“So, Lucky, what did you think of Roger? He seems nice, doesn’t he. And dinner was fun. And I learned more about Nick. I bet he really misses his father. I wonder if they should get together–just the two of them. Not that his dad should put Nick above his new wife, but neither should he push him away just because Nick isn’t as happy with his dad’s new wife as he is.”
Lucky curled up on the seat and wagged his tail, but made no response.
They reached home without any difficulty and Annie let the puppy do his business before taking him inside.
It was only when she was in bed that she let herself think about the kiss. It had been magical. For a short time she’d believed in miracles. Nick would fall in love with her and stay in Lamberton. They’d become a couple and even talk marriage.
But before she could finish that image, reality took hold. She was growing more and more interested in him, but the future didn’t hold a miracle. He was returning to Africa and her home was here.
Still, she fell asleep with a smile on her lips. Nick had kissed her.
The next morning Annie was up early. While playing elf wasn’t on her top ten list of things to do, she was glad to do her part to make Christmas special for children. She pulled on long underwear and then the red and white tights for her costume. Whoever said elves had to wear skimpy clothes? She put on the dress, noting it stopped mid thigh. At least with the long underwear she had a chance of staying warm. The hat helped. And the workshop was going to be heated. At least she hoped someone remembered to start the heater early.
When it was time to leave, she donned her heavy jacket over the costume and called for Lucky. She wished she was the one spending the day with Nick instead of the puppy. Or with the puppy. She didn’t care much. In fact, if it weren’t for Lucky, she and Nick might not have spent so much time together.
She frowned. Was he only spending time with her because of the dog?
She thought he enjoyed their time together. What if he were only being polite?
She fretted about the situation all the way to the park. She made sure Lucky had his leash securely fastened when they got out. He pranced around her as they walked to the workshop. It was cold, and no matter what the tights weren’t that warm.
Entering Santa’s Workshop a couple of minutes later, she was delighted to feel how warm it was. Santa was already there, moving some things around. Marilyn was at the cash register checking it out to make sure it was functioning.
“Good morning,” Annie greeted them. She grimaced when she saw Marilyn in a heavy sweater and woolen pants. “Why didn’t you have to dress up like an elf?” she asked.
“I’m behind this counter and am really only dealing with the parents. You’re the one escorting the kids to Santa. You need to be in character.”
“Yeah, until some child who knows me comes in.”
“Not to worry, no one wants to take a chance of getting on the wrong side with Santa. If someone knows you, they’ll still pretend.”
“Maybe.”
“Are you sure this is the best place for a dog?” Brad asked. The extra padding and white beard completely disguised the cowboy.
“Nick’s coming before ten to take him. I couldn’t leave Lucky at home for so long, who knows what he’d be up to.”
Marilyn smiled slyly. “So Nick’s coming here?”
Annie looked at her suspiciously. “Yes. So?”
“Nothing. I haven’t seen him since the present wrapping.”
Annie wanted to defend herself, but though better of it. Marilyn would only tease her if she had a clue that Annie was starting to fall for the doctor.
She looked away as the realization hit. She was falling for Nick. She could hardly wait for him to show up this morning just to see him. She thought about him when they apart and loved being with him. She wanted to learn everything she could about him, and share meals, and adventures, and quiet evenings at home with him.
“You okay?” Brad asked, settling in the large throne built especially to hold several kids with Santa for those families who wanted a photo of everyone with Santa.
“I’m fine,” Annie said. “I’ll step out to see if Nick’s here.”
“Have him come in to say hi,” Marilyn called as Annie left the workshop.
Annie didn’t respond, but looked at the parking lot. Nick was walking toward her. Lucky began wagging his tail and pulling on the leash. Annie released it and the little dog almost flew across the snowy ground toward Nick. No question, that puppy loved Nick.
“I know how he feels,” she murmured.
Distracted by others now walking across the snow, she checked her watch. It was almost ten. When the first family arrived at the door, she greeted them.
“You got here early. We’ll open in five minutes, but you’ll be the first to see Santa.”
The kids cheered and the mother nodded with a smile. “I was hoping we would, so we didn’t have to stand in line for long. Last year seemed endless with the kids so pumped up to see Santa, waiting wasn’t happy.”
Another family arrived, the kids running across the snow.
Nick came up.
“Good morning,” Annie said with a bright smile. Her heart pounded. Her eyes wanted to take in every aspect of him.
“And to you.”
To her astonishment, he leaned over and kissed her cheek.
She stared at him.
“A puppy!” The kids in line gathered around the puppy.
Lucky was in his element, licking every face he could reach and wagging his tail in excitement.
“That’s a nice touch,” one of the mothers said. “Keeps them from complaining about waiting in line.”
Nick’s eyes met Annie’s. “Shall I stay for a little while?”
“If you can.”
She glanced toward the parking lot. More and more families were arriving.
“Unless it gets too cold for you or Lucky.”
“We’ll manage. Do you get a break for lunch?”
“No, we work straight through to three, but I grab a snack as we go. Marilyn brought lots of popcorn, quick to grab a handful and easy to eat.”
“I want to pet the puppy,” one of the little girls said.
“What’s his name?” another child asked.
Nick nodded to Annie and then turned to the children. He patiently answered all the questions the children had, and mentioned to the parents the dog was a stray in hope someone might know to whom he belonged.
Annie entered the workshop.
“Ready?” She shrugged out of her jacket and opened the door.
The time went fast. From time to time Annie glanced outside–to see how long the line was, not to see if Nick was still there. Each time, she saw he was surrounded by children. As the morning waned, Lucky must have gotten tired because when she next looked, Nick was holding him so the kids could pet him.
“Nice touch,” Brad said in the two minutes between kids.
“What?” Annie asked.
“Bringing a puppy. No disgruntled kids this year. We should make that part of the event every year. Maybe have a raffle to give him to the winner.”
“Something to think about,” Marilyn said.
Annie nodded. It wouldn’t be the same without Nick, though. She was already missing him and he wasn’t due to leave for a few weeks.
By the time the last child had given Santa a list of desired presents, had her picture taken and left clutching the photograph, Annie was exhausted.
“I think my face is going to crack if I have to smile another minute,” she said, rubbing both cheeks.
“I can’t feel my legs. Who knew kids could weigh so much,” Brad said, standing and stretching.
“They don’t, unless you have four at one time,” Marilyn said, counting the money from the cash register. The income from the event went to the local schools.
“How did we do today?” Annie asked, walking over to her friend and pulling on her jacket. Brad was turning off the heate
r and straightening some of the wrapped boxes that were under the large Christmas tree.
“Better than last year, I think. I have to tally the charges next.”
“I’m heading for the ranch,” Brad said. “Thank you both for today.”
“You, too, Brad,” Annie said.
When he left, she turned to Marilyn. “As soon as you’re ready, we’ll head out and I’m heading for home and warmer clothes.”
“You’re so cute as an elf,” her friend said. “I bet Nick liked it.”
Annie shrugged. “If he did, he didn’t mention it.”
“When did he leave?”
“I’m not sure, after twelve. I’m glad the kids in the afternoon didn’t know what they missed. They might have been more cranky.”
“Kids don’t like waiting in line. They were fine.”
“I guess.”
Marilyn put the money in a bank bag and turned off the cash register. “I’m ready. I’ll deposit the money in the bank and head for home myself. Even using this stool, my back hurts.”
“Don’t talk to me about your back hurting. Next year, you try being the elf.”
Marilyn laughed as she joined Annie by the door. The two walked out together and Annie made sure the door was locked. “I wouldn’t look as cute as you,” her friend said.
Annie scanned the parking lot. She didn’t expect Nick and Lucky to be there, but couldn’t help a small hope. The only vehicles left were hers and Marilyn’s.
“Is Nick taking you to the potluck?” Marilyn asked as they reached her car.
“No.” Annie gave her friend a hug. “Though I might ask him. His cousin is back and they may have made plans of their own.”
“I thought the cousin was going to the Bahamas or something for the holidays.”
“He broke his leg in Chicago so decided to cancel that trip and come home.”
“Ummm, how does that change the dynamics?” Marilyn asked.
“What are you talking about?” Annie asked.
“Nothing. Tell him we appreciate the puppy patrol this morning. See you soon.”
Annie walked over to her truck and got inside. It was cold and she was hungry and tired. She didn’t know what she was supposed to do about Lucky, but right now she didn’t care. A hot shower and warm clothes were all she wanted at this moment.
Nick was sprawled on the sofa, Lucky sleeping in his lap. Roger looked over. “I’d take another beer but don’t want to wake the puppy.”
“He’ll go back to sleep,” Nick said, easing Lucky onto the floor. He rose and gathered the two empty bottles and headed for the kitchen. Glancing at the clock, he knew Annie would be finished by now. They hadn’t made any plans for her getting Lucky. Should he call her or wait until she called him.
Unless she was tired of the puppy and didn’t call.
He handed a bottle of cold beer to Roger when he returned to the living room.
Roger muted the television. “So how long do you plan to keep that dog?” he asked.
“Hadn’t thought about it. We keep hoping someone will call to claim him.”
“If it hasn’t happened by now, it won’t,” Roger said.
“We don’t know that.”
“I’d say to count on it. Then he’ll go to Annie when you leave?”
Nick stared at the television, but didn’t really see the football play. He was thinking of Annie. And how he didn’t want to leave. He’d been wrestling with that fact for several days now.
He glanced at Roger. “Do you ever want a family?”
His cousin shrugged. “I like my life the way it is. It’s different from what I thought I’d have. But I was crazy for Darlene. Her leaving changed everything.”
“That was years ago. No other woman on the horizon?”
“None that I want to spend the rest of my life with. Why the question? Your life is worse than mine for a family of any kind. And after the way your dad’s handled things, I’d think you would be off involvement.”
“I’m not big on introspection,” Nick said. “But this illness has given me a lot of time to think. And now I’m wondering if it’s too late for me to think about a family.”
“It is if you keep traipsing around Africa,” Roger said.
“Is living here enough for you?” Nick asked. “It’s much smaller than Portland. Doesn’t begin to offer the same amenities.”
“I like it. And I take off a couple of times a year to visit the big city. I think I was made for small towns and the easy-going lifestyle. What’s going on? You sweet on Annie? Seeing yourself staying?”
Nick shook his head. He wasn’t going to discuss his feelings for Annie or the vague discontent he was feeling with his career. It was probably only the after effects of his illness. Once he was back in fighting form, he’d be fine.
They watched the rest of the football game in companionable silence. Nick was glad his cousin didn’t push. But it didn’t change things. He needed to make some decisions–and soon. His leave was up in early January.
When the game ended, he called Annie.
“Hi,” she said. “Want me to come get Lucky?”
“No. I can bring him by your place. Want to get dinner together?”
“Sure. Any place in mind?”
“It’s your town, I don’t know any place beyond the café.”
“We have a great barbeque place beyond the feed barn. Want to try that?”
“Sounds good. I’ll pick you up in about a half hour?”
“See you then.”
He clicked off and met Roger’s eyes. “Want me to bring you something from the barbeque place?”
“Not including me in the invitation?” Roger asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.
“Not this time. But I’ll leave Lucky with you for company.”
“Great. Yea, bring me back an order of baby back ribs.”
When Nick knocked on Annie’s door, she opened it quickly. Looking at him she smiled, then glanced behind him. “No Lucky?”
“He’s with Roger. I didn’t think they’d let him in the restaurant.”
“No, I don’t suppose they would. Come in. I’ll get my jacket.”
He waited by the door watching her as she put on the jacket and flipped her hair from beneath it. She glanced around and then walked toward him. “I’m ready. I think you’ll like this place.”
“Roger wants us to bring him home an order.”
“Sounds good.”
Chapter Eight
For the first time since she’d met Nick, Annie felt self-conscious riding in his car. What could they talk about?
“So how did the rest of Santa’s Workshop go?” he asked.
Grateful for the topic, she relaxed a little. “We were busy all the way to the end and even stayed a few minutes beyond the closing time to make sure we gave every child a chance to see Santa. Marilyn said our take exceeded last year's, which is good.”
“And Santa’s Workshop is opened tomorrow as well?”
“Yes, but later in the day to avoid church time. Don’t want to temp folks with kids to miss church to see Santa. And thankfully I’m not the elf tomorrow.”
“You make a cute elf.”
She laughed. “Right. My life’s ambition.”
“If not an elf, what is your life’s ambition?” he asked, keeping his eyes on the road as he drove.
She thought about it for a moment. “I’m not sure I have a great ambition. I like my life as it is.”
“No urge to see the world? Explore new places, see different lifestyles?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m content right here. That’s probably hard for you to understand with your background. I take it you are one who likes to explore new places.”
Nick was silent for a moment then slowly nodded. “I guess I am.”
They reached the barbeque place and after they parked they headed inside. The aroma of cooking meat was all around them. Nick’s mouth watered before they even entered.
“Wo
w, the aroma alone is worth the visit.”
She grinned. “Wait until you taste the food. The meat will melt in your mouth, and every taste bud engages for full enjoyment.”
While they waited for their order, Annie asked him to tell her about all the countries he’d visited. The majority were in Africa, but he’d got to a couple of disaster areas in the Pacific Ocean. He tailored the stories to sound more exciting than they had been. Mostly it was tragic and horrific and sad. Either disease or disaster, Doctors Without Borders went in to do what they could. It was never enough.
It never would be enough. He glossed over that, but Annie was more astute than he expected.
“You do terrific work, but is it always so intense? Do you ever get to hear what happens to the people you helped?”
“We get follow up reports on the general population. But for individuals, no. I never hear what becomes of them.”
“And that suits you?”
He shrugged. “When I was in med school, this seemed the perfect career.”
“And now?” she asked.
“It’s the career I chose.”
She smiled. “No wish to settle down, to make a place for yourself in a community? To have friends for years? Does that sound too boring to you?”
He stared into her eyes and the thought came that it didn’t sound boring at all. But he’d made his choice years ago and settling down didn’t look to be in the cards for him.
The server delivered their dinners and for a few minutes conversation ceased as they both began eating.
“I was going to invite you to Christmas at my parents place,” Annie said when the first pangs of hunger had been satiated.
“You were but now aren’t?” he asked.
“Well, you were alone, now Roger’s home so I figured you two would celebrate together.”
“Actually some friends of his invited us to their place for dinner.” He looked at her. “But if I got another offer, I’d be inclined to accept. I don’t know his friends. I know you.”
Annie felt a thrill of excitement. He had other plans that he’d forego to spend the day with her.
“Then consider yourself invited. We start early with beignets for brunch. We eat the main meal around one and then have dessert later in the evening. I’ll drive. It’s a ways out of town, so I could pick you up around nine.”
A Teaspoon of Mistletoe Page 7