An Unexpected Holiday Gift

by Martha Kennerson

  “Good, I didn’t miss the shot,” Keylan said, walking back into the exam room.

  “Don’t mind him, Doctor. I’m ready.” Mia closed her eyes.

  “We’re done,” the doctor said soon after, dropping the needle cartridge and the syringe filled with saline in a red biohazard box.

  “What, you’re done? I didn’t feel a thing.” Mia’s eyes were wide with surprise.

  “I know. You were so focused on the syringe you didn’t notice the needle pin right next to it. It’s new. There is a numbing substance supplied at the same time the injection is given. The syringe was just a distraction.”

  “Wow, talk about a great invention. I know a little boy who would really appreciate something like that,” she said, laughing.

  “Where is the little man, anyway?” Keylan asked, looking down at Mia’s hand.

  “With my aunt, but he’ll be at the bowling alley later this afternoon.”

  The doctor removed his gloves and said, “I’m going to need to see you back here in about a week. You’ll need to change that dressing daily.”

  “She will, I’ll make sure of it,” Keylan promised.

  “You’ll make sure of it?” Mia replied, bumping her hand against the table, wincing.

  Keylan cupped her face with his left hand. “Are you okay?”

  Mia could see the worry in his eyes and her heart flipped. It was a look similar to that Colby often gave her when he, too, was worried that something might be wrong. “I... I’m fine.”

  Keylan dropped his hand. “You have got to be careful.”

  “You can take ibuprofen for the pain,” Dr. Moon advised, “but if that doesn’t help, I can call you in something a little stronger.”

  “Thanks but that won’t be necessary,” she said.

  The doctor pulled out a business card and handed it to Keylan. “If she changes her mind, just give me a call.”

  “Thanks, Doc.” Keylan put the card in his back pants’ pocket. “Do you have a back exit?”

  “Yes, of course. It’s across from the fire exit. I’ll go get the code. I’ll be right back.”

  “A back exit? Why?” Mia frowned up at Keylan.

  “It appears somehow the press figured out we were here.”

  “How? I mean, we were careful when we left the bowling alley. We even took Travis’s car.”

  “We were careful when we left. Not so much while we waited in the lobby.”

  “Oh, no.” Mia lowered her head and covered her eyes with her right hand. “I guess I’ll be splattered all over the paper tomorrow.”

  Keylan’s face went blank. “Tomorrow?” He pulled out his phone and did an online search for his name before he handed Mia the phone. “We’ve already hit the internet. I bet we’ll be trending by the time we get back to the bowling alley.”

  Mia read the headline: KJ and Mystery Woman at Local Clinic. Why?

  “Great, just great. At least they don’t have my name.”

  “Not yet, but it’s only a matter of time.” Keylan’s expression dulled.

  Mia scowled. “Aren’t you just the bearer of good news?”

  The door opened and the doctor poked his head in. “All clear and I’ve deactivated the fire alarm. Take all the time you need.”

  “Thanks, Doc.” Keylan shook his hand.

  “Yes, thank you, Doctor, for everything,” Mia added.

  Keylan stood in front of Mia with his hands in his pockets, smiling down at her. “You ready to blow this Popsicle stand?”

  “I guess so.”

  Keylan placed his hands on both sides of Mia’s waist and lifted her off the exam table and onto the floor. Her heart was pounding so fast she just knew it would burst through her chest. “Th-thank you,” Mia whispered.

  “You’re welcome.” Keylan pushed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. He slowly slid his hand down the side of Mia’s face before dropping it and taking a step back. “Shall we?”

  * * *

  After a short ride Keylan and Mia were back at the bowling alley, where they found all the events and activities were under way. Keylan leaned against the ice cream bar and watched all the action from his vantage point when he heard “Keylan!”

  Keylan turned to find Colby, dressed in blue jeans, an event T-shirt and those Velcro shoes he hated, running toward him with an older couple following close behind, both dressed in the adult version of Colby’s outfit.

  “Keylan,” Colby called again, wrapping his arms around Keylan’s legs.

  “Hey, little man,” Keylan said, squatting to meet Colby’s eye level. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Kingsley. I’m Colby’s great-aunt Mavis and this is my husband, Rudy,” the woman announced.

  Keylan rose, keeping a tight hold to Colby’s hand. “Pleased to meet you both,” he said, shaking both of their hands. “Please call me Keylan.”

  “Have you seen my niece?” Mavis asked.

  “Can I see Mommy?” he asked, his eyes wide.

  Keylan smiled down at Colby. “Yes, Colby, you can see your mommy.”

  Keylan returned his attention to the curious faces of the couple before him.

  “I understand you and my niece are working together at the foundation these days,” Mavis continued.

  “Yes, ma’am, and it’s been a privilege.” A wide smile crawled across his face.

  “When do you think you’ll be returning to the Carriers? They can use your help,” Rudy asked.

  Mavis nudged her husband with her elbow. “Excuse his insensitivity, my dear. How is your rehabilitation going?”

  “It’s going great, thank you for asking.”

  “Mommy...” Colby pulled his hand from Keylan’s and ran to her. The small trio followed behind him.

  Mia placed the tablet she’d been holding under her left arm and bent, held out her right arm and engulfed her son in a big hug and several kisses. “Hi, Colby, baby.”

  “I’m...no...baby,” he declared between giggles. Mia looked up to see three sets of eyes staring down at her.

  Mia stood, holding on to Colby’s hand. “Aunt Mavis, Uncle Rudy, when did you get here?”

  “Just now.” Mavis leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Oh, my, what happened to your hand?”

  “Mommy got a boo-boo?” Colby’s face contorted.

  Mia looked down at him. “Mommy’s okay, baby.” She returned her focus to her aunt and uncle. “I had a fight with a box cutter and lost.”

  “Has a doctor checked it out?” her uncle asked.

  “Yes, sir. I took her to the urgent care down the street,” Keylan explained.

  “Did you, now?” Mavis replied, her eyes cutting to Mia.

  “It was no trouble.”

  “Well, thank you for being so kind to my beautiful niece,” Mavis said, smiling.

  She most certainly is. “It was my pleasure,” Keylan agreed; his eyes collided with Mia’s.

  “I wanna go play,” he demanded, trying to pull his hand free from his mother as he used his free hand to point to the game room.

  “Why don’t you let me take Colby to the game room for a while?” Keylan offered.

  Mia stared up at Keylan. “Really? You sure you don’t mind?”

  “I wouldn’t have offered if I did,” he assured her. “Colby is my main man.”

  “I’ll join you,” her uncle offered.

  Mia squatted and said, “Colby, you stay with Keylan and Uncle Rudy. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

  “Okay.” Colby pulled at Keylan’s arm.

  “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. We’ll see you in a bit, sweetheart,” Uncle Rudy said.

  “Yeah, what he said.” Keylan let Colby pull him toward t
he game room.

  * * *

  “So, how’s the hand?” Mavis asked, taking a seat at the soda bar, directing Mia to take the one next to her.

  “It’s fine. I was just a little careless.”

  Her aunt looked over her shoulder into the game room. “I can see why you may have been distracted.”

  “Not this again.” Mia dropped her eyes to her tablet. It was one thing to try to hide her growing attraction from those who didn’t know her well, but her aunt was a different story, especially when she was sitting right across from her.

  “Yes, this again.” Her aunt removed the tablet from Mia’s hand and placed it on the bar. “We can either do this here, where I can pretend to accept a nice, watered-down version of the story while my heart breaks at the idea of my niece lying to me. Or we can go someplace where I can get a nice cup of coffee and settle in for the long, truthful version.”

  “Really, Auntie?” Mia gave her a lopsided grin. “You’re laying it on pretty thick.”

  “Either way, you will fill me in on what’s happening between you and that handsome hunk over there,” she said, pointing at Keylan, who was carrying Colby on his shoulders. “Your choice.”

  “Some choice,” she murmured, especially since she had no idea what was really going on between them.

  Chapter 11

  Mia slid off the stool. “Excuse me for a moment.” She walked over to where Sandra had been standing doing her best impression of someone who wasn’t eavesdropping. “Sandra, can you cover for me for a bit? I’m going to take my aunt to the office in the back.”

  Sandra smiled. “Need a little privacy to explain why you’re trending on social media?”

  “What?” Mia’s eyebrows snapped together.

  Sandra turned the tablet she held toward Mia. “See.”

  Mia ran her fingers up the screen, glancing through page after page all leading with basically the same topic: her. Who is Mia Ramirez? Is Mia Ramirez Keylan’s New Lady? Why Were Mia and Keylan at the Clinic? “Oh, no. I knew about the story, but how did they get my name?”

  “It’s the media—they can do anything.”

  “Looks like my conversation with my aunt will take a little longer than I initially thought.”

  Sandra nodded. “I bet. Don’t worry, I got you. And I’ll keep an eye on Keylan for you, too,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows.

  “I’m sure you meant Colby.”

  “Yes, of course,” she said, laughing.

  Mia shook her head. “Thanks.” Mia walked back over to her aunt. “Let’s go find someplace a little more private to talk.”

  “Good idea.” Mavis picked up the two chocolate shakes she’d ordered and handed one to Mia. “For you. This is much better than coffee.” She smiled before taking a pull from her straw.

  “Follow me,” Mia instructed.

  * * *

  “So you and my niece, what’s the deal?” Rudy asked Keylan as both men stood back and watched Colby play with his friends.

  “The deal?” Keylan echoed, knowing exactly what Mia’s uncle was asking but not really sure he had an answer. It wasn’t like he could say he thought she was the most beautiful and sexy woman he’d ever met and every time he got near her all he wanted to do was kiss her until they both couldn’t breathe. He needed a real answer.

  “Yes, son, the deal,” Rudy repeated, glaring at Keylan.

  “We’re coworkers and friends. I think... I hope.”

  “Um, friends...you think.” Rudy’s eyes bore into him. “Seems to me, son, there’s a lot more than friendship going on between you two. I saw the way your face lit up like a lightbulb when she was hugging Colby.”

  “I think she’s a great mom,” he said, hoping Rudy was buying his explanation.

  “That she is...and a beautiful woman.”

  And smart, strong and sexy as hell. Stop it. Keylan nodded, keeping his mouth shut, ensuring nothing crazy came tumbling out.

  “She’s also been through a lot and I don’t want her hurt... Colby, either.”

  “I understand, sir.”

  Rudy shook his head. “I’m not sure you do. My wife thinks just because I have trouble hearing I don’t know what’s going on.” He took a seat in a nearby chair. “What she doesn’t realize is I hear and see everything that’s important. Mia and Colby are very important. Now, sit down.”

  Keylan sat in the chair next to Rudy, both with a clear view of Colby who was jumping in a circle with his friends. “I’m seventy-five years old and I’ve experienced a lot in my life, so trust me when I say if you like—and I mean really like—someone, you had better tell them before someone else steps in and you lose your chance.”

  “What if I’m not sure if I’m good enough for someone like Mia?”

  Rudy nodded slowly. “Women have no idea how uncomplicated and maybe even a little insecure we are when it comes to them.”

  “No, sir.” Keylan leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “No, sir, they certainly do not.”

  “I can’t speak for Mia, so if you want to know if you are, there’s only one way you’re going to find out,” he said, slapping Keylan on the back. “Now go get that boy so we can check out that ice cream bar before my wife comes back and reminds me why I shouldn’t have it.”

  Both men laughed as Keylan went to collect Colby.

  * * *

  “Let me make sure I understand.” Mavis sat back on the leather sofa in the office above the bowling alley. “You cut your hand, Keylan took you to the doctor and now you’re all over the internet. Is that right?”

  “Yes,” Mia confirmed, biting her bottom lip. She felt like she was back in high school, explaining to her aunt why she’d decided to skip class with her friends to go to the beach after Mavis had specifically told her she couldn’t go.

  Mavis used her straw to stir her shake. “And why are you concerned about being all over the internet?”

  “Because we’re private people and folks are assuming Keylan and I are a couple,” she explained.

  “Why is that a bad thing?” Mavis took a drink of her shake.

  “We discussed this already, Auntie. Keylan and I aren’t dating.”

  “Well, maybe you should be,” Mavis said before taking another sip from her cup.

  “Auntie—”

  “Okay, I’ll drop it,” she said, waving her right hand. “The least you can do is ask him over for dinner.”

  “And why is that the least I can do?”

  The door opened and Sandra walked in before Mavis could respond to her niece. “Excuse me, Mia, but I thought you’d like to know that the games are winding down.”

  “Thanks, Sandra. How’s Colby?”

  “He’s fine—they’re having banana splits at the ice cream bar,” Sandra informed both women.

  “They?”

  “Yes, your uncle and Keylan.” Sandra walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

  “Now why should I invite Keylan to dinner?”

  “He did take you to the doctor and made sure your hand was all right, didn’t he?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “But nothing. It’s the polite thing to do.”

  “He’ll probably have other plans, anyway.”

  Mavis rose, dropped her empty cup into the trash can near the sofa and said, “There’s only one way to find out, now, isn’t there?” She opened the door and walked out of the room.

  “Auntie...” Mia called, following after her.

  “There you two are,” Rudy cried out as his wife and niece approached.

  “Just in time, too,” Mavis said, coming to stand next to her husband. “If I know you—and I do, sir—you were about to order something else you shouldn’t.”

  “Hi, Mommy
,” Colby yelled, keeping his seat next to Keylan.

  “Hi, little man. Did you enjoy your ice cream?” Mia picked up a napkin and wiped Colby’s face.

  Colby nodded. “More, Mommy...”

  “No, mister, and by the looks of that bowl, you’ve had plenty.” Mia waited for a protest that didn’t come.

  Mia watched the glances and smiles shared between Keylan and Colby. There was a look of pride on both their faces, Keylan from the lessons he’d taught and Colby from learning them. “Um, thanks for looking after him for me,” Mia said to Keylan.

  “Anytime,” he replied. Keylan’s phone rang and he checked the screen. “Excuse me for a brief moment.”

  Mia watched as he walked away before bringing the phone to his ear.

  “He seems all right.” Rudy offered his unsolicited opinion.

  Mia smiled at her uncle. “Think so?”

  “I do, and Colby likes him, too, which is good enough for me,” Rudy added.

  “I told her to invite him over for dinner but your stubborn niece won’t listen to me.”

  “I think that’s a fine idea, Mia. You should do it,” Rudy advised encouragingly.

  “What’s a fine idea?” Keylan asked, coming to stand behind Mia.

  Mia could feel the warmth radiating off Keylan’s body and his closeness was interrupting her ability to think. She wanted to move away from him but it was as if her feet were bolted to the floor. Between the heat from his body and the scent of his cologne, she was overwhelmed by Keylan’s presence. “Answer the man, Mia,” her aunt ordered.

  Mia knew if she wanted to speak coherently she had to step away from Keylan, so she walked over and stood next to her uncle. “How would you like to have dinner tonight with me and Colby? It’s my way of saying thanks for everything you did this morning.” Mia held up her bandaged hand.

  Mavis cleared her throat. “And...”

  Mia looked at her aunt and frowned before looking back at Keylan. “And for keeping an eye on Colby for me.”

  “Both Colby and Rudy,” Mavis added, smiling.

  Keylan laughed. “It was completely my pleasure and I’d love to have dinner with you and Colby.”