Christmas with Carlie

by Julianna Morris

  “I’m sure it would happen sooner or later. On top of that, there’s the totally arrogant, high-handed way you make decisions for people. That is not the kind of man I want in my life.”

  He threw up his hands. “For God’s sake, are you talking about the SUV again? I’ve said I’m sorry—what else can I say?”

  “No, I was thinking about the way you tried to poke into Nicole’s love life yesterday. I understand you don’t want anything else to happen to your family, but trying to run their lives isn’t going to work.”

  “I’m not...” Luke stopped, obviously frustrated.

  She understood. He was probably torn between the desire to warn her off, be a gentleman and defend his behavior.

  Carlie released a sigh. “To be honest, I’m embarrassed about having had sex with a guest on my office couch. It’s never happened before, and believe me, it won’t happen again. There’s no need for more discussion. So let’s just leave it alone.”

  * * *

  LUKE WAS SILENT as he and Carlie returned to the more populated section of Poppy Gold. Her reaction should have reassured him that she wasn’t expecting more than he could give, but instead it raised more questions.

  He would always love Erika, but did that mean he couldn’t fall in love with someone else just as deeply?

  Carlie wasn’t a memory; she was real. The two women were so different it was almost ludicrous to think of comparing them...though he was glad he hadn’t said that to Carlie. She wouldn’t have understood.

  Erika had been like him, keeping her emotions guarded, declaring that restraint was the hallmark of a good officer. He’d respected that.

  Carlie was the opposite. She was stubborn, hot-tempered and clearly had a poor opinion of him, but was softhearted enough to befriend his sister and daughters. Warning her off had seemed best, for her sake.

  Still, he was starting to wish he hadn’t been so hasty. That was the problem with operating on autopilot—it was too easy to do something without thinking it through. He also didn’t know how to be single. It sounded crazy, but it was true. He’d been a married man for a long time and didn’t know how to handle the intricacies of dating another woman.

  And Carlie wasn’t just another woman.

  “I’m meeting some guests later to help with their costumes for the ball on Saturday, so I probably won’t see Annie and Beth today,” she informed him as they approached the sledding hill again. “Tell them hello for me.”

  “Sure.”

  Luke watched her walk away, recalling what the girls’ grief counselors had said about “moving on.” He finally understood. Now he just needed to figure out what moving on with their lives actually looked like...and whether he’d just torched a bridge he would regret.

  * * *

  THE REMAINING DAYS before the first dress ball passed slowly for Carlie. Despite her best efforts, she was distracted by thoughts of Luke. She was perilously close to falling for him.

  The fact that he wasn’t interested in a relationship with her wasn’t a surprise. Of course, she’d made it equally clear that she wasn’t interested, either, but the heart wanted what the heart wanted, and it refused to be sensible.

  Finally on Saturday evening, Carlie closed the door and blinds in her office to put on her costume for the dress ball. She’d brought it to work in case she didn’t have time to go home and change.

  A knock sounded as she was putting the finishing touches on her hair.

  “It’s me,” Tessa called.

  Carlie unlocked the door and saw her cousin was wearing a black velvet gown that emphasized her petite frame. “You look terrific. Is something up?”

  “I’m so excited I couldn’t wait to tell you,” Tessa exclaimed. “When I looked at the check-in list from last night, I saw a name I recognized. It’s Teague Thornton. He’s a famous orthopedic surgeon who practices over in San Francisco.”

  “You recognized his name?”

  “Come on, Carlie, how often do you see someone named Teague? It really sticks out. He’s the guy who operated on the baseball player hurt in the play-offs this fall. I remember reading about the case. Dr. Thornton is famous for innovative surgical techniques. He’s saved several athletes’ careers after everyone else gave up on them.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  “Anyhow, I just got through speaking with him and he’s interested in reviewing Uncle Mike’s medical records. He’s a maverick and likes challenging cases.”

  Carlie sucked in a breath, at the same time reminding herself that a different orthopedic specialist had claimed nothing more could be done for her father. Still, she and her mother had wanted a second opinion, and high-profile doctors who treated sports celebrities usually weren’t available to the average patient.

  “Dad will resist,” she said slowly.

  “I know, but this is an amazing opportunity. Uncle Mike has to agree. Guilt him into it if necessary. Tell him it’s the only Christmas present that you and Aunt Leah want.”

  Carlie touched the antique cameo she wore. She didn’t like the idea of badgering her father, but if there was any hope at all...

  “I’ll go talk to him right now,” she decided. “The medical clinic has copies of everything, including all the MRI and CAT scans from the hospital. I can print a release form from the clinic website and Aunt Emma can send the records electronically once Dad signs.”

  Tessa grinned. “I’ll give her a heads-up. I think she’s on call tonight.”

  Tessa left as Carlie sat down at her computer and downloaded the form. She printed two copies, tucked them in a large envelope and rushed home. “It’s me,” she called as she opened the front door.

  Her parents were in the den, where they spent most of their evenings, and smiled when she appeared.

  “I wanted you to see how I look in the new dress,” Carlie said, twirling around.

  “You look lovely.”

  “Yes, but what’s in the envelope?” asked her father.

  Carlie had hoped to introduce the subject gently, but maybe a “shock and awe” campaign would work best, after all.

  “Oh, well, Tessa told me there’s a well-known orthopedic surgeon visiting Poppy Gold this weekend and he’s interested in looking at your records. It’s an amazing opportunity. You’d never get to see this doctor otherwise—he’s far too busy treating famous athletes and other celebrities.”

  “No,” Mike refused flatly.

  “Please do it, darling,” begged Carlie’s mother.

  He shook his head. “I’m done with getting poked and prodded. It is what it is.”

  Carlie planted her hands on her hips and glared. “Dad, Tessa broke one of her most important rules by talking to Dr. Thornton. He’s here for rest and relaxation, but she told him about your case and asked if he’d consider giving us an opinion. She can’t take it back now, so the least you can do is agree. It’s also the least you can do for Mom.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. Jiminy Christmas, all you have to do is sign a release so the clinic can give Dr. Thornton copies of your tests and reports. He won’t even do an exam unless he believes he can help. I brought two blank releases with me.” Carlie waved the envelope. “If you sign them now, I can go and enjoy the ball.”

  “You could still go, even if I don’t sign.”

  “Except I won’t. I’m just as stubborn as you are. More so, because I get it from both you and Mom.”

  She stuck out her chin, knowing she looked ridiculous standing there in a Victorian ball gown, acting as tough and pigheaded as her father.

  Mike’s expression was thoroughly harassed. “Fine.”

  Carlie grabbed a pen and book to use as a hard surface, ready to dance with glee. He signed the forms and handed them back. Though her father didn’t have a roaring sense of humor, she
checked to be sure he hadn’t written something ridiculous like “Sherlock Holmes.” He hadn’t. Now she just needed to leave before he changed his mind.

  “Great,” she said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Leah followed her to the front door and they hugged. “He won’t back out now,” she whispered.

  “I’ll get the release forms to Aunt Emma tonight. She should know about it already—Tessa was going to give her a call. Try to keep Dad focused on something else.”

  Her mother nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

  * * *

  NOTHING WAS FAR from anything else in Glimmer Creek and it was only a short distance to Aunt Emma and Uncle Daniel’s house. Uncle Daniel opened the door and gave her a bear hug. “Carlie, you look lovely.”

  “Thanks. Did Tessa call about Dr. Thornton?”

  “Yes,” Aunt Emma said, ducking under her husband’s arm. “Don’t tell me you already got Mike to agree.”

  “You bet. I used a blend of outrage and guilt. It was remarkably effective. Anyway, before I talked to Dad I printed two blank releases from the clinic website.” She held up the envelope. “Signed and ready to go.”

  “You’re a miracle worker.”

  “No, just an obstinate daughter.”

  Carlie returned to her car after another hug and stuffed herself into the front seat again. In the ball gown it felt as if she was driving in a sea of velvet and lace. The days she wore costumes were probably the only times an SUV would be helpful.

  She made a face and drove to Poppy Gold, determined to enjoy the dance. Regardless of her feelings about Luke and making the mistake of having sex on her office couch, she’d decided she wasn’t going to let him ruin the holidays for her.

  * * *

  A HALF HOUR after the official start of the ball, Luke was still glancing around, hoping to see Carlie. He knew Tessa McKinley had planned to talk to her about Dr. Thornton, but didn’t know when or where.

  Tessa and her husband were dancing on the other side of the room, and as if sensing Luke’s thoughts, she looked his direction and gave him a thumbs-up signal.

  Good.

  That meant Carlie had been told about Dr. Thornton’s interest. Knowing Carlie, she probably wasn’t at the dance because she was talking to Mike.

  Luke knew he had to come clean about it, even though it would undoubtedly mean digging himself an even deeper hole. But how else could Carlie start to trust him?

  Over the past few days, he’d come to the inescapable conclusion that he’d been a fool. How else could he explain not recognizing earlier that he’d fallen for her so completely? It was different from what he’d felt for Erika, but no less powerful.

  Carlie had made him come alive, forcing him to air out the old, dusty corners of himself that had kept him from being the man he wanted to be. She’d weathered the setbacks of her cheating fiancé and her father’s injuries and still sparkled with life and purpose—champagne could go flat, but she never would.

  “Aren’t you going to dance with me?” his sister asked, breaking into his thoughts.

  Luke glanced around. “What happened to your date?”

  Pink brightened Nicole’s cheeks. “Gideon left for an emergency call, but he’ll try to get back as soon as possible.”

  “I see.”

  Luke extended his hand and they joined the other couples on the floor. His jaw ached from holding back the questions he wanted to ask his sister, but Carlie was right that he shouldn’t interfere.

  She was right about a lot of things.

  He did get high-handed, exactly the way she’d said. Not that he’d thought of it that way. The impulse came from a lifetime of conditioning—first from the uncertainty of his childhood, spurred by the need to protect his little sister. Then later, with Erika away in the military, he’d had to make decisions alone. And after she was killed, all he’d thought about was keeping his family safe.

  But Carlie was also right that if he’d asked his wife to resign her commission, she might have grown to resent him.

  The truth was he’d been trying to make sense of Erika’s death, but it was senseless, and feeling guilty and responsible wouldn’t change a damn thing.

  “Oh, look, Gideon is back,” Nicole exclaimed a few minutes later. “Maybe the case wasn’t too bad. Do you mind? I should go check with him.”

  “No, of course not. He’s your date.”

  * * *

  NICOLE KISSED HER BROTHER, then hurried toward Gideon. His warm smile washed around her. “Is everything okay?” she asked.

  “It’s fine. The call was for a colicky horse, but the situation had resolved itself by the time I arrived.”

  She laughed. “I suspect that means something very messy that I don’t want to think about.”

  “You got it.” He pulled her close and they swayed to the music. “Thanks for not getting upset that I had to leave.”

  “There was nothing to get upset about. You’re a vet and have to go when an animal is sick or hurt.”

  “You really feel that way, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do. I think you’re wonderful,” Nicole said boldly.

  Gideon gave her a long, slow kiss. “I think you’re pretty wonderful, too.”

  Just as she thought he was going to say something more, a couple stumbled against them.

  “I’m so sorry! I tripped on my tail,” said the woman.

  Nicole blinked. Almost everyone was wearing period dress, but these two were dressed as cats.

  “I’m a Victorian gentleman cat,” announced the woman’s partner, “and this is my Victorian lady cat. We come to the ball every year.”

  “Oh. How nice,” Nicole said, trying not to laugh.

  The two “cats” danced away and she looked at Gideon, knowing the moment had passed. But that was okay. She didn’t have any intention of losing him, even if it meant she’d have to be the one to propose. And she would, too, if it came to that. She was sure he loved her, and if he didn’t know how she felt in return, then he was totally blind.

  The question was whether he still believed there were too many barriers between them.

  * * *

  LUKE SIGHED AS he went to get a drink from the bar at the end of the ballroom. His sister was changing in front of his eyes; she sure didn’t seem to need him any longer.

  “What can I get you?” asked the bartender.

  “Burgundy, if you have it.”

  “Certainly, sir.”

  Luke took his wine out to the gallery, hoping to avoid the single women who’d tried asking him for a dance. His custom was to freeze them out, but it hadn’t seemed appropriate in the setting. Nonetheless, other than his sister, Carlie was the only woman he wanted to take onto the floor. If it hadn’t been for the chance of seeing her, he wouldn’t have even come to the dance.

  Resting his arms on the gallery railing, Luke gazed at the couples going up and down the sweeping staircase. There was a particular point on the steps where they stopped to have their picture taken. The photographer was dressed in a Victorian suit and took photos with an old-fashioned camera on a stand. There was a digital camera inside the prop, but it added to the ambience.

  Luke would love to get a picture like that of Nicole and the girls. Maybe he could take them to the Old Thyme Pictures shop on the shopping street. Nicole had suggested they go on hospitality night, but he’d never liked mugging for a camera. Now it sounded like fun.

  Fifteen minutes later, Carlie came through the front door of Old City Hall, flushed and smiling in a sapphire velvet gown with a low-cut bodice.

  His body stirred and he gulped more wine.

  Carlie looked up at the gallery and locked gazes with him. With that curious way she had of squaring her shoulders and sighing at the same moment, she climbed
the stairs and walked toward him.

  “No cloak? Aren’t you cold?” he asked.

  “Most of me isn’t too bad, but my fingers are freezing. It was worth it, though. I just got my dad to agree to consult with an orthopedic specialist who’s visiting Glimmer Creek this weekend.”

  “That’s good news.” Luke held out his glass of wine. “Spirits to warm the blood.”

  She smiled faintly and took a sip. “What are you doing up here?”

  “People-watching and listening to the music.” He gestured toward the ballroom. “The live orchestra is a nice touch and their Schubert is particularly good.”

  “We do our best.”

  “I, uh, have a confession,” he said reluctantly. “I called Dr. Thornton and asked him to visit Poppy Gold. I wasn’t trying to interfere. I just thought your dad deserved to have the best. It was before what happened between us,” he added hastily, not wanting her to think he’d done it because they’d made love.

  Carlie regarded him for a long minute. “I should be angry, but it’s just what you do.”

  “I’m working on getting better.”

  “Oh?” She took a second sip of the burgundy, looking skeptical.

  “Yes. I’m staying out of Nicole’s relationship with Gideon Cartwright, for one thing. You have no idea how difficult that’s been. Then she ordered a mixer and other equipment, just like yours. I tried to pay for it, but she said absolutely not and I respected her wishes. She’s been laying down the law quite often to me since we came here.”

  A smile tugged at the corner of Carlie’s mouth. “Small victories can lead to bigger ones. But don’t backslide when you return to Texas.”

  Luke knew it would be easier not to backslide if Carlie married him, but it wasn’t the right moment for a proposal. He was fairly certain she had feelings for him, though. There was a look in her eyes sometimes, caught before she could hide it, that sent both hope and heat surging through him. His best chance was convincing her that the two barriers she saw weren’t barriers, after all.

  “I won’t backslide,” Luke assured her quietly. “And you’re right about small victories. I think that’s how it has to be with the girls. Things have to be fixed with them, little by little. I’m trying. For one, they asked to go to the children’s party tonight in the concert hall instead of having Mrs. Cabrera watch them in our suite. It wasn’t easy, but we talked about it and I agreed. Maybe that doesn’t sound like a big deal to you, but it was hard for me.”