Had a wonderful time last night. Thought of you all day. Taking Josh to the movies tonight, but hope to see you tomorrow night for Christmas Eve. I don’t know your favorite flower. Must find out. Steve.
So, he had thought of her today. She placed the vase of holly in the center of the kitchen table. The cottage was getting more and more Christmasy as her stay wore on, and it didn’t bother her, she realized. She’d always loved Christmas, a season filled with friends and family. Last year had been so horrible, with none of that. She’d thought that what she needed this year was to hide out from the holidays. But it no longer felt right to hide. She crossed into the family room and plugged in the Christmas tree lights. The low glow from the lights made the room seem magical. This week had been magical. She didn’t know where things were headed. She only had about another week left here, but she was no longer afraid of the holidays. If that were the only good thing to happen this holiday season, she’d take that. But then there was Steve. And Josh. And Louie. So much had changed in such a short time.
Christmas Eve with Steve and Josh sounded like just the way she’d like to spend Christmas. She smiled to herself, actually pleased she had holiday plans now. Eager to see Steve again. She’d bought a model kit for Josh and a book on famous architecturally interesting houses for Steve. She’d even gotten a bone from the butcher for Louie. She’d planned to drop the gifts off sometime during Christmas, but now she’d have them for Christmas Eve.
She found herself humming a Christmas carol under her breath as she drew her bath and lit some candles. She slipped into the hot water and felt the most relaxed she had in days. Weeks. Well, since last night at Steve’s in front of the fire anyway. She flipped open her ereader and started reading a new novel. She hadn’t read all year long either. She’d been afraid of slowing down and relaxing. She was soon sucked into the mystery, pausing every so often to run more hot water into the tub.
She finally climbed out of the tub and toweled off. The fabric of the towel rubbed across her tender skin. The skin that yearned for Steve’s warm hands to be trailing all over her body again. She shook her head. This trip to Comfort Crossing sure wasn’t turning out like she’d planned.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Holly had a half day in the clinic on Christmas Eve. They weren’t very busy but had a couple of minor emergencies to handle. Steve had called and said they’d walk over about six and pick her up for Christmas Eve at his house. She was looking forward to it and was glad she’d picked up the small gifts for them this week.
Her cell phone rang and she saw it was Steve again.
“Hi, Steve.”
“Holly. Good, you’re still there. It’s Louie. He was hit by a car. We’re on our way.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry. I’ll be here.”
Within five minutes Steve came in carrying Louie, wrapped in a bloody blanket. Josh trailed behind, crying. “It’s all my fault. I wasn’t looking when I crossed the street. Louie was following me. It’s all my fault.”
“Come back to the examining room. Let me look at him.”
Steve set Louie on the exam table and pulled Josh over to sit in a chair. “Let her do her job, Josh.”
Holly looked at Louie’s injuries. They were serious. Very serious. It was happening again. Just like last year. Just like her Tucker. The universe was taunting her, showing what happened when she tried to move forward with her life.
She forced herself to breathe steadily, to push back the thoughts of last year. “I’m going to have to operate.” Holly looked at Steve.
“Is he going to be okay? Promise?” Josh pleaded with her.
“I’m going to try my best, Josh. I can’t promise anything though. I’m sorry. He’s really hurt.”
She felt she was in a dream, a repeat of last year. Spending Christmas Eve trying to save an animal she loved, one year later from the night she lost her husband and her dog, Tucker. Only this year, she wanted the outcome to be better. She wanted Louie to live. She needed him to live. Her heart tightened in her chest. This is what happens when you let your guard down. Life sneaks up and smacks you back into place. She gritted her teeth against the wave of memories trying to overwhelm her. She’d give anything for any vet in the whole wide world to be the one working on Louie. But there were no other vets around for miles and miles. It was all up to her.
She spent hours working on Louie, but she still wasn’t sure he was going to make it. She went out to the waiting room where Steve and Josh were waiting for news.
“Is he okay?” Josh jumped up, ran up to her, and threw his arms around her waist.