“We’re all grown. My older brother and sister are both married and have kids. My younger brother, Jason, is engaged and my baby sister, Samantha, is just finishing college. We’re spread out too, so having us all together doesn’t really happen very often, though we try. This year Mom and Dad are spending Christmas in Texas at my brother’s, spoiling grandkids.” He took a sip of his chocolate and then looked down at her. “What about you? Siblings?”
She turned her gaze to the very tall Christmas tree in the center of the square. His family sounded wonderful, even if they were spread out across the country. She focused on the huge star at the top of the tree as she answered. “There’s just me. My parents live in Boston.”
“So close enough you can all be together for Christmas. Lucky.”
He’d think so, wouldn’t he? Because that’s what families did. But not hers. She forced her voice to be light, nonchalant. “Oh, they’re traveling over the holidays. A cruise or something.”
She knew how it sounded. The problem was, the situation was exactly how it appeared. They weren’t a warm and fuzzy family. Being together felt like work. She supposed it had been nice of them to invite her along for the trip, but the idea of being stuck on a cruise ship for Christmas, playing third wheel to her parents wasn’t Charlie’s idea of a perfect holiday.
They stopped chatting as the mayor, Luke Pratt, got up to make a short speech. The elementary school choir then performed three verses of “O Christmas Tree,” their sweet, youthful voices filling the air as a few errant flakes of snow drifted through the darkness. As the last note faded into the night, there was a breathless pause and then the tree came to life, multicolored bulbs lighting up the square and causing a chorus of ooohs and aaahs to wave through the gathering, and then clapping broke out, the sound muffled by heavy mittens and gloves.
“That’s pretty impressive,” Dave remarked from behind her.
She nodded, staring at the tree, the beautiful colored lights sparkling in the chilly evening. “I’ve always liked the lights with all the colors.” She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him. “White ones are elegant, and I know some people like all red, or green, or whatever. But I think the variety is so cheerful, don’t you?”
“Oh, absolutely.” He was grinning, and she knew he was teasing her a little bit. She liked it. It was far better than the formal “Dr. Yang” she got when she crossed the square.
They were interrupted by someone from the church, thrusting a caroling booklet in Charlie’s hand. “We’ve got a bigger crowd than we expected,” the woman explained. “Would you mind sharing?”
“Of course,” Dave answered. He stayed where he was, a few steps behind her, even as the church choir led the first carol, easing into the evening with a familiar and rousing rendition of “Jingle Bells.”
Charlie turned around and stared at him. “Either you’re incredibly farsighted, or you’re not singing.”
He squinted at her—and then laughed.
“Nuh-uh,” she chided. “If I’m expected to sing, so are you.”
“Believe me, you don’t want me to.”
“Then fake it.” She smiled at him sweetly. “Aren’t we supposed to be suffering together here?”
“You’ll only suffer if I sing. We could demonstrate our solidarity by abstaining.”
They were talking during the singing and a few dirty looks were aimed their way.
She shoved the booklet in his hands. “Just mouth the words,” she commanded. “And smile.”
He held the booklet but had to hold his arm straight down so it was low enough for her to see. Not that they needed the words to “Jingle Bells.” Charlie joined in, feeling awkward and singing softly. Just enough so she could hear herself, but not loudly enough that anyone nearby could discern her voice from the others.
And then she heard it, a deep rumble an octave below hers, slightly off-key, slightly mumbled, as Dave started jingling all the way. She hid a smirk behind a sip of hot chocolate, then joined in for the last chorus.
As the next carol was announced, he leaned over, his mouth ridiculously close to her ear. “I saw you laughing.”
She put on an innocent expression. “I swear I didn’t.”
“I told you I couldn’t sing.”
“Yes, you can. What you should have said was you can’t sing well.” And then she did giggle.
And he gave her shoulder a nudge as if to say, Brat.
The next song was more somber, and the crowd started singing “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” That was followed by several others, both religious and secular until Charlie’s hot chocolate was long gone and her fingers and toes were starting to get cold. She shivered and wrapped her arms around her middle, shifting her feet to get warm. How long did these things go, anyway?
And then Dave moved closer behind her, blocking her from the cold with his broad body, putting his left arm around her and pulling her back against his puffy coat while the right one encircled her, holding the lyrics booklet so they could both see.
She should pull away. She should simply say she was getting cold and leave. But she didn’t. It felt too good, having the bulk of his body close to hers, barely touching and yet sheltering her just the same. He was near enough she could feel the gentle vibration of his voice through his chest as the crowd started singing “Silent Night.” The mood had turned soft and reverent, the voices blending beautifully as the earlier cloud cover shifted away and left a sky full of twinkling stars. Something stole through Charlie then, a lovely yet wistful sense of contentment. Maybe she wasn’t perfect. Maybe she didn’t quite fit in here. But right now, the heart of Jewell Cove wasn’t such a bad place to be.
Her eyes stung a little and she blinked quickly, picking up the words of the second verse. It had always been her favorite carol, so calm and peaceful and beautiful. A few voices sang in harmony, and Charlie realized that this was the happiest she’d been in a long time.
The song faded into the night and there was a pause while everyone, by tacit agreement, let the last note linger on the air.
* * *
Dave looked down at the warm woman in his arms. Her head didn’t quite reach his chin, and she felt tiny and petite as she leaned against his chest. He didn’t want to let her go, not yet. And he didn’t think she wanted to leave either, because she stayed where she was as Gloria Henderson got up and reminded everyone about the Evergreen Festival coming up. The evening ended with a cheerful version of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and then the crowd began to disperse.
She started forward but his arm tightened, pulling her back against his chest. “Hurrying away so soon?” he asked quietly, putting his lips close to her ear. Close enough he could kiss the soft skin just behind her earlobe. He didn’t, but he was tempted.
“I should go. It’s cold out.” Her voice was breathy. She was feeling it too. But she stopped pushing against his arm and settled back against him once more, in the fleeting moments where they were in the tenuous limbo of the event being over but not yet attracting any attention.
He definitely didn’t want the night to end yet.
“I thought you might be interested in that drink. And the fire.”
* * *
Nerves and anticipation coiled in Charlie’s stomach, a delicious blend of “I shouldn’t” and “I really want to.” Wasn’t this what she’d been fantasizing about since she’d first seen him? That he’d show up and proposition her in that smooth, velvety voice?
Charlie slowly turned around and lifted her chin so she could meet his eyes. Just as she suspected, they were serious with a glint of teasing … or was that challenge? She was an achiever. Challenges were her personal kryptonite. It was almost impossible to turn one down. Add into that the fact that she knew exactly what she was looking for in a man, and his invitation became tempting in the extreme. He had a good sense of humor. He was nice, and gentlemanly. Not a bad start, really.
“I’m not looking for a hookup,” she said, casting a quick l
ook around to make sure she couldn’t be heard. “Just so you know. It’s not really my style.” As much as she disliked the rigid structure of her childhood, the end result was that she was constantly weighing pros and cons and making decisions based on logic and not impulse.
Saying yes would definitely be an impulse move.
“Charlie, look at me.”
She met his eyes again. The challenge was gone, replaced by something deeper. Something she couldn’t help but respond to.
“It’s just one drink. I’ve spent the last few weeks working my butt off. I liked you yesterday. Other than the guys down at the dock, you’re the only person I’ve really met in town.” He gave her a little wink. “And you’re definitely better looking than they are.”
She wasn’t beating social engagements off with a stick either. The clinic was small, just her, Josh, and their receptionist-slash-nurse, Robin. There was no office Christmas party, no family, no tight circle of friends. She understood the kind of isolation he was talking about. More than that, she was really attracted to him.
She wavered. “One drink, nothing more.” She wanted to sound firm but her voice had a husky, soft tone she didn’t quite recognize.
They’d stepped away from each other, preparing to leave the square when Josh came up behind them. “Charlie, you came to the tree lighting. I wasn’t sure you would.”
Charlie blinked. So much for slipping away unnoticed.
“And you’ve got a date.” Josh grinned at her and she felt like a little sister at the mercy of a big brother’s teasing.
“You’re being transparent, Josh.”
He actually had the temerity to look innocent and offended. “Me? Transparent? Right.” He held out his hand to Dave. “Josh Collins. I’m the other doctor in the Jewell Cove practice.”
“Dave Ricker.” Dave shook Josh’s hand and smiled. “I’m working at the boatyard.”
Josh tilted his head and wrinkled his brow. “Hey, are you the guy renting Tom’s cottage out at Fiddler’s Rock?”
Dave nodded. “Yeah, that’s me. You know Tom?”
Josh grinned. “He’s my cousin. Welcome to town. Listen, a bunch of us are going to the Rusty Fern for a bite to eat. Come along and I’ll buy you a drink,” he offered. “You too, Charlie,” he added as an afterthought.
“I think we already have plans,” Dave replied, his gaze leaving Josh and falling on Charlie.
Charlie looked from Josh to Dave. “You did say you didn’t know many people in town,” she said, surprisingly grateful for the invitation. “And you mentioned something about a drink. This way you kill two birds with one stone.” She let the words hang in the air. It was a chance to spend more time with him without it getting too intimate too fast. Fantasies were one thing. But Charlie was a little more reserved when it came to the actual execution. This might be a chance to get to know him better, rather than being swept away by her mystery guy.
Dave sighed. “Sure, why not?” he agreed. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “But you still owe me a date.”
She shivered with anticipation. She had to admit, it felt great being pursued. It had been ages since that had happened.
“Great!” Josh said. “I’ll go round up the others.”
Before they could answer, he was gone again, melting into the departing crowd.
“Do you get the feeling we were just bulldozed?” Dave asked.
She laughed. “I’ve learned to pick my battles where Josh Collins is concerned.”
“And tonight wasn’t one of them?”
She smiled, feeling a little cheeky. “It saved me from having to turn you down later,” she explained, and started walking away. “When you would have propositioned me. You coming or not?”
He caught up to her, laughing a little as he looped his arm through hers. “I’d say you assume too much, but you probably don’t. Just so you’re aware, I haven’t given up.”
His persistence sent a wave of warmth through her. Their steps slowed and Charlie left her arm linked with his as they ambled down the block. Little flakes of snow were drifting lazily down, settling on the sidewalk with a soft shush. Evergreen wreaths with huge red bows hung from each lamppost, and the businesses that had remained open for late shopping were lit up with Christmas lights. Last Christmas she’d just moved here and hadn’t taken the time to really enjoy the holiday season and the sense of community that pervaded the town. This year was different, though. She couldn’t help but be swept along in the festive spirit.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Dave remarked, pulling her arm closer to his side.
She tilted her head and glanced up at him. “Sorry. I’m just enjoying the walk. It’s so pretty out tonight.”
“It is, isn’t it?” He angled a look down at her. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen snow at Christmas.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I was deployed a few times, and there’s not exactly a lot of Christmas spirit in the Middle East.”
Deployed. So he was military—or ex, since he was working on the docks. Now that Charlie thought about it, it fit. There was something in his bearing, the way he carried himself. Confident but not cocky. Respectful and with intent.
He paused, taking a deep breath of cold air as if savoring it. “Before that I was stationed in California. Not much snow there.”
“I guess not. How long have you been out, then? I mean, did you resign or get medically discharged or something?”
He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. “Hmm. A lot of questions.”
“I guess I figured if we’re going to get that nightcap at some point, I might want to know a little bit about the man behind the invitation.”
His dark eyes searched hers for a moment. A group of teenagers went past them, talking loudly, half of them with their heads buried in their phones.
He shrugged. “I was a SEAL. I’m thirty. I was already older than most of the guys on my team. Besides, it was time to come home. Stop running around the world being Rambo.” He smiled. “And now I’m back to where I started. Working on boats and being by the ocean. It suits me.”
A SEAL. She couldn’t deny the little shiver of excitement that rippled up her spine. Not just a soldier but an elite one. She tried to lighten the mood a little. “I didn’t realize SEALs had a best-before date.”
“Only with some things.” His gaze burrowed into hers again, surprising her with its intensity. “I promise, with just about everything else, I’m nowhere near approaching my shelf life.”
Oh. My.
They were nearly to the churchyard when Dave stopped suddenly, looking over at the nativity. There was a thin film of snow on the tops of the statues, but it really did look lovely, especially with the single small floodlight casting a glow on the scene. She looked up at him and saw a frown marring his face, his brows pulled together in the middle.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
“Stay here. I thought I saw something.”
She waited as he stomped through the snow on the church lawn. Down the block, she noticed as a person jogged to a parked car, got in, and wasted no time driving away. She looked back at Dave, whose body blocked her view of the manger. More perplexing was the way he stared at it, his body utterly still.
“What on earth are you doing?” she called out.
A thin, plaintive sound traveled on the cold air, and she looked around to see if anyone was passing close by with a stroller or baby in their arms. But the crowd had dispersed and there was barely anyone on the street now. Her gaze turned back to Dave and her heart thumped against her ribs at the same time as her stomach seemed to drop to her feet.
He was standing in front of the manger. And instead of a T-shirt and plastic doll, he appeared to be holding a baby, wrapped in a red blanket.
Chapter Three
Awake now, the baby cried a bit, a helpless little wail that made Dave hold him or her a little closer to his jacket, tucking the blanket more firmly around the
tiny form.
“Dave?”
He stepped forward. “I think we have a big problem, Charlie.”
She rushed forward, stirring up snow until she reached him and pulled back a corner of the blanket. “Oh my God. This baby can’t be more than a few weeks old. We need to get inside where it’s warm.”
“The pub?”
She frowned. “I guess. No, wait. My office is only a few blocks over. He … she … needs to be examined. Did you see anyone? What about that car that rushed away?” Without waiting for an answer, she whipped out her cell phone, walking as she talked. Dave followed right at her heels.
“Hi. It’s Dr. Yang from the clinic. Who’s on duty tonight?”
There was a momentary pause as the person on the other end answered.
“Can you have him meet me at the clinic right away? I’m on my way now.” She ended the call and then automatically dialed again.
“Josh? It’s Charlie. I have to take a rain check on tonight. Something’s come up.” There was another pause and Dave watched as Charlie’s face wrinkled with annoyance. “No, not that. We just found … something … at the nativity. I’ll explain it all later. I don’t have time right now.”
She hung up and nodded at him, all business. “Let’s hurry. The police are on their way and we have to get this little one inside and out of the cold.”
The wind had picked up a bit and Dave unzipped his coat partway, then tucked the bundle inside, cozy between his body and the protective nylon shell. Charlie smiled and said, “Great idea” as she led him to the corner and left, going up the street, turning left again at the next corner until they were standing outside a house that had a floodlit signing announcing JEWELL COVE MEDICAL CLINIC.
She dug in her purse for keys, went to the back door and opened up, then quickly disarmed the security system.
“Come on in,” she invited, flicking on a light.
The reception area was bathed in a welcoming glow. The office was warmer than outside, but still chilly, and Dave stood by feeling helpless as Charlie bustled around, turning up the heat and flicking on lights. She’d gone from sweet, blushing Charlie to super-efficient Dr. Yang in the blink of an eye. Now he understood a little better why she might have earned the nickname Dr. Pit Bull.
It Must Be Christmas Page 9