A Holiday Proposal

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

“Not exactly. I could use some girl time.”

  “Pete and Cody are picking the last of the apples. You want to meet me at the ice cream shop? I could be there in twenty minutes.”

  Holly pursed her lips. Todd loved that place, and they often went there together while on lunch. What if he was there? She really needed to figure out what was going on between them before she saw him again. “Would you mind just coming over here? I don’t want to go out.”

  “Hmm, this is more serious than I thought. I’ll pick up ice cream on the way and be there in a little bit. Call Susan to join us?”

  “Good idea. Thanks, and, Keira?”

  “Hmm.”

  “Get chocolate.”

  “You got it.”

  The phone clicked, and a dial tone sliced down the line. Holly called Susan, who promised to be right over, then placed the phone on the coffee table, curled her legs up and gazed out the window onto Front Street. The quaint village buzzed with activity, even on this early-November Sunday afternoon. People scurried back and forth across the street, and one of the town’s two horse carriages was parked across the way waiting for the next paying customer.

  The colors of fall warmed the ground with a blanket of leaves, creating a cozy feeling even though the temperature outside was freezing. She choked on a laugh. Why was it that no matter how cold it was outside, chocolate ice cream always made everything better?

  A short time later a knock drew her to the door. “Who is it?”

  “Keira and Susan.”

  Her breath came out in a whoosh, and she flung the door open. “Thanks for coming.” She drew her friends inside. “I’ve made a mess of things.”

  Susan held up a hand. “Not until we each have a heaping bowl of my chocolate Sunday surprise.”

  “What’s that?” Holly stepped into the kitchen and pulled down three bowls and the ice cream scoop.

  “It’s a surprise.” Susan gently nudged Holly out of the kitchen.

  Keira followed and sat beside Holly at the breakfast bar. “I’m glad you called. The three of us haven’t gotten together since my wedding and Susan’s elopement.”

  “How’s married life treating you, Keira?” Holly asked as Susan plopped two large scoops of ice cream into each bowl then drizzled chocolate syrup over the top and finished with a generous squirt of whipped cream.

  “Wonderful.”

  The dreamy look in Keira’s eyes made Holly giggle. “I’m glad. How about you, Susan? Are you and Blake blissfully happy, too?”

  “Of course. I still can’t believe we’re married. There’s something to be said for eloping.” Susan slid a bowl in front of each of them and stood at the other side of the bar. “Enough about us. What’s the emergency?”

  Holly shuddered, then explained what had happened at her parents’ place earlier. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve really messed things up with Todd, and it’s not like I can avoid him. I see him at work all the time. I never should’ve agreed to pretend we were seeing each other.”

  Susan waved her spoon in the air. “Take it from me, avoidance doesn’t solve anything. You need to figure out how you feel about Todd and have a heart-to-heart with him. It’s the only way.”

  Keira nodded.

  Holly pushed the bowl away, her appetite soured. “I really like Todd, but not romantically. He was doing me a favor today, and I guess he misunderstood or misread the situation. This has been the worst day.” She buried her head in her arms and felt a hand on her shoulder a moment later.

  “It’ll be okay, sweetie.” Keira rubbed Holly’s back. “When do you work at the hospital again?”

  She turned her head to face her friend. “Tomorrow.”

  “Okay, then. Call him tonight and clear the air. You don’t want to have things awkward between you at work.”

  Holly looked to Susan for her opinion.

  “I feel like a hypocrite telling you to call him after I went to ridiculous lengths to avoid Blake this past summer, but it’s the right thing to do.” She twirled her spoon around in the ice cream. “Unless of course you really do have feelings for Todd.”

  “No. I don’t. He’s a friend—period.”

  Susan slid the phone across the counter toward Holly. “Then you know what to do.”

  “Now?” Holly’s heart rate increased. She shifted in her seat and tried to ignore the churning in her stomach. Her friends offered encouraging smiles. What had she gotten herself into? Of course she knew they were right, but maybe she shouldn’t shut Todd out that fast. What if there was potential there? Ack! What was she thinking? She had no interest in a relationship with him—or anyone else. That was the whole point of bringing him along to lunch, so her mother would stop trying to set her up. “Okay.”

  Keira and Susan took their bowls to the sink and moved toward the door.

  “Don’t leave! I might need you when this is over.”

  Keira looked out the window and frowned. “It’s looking like it might snow. Sorry, but I need to head out.”

  Holly’s gaze shot to the window. Her friend had been terrified to drive in winter weather when they’d met last year. Her first husband had been killed when he hit black ice. She’d worked hard at overcoming the fear, but she was still nervous. “It’s okay. Go on, I understand.” Holly gave Keira a quick hug. “Thanks for coming over. I actually feel better.” Sure, she was not looking forward to the conversation with Todd, but her friends were right. This needed to be dealt with immediately.

  “No worries, Keira. I’ll stick around. Blake is busy writing, and his sister is at her friend’s house.” Susan plopped down on the sofa and grabbed a fashion magazine Holly had left on the coffee table. Her friend must be desperate for something to do, because she was not into fashion at all. But at least Susan had started wearing colors again, instead of boring black, since Blake reentered her life.

  Holly reached for the phone and dialed. Todd picked up on the second ring.

  “Hey, Holly. What’s up?”

  She ignored her rapid heart rate and concentrated on the task before her. “I wanted to talk with you about what happened between us earlier.”

  “Okay.”

  Holly tightened her grip on the phone. “You can’t kiss me again. Okay, Todd? I value your friendship, and I really appreciate you coming to lunch today, but that’s where it stops. I didn’t mean to lead you on, and I’m sorry.”

  “Is this about that Matthew guy? Do the two of you have something going on? I saw how he looked at you.”

  Holly blinked. Now, why would he think that? “Our friendship has nothing whatsoever to do with Matthew. I knew him in high school. His sister and mine were best friends.”

  “Fine. Thanks for the call. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  The dial tone buzzed in her ear. She hung up and joined Susan on the sofa. “Well, that wasn’t as difficult as I expected.”

  “Then what’s the frown about? Regrets?”

  “No. He said something about Matthew.”

  “Who’s Matthew? Oh, wait. That must be the guy from high school you mentioned to Todd.”

  “Exactly.” Men. She crossed her arms and shook her head. “This is why I don’t want to get involved in a relationship. They’re distracting, and I need to focus on my job.” She’d made that mistake before. She couldn’t let a man get in the way ever again. Her supervisor’s threat rang clear in her mind. She needed to stay focused or she’d be looking for another job, and more than likely it wouldn’t be in the medical profession if she was fired from her first nursing position.

  “Well, it sounds like you’re trying your best. I’m sure you’ll excel at work, and in no time you’ll be leaving our tiny town for a bigger hospital.”

  Holly shrugged. She hadn’t considered leaving Leavenworth. It was home. Something about the music
that virtually always played in the village and the festive atmosphere that surrounded the place made it warm and inviting, even when it was twenty degrees outside.

  No, she’d like to stay put, but someday she wanted to be the charge nurse, and in order for that to happen she needed to maintain her focus. Matthew’s troubled blue eyes and tender concern flitted into her thoughts, but she quickly pushed them aside. No more thinking about men.

  Chapter 5

  Midmorning on Monday, Holly walked into Mrs. Nelson’s room to the sound of Perry Mason playing on the television. “Good morning. How are you feeling?”

  “Better. You think the doc will let me out of here soon?”

  Holly grinned. “What’s the matter? You sick of us already?” She took the blood pressure cuff from where it was strapped to the wall and wrapped it around her patient’s arm. “Your numbers are improving, Mrs. Nelson.” She gave the woman’s hand a light squeeze, then wrote her vitals on her chart. “Lunch will be here soon.”

  The elderly patient made a face. “You call that food? Whatever happened to chicken-fried steak or something with a little substance? All the fruits and vegetables this place serves are liable to send me to an early grave.”

  Holly bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing. “Now, Mrs. Nelson, you know it’s important to eat right to get your blood pressure down and ease the strain on your heart.”

  “Posh.” The woman waved a hand. “I’m ninety years old. You don’t think I know how to take care of myself. My ticker is working just fine now.”

  The older woman was right. Her heart had responded well to the meds, and since she’d been here, her blood pressure had dropped to normal. “Tell you what. I’ll speak with your doctor, and if he agrees, you can choose whatever you like off the menu for dinner.”

  Mrs. Nelson flashed a grin. “Now you’re talking. You’re a good girl, Holly. Thank you.” She rested her head back and closed her eyes. “Think I’ll take a catnap. You mind shutting off the tube?”

  Holly punched off the TV, then slipped from the room and spotted Todd speaking with one of her coworkers at the nurse’s station. She strolled over and bumped shoulders with him. “Long time no see.”

  “Hey, there.” He raised a hand, then shifted so his back faced her and continued talking with the other nurse.

  How rude. Had her rejection of more than friendship stung worse than he let on? Maybe she had hurt his feelings. Her stomach knotted. She hated drama, but it looked as if that was exactly what Todd was dishing out. Then again, maybe she’d interrupted an important conversation. That was probably what it was.

  Her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. She quickly glanced at the caller ID and rejected the call. Her mother could leave a message. She wasn’t supposed to take personal calls at work, and her mom probably just wanted to talk about Jessica’s baby, anyway.

  With a sigh, she sat in the empty chair at the computer station. She loved her sister, but why did their mother have to play favorites? In her eyes, Holly would never measure up to the perfect first daughter. Jessica had been a straight-A student, never got in trouble and excelled at everything she tried—while Holly had been the opposite. Her grades were average and she received detention more than once for being tardy to class. She knew it was wrong to be jealous, but it was so hard not to be. She craved her mother’s love and acceptance as much as she craved success in her career.

  The only thing that could raise her esteem in their mother’s eyes would be to get married and start a family of her own. But that’s not what she wanted, at least not yet. Sure, maybe someday, when Mr. Wonderful came along and she was secure in her position. A flash of Matthew’s vivid blue eyes danced across her gray matter, and she shook the thought away. His words from lunch on Sunday still stung. What did he know? He didn’t have to live in the shadow of a supersibling.

  Mom would have to acknowledge her younger daughter’s success once Holly was promoted to charge nurse. Of course, she was only in her first month on the job, and a promotion would take time, but Holly was determined to succeed. Her cell vibrated again, and she ignored it. If she was caught answering a personal call she’d probably get written up.

  Todd sidled up to her station. “Can we talk?”

  Holly looked up and down the hall and didn’t spot her boss. She nodded. “What’s up?” she asked, while keeping her eyes on the computer screen just in case her superior happened by.

  Todd crossed his arms. “Sorry about ignoring you. I needed to go over something with Angie.”

  Holly nodded.

  “Anyway, I’ve been thinking about what you said on the phone yesterday, and we should talk. Yes, we’re friends, but I think we could be more.”

  Holly’s fingers hovered over the keys, and she raised her eyes. “Oh. Can we talk about this later?”

  “Sure. Lunch?”

  “Okay. I’ll meet you at The Gingerbread House across the street. I’ll text you when I’m free.”

  He gave her a tight smile. “Fine.” He spun around and walked stiffly toward the rehab department.

  She blew out a breath and refocused on the computer screen. The pending conversation with Todd knotted her stomach, but it was best to hear him out and then make him understand her position.

  An hour later, Holly pushed back from her station. “I’m taking lunch.” She sent a text to Todd and walked toward the exit.

  He sauntered out of the rehab center just off the exit. “Late lunch break today.”

  Cool air washed over her as the sliding doors whooshed open. “Yes.” Holly frowned. She hadn’t expected him to leave the second she texted him. She’d planned to gather her thoughts and meet him there, but there was nothing to be done about it now.

  They picked their way across the snow-covered street in silence and trekked the short distance to the quaint shop. The sign out front said The Gingerbread Factory, but she much preferred to think of it as The Gingerbread House.

  Todd held the door open, and she went ahead of him. Fortunately the small place wasn’t busy. She ordered a sandwich and coffee to go, then paid and waited for Todd. Her stomach churned, and she wondered if the sandwich was a mistake. Then a memory of her near collapse in front of Matthew surfaced. She’d better eat or risk a repeat of that embarrassing experience.

  Todd retrieved both their orders. “Do you have time to sit and talk or should we walk and talk?”

  “Walk.” No way did she want to let him think this was a date. She took the bag with her sandwich and turned toward the exit but had to wait for another patron to enter. “Matthew!” Her heart tripped.

  His eyes widened and he stopped, effectively blocking the doorway. “Holly. This is a surprise. What are you doing here?” He flashed a tight smile at Todd.

  “Just grabbing a quick lunch.” She glanced at the display case holding a plethora of gingerbread cookies of all sizes. “Checking out the competition?” she teased.

  Matthew chuckled. “I don’t even try to make gingerbread cookies. Why bother when there’s a place like this in town?” He moved out of their way. “Have a good one.” He nodded to Todd.

  Holly looked over her shoulder to gauge Todd’s response. A grim expression covered his face. The door closed behind them, and they walked slowly side by side. “So, you wanted to talk.” She pulled out her sandwich and took a nibble.

  “Yes. About us. We are good together. I think we should date.”

  She gentled her voice. “There is no us, Todd. I value your friendship, but beyond that...you know how I feel about distractions.”

  “I don’t think of myself as a distraction. I’m an enhancement. I’ll improve your quality of life.”

  She almost laughed and then realized he wasn’t joking.

  “I like you, Holly, and you like me.”

  “Sure, I like you as a friend. But I don’t th
ink it’s a good idea to date a colleague. It’s always awkward if it doesn’t work out and you still have to work together every day. Besides, I’m not looking for a relationship right now, Todd. You know that.” Matthew’s image floated across her mind. Why couldn’t she stop thinking about him? And why couldn’t Todd understand plain English?

  “I was getting a different vibe at your parents’. Plus, you were seriously flirting with Matthew. Seems to me you say one thing and do another. Are you sure you’re not interested in dating?”

  “I don’t mean to be sending mixed messages. I really am committed to my career, and I can’t invest time into anything other than friendship.” She’d been accused of being a flirt a few times in the past. What was she doing wrong? Since when was being friendly flirting? She took another bite of her sandwich and sipped her coffee as they walked across the street. Her break would be over in a few minutes, and she couldn’t be late. “Look, Todd. I value your friendship, but if that won’t work for you...”

  “Okay. I get it.” He grinned. “Friends.”

  “Really? You’re not just saying that?” Talk about a one-eighty.

  “I mean it. You’re fun to be around when you’re not stressing over your family or work.”

  Her mouth stretched into a wide smile. “Thanks!” Holly gave him a quick hug. “I gotta go. Can’t be late.” She rushed inside and two-stepped it to her station.

  The head nurse, aka Nurse Ratched, raised a brow and looked pointedly at the clock.

  Holly sat with one minute to spare and held her breath, anticipating a dressing down. For what though, she didn’t know. Her brow furrowed as she quickly signed back into the computer.

  Nurse Ratched walked away without a word.

  Holly’s fingers slowed on the keys. “What was that about?” She rubbed sanitizer over her hands, then opened her sandwich.

  “Better not let Jill see you eating. You know the rules.” Kelsey, her favorite coworker and the only RN on duty besides Nurse Ratched and herself, pursed her lips.

  Holly had to think twice about who Jill was and almost laughed when she realized that was her boss’s first name. She’d referred to her as Nurse Ratched so often in her mind she’d forgotten the woman’s real name. With a shake of her head, she took a quick bite, rewrapped the sandwich and dropped it into her purse. If she hadn’t been so busy talking with Todd she would’ve finished eating on the walk back.