I was hoping you could make a couple stops around town to pick up a few things for me and drop them off at my house. Should only take about a half hour. Maybe a little more. Can I call you with the specifics in a bit?
Oh. And I’ve got a key under the mat. Unless Ford lost it in which case you can break a window.
Kenny
Sounds easy enough. I’m in.
Me
But don’t actually break my window.
Kenny
Ha. I won’t. How’s your head?
Me
We’re about to find out. On the way to that follow-up now.
Kenny
Sara with you?
Me
Yeah. That’s why I can’t talk.
Kenny
Oof. Are things really going that bad?
Me
Hopefully not. But that’s where you come in. I’m trying to surprise her.
Kenny
???? Okay. Now I’m really in. Just call me with the details after you see the doc. I’ll help out with whatever you’ve got in mind, then text you back to let you know when we’re ready to engage Operation Surprise Sara. #OSS
Hold on. Did Kenny seriously just make a hashtag out of my request? A wisp of a chuckle slips out of me, and warmth spreads throughout my torso. I’m finally daring to hope this holiday debacle may work out after all.
Me
You’re the best, man. Thanks so much.
Sara eyes me sideways. “Everything all right over there?”
“Yeah,” I say. “At least I hope things will be all right soon.”
She shifts her focus back to the road. “Don’t worry. I’m sure the doctor will clear you today.”
Spoiler alert: the doctor clears me.
Time to engage Operation Surprise Sara.