Whispers of Winter: A Limited Edition Collection of Winter Romances

by Nicole Morgan

“Come in,” he said. “Close the door.”

  She looked at him, curious. “Do you know?”

  “Look at it this way. I’ve heard.”

  “Well, it just happened on Saturday, so news must travel fast.”

  “There was whispering before Saturday,” he said, frowning.

  “Since Carla left him, he’s been persistent. But nothing I didn’t feel I could handle. Then on Friday he asked me to have a drink, which I refused, so he changed it to coffee, which I accepted. I thought we had reached an understanding when I explained to him that I wasn’t interested in a romance with a colleague, and that I wouldn’t date someone whose ex-wife I knew and was fond of. He said he understood, and although he was disappointed, he would respect my wishes.”

  “What happened on Saturday?”

  “I was at the department store on City Line with a friend, and Roy appeared. He was visibly upset seeing me with a man. When my friend questioned him about stalking me, he admitted that he’d been to my house that morning.”

  “And he followed you to the store?” Ed asked.

  “He remembered me saying I shopped there on Saturday. Now this morning, Fran tells me he called her to tell her how upset he was about it.”

  “I wonder why he’d call her,” Ed said, irritated.

  “He knows she’s a friend in addition to being a co-worker. Ed, what did you hear prior to this?”

  “The gossip is that he talks about you. I’ve heard the word obsessed used.”

  “Ew, that’s scary,” Kendall said. “Anyway, I’m telling you because you’re his boss. I don’t want to get the police involved, but I feel unsafe.”

  “I’ll find out what I have to do legally, Kendall. I won’t assign him to your room.”

  “Thanks, Ed,” she said and got up to leave.

  “One more thing, Kendall. If he approaches you again, tell him to leave you alone and let me know.”

  She nodded and left his office, hoping she wasn’t making a big deal out of an innocent encounter.

  The day went well, safe in her room with her usual team, and she told them about running into Roy and his admission that he had gone to her house first.

  “I probably should have warned you that he was beginning to obsess,” Adam, the nurse anesthetist, said. “I’ve heard him beg Ed to assign him to your room.”

  “Now that’s creepy,” Fran said.

  “Well, I don’t know what to say. I’ve talked to Ed. I guess we just wait and see.”

  “So how old is this guy you’re seeing?” Fran asked. “Roy called him a boy toy.”

  “She’s lucky she has a mask on,” Adam said. “I can see her blushing from here.”

  “Shut up, Adam,” Fran said. “You never answered me.”

  “He’s twenty-two,” Kendall said.

  “Oh, well, it’s not like he’s fifteen, then,” Adam said. “You know young guys are hung and they have staying power.”

  “You’re a sick fuck, Adam,” Fran said, but they laughed.

  “Let’s concentrate on what we’re doing here,” Kendall said, but it was food for thought, and for the rest of the day when she wasn’t operating, she thought of Mark.

  Sunday had been a replay of Saturday. Mark was a helpful, attentive companion. They got the Christmas decorations out of the basement in preparation for the next weekend.

  “I’m actually looking forward to decorating,” Mark said, grabbing her to dip in an embrace. “Maybe I’m coming down with something.”

  Playfully feeling his head for a fever, Kendall had to admit, she was looking forward to it, too.

  “It’s our first Christmas together,” Mark said. “Well, our first Thanksgiving and then our first tree decorating. We have to get the tree together. I know just the place, too. Where do you usually get it?”

  “There’s a guy on Germantown Avenue who strings lights around that abandoned gas station on the corner of Chew and turns it into a Christmas tree lot.”

  “That’s exactly the place I was going to suggest. We’ll have our day in the country without leaving the neighborhood.”

  “I hope he’s not cutting down trees in the park,” Kendall said, frowning.

  “Nah, I see the big semi full of trees from Canada go to all these small lots and drop off a couple of dozen trees,” Mark explained, then, looking concerned, added, “Are we really talking about trees?”

  Looking concerned, Kendall nodded her head.

  He started laughing. “This is our panacea to not have sex right away.”

  “Yes, get the chessboard out,” Kendall said, laughing hysterically. “Quick.”

  After her surgical case was finished, Kendall went into the dictation room but called Mark first.

  “I was just thinking about you,” he said. “I’m here at my mom’s, all alone, eating a PB and J, desperate enough to open my History of the Crimean War textbook.”

  “I’m glad I called, then, because that sounds awful.”

  “It’s pretty boring. I thought it would be an easy class to satisfy a history requirement. It was this or Western Civilizations. They make you read The Agony and the Ecstasy.”

  “Forget it,” Kendall agreed. “No offense, Michelangelo.”

  “So, are we going to see each other tonight?” he asked.

  “I hope so.”

  “It’s no longer the second date,” Mark said, grinning into the phone. “You know what that means.”

  “I can tell you’re smiling,” Kendall whispered. “You’d better stop.”

  “My face is as straight as an arrow.”

  “Ha! Let’s just play it by ear. It is a work night for me.”

  “What does that have to do with it?” he asked, laughing. “I’ll let you go to work tomorrow.”

  “I mean I might be too tired. You know, if you keep me up all night.”

  “Okay, I gotcha. We can play it by ear. I’ll be a gentleman, I promise.”

  “You always are. So anyway, I’d better get back to my room. One more case and I’m done for the day. I should be home by three if all goes well.”

  “I’ll be watching for you,” he said.

  “Goodbye, Mark.”

  She ended the call before something inane slipped out, like love you, Mark. It was right on the tip of her tongue. He had the week off, and then the following Monday, he had to go back to school for independent study for three weeks.

  By Christmas, the motivation behind their relationship should be a little clearer. Were they just playing around, a friendship that might or might not have benefits? Or was it going to be serious? And if it was serious, what did that mean? Monogamy for sure. But marriage? Would he even consider marriage?

  The only reason it might be necessary was because she had so much at stake financially to go into any relationship without planning. The material things she had, she’d gladly share with Mark, or any man she loved. But it had to be in writing.

  An example of a relationship gone bad that resulted in ruin had traveled the hospital gossip circle for years. A wealthy vascular surgeon who lost his wife of forty years got involved with a nurse in his office shortly after he was widowed. Two years later, he attempted to end the relationship, but she was able to prove in a court of law that he’d promised to take care of her, and the court ruled in her favor. She was awarded over one million dollars. After he liquidated stock to pay the ex-girlfriend off, in order to rebuild the losses he postponed his retirement. His four children were furious with him, too.

  Kendall didn’t have kids to fight over her estate, but if the relationship with Mark petered out, she sure as heck wasn’t giving him any of her assets. Sadly, she accepted that it always came down to money.

  Back in her OR room, Kendall was scrubbed, operating, and the room was quiet, just the patient’s heart monitor ticking out a steady beat and the sounds of the anesthesia machine whooshing as it breathed for him. A tap at the door got Adam’s attention.

  “What the hell does he want?”

&nbs
p; Everyone glanced up from the field to see Roy in the window. He waved Adam to the door.

  “What’s up?” Adam asked, opening the door a crack but barring the way.

  “Did anyone offer you a break?” he asked.

  “Not yet, but I can wait,” Adam said.

  “You can go now. My room is finished,” Roy said, persistent.

  “Ah, I think I’ll wait, but thanks anyway.”

  Adam backed away from the door to return to his patient, and it looked like Roy was going to further protest until he saw the circulating nurse, a big muscle-bound guy who had worked with Kendall as long as Fran and Adam had, start for the door, and Roy backed off and walked away.

  “Ha!” Adam said. “Did you see that? George just went to the door, and Roy ran off like a girl.”

  “You get your ass back down to the worthless Ed’s office and complain about this, do you understand?” Fran said, her voice shaking. “That man is dangerous.”

  Kendall kept working, blocking out the chaos as she finished the case.

  “He doesn’t scare me,” George said. “As long as I’m in this room, he won’t get near her.”

  “You’re not always with her,” Fran said. “What about when she’s home? He might be lurking around the corner for all she knows.”

  “Well, it sounds like she has a big boy watching over her, so I don’t think we need to worry,” George said, snickering.

  “He does have big shoulders,” Kendall said, looking up.

  “I’ll put the dressing on,” Fran said, nudging her. “You get on the phone and make your complaint.”

  “He hasn’t done anything yet,” Kendall said.

  “Ed said he was going to tell Roy to stay away from you, correct? So why is he hanging around your door?”

  Kendall pulled her gown off and reached for the chart from Adam. “I’ll take care of it,” she answered. “I might have to confront him myself.”

  “Threaten his ass,” Fran said.

  After dictating the case, seeing her patient in recovery, and speaking once again with the chief of anesthesia about Roy’s visit, Kendall made the trip home, just missing the worst rush-hour traffic. Dolly was so happy to see her she was doing flips in the air when the door opened.

  “Come on, girl! Let’s go!”

  She walked around the yard with the dog, happy to be home, and wondering if she was supposed to get in touch with Mark or if he’d be watching for her. So many choices. If she called him, would he feel like she was chasing him? After all, they’d just talked. If she didn’t call, would he feel like she was avoiding him? She went over the conversation she’d had with Mark that afternoon, and he’d said he’d be watching for her, so she took a deep breath and stopped worrying.

  Seconds later, running around the yard with the dog, she heard her name being called, looked up, and there he was, in all his amazing glory.

  Kendall couldn’t help herself, she was trying not to melt at the sight of him, so she gave him the biggest most sincere smile, and with arms outstretched, she went to him to hug, and he approached her in the same posture.

  “Boy, I missed you today,” he said, holding her close. “I was so thrilled when you called me.”

  “I missed you, too,” she said.

  They walked up the path to the house, Mark’s arm around her shoulders, calling Dolly, who bounded up the steps in front of them.

  “I’m gross from work and need to get in the shower. Will you be okay?”

  “I think I’ll survive,” he said, teasing her.

  While Kendall was in the shower, Mark went through her refrigerator and pulled out items he’d picked out when they were shopping: steak, potatoes for baking, and the makings for a Caesar salad. The potatoes were in the oven when she reappeared with a towel wrapped around her head.

  “I’m usually not anal about showering right after work, but today we had a patient with a bad infection, and I could still smell it in my nostrils. Sorry, graphic details. Speaking of smelling, do I smell my oven on?”

  “Let’s see,” he said, contemplating. “First, gross, but I’ve had that experience where a bad smell has stayed in my nose, and second, yes, you smell your oven. I’m fixing the steak we got on Saturday night and have potatoes baking.”

  “Wow, a hot guy in my kitchen, fixing my dinner? How’d I get so lucky?” But when the realization of what she’d just said hit her, the flush crept up her face until she was blushing.

  He noticed, but kindly didn’t mention it. Instead, he put his arm around her again. “How did I get so lucky to fix dinner for a hot woman? I want to do this for you every night for the rest of my life.”

  “Mark, I don’t know what to say,” she replied, stunned.

  “I’ve wanted this since I was a boy and first laid eyes on you. You just have to catch up. Do you think you will?” He watched her inquisitively, anxious to hear what her answer was going to be.

  “This is like a fantasy,” she finally said. “I mean, not the cougar part.”

  “Is that right? What part of this is a fantasy?”

  “Having a man who cares about me, it’s a dream every woman must have. When a person is alone, they can either choose to accept it and enjoy their life, or be miserable, longing for what they don’t have. I accepted my life the way it was, but now, for the past four days, well, it magnifies how alone I was. Not lonely, because that seems so negative, but just alone. Like if I died, no one but Dolly would miss me.”

  “Jeez, how depressing. Trust me, even if I hadn’t gone boldly into the unknown and barged in here on Friday, if anything had happened to you, I would have been devastated. It just makes me realize how happy I am that I’m here now.”

  Kendall didn’t know what to say. “I think I’ll fix a pot of decaf.”

  “I’ll have a cup,” he said, coming behind her while she was readying the pot.

  Threading his arms around her waist, Mark stood against her while she measured out coffee and filled the pot, holding back from pressing his hips against her backside. Bodies close together like that raised her heart rate, and before she knew it, she was having a hot flash of epic proportions, aroused, and relieved she’d just taken a shower because she was sure the body heat was coming off her.

  “Time for chess?” she asked, turning around quickly when she thought she might have felt a hint of erection.

  “Ha! You’re saved by the chessboard again,” he said. “We can start a game, and when the potatoes are done, I’ll cook the steaks. And then I’ll leave so you can get ready for tomorrow.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to leave so fast,” she said. “I didn’t mean you couldn’t stay awhile.”

  After they fixed their coffee, Mark followed Kendall into the living room. She got the chessboard out again, and they set it up, sitting on the edge of the couch with the chessboard in front of them on the coffee table.

  “You’re right though, you have to get up early. I have to be considerate.”

  “You know what’s missing?” she asked, pointing to the fireplace.

  “A fire. Do you want one?”

  “I do. I’m getting spoiled,” Kendall said.

  “Will you be up all night waiting for it to die out?” Mark asked, teasing.

  “Probably,” she said, disappointed.

  “Wait! I could make a smaller fire. I don’t know a whole lot about moderation.”

  “Yes, another attribute that comes with age, I’m afraid. I still struggle with it.”

  “We’re getting to know each other, adult to adult,” Mark said. “That’s pretty exciting.”

  “Adult to adult,” she said, and they raised their coffee cups to click.

  Chapter Four

  After a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, the real test of the relationship started the following week when Mark returned to do independent study until Christmas week. But first, they had to say goodbye. Feeling out of control, she was forced to surrender everything that she’d struggled to consent to in the first pla
ce—trust, overlooking the age difference, her personal space—by having to say goodbye to Mark. He saw she was trying to remain calm, while he wanted to cry, drop out of school, and beg her to allow him to move in with her.

  He took her chin in his hands and kissed her. “I really don’t want to do this,” he said. “I don’t want to leave you.”

  Lips trembling, Kendall did slow, deep breathing to prevent bursting into tears. “I don’t want you to go. But I keep telling myself this is for the best for you. It will make next semester easier for you and bring you back to me that much sooner.”

  They held each other, and finally it was time for him to go. He was taking the commuter train down to Center City to get the Amtrak train back to school.

  “I love you, Kendall. I really love you.”

  They kissed passionately, and when they were able, they separated, and he turned away from her reluctantly and walked away.

  Closing the door, she was engulfed with emptiness. In a short time, she’d come to depend on him in so many ways. He was a wonderful companion, interesting and intelligent. They sat by the fire and played chess nightly, danced to the now familiar playlist on his phone, shopped together, and decorated for Christmas.

  That last night together, she said she was not turning the tree back on until he returned. It would be too depressing to even go into the den without him, so she resorted to returning to her old routine of going to the bedroom after she and Dolly had their dinner and their last outdoor toilet break.

  What they didn’t know was that they’d had a silent observer, who’d watched them all day on Thanksgiving. He observed them buying the Christmas tree together the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and watched them laughing together as they dragged it into the house. He waited each night to make sure the boy left Kendall’s house, relieved and amazed that he wasn’t sleeping there. And then Sunday night, he again watched him drag his suitcase up, horrified thinking the boy was moving in, but then watched them kissing passionately in the light of her foyer, and then drag the suitcase down the street and go in the direction of the commuter rail station near the end of their block. Where was he going?