The camera cut away from the scene, this time to Holly at her kitchen counter again.
“So, for someone who is supposed to be smart about the heart, I really messed this one up. I didn’t see that Jack was in love with me. And even worse, I didn’t see that I had completely fallen for him too.”
Jack’s heart stopped right then and there.
Holly continued. “He reached out, and I pushed him away. I’ve been pushing him—and my feelings—away through this whole matchmaking scheme. After Dallon died, I closed off my heart to any feelings.” She stared at her hands, composing herself, before looking back into the camera. “I didn’t believe that people could have more than one great love story, even with the evidence was staring me in the face day after day.” She let out a long breath. “I don’t know if it’s too late for #JollyForChristmas. I don’t know if Jack will even see this, or if I finally pushed too hard, too far. But I should have listened to you all to begin with. I may understand the physical heart, but it seems I’ve still got a long way to go when it comes to love. I meant for Jack to find love, but I’m the one who did.
“Merry Christmas. Thank you for sharing your … second great love story, Francis and Pauline. And for listening to my own.”
The screen went blank and Jack sat there for a beat, in shock, processing everything he’d heard. The video had been posted over four hours ago. For four hours, he’d been lying miserably around his house, whining like a baby, when this was out on the Internet for him to see.
He needed to get to Holly’s house immediately. He grabbed his keys and his wallet and was getting into his car before he realized he was still in his sweaty shirt and gym shorts. He ran back inside, took the quickest shower of his life, and changed into jeans and a sweater, remembering to grab his jacket at the last minute.
His phone buzzed.
Megan: So?
Jack: I forgive you.
She sent him a laugh-cry emoji.
Megan: What are you going to do about it?
In response, he jumped into his truck and raced as fast as he could to Holly’s house.
Chapter 30
Holly had to get out of the house after posting the video. All of her vulnerabilities had spilled out for everyone to see. It had taken all of her courage to post the video, and she was afraid to open her email or read any of the comments.
She had to work tomorrow, and she knew people were going to ask about it. What was she going to say? That Jack probably hadn’t seen it? Or worse, that he had, but had already moved on?
Her thoughts spun in circles with every minute that passed that she didn’t hear from him, until she left her oppressively silent house to walk through the Christmas village. This way, she couldn’t second-guess herself and delete the entire post.
She went in and out of a few stores, and then stopped on the sidewalk to watch the sun set and the twinkle lights spring on. Still, her phone didn’t ring.
The carolers came out and sang, and she was standing to watch them for a moment when a voice from behind her called out. “Hey! Holly, right?”
She turned to find the owner of the Christmas tree lot she’d purchased all of the trees from for the foundation dinner. “It is. Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas to you! How did the trees work out for you?”
“They were perfect,” she said. As much as it hurt now to think about that night, the ambiance had been pure magic.
“I’ve got something for you,” he said. “Do you have a minute?”
“Sure.” Curious, she followed him around the corner to the crowded tree lot. She hadn’t realized so many people bought their trees on Christmas Eve. Up until she’d given up Christmas trees and decorating, she’d put hers up the first of December.
“Here,” he said, leading her to a tiny fir tree, about waist high. “I remember you saying you hadn’t gotten your tree yet, so I set this aside for you in case you came in again.”
Tears sprang into Holly’s eyes as she looked at the tree, realizing she hadn’t wanted to acknowledge how much she longed to have one again.
She reached into her purse to pull out her wallet, but he waved her away. “It’s a gift.” He smiled then, mischievously. “Just remember us if you need to ever buy thirty Christmas trees again.”
She laughed and took the tree in her arms. He already had it in a stand, and some silver tinsel had been sprinkled on the branches. “Thank you,” she said.
“Merry Christmas!”
On her way home, she paused at one of the shops to purchase a box of lights and a couple ornaments that caught her eye: one of a pair of ice skates, and another of a plate of Christmas cookies. With her arms weighed down with her purchases and the darkness fully descended, she walked to her town house. Maybe things wouldn’t be so bad tonight. Not with a new tree to decorate. She could drink hot chocolate and put on a Christmas movie, too. It had been too many years since she’d done that.
“Holly.”
She dropped the tree at her feet at the sound of Jack’s voice. He sat on the top step in front of her town house door, rubbing his hands in front of him. Bits of snow and ice stuck to his wet hair.
“How long have you been sitting here?” She rushed up the stairs and past him to unlock her door. “Get inside!”
He laughed and stood. “Only about fifteen minutes.” He snagged her arm before she could go inside. “But Holly, I would have waited forever.”
Their eyes met, and she felt a delicious shiver go through her that had nothing to do with the cold.
He smiled mirthfully. “But another five minutes and I would have moved to my heated car.”
“At least you have some sense,” she said.
He picked up her Christmas tree and brought it inside behind her. Her heater was running at full blast, and the warmth swept over her like a warm blanket. She busied herself with taking off her jacket, hat, and scarf, knowing she was avoiding looking at Jack.
“I saw your video.”
She turned to find him standing behind her. Really close behind her. “You did?”
He took a step closer. “I did.”
She swallowed. “And what did you think?”
He was so close now, his stomach brushed hers. He brought a hand up to her shoulder and then slid it behind her head, lowering his lips until they were a fraction of an inch away. “I really want to kiss you.”
“Okay,” she breathed, pushing her heels up to close the distance.
All of her worry and nervousness dissipated as his lips pressed against hers. His whiskered jaw scraped against her cheeks and mouth in a way that sent tingling waves over her skin. He smelled like peppermint and tasted the same—fresh and familiar in an aching way. She participated eagerly in the kiss, none of the concerns she’d had before holding her back this time.
By some miracle, Jack Shay was here and in love with her, and she was never going to let him go.
Jack pulled back slowly, reluctantly, and pressed his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling.
It took her a few minutes to find her voice, but when she did, she knew she couldn’t hold the words back any longer. “I love you, Jack. I’m sorry it took me so long to see it.”
“I love you, too.”
Her heart skipped a beat at the words. She would never get tired of hearing it. “So I’m not too late?” she asked breathlessly.
“Too late?” Jack gave her a mischievous smile. “Never.” He kissed her lightly again. “In fact—” Another kiss. “—I think—” Once again. “—we’re right—” A longer, more delicious kiss. “—on time.”
“I like being right on time,” Holly murmured.
“I’m certainly a fan of it myself.”
From outside, the music began to play again. “Silent Night.” One of Dallon’s favorites. Holly hugged Jack close, her arms around his neck, her ear against his deliciously racing heart.
Epilogue
One Year Later
The Bridger Daily, Ch
ristmas Edition
A Heart for Christmas
By Geri Tudor, Editor in Chief
People love love at Christmas. At least, that’s how Francis pitched his first article about Dr. Holly Whitacre, a cardiologist with a MyHeartChannel about love stories, to me, his editor, one year ago.
I was hesitant, to say the least, but Francis had proved himself time and again to have a particular talent for knowing a good story when he saw it. And little did we know what an impact that one article would make on all of our lives.
To our surprise and delight, Francis’s article went viral and was seen by an editor at a big publishing house. This editor then lost an entire afternoon reading through Francis Hendrickson’s backlist of articles. Within two weeks she’d contacted him about writing a book, now called The Stories that Shape Us, which will be available on January 7th. All proceeds will go to his remaining family. We miss Francis greatly since his passing this October, but are comforted to know that his stories live on. His family finds particular comfort in watching his One Great Love Story episode.
For Holly Whitacre, her MyHeartChannel views went through the roof. Holly donates all of her proceeds to the Dallon Whitacre Care Foundation (formerly called the Bridger Cares foundation, but recently renamed in honor of her late husband, who founded it). Their new spokesman, basketball star Jared Jennings, has also been instrumental in helping gather much-needed donations—and rumor is that he’s going to be the next person Holly will play matchmaker for on One Great Love Story.
In the last year, I have received several requests for a follow-up article. “Several” may be understating things, actually.
I have received more emails about this story than any other we’ve printed.
Something about Holly connected deeply with you—whether it was her passion for her work, the cleverness of her show, or the way love sneaked right up on her when she least expected it to.
I caught up with Holly and Jack earlier this month at their town house, only a day after they got back from their honeymoon. In an effort to give you the best insight into them that I can, I will end this article with the full transcript of our conversation:
Holly: Well, this year has certainly been eventful.
[She shares an amused glance with Jack. They hold hands casually on the couch between them.]
Geri: How so?
Holly: First off, we got married a couple weeks ago.
Geri: Did you do any Christmas decorations?
Holly (laughing): Christmas trees everywhere.
Jack (dryly): But we did not dance to “Holly Jolly Christmas” or “Jolly Old St. Nicholas,” despite the many requests that we do so.
Geri: What did you dance to?
Holly: A piano version of “O Holy Night.” The first time we ever danced, that song was playing.
Jack: But we kissed to “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella.”
Holly: Which isn’t quite as easy of a song to dance to.
Jack: I wanted “Carol of the Bells.”
Holly: You always want “Carol of the Bells.”
Geri (cutting in): What do your friends and family think of you getting together?
Jack: My family—including my daughter—likes Holly better than they like me.
Holly (shaking her head, smiling): Not true. But his family is wonderful. My sister and her family and my dad were there. It was a small group. A handful of friends and coworkers, family, and us. We missed Francis.
[A moment of silence.]
Jack: I give him a lot of the credit for me and Holly getting together. What if he hadn’t insisted on writing the article that Holly read? What if he hadn’t also insisted on being on the show?
Holly (laughing tearily): Francis was an insistent man. His book is an absolute delight.
Geri: He was, and we miss him as well. I hate to shift topics, but I know readers will want to know more about the rumors that Megan, who you set Jack up with on the show last year, has been coming around in an attempt to break you two up?
[Holly and Jack laugh.]
Holly: Megan is a dear friend and a fantastic matchmaker. In fact, I’m recruiting her for our next round of Finding Your One Great Love Story. She’s going to help me set up our special guest.
Jack: If she’s coming around, it’s only to smack me upside the head for taking so long to tell Holly I love her.
Holly: You had perfect timing.
Jack (giving her a light kiss on the lips): We always do.
[They’re cute like this during our entire conversation.]
Geri: What are your plans for the future?
Jack: I got my job back at Bridger University Hospital. Turns out I missed teaching the interns and residents.
Holly (rolls her eyes): Somehow, I doubt that.
Jack: I also missed seeing Holly for lunch every day. Someone has to make sure she eats.
Holly: We’ve been working on expanding the Dallon Whitacre Care Foundation to reach outlying communities and provide transportation when necessary.
Jack: On a personal note, I’ve moved into Holly’s town house, where we plan on staying for a long time.
Holly: It’s the music.
[We’re all quiet for a while. They share a secret smile. I hear nothing.]
Geri: Any babies on the horizon?
Holly and Jack (simultaneously): Yes.
Geri: Soon?
Holly (with a wide smile, holding up crossed fingers): Hopefully this time next year.
[Jack nods in agreement, also smiling.]
Geri: If you could sum up the events of last year for me, what would you say?
Jack: Life is a wild ride.
Holly: And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
And the impact these two had on me? They probably don’t even know. But after reading Francis’s article last year and watching every episode, including Holly’s vulnerable declaration of love for Jack, I found the courage to let down my own walls and find my own one great love story.
We’re getting married this spring.
Merry Christmas.
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Also by Kaylee Baldwin
Meg’s Melody
Six Days of Christmas
Silver Linings
Hearts in Peril
About the Author
A glamorous day in the life of Kaylee Baldwin includes: chasing after her four children, obsessively checking her email, writing her latest book, trying to get motivated to train for that race she shouldn't have signed up for, hanging out with her husband, and reading in every spare second she can find.
She graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in English lit and currently lives in southern Arizona with her family. Her books include Whitney Award finalist Meg's Melody, Six Days of Christmas, Silver Linings, and she has a story included in A Timeless Romance Anthology: California Dreamin.
You can reach her on Instagram or Twitter @kayleebaldwin1
Follow Kaylee on Amazon by clicking here and clicking “Follow.”
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