Jules was afraid that in the morning light, she would find that she had woken up with a fairy tale frog or worse and that her fantasy man was a big mistake. Instead, he was asleep next to her, still the handsome prince. She kissed him goodbye before leaving his bed.
Dane told her that they knew more about each other from that one night than most couples did in a lifetime together. Although she tried to argue with him, she knew that he was right. They had a connection that was more than a physical attraction. They got each other.
Jules smiled as she remembered him testing her to find out if she was a quick-tempered redhead when he questioned her choice in men.
“If I’m going to be playing the role of your dream man, don’t you think I should know what you expect of me? I need more than bush firefighter with broad shoulders. Unless you don’t have much imagination or expect much from the men in your life.”
“Are you suggesting I’m inexperienced or have bad taste in men?” Her cheeks burned red as she got up from their table.
“So, it is true. Redheads do have a temper.”
She felt her cheeks burn as she thought of how he teased her. She did have a temper, and she had taken it out on Dane more than once. She sighed, remembering how she accused Dane’s occupation as being the reason why Becca had disappeared when it was that antique desk that had been the culprit. And when she first found out who he was? She still felt embarrassed over her reaction. She was right to be upset, but in retrospect, she did overreact. She always went too far, and she always got away with it. No one had ever stood up to her temper. No one except for Dane. With everything she threw at him, he answered her with a calm voice and a twinkle in his eye. Her words bounced off him as though he wore a bulletproof vest.
Jules looked down at the crumpled ball of paper on her lap. Reading the contents of the report made her sick to her stomach. She had to get away from her office. Her sanctuary was the pediatric ward, where she could check on her young patients. If she could make them feel better, if only for a short while, maybe she could do the same for herself.
She knew that John Sinclair was a misogynist. He put every female nurse and doctor in pediatrics on edge with his sexist barbs and unwanted advances. Jules stood up to him, at least she tried when he attempted to coax her into going out with him. His flattery seemed too sugary to be sincere. That night, when she tried to escape Sinclair’s advances, something deep inside her told her that she had to put an end to it. She needed a hero to come to her rescue.
She gazed at Dane. What a hero he turned out to be. To think that she defended Sinclair to Bates made her feel ashamed. The report listed the names of several staff members who had filed sexual harassment complaints against John Sinclair while Jules worked in Toronto. It stated that John Sinclair was awaiting a hearing before the medical board.
Dane squeezed her hand. “Hey.” His voice was low and rough.
Jules got to her feet and leaned over him. “Hey, yourself. How are you feeling?”
“Thirty years younger.”
“What do you mean?”
“You have elf ears on your head and Santa on your stethoscope, and I think that’s a reindeer peering out of your pocket. What happened? Did you move me to the pediatric ward so you could be my doctor?”
Jules’ hand went to her head. She’d forgotten the headband she had put on when she made her rounds. Her cheeks burned, once again giving away her embarrassment.
“Don’t be embarrassed, Red, I think they look kinda sexy.” Dane winked at her as he smiled.
“We don’t have a bed large enough for you in pediatrics.”
“That’s okay. I can squeeze into small spaces. I’ve had plenty of practice.” He saw the sparkle leave her eyes and knew that she was thinking of what he did from those small spaces. “Don’t go there, Red. Stay here. With me.”
“I’m trying.” She felt a sadness overcome her, one that she hadn’t felt since her parents died. “I thought I could do this. I don’t want to think about what you did, but it’s too damned hard. It takes a word, one stupid word, and I’m reliving my parents’ murder all over again. It’s hard not to imagine you—”
“Don’t. If being with me makes you sad, don’t do it to yourself.”
“It’s not you. It’s me!”
Dane gave a humorless laugh. “I’ve heard that one before. Don’t worry, Red, I understand. You’ve got your moral high ground, and I’ve got my pride. I won’t beg you to try to like me. Just promise me one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Let me be a part of Becca’s life. You don’t have to tell her I’m her daddy. Just let me get to know her.”
Jules wiped a tear from her eye. Damn him for being so understanding. “I promise.”
“Good. Then get the hell out of my room, so I don’t have to see the pity in your eyes.”
He watched her leave, closing the door behind her and then felt the tremendous ache in his chest. He’d only felt that ache once before when his grandmother passed away. He had joked that he loved her twice as much as he would any woman because she was both his mother and his grandmother. It wasn’t a joke. Dane felt her loss doubly hard, and he knew that losing Red would stay with him for the rest of his life.
Jules made her way to the hospital’s daycare. She needed to see Becca and hold her in her arms.
“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Becca asked when she met her at the daycare entrance. “You’re crying.”
Jules crouched and took Becca in her arms. “Mommy missed you and needed a hug. That’s all, sweetheart.”
“Do you want to hug Flopsy? He makes me feel better when I’m sad.” Becca handed the stuffed rabbit to Jules so that she could put on her coat.
“When are you sad?” Jules asked while she helped Becca with her coat buttons.
“When I think about my daddy.”
Jules stopped. “Your daddy?”
Becca nodded her head.
“Why does thinking about him make you sad?”
“He must be lonely. He doesn’t have me, you, or Flopsy to make him feel better when he gets sad.”
“What makes you think he gets sad?”
Becca gave Jules a knowing look, as though Jules should have known the answer without asking. “Because he doesn’t have us, Mommy.”
Jules took Becca into her arms and hugged her tight. “Oh, Becca. You have such a big heart. Mommy is so proud of you!”
“I have little ears, too, Mommy.”
“You should be staying home and resting.”
Dane stood in front of the foyer mirror attempting to tie his bow tie. He could see Bates standing behind him, arms crossed across his chest and a frown on his face. He appreciated Bates’ concern although he was getting tired of the nonstop mothering.
“I’m fine. Doc gave me the all-clear.”
“You should have asked for a second opinion. Doc lets you get away with too much.”
“Hers was the second opinion.” Dane finished the tie and admired his accomplishment.
“You’re crooked. Turn around and let me fix it.”
“What would I do without you?”
“I’d hate to think,” he grumbled. Bates stepped back and admired his work. “There. You look presentable now.”
“Thank you.”
Bates reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a wrapped present. “This is for the dog. For tonight. From Val.”
Dane looked down at Lucky. “She buys you presents. It looks like I’m still in the doghouse.” Dane unwrapped the present to find a dog collar with a black bow tie attached to it. He examined the intricate handwork. “She made this?”
Bates answered with a shrug.
“We’ll have to remember to thank Auntie Val when we see her tomorrow.”
“Since when did she become your Auntie Val?”
“She’s not mine. She’s Lucky’s. At least that’s how Becca sees it. It’s kind of cute.” Dane crouched beside his dog and placed the new collar around his neck. “What do you think, boy? You’re going to be the beau of the ball.” He adjusted Lucky’s service vest. “I think we’re ready. How about you, Uncle Bates?”
“I’m no one’s Uncle Bates, especially his. He tried to take my arm off.”
“He apologized with an expensive bottle of Canadian whiskey.” Dane rubbed Lucky’s head. “What more can he do to say he’s sorry?”
Bates grunted.
“Come on, cheer up! You’ve got the night to yourself. Don’t you have plans with a certain someone?”
“What’s got you in such a good mood?”
“I’m always like this.” Bates’ knowing glance made him explain. “Jules is going to be there. I know she’s dating someone else. It’s Christmas. Maybe, just maybe, she might let me have one dance. That’s all I want. Just one dance.”
“Look, Boss, about the mission. I can look after it. You should concentrate on yourself and getting better.”
Dane shook his head. “This mission is all that keeps me going. I have a daughter who doesn’t know that I’m her father. Her mother sees me as a cold-blooded killer. Besides, she has someone else in her life. And before you say that can be changed, you know I don’t take what’s not mine. Jules has Blackwell. No more discussion. Do you hear me, Corporal?”
“Yes, Sir!”
They drove in silence to the gala. Dane’s thoughts were on Jules. As much as he tried to keep her out, the temperamental redhead kept finding her way into his head. It wasn’t her fault, not this time. He had learned through Val that Blackwell had invited Jules to the High River General Hospital’s Christmas Gala. It was the hospital’s biggest fundraiser, known for its grandeur and reputation as the best Christmas tradition in town.
Jules asked Val if she could look after Becca for the day while Jules spent the day at the salon getting pampered for the gala. From the intel Val could gather, Jules wanted to look her best tonight, hopeful that something memorable was going to happen. Jules was happy and excited. Val hadn’t seen Jules like this in a very long time. Val didn’t have to say more. Dane felt it in the pit of his stomach that tonight was the night. It was Christmas and what better time to get engaged than now. Blackwell was going to propose to Jules, and Jules was ready to accept. New Year’s and Valentine’s Day were clichés for getting engaged. But Christmas? If Dane had the chance, he would pick Christmas, his favorite time of the year.
“Call me when you’re ready to go home.”
Dane looked out the passenger window, realizing that they had arrived and Bates had stopped the SUV.
“Yes, Bates. I promise.” He smiled at his friend. “Try to enjoy yourself. You deserve a fun night out.”
Dane exited the SUV with Lucky. He closed his door and turned to face the entrance to the hotel. Taking in a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and prepared himself for what awaited him. Tonight was the night that the hospital’s doctors and board members rubbed shoulders with the local philanthropists, thanking them for their current year’s donations while hoping to get a commitment for funding High River General in the new year. Dane had already made this year’s donation—a sizable amount toward the pediatric ward’s latest project.
He hadn’t attended a function as grand as this since his accident. It would be a good test for him and Lucky, dealing with the stares, the comments, and ignorance. It was all worth it if Jules would give him one dance.
Dane entered the hotel lobby and was immediately impressed by the Christmas decorations and their festive elegance. He gazed up at the eighteen-foot high Christmas tree decorated in shiny gold and silver hues. It was magnificent, although Dane thought it a bit much for his tastes. Old fashioned country was more his style with popcorn strands draped on the branches, and handmade family decorations passed down from generation to generation hung on the branches. He was sentimental that way with memories of family traditions shared with his grandparents. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
During his fourth tour, he spent Christmas in Afghanistan. Dane found himself dreaming of his favorite time of the year. He didn’t have anyone special waiting for him, but if he did, he knew how he would make the Christmas holidays memorable for both of them. At night he’d take his special someone out to his ranch, have the sleigh readied and then take her on a sleigh ride across the fields. They would snuggle under a fur lap throw and drink his favorite blend of hot cocoa and Bailey’s Irish Cream. Sleigh bells would jingle and the sound of the horses moving through the snow would be the only things they heard. They wouldn’t talk, both of them taking in the moment. And then, when the time was right, and they stopped to gaze up at the moon and stars, Dane would take the ring box out of his pocket and ask her to marry him. She would gaze into his eyes, tears forming, and then she’d say—
“Andrews! Over here!”
Dane looked for the owner of the voice. He nodded, recognizing Hank Marshall, chairman of the hospital’s board. Dane made his way toward the man and his wife, who stood in line to check their coats.
“Glad you made it. I wasn’t sure if you’d accept our invitation,” the portly gentleman said, offering his hand to Dane. “This is my wife, Mary.”
Dane shook his hand. “It was your invitation that convinced me to come,” Dane said, smiling. “He’s a very persuasive man, your husband.” Dane offered as he shook Mary’s hand.
“It’s nice to meet you. That’s quite the dog you have. He looks so fierce. Are you sure it’s safe to have him here?”
“Mary,” her husband chuckled, his face reddening. “Don’t be ridiculous. My apologies, Dane. My wife isn’t a fan of dogs.”
Lucky sat at Dane’s feet.
“That’s quite all right. His name is Lucky, and he’s perfectly safe to be around as long as he’s left alone to do his job. He doesn’t like to be bothered when he’s working.”
Dane handed in his coat, dropping a ten dollar bill into the tip jar. Pocketing his coat check stub into his pants, he excused himself from the couple and made his way into the ballroom. Immediately greeted by a server, Dane took the offered glass of champagne from the silver tray. While sipping from his drink, he got his bearings—nine o’clock, twelve o’clock and three o’clock—exits, bars, seating area, stage, people. It was a habit of his, never forgotten. He always knew where he was, the layout of the room, how to enter, and how to escape. He didn’t notice anyone of particular interest to him, only the familiar faces of the hospital’s board of directors.
He saw the side glances and the whispers as he and Lucky made their way through the guests. “Looks like all eyes are on you, boy. I told you you’d be the beau of the ball.”
She saw him first. There was no mistaking the reaction to Dane’s arrival was for anyone but him. It was as though everyone in attendance stopped talking and turned their attention to watch him make his entrance into the room. For the last week, the gossip flowing through the hospital halls was of the mysterious benefactor who had made a sizeable donation to the pediatric ward. And so they guessed that the tall man in the designer tuxedo with a large dog at his side had to be the mysterious donor.
Dane looked handsome and dressed to kill, as though he had stepped off a GQ magazine cover or a women’s magazine with the heading Dream Date. Jules smiled at the comparison she made, realizing that the man making his way through the room was no fantasy. He was real. Her heart skipped a beat when he caught her watching him from across the room. A wink was all it took to bring a blush to her face.
“Here he comes,” Mark whispered in her ear.
“I see him.” Jules sipped nervously from her champagne glass.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Take a deep breath, Jules.”
“Stop it, Mark. Please.�
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She felt his hand on her hip. Jules turned her head to look at Mark. “What are you doing?”
“You’re shaking. Can’t have you falling at the man’s feet, can I?”
Jules shook her head. “You think I’m foolish, don’t you?”
“For you? Yes. You’re not the Jules Montgomery I know when you’re around him. You can’t mention his name without—”
“Dane, you’re here!” Jules gushed, interrupting Mark.
“I’m not late, am I?” Dane asked as he held out his hand to Mark. “Good to see you again, Blackwell.”
“Same here.”
“Jules, you look exquisite.” Dane held his hand out to her. His gaze took in every inch of her. She wore a deep green velvet ball gown with a V-neck that complemented her breasts. The A-line symmetry flowed from her waist accentuated with sparkling gemstones. And her hair, she wore it long, cascading waves falling past her shoulders. “You’re wearing my favorite colors.”
She took his hand and held on to it. “Thank you for letting Val stay with Becca. They’ve had a wonderful day together.”
“No need to thank me. Val is free to do as she pleases. She’s been sending me pictures of the two of them all day. She adores Becca, as we all do.”
“How are you feeling?”
Dane pulled his gaze away from Jules. It was torture to do so to answer Blackwell. “I’m well. Thanks for asking. I hear I gave everyone a scare. Val is still reminding me of it.”
“You gave all of us a scare.”
Dane returned his gaze to Jules. “I’m told there’s a seating plan. Do you happen to know where I’m supposed to go?”
“You’re with us.”
Dane nodded his agreement.
“We’re at the front. The organizers thought it best to keep your dog out of everyone’s way.”
“Mark! You don’t have to say it like that!”
“It’s okay, Jules. I appreciate the consideration. Lucky is rather big to have to step around. After you.” Dane gestured for Jules and Mark to lead him to their table.
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