Lila stood up, and motioned for Lucy to come take her seat. “Dr. Taggart, can I get you something to drink?”
“No thank you. And please call me Cole.”
“All right, but only if you promise to call me Lila.”
“Thank you, Lila.”
“Well,” Lucy’s mother looked at her daughter and then Cole. “I’ll just leave you two alone.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Lucy said.
Lila hesitated for a brief moment before pivoting and leaving the room.
“What are you doing here?” Lucy whispered.
“Coming to see you.”
“Are you crazy?” She cast a furtive glance to where her mother had been. “I’ve finally gotten through to her about Lance, and now she’ll set her sights on you.”
Irritation worked its way through Cole. He leaned forward. “Would that really be so horrible?”
Her face softened. “Don’t take it personally. I’ve already told you it’s me, not you.”
“Lucy, I like you, and—judging from the exceptional kisses we’ve shared—I think you like me too.”
“I do like you.” Her eyes strayed to his mouth for a brief moment. “That’s not the issue.”
“Then what is?”
She opened her mouth, but her mother came back into the room. “Excuse me, Dr. Taggart, er, Cole. We’re about to have dinner and we’d love to have you stay and join us.”
Cole purposefully avoided looking at Lucy. “I’d like to. Thank you, Lila.”
“Wonderful.” Lila backed out of the room her face glowing with satisfaction. “I’ll set another place.”
Once she left, Cole slowly met Lucy’s eyes. She looked both confused and bothered. “This is a mistake, Cole.”
“How is it a mistake?”
Lucy’s gaze narrowed, and she took a few seconds to answer. During that time a man—whom Cole assumed was Lucy’s dad—came into the room.
“Hello,” he said as Cole stood up. “I’m Lamont Phillips. Lucy’s father.”
“It’s nice to meet you, sir.” Cole took his outstretched hand, and gave it a firm shake. “I’m Cole Taggart.”
“I understand we have you to thank for taking such good care of our Lucy.” He turned and winked at his daughter. “She said quite a few nice things about you last night.”
“I did?” Lucy said, sounding alarmed.
Her father grinned. “Yep. About an hour after you took your pain medicine you came into my office and told me all about the cute doctor who took care of you. You might have also mentioned something about mistletoe and kissing too.”
Cole felt his neck flush with embarrassment. Mr. Phillips had to be questioning Cole’s professionalism. To be fair, though, he hadn’t kissed Lucy after she’d been injured.
“Please tell me you didn’t tell mother,” Lucy said, her face a tad on the pale side.
Her dad laughed. “Not yet.”
“But you won’t say anything, right?” Lucy asked.
Smiling, Lamont looked at his daughter and then to Cole. “I have a feeling I won’t have to say a word.” He chuckled as he left the room.
Lucy sat there staring after her father. Cole felt bad. Maybe he should just go home and warm up his dinner, and forget about Lucy Phillips.
“I’m sorry, Lucy.”
“It’s not your fault. Obviously, I should avoid narcotics from now on.”
He wanted to laugh, but he felt sick inside. She might have issues that had nothing to do with him, but he couldn’t risk his heart again. Falling in love had never been part of his transition plan to Snow Valley. His work would keep him busy, and converting his practice to what he wanted would require a lot of his spare time.
“Hey, I’m not looking for any kind of relationship, and neither are you.” He tried to gage her reaction, but couldn’t tell what she was thinking. “We’re friends. Let’s just keep it that way.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry.” Her voice trembled. “I know I’m a little screwed up.”
“Aren’t we all?” He gave her a soft smile. “So can we be friends?” He held out his hand.
“Yes.” She moistened her lips, and slowly placed her palm against his. He ignored the zing of attraction and gave her hand a gentle squeeze before dropping it.
“By the way, how is your finger?”
“Better.” She smiled, and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “It really hurt like crazy once the lidocaine wore off, hence my use of Lortab. But this morning, as long as I keep it elevated, or don’t bump it, it seems to be okay.”
“Good.” They stood there for a few uncomfortable seconds. He went to shove his hands in his pockets, and felt the box containing the bracelet. Should he even give her the gift?
“Oh,” she said brightly. “Allie and her children were at church this morning. Pastor John introduced them to the congregation, and people were very welcoming. Lance’s mother Vivian invited Allie and the children to Sunday dinner and my mom said she accepted.”
“That’s great. I wish I could’ve been there. People are going to think the new doctor is a heathen. This is the second week in a row I haven’t been able to attend.”
“Doc Taggart has your back. He proudly told everyone how you covered for another doctor at the last minute.”
Cole hated how stilted their conversation felt, but it was necessary in order to preserve their friendship, and his heart.
“I think Uncle Will is going to enjoy retirement.”
There was another awkward pause. She glanced around the room and then said, “My mom and some of her quilting friends have gotten the word out, and donations have come pouring in to Pastor John. There are a lot of people who want to help, so getting things for the family won’t be hard.”
Cole had looked forward to shopping with Lucy, but now he didn’t think he could take being around her, knowing she’d return to California soon after Christmas. “I’m glad people are willing to help. I don’t know how busy these next couple of days are going to be at the office, so maybe your mom and some of the women can help you out with the shopping.”
Lucy stared at him for a few heartbeats. He thought he saw her bottom lip quiver before she gave him a rigid smile. “That’s a great idea. I’m sure they’d love to help.”
They were spared from further conversation when Lila came in. “Dinner’s ready.”
“It’s smells delicious,” Cole said, as he and Lucy followed Lila into the dining room.
Lucy’s parents made Cole feel welcome, and introduced him to her younger brothers. Throughout the meal, Cole marveled at the family dynamics. They loved each other, and weren’t afraid to show it. He knew it wasn’t an act. Someday he hoped to have a family like this, and it gave him hope that it was possible. He just needed to find the right woman. Once Lucy returned to California, maybe Cole would meet someone else.
He and Lucy maintained the facade that they were nothing more than friends. When the family questioned him about attending the fireworks with them tonight, he declined stating he needed to catch up on sleep after pulling an all-nighter at the hospital.
Just as the meal finished, Cole got a call from his mother. Never before had he been so grateful for her timing. “I need to take this call,” he said, silencing the phone and scooting back from the table.
“I suppose as a doctor you get called away often,” Lila said kindly.
“I do, and I apologize for having to eat and run. The meal was delicious.” He couldn’t bring himself to look at Lucy. “Thank you for having me in your home.”
“Any time, son,” Lamont said.
Cole noticed the amusement from before was replaced with concern. He could probably sense the tension radiating between him and Lucy. After telling Logan and Landon goodbye, he finally met Lucy’s gaze. “I hope your finger continues to heal. I’ll be in the office Monday and Tuesday if you need anything or have any concerns.”
The usual light in her eyes was absent. She scooted back from the table.
“Let me walk you out.”
Thankfully his mother was persistent, and Cole’s phone started buzzing again. “Thank you, but that’s not necessary.”
He waved, and quickly left the room. On his way out the door, he passed by the sofa table, and noticed a Christmas gift sitting there. Impulsively, he pulled the wrapped box out of his pocket and put it on the table.
The conversation with his mother went about as well as it usually did. She ranted for several minutes about his breakup with Nikki, and ordered him to apologize and make up. When Cole calmly refused, explaining once again why he’d broken off the engagement, she belittled him about being judgmental and unforgiving. In the end, he realized his mother only wanted him back together with Nikki to save face with another couple joining them in France.
By the time Cole got back to Uncle Will’s house, he really was exhausted. He shut off his phone, and left his uncle a note saying he had a headache and had gone to bed early.
It took Cole a couple of hours to actually fall asleep. He made several plans about his medical practice to keep his mind off of Lucy. With the help of the Internet, he was confident he’d find an IT company that could make the changes he wanted for his office.
When he got off work tomorrow, he’d follow up with Lucy about the Parkers, making sure he kept everything on a platonic level.
Chapter Fourteen
Lucy woke up Monday morning feeling depressed. She’d thought about Cole all night long. At the firework display, she’d run into Doc Taggart and Beverly. When she asked about Cole, Doc told her that he’d gone back to bed to catch up on his sleep. At least he hadn’t been lying about that.
She couldn’t believe how rotten she felt. Christmas Eve was only two days away and she was moping around instead of humming Christmas music and making sugar cookies. Her finger felt a little better but she still couldn’t use it. She wouldn’t even be able to help her mother and the other ladies wrap the presents for Allie and her children.
A knock sounded at the door. “Come in,” she said.
Her mother poked her head in the door. “While everyone’s at the 5K breakfast, the girls and I are going to hit Dove’s and get the shopping done early. Are you coming with us?”
Lucy wanted to back out, but decided serving someone else would help get her out of her funk. “Sure. I just need comb through my hair and I’ll be ready to go.”
Her mother studied her for a second. “You seem a little blue. Are you regretting your decision about Lance?”
“No, Mom. Lance and I are friends. It felt good to finally get everything out on the table.”
Lucy’s talk with Lance had gone remarkably well, considering their past. He’d been hurt when she confessed to kissing Cole after only knowing him on the plane ride out. Lucy couldn’t bring herself to admit how far-reaching that statement was, but figured Lance didn’t need to be hurt any more than he already was.
She’d also discovered Lance had grown up quite a bit over the past year. With his father still struggling to regain his strength from the stroke, Lance had taken over managing the ranch and was very successful.
“All right,” her mother said, watching her closely. “What about Dr. Taggart? He’s a nice looking young man, and already established in his career.”
Lucy’s stomach tightened at Cole’s name. “He’s a good friend, Mom. Besides, I’m going back to California. It would never work since he lives here now.” She stood up and crossed the room to her vanity. “I won’t be long, okay?”
Her mother sighed loudly, and said, “Okay, I guess I just need to accept you’re more interested in your career than getting married.”
Tears stung Lucy’s eyes, and she was glad her mother couldn’t see her. “I’m young still, Mom, and I’ve worked hard for my career. It doesn’t mean I don’t want to have a family of my own. I’ll marry and settle down when the right guy comes along.”
Her voice quivered, and she covered it up with a cough. Lucy had a feeling the right guy had come along, and she’d just blown it big time.
***
Shopping for the Parkers had been therapeutic, and Lucy felt much happier by the time they finished up a few hours later.
Lance’s mom had talked non-stop about how adorable the children were, and how well-mannered they’d been at dinner the night before. Vivian also said that Allie was a beautiful girl who’d been in an abusive marriage. Her divorce had been finalized the year before, and her ex had disappeared without ever giving her any kind of child support. Allie didn’t have any family left, and was trying to do the best she could.
Recently, she’d lost her job as a waitress in Wyoming when her kids had gotten sick, and she’d missed too many days. That’s when a Christmas miracle happened. A letter from an attorney in Montana came two weeks before, stating the Carpenter house, which had been her great aunt’s home, had been left to Allie as the only living relative. She’d sold everything she could and loaded up her kids and moved to Snow Valley.
The most interesting bit of news Vivian had to say was how well Lance and Allie had gotten along. They’d talked for a couple of hours while TJ and Hailey made sugar cookies with Vivian. By the time the family left, Lance was smitten with Allie as well as with her children.
Lucy was happy for Lance, and was glad she could honestly tell Mrs. Christensen exactly that. She really hoped the best for him.
After completing the Christmas purchases, the quilting ladies came to Lucy’s house and started wrapping all the presents for the entire family. Lucy’s finger throbbed from not keeping it elevated most of the day, so she was resting in her room while the women concocted a plan to deliver the Christmas goods.
She glanced at her phone, hoping Cole had messaged her. He’d said he wanted to be friends, but obviously that wasn’t true. Since her finger hurt so much, she thought about texting him so he’d have to talk to her, but decided against it. Being deceptive hadn’t gotten her anywhere this past week.
Closing her eyes, she tried to fall asleep. Instead of visions of sugarplums dancing in her head, memories of Cole filled her mind. Each scene played out from the first time she threw her arms around his neck and begged him to kiss her, to the magical train ride, kissing under the mistletoe, and then chopping down a Christmas tree for a family in need. She squeezed her eyelids tight, trying to blot out the memories of Sunday night’s dinner.
Why had she pushed him away, and what was she so afraid of?
She rolled over on her side, keeping her right hand elevated, and stared at the poster of Captain America that Logan had given her last year when the new film had come out. All her life she’d marched to the beat of her own drum and not the one other girls did.
Just because she preferred hacking a computer over cooking didn’t mean she didn’t want to be a mother or a wife. Most guys liked the fact she’d rather watch an action hero movie over some chick-lit romance. That didn’t mean she didn’t like romance. Lucy loved debugging programs, but she also liked curling her hair and dressing up. She loved baking cookies, and bread, but she hated cooking.
Her phone chimed a text message, and she scrambled to sit up to find it. Her pulse quickened when the message was from Cole.
Sorry I haven’t been in contact. Crazy day at the office. How did the shopping go? Do I need to pick anything up?
Her hands shook slightly as she accessed her voice to text option. My mom and the ladies were incredible. They’re in wrapping everything up right now.
Great! How’s your finger?
She was tempted to exaggerate her symptoms in hopes he’d make another house call, but went with the truth. Good. Throbs a little from walking around for a few hours, but I’m elevating it now.
Anticipation for his reply made her feel giddy. He sounded normal, like they were friends again. The seconds ticked by until five minutes had passed. Lucy stared at the phone, feeling as if she couldn’t catch her breath.
Finally, she saw three dots appear, letting her know he was typing a reply.
It came a few seconds later.
Uncle Will just called. He and Beverly have an idea about how to deliver the presents to the Parkers. I’ll call you later with the details.
Lucy sat back against the wall, feeling a little let down. While she was happy the community was eager to give the Parkers a good Christmas, it meant she and Cole weren’t spending very much time together. She’d promised to help him see how wonderful Christmas could be. Although, now that she thought about it, she’d already reached that goal. Changing Cole’s mind and heart about Christmas hadn’t been that difficult.
The time she had left to spend with him was dwindling faster than she wanted. She saw the pretty red dress hanging on her closet, and was glad at least she’d get to spend an evening dancing with Cole at the Christmas Ball.
Suddenly her phone chimed another text, and she glanced at the screen. The message was from Cole. Lucy wanted to cry when she read the quick note.
BTW, since I’m single and without a family, I volunteered to take the ER shift on Christmas Day for a doctor with a young family. I knew you’d understand, and have more fun at the dance without stressing about your mom or anyone else thinking we’re a couple.
Moisture gathered in her eyes, and she felt a tear slide down her cheek. She was so stupid. Maybe she’d expected Cole to be as persistent as Lance had been all these years. But it was too late now. She’d made her decision clear, and now she’d have to deal with it.
Chapter Fifteen
Cole followed Uncle Will and Beverly into the church for Christmas Eve services. He felt like the third wheel even more since Uncle Will had proposed to Beverly last night, and they were acting very much like a newly engaged couple.
Pastor John greeted them enthusiastically. “I’m happy to finally meet you, Dr. Taggart,” the pastor said with a firm handshake. “What you and Lucy did for the Parkers is what Christmas is all about.”
A lump formed in Cole’s throat at the mention of Lucy’s name. “We just started it but the rest of the community jumped on board.” Cole grinned at Will and Beverly. “Mr. and Mrs. Claus here delivered the presents after the parade, making all the effort worthwhile.”
An Unexpected Kiss: A Christmas in Snow Valley Romance Page 11