by Lynn Crain
* * * *
Cuinn looked at his cell phone and wished the contraptions had never been invented. His mother had called him every day this week with some little tidbit of news. He knew the woman desperately wanted him home, but he’d go back when he was damn good and ready. He was happy his Uncle Marion had offered him a job when he graduated. He needed some practical experience outside of the North Pole.
Frankly, there hadn’t been anything up north to hold his attention and, truth be told, there really wasn’t anything here either. After his sister Aingeal’s wedding he hoped something would present itself, but it hadn’t. Sitting at his desk, he stretched his neck. He was tired of living by the family rules and tired of being alone. No matter how hard his cousin Giselle tried, he just wasn’t into the women she set him up with at all. Just last week another disastrous blind date had happened.
While the dates helped to relieve the boredom, none of the women would ever suit life at the North Pole. It would take a very special woman, someone similar to his sisters-in-law. He envied his brothers for their good fortune in finding women who fit in so perfectly. He answered the phone.
“Hello, Mother. I’m well. And yourself?” He listened intently as the woman told him about the happenings at home, delighted his siblings were doing so well and wondered briefly when he would get a word in when a question stunned him.
“What do you mean you want me to try and find another nurse for the North Pole? Wouldn’t that be Ardan’s area? So, you’re telling me Angie is pregnant with triplets? Wow. Yeah, that is good news for them as I know they’ve been trying for a while. I understand they need someone to take her place. But why ask me?” He waited to hear the explanation and found himself nodding his head. “That does make sense about Ardan wanting someone more trained in pediatrics. I’ll set up some interviews. When can he get away? Alright, I’ll get Giselle to help me. Bye, Mother.”
Cuinn leaned back in his chair with a deep breath. There was only one person who immediately came to mind and he didn’t want to think about her at all. He’d have to get with Giselle to come up with a list of good candidates and, despite his feelings, if Lacey was still available, he would have to put her on the list.
Still, his mind couldn’t help but wander back to his sister’s wedding and the blonde-haired beauty he’d held in his arms. Lacey Sinclair had gotten to the North Pole with his cousin on the sleigh and was told Giselle would practice her amnesia spell on her. As usual, he had to help clean up his cousin’s mess. Frowning, he wondered just what allure spells and magic had for his human cousin. Their magical ability was part of the elven makeup and elves made sure they didn’t reveal themselves to the world. By and large, magic was never done outside of a loinnir or a safe zone.
His door opened. He knew it was his cousin without even looking up. Although subtle, her perfume was a distinctive expensive mix, which didn’t appeal to him or his senses. “Hi, Giselle.”
“How do you do that?”
He looked at her and smiled. “You know how. I can smell your perfume.”
His beautiful blonde cousin frowned at him. “Yeah, I know but I was hoping for something a little more magical.”
“You know the rules, Giselle.”
She shrugged. “I’ve always hated rules, you know.”
What an understatement. He nodded. “So, I’ve already had a call from my mother today. Can I assume she called you as well?”He smiled at her rapidly bobbing head.
“She did. And I know just the person for you.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me, the woman you have in mind is Lacey Sinclair.”
“There’s nothing wrong with Lacey and you know it. I just happen to know she’s in the market for another job and I think she really needs to get away from Boston.”
Cuinn sat up straight in his chair. “Why? Has something happened to her?” His heart had beat a little faster at the mere mention of her name, but the tempo was different.
Giselle eyed him cautiously. “I did tell you her grandparents were killed in that bus crash a few months ago.”
He nodded once. “I know. I went to their funeral.”
She frowned. “You didn’t even go up and give her any condolences at all. Hardly anyone did.”
“You know why I didn’t. If you hadn’t brought her to the wedding, I’d never have had to make her forget anything. It was too soon afterwards. I couldn’t take a chance on her remembering me or the North Pole.”
“I don’t know why you all are so afraid to let people know you’re here. It could make life so much simpler.”
He offered her a stern glance, and she threw up her hands. “Okay, okay. I get it. You don’t have to lecture me again, but I still think you’re wrong.”
She threw up her hands. “Okay, okay. I get it. You don’t have to lecture me again. I still think you’re wrong.”
“Get back to Lacey.”
“Right. She lost her job and she seems to be without a purpose. She’s alone and floundering as far as I can tell.”
He could sympathize. “There’s a lot of people in that boat, Giselle. What makes this time different or her so special?”
His cousin let out a big sigh. “Well, aren’t we snippy today. I know I don’t understand elf magic all that well but I could swear she’s been different since you rearranged her memory of our trip. She doesn’t seem to have the same zest for life as she used to have.”
“Don’t you think that might have something to do with her not having any family?” He remembered how intrigued she had been with him supposedly having it all, the first thing she had mentioned was family.
“Yeah, that’s part of it, but there’s something else missing. I can’t put my finger on what, but I can tell there’s a difference.”
He stared at her for a moment then chuckled. “So, she doesn’t like being your pet project anymore? I would say she’s come face to face with the hard realities of life.”
Giselle made a pouty face. “Think what you like but Lacey is my friend. I do other things with her besides what you know about.”
“Sure you do. When was the last time you went out to lunch with her just to go?”
“Today.”
He leaned back again. First his mother calls then Giselle shows up. “What are you two up to?”
“Why would you think I was up to something?” The woman appeared genuinely shocked. She stood and glared at him for a few moments. “For once in my life, I had nothing to do with this. Your mother, who happens to be my aunt, called me this morning and asked if I knew any nurses. Apparently Angie is expecting triplets and Ardan is taking no chances and wants her to take it very easy. He needs someone else to help him at the hospital.”
“I’d like to believe you, but your track record doesn’t speak well for itself. And if you think about what I’m saying you’d understand where I’m coming from.”
She sighed and sat down on the edge of his desk. “Quit being mean to me,” she sulked.
Cuinn laughed. “Giselle, I’m your cousin, not some conquest.”
“Now you’re really being mean. Besides, Lacey is the only nurse I know who has any experience with pediatrics. Do you know any others?”
He cocked his head to one side and looked at her. She had always been a pain and now that she had gotten older she was worse. “No, I don’t but we can advertise for a nurse. Mom said Ardan would be here next week.”
She pursed her lips and watched him for a few minutes. “I do believe they wanted someone familiar with the family.”
“Lacey isn’t familiar with us. You made sure of that.”
“Come on, Cuinn, I knew she was someone I could trust. It’s the only reason I brought her with me.”
“You know the rules, Giselle. Santa doesn’t want anyone there he hasn’t personally approved. If you had told him she was coming, he wouldn’t have minded so much.”
“Hmmf. That old man shouldn’t have so much power.”
He looked at his cousin
more than a little shocked. “You’re lucky you even know anything about us yourself. The old man could have made it so no one ever missed my mother.”
She folded her arms. “It’s just so unfair.”
He rolled his neck. This was going to be another one of those arguments. “I can’t help who my parents are any more than you can.”
“I know. But you have all the fun.”
He shook his head. “Trust me, it isn’t fun when you have to make someone forget they even know you. Imagine how I felt. I really liked her.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Is that so?”
“Get that look off your face. I will not be another one of your projects.”
“Did I say anything? I just find it interesting a human woman has finally captured your attention.”
Chapter 2
Lacey sat behind the wheel of her subcompact for a moment longer than she needed. She didn’t know why she let Giselle talk her into this interview. Whatever made her think she would like a job in the remote northwest? With a sigh, she looked at her friend’s family’s office. Giselle was the daughter of one of Boston’s biggest and richest businessmen.
Grabbing her bag, she climbed out of the car and trudged toward the front doors. She might as well get this over with since she already knew she would turn down the job, having plenty to do to close up her grandparents’ house. She teared up just thinking about them. While, she knew they had a great life, she missed them terribly and her grief reminded her how alone she was. She couldn’t believe they had been gone three months already.
Sure, she had friends but it wasn’t the same as having family. She tried to think positive thoughts but sometimes nothing helped. Instead, she put on her best face and tried not to worry Giselle. The normally self-centered woman wanted to make sure everything was right in her world. This wasn’t the first time she had been Giselle’s cause. She didn’t want to remember all the times Giselle had attempted to help her as they had known each other since grade school. She smiled when she thought of all the times her friend had been in trouble because of her generosity.
After walking inside the double glass doors, Lacey smiled at the security guard behind the front desk. “Hi. I’m looking for Giselle Paine.”
“Are you Lacey Sinclair?”
She nodded.
“They are waiting for you in the main conference room. Just past the elevators on your left.”
“Thank you.” Taking a deep breath, she turned and made her way down the wide corridor. She knocked, entered when instructed and stopped short by the number of people in the room. Giselle was there along with her father and three other people she didn’t recognize.
One had nearly white blonde hair and reminded her of an elf in some recent popular films. The other was as dark as the first one was light but both had the same blue eyes. The other occupant of the room was an older woman and she recognized her as Giselle’s Aunt Janice. She smiled and went to the table.
“Hi. Hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”
Giselle smiled and went to take her coat. “Of course you didn’t. We were discussing how the weather is rapidly heading toward fall. It looks like you’re prepared.”
Handing her coat to her friend, she nodded. “You know how I can be a weenie about the cold. Just wanted to be safe.”
“Let me introduce you to everyone. My father you know.”
Lacey inclined her head. “Hello, Mr. Paine.”
“Good to see you again, Lacey. How’s school going?”
“I’ve had to put school on hold for a while.”
“I was sorry to hear about your grandparents. I was out of the country when you had the memorial service.”
“Thank you.” She hoped her face didn’t show what she felt because she suddenly wanted to burst into tears. Sitting before her was an honest to goodness family who loved each other deeply. She would give almost anything to have had something like that in her life.
“And I’m really sorry about school but I think we have something to make it a reality.”
She sat down. “All right. I guess it won’t hurt to hear what you have to say.”
Giselle’s father frowned at her. “You seem as if you aren’t convinced you want to be here.”
She looked at her friend then back at the man. “Sir, you know your daughter probably better than I do. What do you think?”
He chortled then looked at his daughter for a brief second. “I think everyone here would agree with your observation, Lacey. But I do believe we have something here, which will help everyone out. First let me get some introductions out of the way.”
“Okay.”
“This is my sister, Janice Locklin and her two sons, Ardan and Cuinn. I do believe you’ve met Cuinn at school.”
She smiled at each one as he introduced them but stopped dead with Cuinn and narrowed her gaze at him. These two were like night and day with Ardan being very blonde and Cuinn being very dark. But when she looked at Cuinn, a twinge of a memory nagged her that it was more than just school. “I remember you but—” She didn’t quite know how to put into words what she felt then the moment was gone. Shaking herself, she smiled up at them once again. “Sorry, don’t know what happened there. I do remember seeing Cuinn around school. I’m happy to meet you, Janice and Ardan. Giselle doesn’t speak too much about her relatives outside of Boston. I do remember she said you all lived in Alaska or someplace way up north.”
“They do but I’ll let them explain it all and our reasons for having you here.” He turned to his sister then and nodded.
“Thanks, Marion.” Turning to Lacey, she continued. “We do live up north, but hope that won’t deter you from thinking about our offer. We have a family compound at our manufacturing site complete with a hospital and health care. Ardan’s our doctor and his wife, Angie is normally a nurse but she’ll be indisposed for quite a while due to her pregnancy with triplets.”
Lacey arched her eyebrows in surprise. “Triplets? Natural or otherwise?”
“Natural,” Ardan supplied. “It comes from my side of the family but we haven’t had any for quite a while.”
“Wow. That’s great! I wish you all the best.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it and you can see how we find ourselves in a dilemma. It will be hard for me to be unbiased toward this whole event. I need someone to hold the fort so I can help care for my wife. Truth be told, I would like it to be someone who already has a liking toward pediatrics because we will eventually need a pediatrician. We’re kinda having a population explosion.”
She chuckled. “I’m sure that happens from time to time, especially since the place is small. How many children are there?”
“Right now, we have four. Two toddlers aged four and two aged one. There are least four more on the way and that includes my yet unborn three.”
“Wow. How many families are there?”
“Most of the population is beyond child bearing years. My oldest three have all married in the last four years and they are the ones having the children.” Janice Locklin smiled seemingly very proud of her family.
Smiling at Ardan and Cuinn, Lacey nodded. “Okay, just how many Locklins are there?”
“I have six children and every one of them have been a handful in one way or another.” Janice pointedly looked at her boys. “I’m sure their children will be very similar. This leads us right back to the reason we need your expertise for a while. We can make it worth your while.”
Lacey sat and thought about it for a moment. “Tell me where I would live and what I’d have to do. I mean I’m not a nurse practitioner or anything. True, I have four years of pre-med under my belt as well as my nursing but I’m no doctor.”
Ardan sighed. “We understand. As I’ve mentioned, we’re having an explosion of births right now. We need someone who can help us with the kids and the regular clinic. Our compound houses about a hundred and fifty people total. They come in all age brackets from infants to…” He hesitated for a moment as
if searching for the right word. “…people well up in years.”
“So, not only would I be helping with the kids, I would be helping with the general clinic.” She narrowed her eyes. “Let me get a few questions out of the way first. Do you have a dress code? What’s your take on patient care?”
Ardan looked surprised at this sudden change in tactics. “Umm, we usually wear scrubs and as long as they’re clean I don’t really care. Patient care is everything. I mean, granted I’ve known everyone since I was a child, but the fact is I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. I consider myself lucky to find someone who shares the dream in Angie. Is there anything else?”
Lacey sighed and slumped in the chair. The offer sounded too good to be true and the man in front of her had much the same thoughts she did as far as some basic items. “Yes, there is. I’ve heard it from more than one person you’ll make it worth my while. Can you please define what you mean by that?”
He nodded. “I think can. We’d have to ask for a minimum commitment of a year. That way, we’ll know if Angie will return to work at the hospital at all. Right now that’s all up in the air. You’d be paid a competitive salary with a bonus for being isolated.”
“What’s the amount of the bonus?”
“We’ll pay for your medical school.”
Her mouth dropped open and she glanced from one person to another, ending with Giselle who had a big grin on her face. This was a lot of money for just one year of service. “So, what’s the catch?” She zeroed in on Cuinn as he seemed the most bothered about the whole thing and fidgeted as she watched him “You’ll have to sign a non-disclosure agreement and you’ll never be able to tell anyone where you’ve been.” Cuinn’s quiet voice filled the room.