by Codi Gary
“Well, you got Tammy rolling. I think you look great.”
His brown eyes sparkled as he looked Anna Beth up and down. “You too, Grinchy.”
She spun around. “Right. Tammy is amazing.”
Tammy finally came up for air, wheezing, “I’m sorry. That just caught me off guard. You two are going to slay them. Anna Beth, come by afterwards and I’ll get that stuff off you and you can pick up that thing.”
“What thing?” Jared asked.
“The none-of-your-business thing,” Anna Beth said.
Jared threw his hands up and backed away playfully.
Anna Beth chuckled. “I’m teasing. It’s for your party on Saturday at The Peaks.”
“It’s not green and fuzzy, is it?” he teased.
“Maybe.”
Jared wrapped her up in a tight hug. “You could show up looking like Freddy Kreuger and I’d still be smitten.” He leaned down to kiss her but stopped a few inches away. “I don’t want to mess up your make-up.”
“Just keep track of all the times you want to kiss me and we’ll take care of that before you go to work.”
“I like the way you think.”
Anna Beth laughed and caught Tammy watching them, a sly grin on her face. “You two are so cute.”
Jared grinned. “Thanks, Tammy.” He took Anna Beth’s green gloved hand. “We should probably go.”
“Yeah. Thank you, Tammy.”
“Absolutely, sweetie. Anytime!”
They left the store and Jared helped Anna Beth climb up into the truck. She looked in the backseat at the gifts Jared picked up from her aunt’s house. There were thirteen kids in the hospital right now, but she’d wrapped a few more just in case.
Jared climbed into the driver's seat and cranked up the heat. “So, how’s Mittens feeling?”
“Better. She’s a terror. I thought Sarah’s head would explode the other day when she took a skein of yarn out of Sarah’s knitting basket and dragged yarn all over the living room. It looked like a giant yellow spider web. I took a picture. I’ll show you when you aren’t driving.”
“Probably a good idea. I take it the kitten lived?”
“Yeah, I cleaned it up and helped her untangle it. Plus, Mittens has a way of buttering you up until you forget why you were irritated in the first place. How is Rip? I’ve actually missed the lug.”
“I’m sure he missed you, too, especially since he hates when I work long hours. The four-threes are great, except he hates being alone for ten hours at a time, four days in a row. ”
“I worked all day at Foam Capped Java. When I got home, Mitten’s wouldn’t leave my side. I feel bad that I’ve been glued to my computer so much, but I finished the first draft of my screenplay this morning. It’s definitely a rough draft, but I have a good feeling about it.”
“That’s great, A.B. Does the hero happen to be a tall, handsome stranger with an adorable lab?”
“Maybe.”
“I like it already.”
“Well, I might let you read the second draft.”
The hospital sat tucked back off the highway, partially hidden by large pine trees. Jared parked on the back side and they both grabbed a large black trash bag and filled it up with gifts.
“Do you have your Grinch voice down?” Jared asked.
She cleared her throat and talked out of the side of her mouth. “Hello...children.”
Jared chuckled. “That’s hot. You may have to do that for just me, later.”
Anna Beth’s cheeks flushed beneath the makeup. Although they’d made out, their intimacy hadn’t gone beyond kissing and light petting. But Jared’s comment made her think about the red plaid bustier she’d bought to wear under her black dress on Saturday. It came with matching cheeky undies and Tammy convinced her it would drive him crazy.
Although she’d thought about being in bed with Jared, Anna Beth didn’t know how ready she was to take that step. What if they were awkward together?
They passed through the front doors to the information desk. As the staff caught sight of them, everyone smiled.
“The Grinch,” the receptionist said.
“Yes, what do you want?” Anna Beth said, already in character. When the group laughed, a giddy sensation spread through her.
“They are here to see the kids,” a guy in blue scrubs said.
“Sure, just sign here and Kayla, the one in the pink, will take you down.”
After they showed their IDs, they were handed visitors passes and followed Kayla down the hallway to the elevators. Sweat coated Anna Beth’s skin beneath the green fur suit and she resisted the urge to wipe her forehead.
“The kids know they are getting a special guest, but we didn't give them any other details. They are going to be really surprised. Props to whoever did your makeup, by the way.”
“Thanks,” Anna Beth said.
They stepped out of the elevator and passed through a doorway lit by a string of green garland dotted with tiny red bows. Kayla waved at a short woman in business casual attire.
“Oh my gosh. I’m Janet, Peds Director. I want to thank you both for doing this. Officer Cross, you make an adorable Max.”
Jared barked and Anna Beth laughed.
“And you must be Anna Beth.” Janet took her hand and squeezed it. “Welcome. I’ll take you around to each room. We’ll start with little Hunter. He’s four.”
“Can we set the bags somewhere and take the individual presents around?” Anna Beth asked.
“Absolutely. Right through here to my office.”
Once the bags were stashed away, Anna Beth followed behind Janet into Hunter’s hospital room. The little boy sat up in bed in a blue hospital gown, watching cartoons. His mother looked up from her book when they entered, her face brightening.
“Hunter, there is someone here to see you,” Janet said.
Hunter turned big hazel eyes their way, his short brown hair mussed.
His face split into an excited smile. “The Grinch!”
The IV tube in his arm moved as he crawled closer to the edge of the bed.
“Hello, Hunter. What are you in for?”
“I puked blood. They thought I might have torn my softgus, but I didn’t.”
Anna Beth’s stomach turned. “Well, that’s worse than running out of hot garbage. Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes, I stayed the night here. I get to go home today. They gave me pancakes with extra syrup.”
“Hey hey, what about The Grinch? Let’s get me some pancakes, huh?” Anna Beth took the package from Jared and held it out to Hunter. “Now that my heart is ten times its normal size, I wanted to bring you something to make you feel better.”
Hunter ripped into the package excitedly. “Wow, a Scooby Doo Lego set.”
“What do you say,” his mother prodded.
“Thank you!”
Anna Beth bowed. “You’re welcome, Hunter. And a Merry Christmas to you.”
“Merry Christmas,” Hunter and his mom chorused.
When they made it out of the room, Jared gave Anna Beth a big hug.
“What was that for?”
“I’m proud of you, that’s all. You made that kid’s day.”
“You really did,” Janet said.
Anna Beth coughed, trying to fight the urge to cry. “Who’s next?”
They visited with three kids who were being treated for dehydration, and secondary infections, all under the age of ten. They were so excited to see them and open their gifts.
The next stop on their tour was the room of a teenager whose appendix ruptured. They walked in to find a chubby, dark haired boy, his gaze glued to the T.V.
Jared coughed behind her and Anna Beth glanced back at him, frowning.
“Lane, you have visitors,” Janet said.
The sullen boy looked at them and scoffed. “Dressing up in a costume? What a loser.”
Anna Beth’s eyes narrowed. “Loohoo-zeher? At least I can keep a hold of both my appendices.
”
Lane rolled his eyes. “I don’t need to be cheered up, or your lame gift. I’m going home tomorrow.”
Janet shook her head. “We’ll let you rest.”
Anna Beth set the gift she’d brought down on the couch in the corner. “I’ll leave this here.”
“Just take it. I don’t care.”
Once they were back in Janet’s office, she said, “I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s no problem,” Jared said. “I know that kid. He’s got problems.”
Janet’s gaze shifted away. “I cannot discuss our patients, but Lane has spent most of his time with us alone. I was hoping he’d like a little company.”
Anna Beth picked up another present, but watched Jared. He kept looking back at Lane’s room and, while she was in of a three-year-old with pneumonia, he disappeared.
After she delivered the last gift, Anna Beth and Janet checked around. Anna Beth heard his voice and stopped outside the door to Lane’s room.
Jared sat next to Lane’s bed; the Game of Thrones Monopoly Anna Beth bought Lane set up on his tray.
“I couldn’t get past the fourth season,” Jared said.
Lane made a noise of disbelief. “You have to keep watching. It’s such an epic show. Especially when they battle the White Walkers.”
Jared shrugged. “I’ll give it another shot, but no promises.”
Anna Beth backed out of the doorway and motioned with her head at Janet. “Let’s give them some more time.”
When Jared walked into Janet’s office forty-five minutes later, he shot her a puzzled look. “Hey, you ready to go?”
“Whenever you are. It looked like you were having fun.” Anna Beth stood and held her hand out to Janet. “Thank you again. There are some additional gifts in that bag, in case you get any more kids that need a little Christmas cheer. There is a list with what each box contains.”
“Thank you both.”
Anna Beth followed Jared down the hall and into the elevator. While they stood waiting, Anna Beth nudged Jared.
“Who was that kid?”
“He goes to school with Casey. Lane tried to get him suspended.”
“Wait, what? Then why were you being so friendly to him.”
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. As they stepped inside, Jared said, “I know the kids dad and he is a jerk. The way Janet said he’s been alone really got to me. He might act like a turd, but maybe it’s because he’s miserable. I wanted to give him a chance to show me another side and he did. I just had to find a common ground.”
Anna Beth’s heart swelled and her eyes filled with tears. “You are so sweet.”
She didn’t even give him a chance to respond before she kissed him, forgetting all about her makeup and green beard. When the elevator stopped, she pulled away.
“What was that for?”
“Because you still tried to help someone who hurt your family. Because you are an amazing man. Because…”
I love you.
The doors opened and Kayla stood on the other side, waiting. She glanced between them, smirking. When they stepped off, Kayla called out, “Hey, Max, you got a little green on your mouth.”
Jared chuckled, but Anna Beth didn’t react, still reeling from her realization. She’d fallen in love with Jared.
What the heck did she do now?
Twenty-Five
Jared stepped up onto the porch Saturday night to pick Anna Beth up and knocked on the door. He adjusted his tie, wishing he could just toss it into the bushes, but the party was supposed to be professional attire. The mayor put it on to thank government employees every year and this would be his first time attending with a date.
The door opened and Anna Beth stood there, one hand on the open door and the other on her hip. She wore an off-the-shoulder dress that hugged her curves until it hit her hips and flared out, transitioning from black to silver sequins. Her blonde curls were gathered on top of her head with a few pieces trailing down the side of her face and neck. She smiled, her lips the same red as her car.
“Hey.”
He swallowed, hard. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you. Sarah did my hair.”
“She did a great job.”
“Come in out of the cold while I grab my coat.”
She stepped back and let him pass by. He stopped in front of her and cupped the side of her face. “I don’t want to mess up your lipstick, but I really want to kiss you.”
Anna Beth stretched up onto her tip toes and slipped her arms around his neck. “It doesn’t come off. But you’re welcome to try.”
“Good to know.” He pressed his lips to hers, his arms wrapping around her waist to bring her body flush against his. Jared wanted to stay right there, forever, lost in her kiss, in the sweet way she opened her mouth under his. Her hands gripping his biceps as though she’d melt to the floor if he let her go.
Jared broke the kiss, breathing hard. “Do we really have to go to this thing?”
Anna Beth chuckled. “It’s your party. You tell me?”
Jared pretended to think about it. “Two hours, tops.”
“Can’t wait to have me all to yourself?”
His hands slid down her back, stopping just above her butt. “I want you so bad, I can’t see straight.”
She released a breathy laugh. “In that case, maybe I should drive.”
Jared dropped his forehead to hers and took a deep, shaky breath. “I’ll be good.”
“Only during the party, I hope.”
When he caught her meaning, Jared’s jaw dropped. “Are you teasing me?”
Her smile widened as she gave him a one-shoulder shrug. “Little bit.”
Jared kissed her again, his teeth grazing her bottom lip. “Keep this up and we won’t even make it an hour.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
He kissed the side of her neck and whispered, “I think little Carly was right. You definitely belong on the naughty list.”
“You should join me. It’s fun.”
Jared smacked her butt playfully. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you and don’t get me wrong, I love it, but I need to make an appearance at this thing.”
“I know. I’m just messing with you.”
“Don’t say that. I was hoping after the party we could go back to my place and enjoy a fire, maybe a glass of eggnog, some Die Hard.”
Anna Beth huffed and pulled away. “It doesn’t matter how many times you argue, Die Hard is not a Christmas movie, and it doesn’t count on my list.”
“That’s just un-American.”
Mittens came trotting out of the living room, meowing rapidly.
“Awww, baby.” Anna Beth picked her up and held her against her chest. “I’ll be back soon.”
Jared watched in amusement as the tabby kneaded Anna Beth’s chest with her tiny paws, loud purrs emitting from the kitten.
“Lucky kitty,” Jared teased.
Anna Beth rolled her eyes. “Hush. Come on, Mitts. Let’s see if you’re hungry.”
She disappeared into the kitchen and Jared called after her, “By the way, where is your aunt tonight?”
“She’s at Ernie’s son’s house. Did you know his grandkids call her Nona?” Anna Beth laughed. “She never wanted me to used “Aunt Sarah” and now she’s a Nona.”
“Are you okay with that?”
Anna Beth came back into the room without the kitten, nodding her head. “Yeah. I realize that Sarah isn’t perfect, but thinking back and knowing what I know now about her, she did the best she could at the time. She tried to show me that she cared by helping me with my car and teaching me to sew and taking me with her to all those meetings with her friends. Everyone deserves to find love. So, yeah, I’m happy for Sarah.”
Her words struck a chord in him, but Jared bit his tongue. Watching her with those kids yesterday, completely out of her comfort zone, left him totally awed. Even if she was just following a list, her kindness shone throu
gh with every interaction. But it wasn’t just yesterday. Forgiving her aunt and opening her heart again, giving him another chance. She could have completely shut herself off after she lost her family and her husband, but Anna Beth had too much heart to hide.
And he’d fallen in love with her all over again because of it. In all honesty, Jared never stopped, but like him, his feelings had matured.
Now, he needed to find the right time to tell her.
“Okay,” she said, shrugging into her black peacoat. “I’m ready.”
“Are you wearing snow boots under that dress?”
“No, heels.”
Jared arched his brown. “You’re going to walk around on snow and ice in heels?”
“The sidewalks and parking lots are clear and salted. I’ll be fine.”
“Whatever you say.”
Anna Beth slipped her arm through his. “Let’s party.”
They stepped outside and Jared slowed to keep pace with her. The minute she stepped onto the concrete, she slid. Luckily, Jared’s reflexes were fast enough to catch her.
“Whoa, maybe I can’t walk in heels.”
“Guess you need a little help after all.”
Jared swept her up in his arms and carried her the rest of the way. She opened the truck door for him and when he set her on the seat of the truck, she kissed him.
“I’ve never been carried before. It’s fun. I may have to wear the wrong shoes more often.”
“I’ve created a monster,” Jared said. “If it’s too hot, feel free to turn the heater down.”
“Oh, I don’t need your permission to mess with any of your dials.”
“Smart ass.”
He shut the door on her laughter, grinning as he rounded the front of the truck. He climbed up next to her and put the truck in reverse. Jared backed up and straightened, heading toward the hotel. Anna Beth reached across the console and took his hand.
“This is going to be fun.”
When they pulled into The Peaks parking lot, he grabbed two small red bags from the back.
“What are those?” she asked.
“Ornaments. They’re doing a White Elephant ornament exchange. Couples are supposed to bring one funny ornament and one classic ornament.”