A Heart For Christmas (Heartwarming Romance)

by Callie Timmins

  “How’s your day been?” She opened the packet and slid out half of the chicken and salad sandwich.

  Marie finished her mouthful of food and swallowed. “Good. Busy. But, that’s nothing different for a physical therapist. Have you started job hunting yet?”

  Kara shook her head. “I thought I’d explore today and look for work tomorrow. I just needed a day to relax and not allow my anxious thoughts get the better of me. Unless you want me scouring the job boards when I get back to your apartment. Are you in a hurry for the spare room?”

  Marie shook her head. “Not at all. You know you’re welcome to stay as long as you need to.” Drumming her fingers on the table, she gazed around the cafeteria. “Why don’t you come with me when we’ve finished here? That way you can have a look around the hospital in case something comes up.”

  Kara quirked an eyebrow and quickly finished her lunch. “I told you I don’t do blood and gore.”

  Waving a hand, Marie balled her napkin and tossed it onto the tray. “There won’t be anything like that. I’m a physical therapist, remember? It’s just a little tour of my workplace.”

  Wiping her mouth on a napkin, Kara nodded before she emptied her scraps into the trash and stacked the tray on top of the receptacle.

  “Where are we going?” Kara slid her satchel and camera over her shoulder again and kept pace with Marie as they wound along a corridor and entered another elevator which took them up two levels.

  “The medical suites. By the way, you look nice.”

  “What?” Kara glanced down at her jeans, fire-engine red flats and her matching red sweater. She hadn’t paid much attention when she’d flung on her clothes that morning. Knowing she was playing tourist for the day, she opted for comfort over fashion. “What’s nice got to do with anything?”

  “Nothing. Just admiring your clothes, unlike my dowdy uniform.” Marie swept a hand over her navy blue pants and matching collared shirt as they walked around another corner into the medical suites.

  Frosted glass walls gave the suite privacy, and a black sign embossed with gold italics, Dr. Caleb Hunter, adhered to the door. A woman who appeared to be in her late fifties, sat behind a desk with a phone headset perched on top of her neatly styled hair. Her fingernails tapped rhythmically on the computer keyboard. She glanced up as the two women approached.

  “Miriam, hi,” Marie said, placing some files onto the desk. “These are the cardiac rehabilitation files for Dr. Hunter, when he finally stops to breathe.”

  “Thanks, Marie. Yes, it’s a bit like that, isn’t it?” Miriam placed the files beside the keyboard and folded her hands. “How are you?”

  “I’m well,” Marie replied. “Busy, but what’s new?”

  “It’s certainly coming up to that time of year, isn’t it? Goodness knows I’ve had a few discussions with Dr. Hunter about needing to slow down and take time off.”

  “I honestly don’t know how these doctors do it. They live and breathe work. Gosh, I can’t wait to get home at the end of each day.” Marie’s laugh tinkled around the small, empty waiting room. “By the way, I’d like to introduce you to my cousin, Kara. She’s staying with me for awhile.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Kara.” Miriam shook Kara’s hand with a smile.

  “And you.” Her gaze returned to the waiting room as Marie and Miriam conversed. Brown leather couches formed an L-shape against the wall and front window. A low-lying coffee table nestled between them, with magazines stacked neatly in a pile. Abstract artwork in hues of green adorned the walls. A typical waiting room. Calm. Peaceful. Which is exactly what a patient would want when visiting someone about their heart.

  “You look stressed, Miriam.”

  “Oh, you know.” The secretary waved a hand around. “That time of year, isn’t it? And just between you and me, Dr. Hunter’s nanny had to go to Australia for a family emergency, so I’ve got some extra responsibilities there now.”

  “Oh, I hope everything’s okay.”

  “So do I. Grace was with the family a long time, and it’s thrown us a huge curveball. I’m trying to organize his life here, and everything else at home.” A large sigh filled the room. “Plus convince him to take some time off.”

  “Actually …” Marie glanced at Kara before turning back to the secretary. “Kara’s looking for work.”

  “Wha …? I …” Kara sputtered. As a nanny? She didn’t know the first thing about children. Or doctors for that matter.

  “Oh, that’s perfect!” Miriam eagerly clapped her hands. “When can you start?”

  Kara’s mouth gaped open and closed as she gave a brilliant impression of a fish. Clearing her throat, she suddenly found her voice. “I’ve got no experience with children. I was a personal assistant in my … previous life.”

  “A nanny is kind of like a personal assistant. You’ll be organizing the children and the good doctor’s home life. Cooking meals. Making appointments. Caring for the children. That sort of thing.”

  “She’s wonderful with my children. A natural, really,” Marie interjected.

  “Oh, I …” Kara’s face warmed underneath Miriam’s scrutiny. Was she serious? A nanny? Marie was nodding enthusiastically while her eyes gleamed. Talk about a deer in headlights.

  “The job’s yours if you want it.”

  Marie continued nodding as though she were some sort of bobble-head doll. Kara ran her fingers over the leather strap of the satchel. “Well, I … You don’t even know me, though.” She could have a terrible job history as far as the older woman knew.

  “I know Marie well enough to trust her judgment. Besides, I desperately need someone. Dr. Hunter desperately needs someone, more to the point. Besides, he trusts me. With the nanny duties falling on my shoulders as well as everything else, I’m feeling the pressure.”

  “Oh, well …”

  “Great!” Miriam jotted something down on a piece of paper and slid it across the desk. “Here’s the address. I’ll meet you there tomorrow, if that’s okay?”

  Did she have a choice? Kara’s gaze flicked between Marie and Miriam as she tucked the piece of paper into her purse.

  “Thank you.” It was all she could muster, given her mind was racing with a flood of questions and doubts.

  Marie looped her arm through Kara’s as they exited Dr. Hunter’s office.

  “I can’t …”

  “Isn’t it …”

  Both women spoke at once and then burst into laughter.

  “I can’t believe that just happened,” Kara spoke first as they walked along the corridor.

  “It’s obviously meant to be. You’ve been here for one day, and a job practically falls into your lap! Miriam’s lovely. And Dr. Hunter … He’s …” A dreamy look crossed Marie’s face.

  “Obviously not a wrinkled balding man in his mid-sixties by the look on your face.”

  “Definitely not!” Marie grinned as the women rode the elevator to the third level. “I may be happily married, but I’m certainly not blind.”

  Great. That’s all she needed. A job she had no idea about and a handsome boss to contend with.

  By the time they’d reached Marie’s office, Kara understood the circumstances around why Dr. Hunter needed a nanny. His wife had suffered a cardiac arrest when their youngest child was only a few months old.

  “That’s so tragic,” Kara gasped. “That poor man. Those poor children.” Her voice faded to a whisper, and her heart clenched inside her chest. She couldn’t imagine losing someone in such devastating circumstances.

  “I remember when it happened,” Marie said. “It was so sad. He used to be full of life, and he’d smile and greet everyone. Now …” she shrugged. “He’s thrown himself into his work. Rumor has it that he avoids going home because he hates to be reminded of what happened. It’s so sad.”

  Kara couldn’t shake the cloud of despondency following her throughout the rest of the day. Dr. Hunter’s circumstances were incredibly heartbreaking. To lose a loved one so suddenly. To
have children growing up without their mother. And to bury yourself in your work to avoid being at home. There was an incredible sadness about it all. And now she was going to be working for him. She only hoped she was up to the task.

  Chapter 6

  Kara opened the wardrobe door and pulled out the clothes she’d only hung on the racks the day before. What a whirlwind twenty-four hours! One minute, she was enjoying a stroll around New York City without a care in the world, thinking she had plenty of time to settle in and search for a job. Next thing, she was being handed a live-in nanny position in a complete stranger’s home. Could life be any more unpredictable?

  She had always thought things through before making a decision, carefully weighing up the pros and cons. Cautious Kara. That was her. Maybe that’s why Steve had ventured into someone else’s arms – because she was too boring and steady and predictable. Well, now was as good a time as any to start a new adventure of her own. To step out of her comfort zone and embrace change.

  Except, what did she know about being a nanny? And living with a doctor? What would he expect of her? Miriam had emailed some information and said she would meet her the following afternoon. But it still didn’t settle the tight knot of nerves balling in her stomach.

  Kara pulled the zip closed on her suitcase just as doors slammed and footsteps thundered through the house.

  “We’re home,” Marie called from somewhere in the apartment. Kara pulled her hair into a ponytail and made her way out to the kitchen.

  “Aunty Kara!” Arms enveloped her as Violet, Marie and David’s nine-year-old daughter, launched at her.

  Kara laughed and ran her hand over Violet’s head. “How was school?”

  “Great!” She hopped up and down excitedly, waving a piece of red paper in the air. “We made Christmas lists in school today. Can I mail it to Santa?” She turned to face Marie who was emptying lunchboxes in the kitchen.

  “Oh, it’s a bit early for a Christmas list, isn’t it?”

  “Not really,” Violet replied. “Mrs. Trevon said it was only sixty days. We have a big calendar in our classroom.”

  “Oh, my.” Marie glanced at Kara with raised eyebrows. “We’d better get …”

  “Writing to Santa,” Kara interjected with a smile.

  “Of course.” Marie smiled and mouthed thank you.

  “What would you like for Christmas?” Kara asked as she perched on a stool at the counter. Violet dropped her school bag on the floor and sat beside her.

  “A pony.”

  Marie coughed while Kara chuckled. She loved the naivety of children. “It might be a little cramped for a pony in here, don’t you think?”

  Violet tipped some coloring pencils onto the counter, selected an orange pencil and began drawing long strokes on a crisp white piece of paper. “Maybe. But it can have Jennifer’s room. She’s always saying she wants to move out.”

  “Teenagers,” Marie murmured. Kara chuckled. She’d hardly seen thirteen-year-old Jennifer since arriving. The teen spent most of her time in her room with the door closed, only venturing out for meal times and school.

  “And I’m going to be a nanny,” Kara replied, eyeing Violet’s coloring.

  “You’ll be fine. The children are still young. You have a natural gift.”

  Conversation over dinner turned towards Kara’s new job with Dr. Hunter. She prepared dinner – a beef lasagna served with garlic bread and fresh salad – as a thank you for Marie and David’s hospitality during her extremely short stay.

  “I hope it works out well for you, Kara,” David said, placing his fork on the table.

  “Me too.”

  “You’re always welcome back here, you know.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Although with Miss Chatterbox and Miss Moody, I’m sure you won’t be in a hurry to come back.”

  “Your girls are delightful,” Kara chuckled.

  “Says you who doesn’t have to live with them.”

  Marie backhanded her husband on the arm. “David, they won’t know that you’re teasing. Leave them alone.” She turned to Kara. “Just think, tomorrow night you’ll be dining with the handsome Dr. Hunter instead of putting up with my husband’s babble.”

  That knowledge sent her nerves into even more of a spin. What would they talk about? She wasn’t exactly the most exciting person, or so Steve had said in his last phone call when she refused to take him back. Would Dr. Hunter find her boring as well? She wouldn’t even know what to talk to a cardiologist about. He was so far out of her normal social acquaintances, she was bound to trip up and look like a fool. Oh, what was she thinking allowing Marie to volunteer her for the job?

  * * *

  “Don’t be a stranger.” Marie wrapped Kara in her arms and the two women embraced on the sidewalk the following afternoon.

  “I won’t. I’m sure I’ll be on the phone every day, if not every hour, asking for help,” Kara murmured as they stepped away.

  “You’ll be fine. And I reckon you’ll love it. Call me tonight and tell me all about it.” Marie’s eyes gleamed.

  “You just want the inside gossip on Dr. Hunter,” Kara laughed as she slid behind the steering wheel. She waved goodbye to Maxwell and then gave Marie’s hand one last squeeze. “Thank you for everything.”

  “All the best.”

  Soon, Kara was navigating through the city traffic, following the voice on the GPS to the address Miriam had given her. Apartment buildings soon gave way to tree-lined streets and large houses on neatly manicured lots.

  Kara eyed the two-level white Hamptons-style house as she pulled into the driveway. Smoothing over the front of her black slim-line pants, she glanced around. Already she felt out of place. Her little hatchback, with the small dent in the rear bumper, didn’t belong in this upscale neighborhood with the manicured lawns and immaculate homes. She didn’t belong here.

  She’d changed outfits three times before leaving Marie’s apartment, finally settling for black pants, a blousy black and white polka dot shirt with black ballet flats. She had no idea what nannies wore, and pants seemed to be more practical than a skirt.

  Pulling her suitcase from the back seat, she walked across the cobbled path and was greeted by Miriam at the front door.

  “Welcome, Kara,” the older woman grinned and ushered her inside. It was all she could do not to gape as she stepped into the foyer.

  Glossy white tiles covered the floor. A staircase with a polished wood banister wound up to the next level. A large vase containing an array of colorful blooms sat on top of a hall table with a large rectangular mirror hanging on the wall behind it. A number of rooms opened off the main entrance, making it appear as though the house went on forever. Perhaps it did. She was used to her two-bedroom apartment back home. Not a monstrosity like this.

  “The children are watching television at the moment, something they rarely do. Dr. Hunter prefers them not to waste time watching mind-numbing shows, as he calls them. But given the extenuating circumstances …” Marie turned on her heels and gestured for Kara to follow. “I’ll introduce you. They really are delightful children.”

  Kara folded her hands as she followed Marie into the living room. Cartoons flickered on the flat-screen television mounted on the wall. A portrait hung on the opposite wall – A man with his arm around a woman, presumably his wife. The boy was much younger, and the girl was a wee babe in the woman’s arms. Her throat constricted at the happiness emanating from the photograph. Her gaze flicked to the dark-haired man with his hand resting on the woman’s shoulder. Marie was right. Dr. Hunter was very handsome.

  “Lucas. Molly. I’d like to introduce you to someone.”

  Two heads turned in their direction. Two pairs of wide brown eyes fixed on her. She smiled, trying to allay her nerves. This would no doubt be as strange for them as it would be for her.

  “This is Kara. She’s going to be your new nanny.”

  “Hi. It’s so nice to meet you both.” Kara smiled, stepping forward. She held ou
t her hand, which Lucas shook vigorously. Molly jumped off the couch and walked over to her. Her gaze traveled up, taking in Kara’s appearance.

  “You’re so pretty,” she said shyly.

  “Oh, thank you.” Kara’s cheeks warmed. “And you have the most beautiful golden curls I’ve ever seen.”

  Molly clutched her doll to her chest and giggled. Kara felt some of her anxiety slip away at the children’s acceptance of her into their home. So far, so good.

  Marie gave her a brief tour of the home, showing her the kitchen – with its large island, sink overlooking the expansive back garden, and stainless steel appliances - the living and dining rooms, Dr. Hunter’s office, and then the five bedrooms and three bathrooms on the upper level. The house was stunning, as though she’d stepped into the pages of Home Beautiful. Modern. Clean lines. And yet it felt empty, as though it lacked something. Warmth. Heart.

  “Make yourself at home,” Marie said as she showed Kara to a large bedroom with a white duvet and matching white furniture. “I’m not sure what time Caleb will be home tonight. I’ll run you through what needs to be done, and then I’ll leave you to it, if that’s okay. You have my number to call if you need.”

  Kara’s mind was whirling with information by the time Marie departed. Inadequate didn’t even begin to describe how she felt as she scoured the refrigerator for ingredients to make dinner. She settled on making the same meal she’d made for Marie and David the previous evening – lasagna, with salad. And just hoped the children weren’t too fussy.

  “How was school, Lucas?” Kara poured water into two plastic cups and set them on the table before sitting down opposite the children.

  “We made bread today.” The seven-year-old’s eyes lit up. He was the spitting image of his father. Dark hair, dark eyes, and a small dimple on his right cheek.

  “Wow! That sounds like fun. I never got to make bread when I was in school.”

  “When did you go to school?” Molly asked as she pulled a piece of lettuce off her fork.