An Unexpected Kiss (11 page)

He waved,
and quickly left the room. On his way out the door, he passed by the sofa
table, and noticed a Christmas gift sitting there. Impulsively, he pulled the
wrapped box out of his pocket and put it on the table.

The
conversation with his mother went about as well as it usually did. She ranted
for several minutes about his breakup with Nikki, and ordered him to apologize
and make up. When Cole calmly refused, explaining once again why he’d broken
off the engagement, she belittled him about being judgmental and unforgiving.
In the end, he realized his mother only wanted him back together with Nikki to
save face with another couple joining them in France.

By the
time Cole got back to Uncle Will’s house, he really was exhausted. He shut off
his phone, and left his uncle a note saying he had a headache and had gone to
bed early.

It took
Cole a couple of hours to actually fall asleep. He made several plans about his
medical practice to keep his mind off of Lucy. With the help of the Internet,
he was confident he’d find an IT company that could make the changes he wanted
for his office.

When he
got off work tomorrow, he’d follow up with Lucy about the Parkers, making sure
he kept everything on a platonic level.

Lucy
woke
up Monday morning feeling depressed. She’d thought about Cole all night long.
At the firework display, she’d run into Doc Taggart and Beverly. When she asked
about Cole, Doc told her that he’d gone back to bed to catch up on his sleep. At
least he hadn’t been lying about that.

She
couldn’t believe how rotten she felt. Christmas Eve was only two days away and
she was moping around instead of humming Christmas music and making sugar
cookies. Her finger felt a little better but she still couldn’t use it. She
wouldn’t even be able to help her mother and the other ladies wrap the presents
for Allie and her children.

A knock
sounded at the door. “Come in,” she said.

Her
mother poked her head in the door. “While everyone’s at the 5K breakfast, the
girls and I are going to hit Dove’s and get the shopping done early. Are you coming
with us?”

Lucy
wanted to back out, but decided serving someone else would help get her out of
her funk. “Sure. I just need comb through my hair and I’ll be ready to go.”

Her
mother studied her for a second. “You seem a little blue. Are you regretting
your decision about Lance?”

“No, Mom.
Lance and I are friends. It felt good to finally get everything out on the
table.”

Lucy’s
talk with Lance had gone remarkably well, considering their past. He’d been
hurt when she confessed to kissing Cole after only knowing him on the plane
ride out. Lucy couldn’t bring herself to admit how far-reaching that statement
was, but figured Lance didn’t need to be hurt any more than he already was.

She’d
also discovered Lance had grown up quite a bit over the past year. With his
father still struggling to regain his strength from the stroke, Lance had taken
over managing the ranch and was very successful.

“All
right,” her mother said, watching her closely. “What about Dr. Taggart? He’s a
nice looking young man, and already established in his career.”

Lucy’s
stomach tightened at Cole’s name. “He’s a good friend, Mom. Besides, I’m going
back to California. It would never work since he lives here now.” She stood up
and crossed the room to her vanity. “I won’t be long, okay?”

Her
mother sighed loudly, and said, “Okay, I guess I just need to accept you’re
more interested in your career than getting married.”

Tears
stung Lucy’s eyes, and she was glad her mother couldn’t see her. “I’m young
still, Mom, and I’ve worked hard for my career. It doesn’t mean I don’t want to
have a family of my own. I’ll marry and settle down when the right guy comes
along.”

Her voice
quivered, and she covered it up with a cough. Lucy had a feeling the right guy
had come along, and she’d just blown it big time.

***

Shopping
for the Parkers had been therapeutic, and Lucy felt much happier by the time
they finished up a few hours later.

Lance’s
mom had talked non-stop about how adorable the children were, and how
well-mannered they’d been at dinner the night before. Vivian also said that
Allie was a beautiful girl who’d been in an abusive marriage. Her divorce had
been finalized the year before, and her ex had disappeared without ever giving
her any kind of child support. Allie didn’t have any family left, and was
trying to do the best she could.

Recently,
she’d lost her job as a waitress in Wyoming when her kids had gotten sick, and
she’d missed too many days. That’s when a Christmas miracle happened. A letter
from an attorney in Montana came two weeks before, stating the Carpenter house,
which had been her great aunt’s home, had been left to Allie as the only living
relative. She’d sold everything she could and loaded up her kids and moved to
Snow Valley.

The most
interesting bit of news Vivian had to say was how well Lance and Allie had
gotten along. They’d talked for a couple of hours while TJ and Hailey made
sugar cookies with Vivian. By the time the family left, Lance was smitten with
Allie as well as with her children.

Lucy was
happy for Lance, and was glad she could honestly tell Mrs. Christensen exactly
that. She really hoped the best for him.

After
completing the Christmas purchases, the quilting ladies came to Lucy’s house
and started wrapping all the presents for the entire family. Lucy’s finger
throbbed from not keeping it elevated most of the day, so she was resting in
her room while the women concocted a plan to deliver the Christmas goods.

She
glanced at her phone, hoping Cole had messaged her. He’d said he wanted to be
friends, but obviously that wasn’t true. Since her finger hurt so much, she thought
about texting him so he’d have to talk to her, but decided against it. Being deceptive
hadn’t gotten her anywhere this past week.

Closing
her eyes, she tried to fall asleep. Instead of visions of sugarplums dancing in
her head, memories of Cole filled her mind. Each scene played out from the
first time she threw her arms around his neck and begged him to kiss her, to the
magical train ride, kissing under the mistletoe, and then chopping down a
Christmas tree for a family in need. She squeezed her eyelids tight, trying to
blot out the memories of Sunday night’s dinner.

Why had
she pushed him away, and what was she so afraid of?

She
rolled over on her side, keeping her right hand elevated, and stared at the
poster of Captain America that Logan had given her last year when the new film
had come out. All her life she’d marched to the beat of her own drum and not
the one other girls did.

Just
because she preferred hacking a computer over cooking didn’t mean she didn’t
want to be a mother or a wife. Most guys liked the fact she’d rather watch an
action hero movie over some chick-lit romance. That didn’t mean she didn’t like
romance. Lucy loved debugging programs, but she also liked curling her hair and
dressing up. She loved baking cookies, and bread, but she hated cooking.

Her phone
chimed a text message, and she scrambled to sit up to find it. Her pulse
quickened when the message was from Cole.

Sorry
I haven’t been in contact. Crazy day at the office. How did the shopping go? Do
I need to pick anything up?

Her hands
shook slightly as she accessed her voice to text option.
My mom and the
ladies were incredible. They’re in wrapping everything up right now
.

Great!
How’s your finger?

She was tempted
to exaggerate her symptoms in hopes he’d make another house call, but went with
the truth.
Good. Throbs a little from walking around for a few hours, but
I’m elevating it now
.

Anticipation
for his reply made her feel giddy. He sounded normal, like they were friends
again. The seconds ticked by until five minutes had passed. Lucy stared at the
phone, feeling as if she couldn’t catch her breath.

Finally,
she saw three dots appear, letting her know he was typing a reply. It came a
few seconds later.

Uncle
Will just called. He and Beverly have an idea about how to deliver the presents
to the Parkers. I’ll call you later with the details
.

Lucy sat back
against the wall, feeling a little let down. While she was happy the community
was eager to give the Parkers a good Christmas, it meant she and Cole weren’t
spending very much time together. She’d promised to help him see how wonderful
Christmas could be. Although, now that she thought about it, she’d already
reached that goal. Changing Cole’s mind and heart about Christmas hadn’t been
that difficult.

The time
she had left to spend with him was dwindling faster than she wanted. She saw
the pretty red dress hanging on her closet, and was glad at least she’d get to
spend an evening dancing with Cole at the Christmas Ball.

Suddenly
her phone chimed another text, and she glanced at the screen. The message was
from Cole. Lucy wanted to cry when she read the quick note.

BTW,
since I’m single and without a family, I volunteered to take the ER shift on
Christmas Day for a doctor with a young family. I knew you’d understand, and have
more fun at the dance without stressing about your mom or anyone else thinking
we’re a couple
.

Moisture
gathered in her eyes, and she felt a tear slide down her cheek. She was so
stupid. Maybe she’d expected Cole to be as persistent as Lance had been all
these years. But it was too late now. She’d made her decision clear, and now
she’d have to deal with it.

Cole
followed
Uncle Will and Beverly into the church for Christmas Eve services. He felt like
the third wheel even more since Uncle Will had proposed to Beverly last night,
and they were acting very much like a newly engaged couple.

Pastor
John greeted them enthusiastically. “I’m happy to finally meet you, Dr. Taggart,”
the pastor said with a firm handshake. “What you and Lucy did for the Parkers
is what Christmas is all about.”

A lump
formed in Cole’s throat at the mention of Lucy’s name. “We just started it but
the rest of the community jumped on board.” Cole grinned at Will and Beverly.
“Mr. and Mrs. Claus here delivered the presents after the parade, making all
the effort worthwhile.”

Uncle
Will and Bev had dressed up last night, and given a spectacular performance for
Allie and her children. Cole had met Lucy and her family near the Carpenter
house and they’d stayed hidden, and observed the whole thing.

After,
they’d all returned to Lucy’s house for donuts and hot chocolate. It’d been
difficult being around Lucy, trying to act as if he only saw her as a friend. The
act had been easier to pull off after Lucy mentioned how kind it was of him to
take the ER shift for the other doctor so he could be with his family on
Christmas Day. Part of him had hoped she’d be a little disappointed, but the
way she boasted about what a nice person he was to her family made him believe
she was probably relieved.

Pastor
John turned a twinkling eye to Will and Bev. “I heard all about that. I also
hear congratulations are in order.” He shook both of their hands. “When is the
happy occasion taking place?”

“We’re
not getting any younger,” Uncle Will said, putting an arm around his fiancée.
“Would you be able to perform the ceremony right after the new year?”

“I’d be
happy to!”

With
other members of the congregation waiting to greet the pastor, Cole followed
behind his uncle down the aisle to find an open pew.

“Go ahead
and slide on in there,” Uncle Will said to Cole. “Bev and I like to be on the
end.”

Cole eyed
his uncle suspiciously as he glanced down the already occupied bench. Lila and
Lamont Phillips were already seated there, along with their family. Lucy
watched him as he sat down next to her.

“Hi,” he
said, “I hope this seat isn’t taken.” She looked beautiful in a red dress, her
blonde hair hanging in loose curls around her shoulders. She smelled good too.

“It is
now,” she said softly.

Uncle
Will and Beverly slid in next to him, and then asked if he could scoot down a
little to give them more room.

Cole
inched over until his arm was flush with Lucy’s. It was obvious what Will and
Bev were trying to do. He just hoped Lucy didn’t think he was behind it.

Not sure
what to say, Cole focused on the front of the chapel. Candle’s flickered with a
soft glow as the organist played Silent Night.

Up ahead
a few rows in front of them, Cole spotted Lance with his arm around a pretty
woman. It took him a second to realize it was Allie Parker. She turned her head
and looked up at Lance with a smile as bright as the star that appeared the
night the Savoir was born.

Allie no
longer looked like the worn-out mother of two sick children. She looked
beautiful in a deep purple dress, her brown hair soft and shiny instead of
pulled up in a messy ponytail. TJ and Hailey sat in between Lance’s parents.
They both had on new clothes that Cole knew were a perfect fit thanks to Lila
Phillips.

“They
look happy, don’t they?” Lucy whispered next to his ear. Her warm breath sent a
ripple of heat through him.

He
glanced down at her, wondering if part of her was bothered by Lance moving on
so quickly. “Yeah, they do.”

She
smiled, and his chest tightened with awareness. He could see she was genuinely
happy Lance and Allie had found one another. He wished things could be
different between them, but wouldn’t push it unless Lucy gave him an indication
her feelings had changed.

The organ
music stopped and Pastor John welcomed the congregation. Cole tried to pay
attention to the program, but was easily distracted by Lucy’s nearness. Their
arms brushed each time she moved, and he could smell the alluring scent of her
perfume. When the service came to a close, Cole swallowed back his
disappointment. Lucy was leaving, and this was probably the last time he’d see
her for a while.

As the
people filed out, Lucy stood and handed Cole his wool jacket. “I keep
forgetting to give this back to you.”

“You sure
you don’t need it?” A light floral scent wafted around him. His coat would
probably smell just like her.

“No. My
mom has plenty of coats that have a big enough sleeve.” She smiled, and held up
her bandaged finger. “Besides, my finger is feeling better every day. Today the
pain has hardly bothered me.”

“I’m glad
to hear it.”

Lance and
Allie walked toward them, holding hands. They stopped next to the pew.

“Dr.
Taggart,” Allie said with a smile. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“It’s
good to see you too.” Cole nodded his head toward Lance’s parents who were
walking with the TJ and Hailey. “It looks like your children are feeling
better.”

“Thanks
to you.” She glanced up at Lance. “Moving here has been the best thing that’s
ever happened to me.”

Lance
grinned. “Me too.”

Allie
laughed softly, her face turning a rosy pink that only added to her beauty.

“Allie,”
Lance said. “I’d like you to meet a good friend of mine from high school.” He
nodded toward Lucy. “This is Lucy Phillips.”

Lucy
shook Allie’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Allie.”

“Lance
has told me so much about you.”

“Uh oh,”
Lucy teased. “I hope he said a few good things.”

“Of
course. I want to take a few online classes to help me get a better job, and he
said I should talk to you about what might be helpful. He told me how smart and
successful you are and that you live in California. Maybe I could talk to you
before you fly back?”

“Sure,
but I’m scheduled to fly back early Saturday afternoon. I’ve got a meeting I
need to be ready for on Monday.”

Cole knew
she was flying back soon after Christmas, he just didn’t think it was that
soon. He wanted to take a step away from her, distance himself even more so
when she went home it wouldn’t hurt as bad.

“Oh, I’m
sorry you can’t spend more time with your family,” Allie said. “I’m sure that’s
hard living so far away from them.”

“It is.”
Lucy’s eyes flickered to Cole for a brief second. “This visit has really made
me realize how much I miss them.”

Cole
shifted on his feet. Was Lucy trying to send the message that just because she
chose to live in California, it didn’t mean she didn’t love or miss her family?

“Would it
be all right if she emails you?” Lance asked.

“Sure.
You already have it, right?”

“Yeah.
Thanks, Lucy.”

Lance’s
parents had caught up to them, and the two kids were bouncing up and down with
excitement.

“Can we
go home now?” TJ asked. “Santa said we need to get to bed early so he can come
Christmas Eve.”

Allie
ruffled the boy’s hair. “Yes.” She looked up at Lucy and then Cole. “Have a
merry Christmas.”

“You
too,” Cole and Lucy said at the same time.

They
watched the family leave. Cole turned to look at Lucy. “You okay about that?”
he asked.

She drew
her eyebrows together. “Of course. Lance and I talked the other night and came
to a mutual understanding. I’m happy he’s found someone to love.”

Cole
swallowed. With Lance truly out of the picture, it looked like his temporary
role as her boyfriend had officially come to an end. “Well, I guess we need to
get to bed too if we want Santa to come,” Cole teased. He stepped sidewise and
motioned for her to start walking.

Lucy
stared at him for a few seconds before she nodded her head, and slowly moved
forward. Cole walked beside her, wishing things could be different. Part of him
wanted to beg her to reconsider his job offer to update his medical practice,
but knew it wasn’t fair to pressure her like that. His mother, and then Nikki
had both criticized Cole’s decision to go into family practice rather than into
a more lucrative medical career. He would never do that to Lucy.

They made
it to the foyer just as Lila Phillips invited them over for pie and coffee.
“Thank you for the offer, Lila, but we all need to get to bed,” Uncle Will
said. “Bev and I have to get up early to drive to Billings. We’re spending
Christmas Day with Bev’s nephew and family.” He pointed to Cole. “And my nephew
graciously volunteered to take the ER shift tomorrow so a colleague can spend
Christmas with his wife and children.”

Lila
looked at Cole with admiration. “That’s very kind of you.”

Cole
shrugged. “He’s got a young family and I don’t. It seemed like the right thing
to do.” She didn’t need to know his motive to volunteer hadn’t been just about
letting the doctor on call have the day off, it had been more about
self-preservation. Attending the Christmas Ball and dancing with Lucy would be
torture, knowing it was only temporary.

Lucy’s
brothers seemed just as excited about Christmas Eve as the younger children.
“Let’s go home,” Landon said. “Logan and I still need to make up our bed in
Lucy’s room.”

Lucy
laughed. “When did you guys change your mind?”

She’d
told Cole all about the tradition of her little brothers sleeping in her room
Christmas Eve, and how disappointed she was when the boys informed her they were
too old to be sleeping in their big sister’s room.

“Well,”
Logan said, looking from Cole to Lucy. “Dad reminded us you won’t always be
single, and this could be the last year we get to keep up our tradition.”

Cole
watched Lucy’s face turn red. “I don’t think I’m getting married anytime soon,”
she said. “But I’m glad you changed your mind.”

Lucy’s
family, Uncle Will and Beverly all pinned a questioning eye on both Lucy and
Cole. The collar of his shirt suddenly felt too small. “Have fun tonight, and
Merry Christmas,” he said, fumbling with the wool jacket Lucy had returned. As
soon as he slipped it on, he realized his mistake. It smelled just like her.
Avoiding her eyes, he glanced at his uncle. “You ready to go?”

Uncle
Will’s forehead wrinkled. “Yep. Let me get Bev’s coat.”

Cole felt
conspicuous as everyone donned their coats. As they filed out of the church
into the cold, crisp air, he finally met Lucy’s gaze. In the moonlight, her
eyes appeared bright. Was she crying?

“Merry
Christmas, Cole.” She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his cheek, and then
whispered, “Thank you for being such a good friend.”

Before he
could gather his wits, she spun on her heels and quickly followed her family to
their car. He stared after her, feeling very much like crying himself.

“You sure
nothing more is going on between you two?” Uncle Will asked.

Cole
shook his head. “Lucy isn’t interested in having me for anything but a friend.”

“Is that
what you want?” Beverly asked softly.

Giving
her a wistful smile, Cole said, “What I want doesn’t matter. Forcing someone to
change only destroys that person. I would never do that to her.”

Not
wanting to talk about it anymore, Cole started toward his Uncle’s car. He
should’ve stuck to his original plan which didn’t include falling in love.