Clearwater Romance

by Marissa Dobson

  Jessi sat and made a list. She had to figure out what she’d do with her furniture. Was it worth bringing it here to put into storage? None of her furniture would fit into the elegance of the house, so it was either storage, or get rid of it. If she got rid of it and things didn’t work out she’d have to start all over again. So many decisions to make.

  * * *

  Michael stepped into the house, not bothering to take off his coat. “Jes!” He hollered up the steps, hoping she wasn’t resting.

  Cathy stepped out of the kitchen, her apron bore splotches of flour. “Mr. Johnson, is everything all right?”

  “Nothing could be better. I just wanted Jes here before I bring in the surprise from outside.”

  “She was working in your study. I’ll get her for you.” Cathy turned to go.

  “No need. I’m here. What’s all this fuss about?” Jessi came down the hallway toward them. Without another word, Cathy left them.

  “I have a surprise.” He stepped out the door and grabbed the Christmas tree he had leaned against the house only moments before. “I didn’t see the point to put one up before you arrived, but I want to now. I thought we could decorate it together.”

  “Only if we have hot cocoa and listen to Christmas music.”

  “Deal.” He lugged the tree into the family room. It was the first time he had a real Christmas tree since he was a child. It was also the first time he’d decorate a tree since he did it with James and Jessi when he was an intern. Peg never wanted a tree. She hated the mess they created... How did I ever end up with such a woman? We were so different. He pushed the thoughts away and focused on making this a Christmas both Jessi and he would remember always.

  “I have decorations in the truck, as well as a tree stand.” He leaned the tree against the wall before he turned to go back out into the cold. “Ask Cathy to make some cocoa. I’ll get the Christmas music on when I get back.”

  Bag after bag he carried in before finally he turned the stereo on with the jazz instrumental Christmas CD she bought him on the last Christmas they spent together in Denver. With the tree in the stand they took a moment to drink their cocoa while she separated the decorations he purchased.

  “When did you find the time to get all this?” She set another string of Christmas lights into the pile that was already larger then they’d need for the tree.

  “Confession…I bribed my office assistant Melissa. I told her what I wanted color-wise and she did the rest, thankfully, because I would have never known what all to get. Who’d think a tree would need a skirt?” He held up a red velvet one with white snowflakes decorating it.

  “Everyone knows that. You need to hide the hideous tree stand until the gifts are put there.” She unfolded it and handed it to him. “Being as big as a whale, if I get down there I might never get back up, so it leaves you to put it around the base.”

  “You’re beautiful.” He kissed her cheek then did as she had asked.

  “I love that you find me beautiful even when it looks as though I’ve swallowed a beach ball.” She pressed her hands against the cushions of the couch for extra momentum to get up.

  “You’ve always been beautiful to me, but now you have a glow around you like nothing I’ve ever seen. It makes your beauty radiate.”

  His words alone would sweep her off her feet if she let them. But knowing he meant them meant more to her than just the words. He’d told her years ago she was beautiful, but after that one kiss they’d shared he seemed to erect a wall that no matter how much she tried she couldn’t scale. It was what prompted her to sign up for the semester abroad. Would things have been different if she hadn’t? That she would never know.

  Chapter Six

  The snow was coming down heavily again and was forecasted to only get worse through the hours. Jessi’s nerves were shot as she waited for Michael to get back from picking James up at the airport. In Denver she had to deal with snow, but not like this. This was more than just a snowstorm, it pounded the sleepy town with ice. The roads were a disaster.

  “Ms. Macis, can I get you anything?” Cathy asked from the doorway.

  “I’m fine, thank you, Cathy.” She pulled back the curtains to look out upon the driveway again. Even though Michael had used the snow blower on the driveway before he left it was covered again. The snow was at least three inches thick already, with the possibility of four feet over the next few days.

  “I know you’re worried, but Mr. Johnson will be home soon. Maybe you should rest. I don’t want you going into labor without him here. I don’t think we could make those roads in either of our cars.”

  “I’m not due for over a week.” With her hand rested on her stomach she turned to face Cathy.

  “I’ve been around long enough to know that in multiple baby pregnancies the mother rarely make it to their delivery date.” Cathy scooted one of the chairs closer to the window. “Humor me and sit.”

  Jessi nodded and obeyed. How could she argue when the woman was looking after her?

  “I’m just in the kitchen. Holler if you need me.” With that Cathy returned to her duties leaving Jessi alone with her worries.

  Her cell phone vibrated on the coffee table, tearing her gaze from the window. “Please don’t let that be bad news.” She eased her hand toward it like it might bite.

  “Hello.” There was a hesitation to her voice as she tried to push the Pause button on her fears. She didn’t remember to be this full of worry before the pregnancy, had this brought out her motherly instincts, forcing her to worry more about those she loved.

  “It’s me.” Michael’s voice came through the phone.

  “Oh Michael, is everything okay?”

  “We’re fine, I didn’t mean to worry you. We stopped to help a car that ran off the road just on the other side of town. I didn’t realize how long it took us to get it out of the snowbank. I just wanted to let you know we’ll be there soon.” She heard the engine start up.

  “I’m glad you’re both okay. Drive carefully.” She didn’t care how long it took him to get home as long as he made it safely.

  “Will do. I love you.”

  The first time he said it she wasn’t sure how to respond but in that minute she knew she shared his feelings. “I love you too.”

  “I’ll see you soon.” By the tone of his voice she knew she caught him off guard. He hadn’t expected her to return the sentiment.

  * * *

  Most of the evening Michael hung back giving Jessi time with her brother, biding his time until they were alone. When James finally retired for the night, Jessi snuggled up on the couch.

  He rose from his chair, wanting to be closer to her. “May I join you?” She moved her legs to give him space to sit. “I was thinking the other side. I enjoyed when you snuggled against the chest last night. Scoot down and let me sit behind you.” Last night they sat in the light of the tree talking of Christmases past.

  “With the weight of me and my stomach against you I don’t know how you could have been comfortable.” She moved enough for him the room to squeeze in beside her to cuddle.

  “You’re light as a feather. Now come here.”

  After they were comfortable, his arm around her body, he finally brought up the earlier call. “Did you truly mean what you said before?”

  “About my weight?” She leaned back enough from his chest to look up at him.

  “No. That you love me.” He felt as nervous as a schoolboy waiting for her answer.

  “Yes. I think part of me always loved you, but you were always out of reach. Now well, we can finally have what we wanted.” She yawned and he knew they should call it a night.

  He ran his hand down the length of her arm with the knowledge that he had everything he wanted right there with her by his side. “Come upstairs to my room. Sleep beside me so I can feel you next to me. Allow me to wake with you beside you to know none of this was a dream.”

  “Okay. I’ll change and meet you in your room.” She rose from the c
ouch headed toward the steps.

  “I’ll be up after I check the house.” Clearwater was a safe town, with very little crime, thanks to Sheriff Ryder, but growing up in Denver instilled habits of locked doors. He moseyed around the house checking the doors before making this way back to the living room to unplug the tree.

  He took a final look at the tree before unplugged it. “If this Christmas goes well I’m going to have more than I ever knew I wanted.” With only days left before Christmas he had a few final things he needed to finalize to tie everything up in one big Christmas bow.

  Chapter Seven

  Christmas morning Jessi woke in Michael’s arms, his fingers gently gliding along her shoulder blade. “How long have you been awake?”

  “Only a few minutes.”

  She twisted her head to look up at him. She wasn’t sure what she would have said, but before she could he kissed her. The unsaid words died on her tongue. His kiss was full of heat and need. She opened her mouth, meeting his kisses with her own desire.

  When the kiss ended she snuggled tight against his body. Wishing her large stomach wasn’t in the way so she could lay the length of his toned body, feeling him pressed against every inch of her.

  He stared at her so long she started to feel nervous and had to ask, “What?”

  “You’re beautiful.” His face told her he wasn’t lying, he honestly found her beautiful. Her cheeks heated with a blush she couldn’t restrain.

  He reached under the covers and pulled out a small ring box. “I asked you once before, but this time I want to do it right.” He tried to slip out of bed, away from her.

  “Yes.”

  “I haven’t asked yet.” He smiled at her a twinkle in his eyes.

  A light laugh escaped her lips, taking a bit of her apprehension with it. “Stay here, ask me where you are.”

  “I wanted to get down on one knee, but if you insist.” He opened the box, taking the beautiful diamond ring from its bed. “Jessi Ann Macis, years ago when I was just a measly medical intern I fell in love with you and over the years that love has only grown stronger. Will you do me the honor of being my wife? Marry me and make me the happiest man alive.”

  “Yes. I love you and it would be my pleasure to be Mrs. Johnson.” He slid the engagement ring on onto her finger. “You have any connections that could see us married quickly? I’d love to do it before the girls are born, to give them a proper family right from the start.”

  “Tomorrow I’ll see what I can do. Until then, we have a Christmas to get to and you have to break the news to James—preferably before we got to the Christmas party at the hospital.”

  “I’ll deal with him.” She got out of bed ready to get dressed and tell her brother. Hopefully he would be as happy for her as she was.

  * * *

  Later that afternoon, the gifts were opened, the news of their forthcoming marriage had been delivered to James, and now they gathered in the family room. Michael was content with Jessi’s head resting against his chest, while James took the chair cattycorner to them, each relaxing before the night’s excitement was upon them.

  “James, I know you have a promising practice in the city but have you ever thought of settling for the slower life?” Michael took a drink of his coffee.

  “Sure, from time to time. To get out of the city, away from it all. It sounds like Heaven but that means starting all over, and positions like yours don’t come up often. Most small towns want family doctors not pediatricians.”

  “So if something came available, would you be interested?”

  “Michael, what’s this all about?” Jessi inquired before her brother could answer.

  “Let him answer and I’ll explain. I promise.” He kissed the top of her forehead and looked back at James.

  “Maybe if it was a good fit.”

  “I want to offer you a job. Now with twins due any day to have another doctor in the office to share the workload and hospital duties would be a blessing. It would give me more time to spend with Jes and the girls. It would also keep you close for Jes. You’ll be able to play a bigger part in your nieces’ lives.” When James started to speak Michael added. “Just think about it, that’s all I’m asking.”

  James laughed. It was deep and full of life. “I was going to say I’ll take it. I’ll need time to give notice in Denver, but it would be perfect.” He rose from his seat and walked across the room to stand by the window. “The other night when we were on our way back from the airport and you stopped to pull that lady out of the snowbank. I realized this was the type of place I wanted to be. No one would have done that in Denver. More importantly, Jessi is here. We’ve always been close and to think of her gone… Well, she’s all the family I have left.”

  “Oh, James.” She tried to rise, but didn’t have the momentum to get up. “Damn stomach always in the way.” Finally able to get up, she went and hugged him.

  “Last night, I looked to see if there were any openings for a pediatrician in the area. I’d change my life, to stick close to you and be a part of my nieces’ daily lives. I don’t want to be the uncle they only see once or twice a year.”

  “I’m sorry. I never meant for this to change your life. I thought you loved your job,” Jessi told him.

  “None of this is your fault. I want you happy and Michael does that for you. He’s a good man. I couldn’t have picked a better one for you.”

  “Thank you. Jes is an amazing woman, I’ll do my best to make sure she’s always happy.” Michael came up behind her, placing his arms around her until they slid overtop hers on her stomach, before steering the conversation back on track. “So when can you start?”

  “If you’re serious I’ll call tomorrow and give my notice. My contract says I need to give thirty days, so I’ll need a month to close things up back in Denver before I could start.”

  Michael nodded, excited about the possibility of working with his former medical school roommate and best friend. Back before they went their separate ways that had been an unstoppable team. His father always told him work to live not live to work and that was exactly what he what he wanted to do.

  “You’re really going to move here?” Jessi asked, her voice holding a touch of surprise.

  “Why little sister, the way you ask that, someone might think you wouldn’t want me intruding on your happiness,” James teased.

  “It’s not that. I mean I’d love you close. I’m just surprised. You’ve worked so hard to establish your own clients and now you’re willing to give it up?”

  Michael spoke up. “Sometimes it’s more about living your life, than working it away. James was a mess when you were studying abroad. If it weren’t for medical school and the long hours, he wouldn’t have known what to do with himself. Now he’s back in almost the same position and he doesn’t want to miles to separate you both.”

  “He’s right,” James agreed. “Thank you, Michael. I truly appreciate this opportunity.”

  “We’ll finalize the paperwork and get you hospital privileges before you leave. In the meantime, we have a party to attend. You’ll get to meet some of your future co-workers.” He ran his hand on Jes’s stomach. “You still up for the party? We don’t have to stay long but I promised I’d stop in.”

  “Who doesn’t love a good Christmas party? I’m fine, but are you sure the weather’s okay?”

  He kissed her neck. “It will be fine. The plows were busy getting the roads cleared this afternoon, and I doubt we’ll be there long enough for this to do any real accumulation. We’ll keep an eye on the weather. If it gets too bad we can leave. The hospital isn’t that far.”

  “If you say so.” She didn’t seem convinced.

  “For a woman who lived in Denver all her life you sure don’t like to go out in the snow, do you?”

  “It’s not the going out in it. I’d gladly go win a snowball fight against both of you again. I just don’t particularly like driving in it. I guess working from home all these years has spoiled me.”r />
  Michael and James laughed, until James finally gained enough control to speak. “Dear sister, next year I’ll challenge you to a rematch for you cheated on that particular snowball fight you’re remembering.”

  “I’ll take you on now and still win.” She tried to slip out of Michael’s embrace as if to go to the door.

  Michael pulled her back against his body. “Oh no you don’t. You’re pregnant and so not having a snowball fight this year.”

  “Party-pooper.” She nestled her head against his shoulder.

  He might be just that but he wouldn’t let his fiancée run around in the snow with only a week before she was due. He hoped the girls would wait another few days to give them a chance to get married before they came into the world.

  * * *

  The hospital Christmas party flew by without a hitch. Jessi met Michael’s co-workers and James mingled easily with his future co-workers. Everyone welcomed him on board with eager enthusiasm. Things were coming together for Jessi better and faster than she ever imaged. Taking a seat at one of the tables, she arched her back trying with all her might to take the strain away, but nothing seemed to work.

  “Maybe a backrub would help?” Michael came up behind her, laying his hands on her shoulders, gently rubbed her shoulders before he worked down the back that wasn’t pressed against the chair. “How is tomorrow evening for us to get married?”

  She laid her hand on his. “Tomorrow? How did you manage that?”

  “Father Donavan does rounds most night to see his parishioners and anyone else who might like a visit. I caught him as he was leaving. Does that work for you? I know you wanted to do it before the twins were born, and who knows when they might decide to make their arrival. Hopefully they’ll hold off another day.”

  “Tomorrow’s perfect. I’d marry you now if I could.”