It Must Have Been the Mistletoe... (6 page)

Drew had driven down the mountain to check on the road. He'd been gone for almost an hour, so she suspected the road had been fixed and she'd be on her way today, back to the real world of students and classes, grades and exams. That world seemed so far away from the one she'd shared with Drew these past couple of days.

Strange that her life had taken such a sudden turn. Over the past few years she'd wondered if she'd ever meet a man who was worth loving. Maybe, at a different time in her life, he could have been that man. But with the job in Texas there wasn't much chance they could continue.

Alison rubbed her arms and walked over to the table, staring down at the manuscript paper that cluttered the surface. She'd crawled out of bed last night, long after Drew had drifted off to sleep, and finished transcribing the melodies of all Ettie's songs.

Christmas was approaching, and after her recital and final exams, she was expected at her parents in Ponder Hill to celebrate the holidays. She'd be a long way from this mountain. She didn't even know what Drew was planning for the holidays. He'd probably drive into Knoxville to see his parents.

She sat down and began to straighten her papers, arranging the pages in order before slipping the songs into her bag. Why was it so difficult to think about leaving? When she'd first decided to share his bed, Alison had accepted the fact that they'd spend one night together and that would be enough.

Maybe it had been a mistake to stay a second night. Maybe
she should have pushed more to get off the mountain and back to her real life. Was that what had altered her perspective? One night was a one-night stand. But two nights—well, that was the beginning of a relationship.

“No,” she murmured. “I'm not going to do this.” She'd worked far too hard to get where she was to give it all up for a man. And what would she do on this mountain besides drive herself completely crazy? She needed libraries and practice rooms, conferences and lectures. That was who she was.

The sound of Drew's truck startled her out of her thoughts and she hurried to the cabin door and pulled it open. The truth was, she wanted him to tell her that the road was still impassable. She wanted just one more night. But as he jogged up the steps, Alison knew that was not to be.

“The route's all right,” he said. “I cleared all the branches and there's a good spot to drive over that gulley. The cold firmed up the road, so you shouldn't get stuck.”

It was for the best, Alison mused. She'd get back to her life and forget all about Drew Phillips. “I guess I should get going then.”

He nodded, his gaze fixed on hers. “Probably. It's still cold. We might get snow.”

Alison retreated inside the cabin and grabbed her jacket, her duffel and her messenger bag. She took one last look around at the rumpled bed, at the fire dancing in the hearth, at the remains of their breakfast on the table, then stepped outside.

They walked silently to his truck, the ground crunching beneath their feet. “I had fun last night,” she said. “And this morning.”

“Fun?”

“You know what I mean. I enjoyed it.”

“It?” he asked, a grin teasing at his lips.

Alison slapped his shoulder. “Stop! I'm just trying to tell
you that…that…it was nice. You were nice. It was amazing. And if you're interested, we could do it again.”

“Right here? Or in my truck?”

“No,” Alison said. “At a later date.”

He pulled open the passenger side door and helped her inside, tucking her belongings between her feet. Drew circled around and got behind the wheel. “That's a possibility,” he said. “How would it work?”

“Well, I'd visit you. Or you'd visit me at my place in Johnson City. Or we'd go somewhere for a weekend together. It could be very simple. I don't think either of us wants a complicated relationship.”

He started the truck and carefully steered it out to the road. “So we're just talking sex?”

“It wouldn't have to be just sex,” she said. “We'd be…friends. Friends with benefits. No strings. Just fun.”

“Right,” he said, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

She waited, wondering what there was to consider. Either he wanted to see her again or he didn't. She wasn't going to force him. And it wasn't as if she couldn't get along without him. Yes, the sex was great. And yes, he was the most fascinating man she'd ever met. But she didn't need a man to make her whole.

They pulled to a stop just a few feet behind her car. Drew turned off the ignition, then twisted around to face her. He hooked his thumb under her chin. “Do you really think that would work?”

“We could try.”

“And what happens when one of us wants more? When one of us falls in love and the other doesn't?”

“Is that a no?”

He smoothed his hands along her torso, then grabbed her waist and yanked her against him. “No, that's not a no. It's a very interesting proposal. And I'll think about it.”

“I offer you no-strings sex and you have to think about it?”

“Maybe I'd like a few strings,” he said with a shrug.

Alison studied his expression, trying to read the look in his eyes. Was he really asking for more or was he just teasing? They'd known each other for two days. It was a little soon to start thinking about anything close to a relationship, wasn't it?

“All right,” Drew said. “I've thought about it. And I think it's a good idea.” He jumped out of the truck, then opened her door and helped her out. “So, I'll come to your recital the weekend after next. And we'll see what develops.”

“All right,” she said.

“And after that?”

“There's Christmas,” Alison said. “Don't you spend that with your family?”

“Yeah, I do. We usually get together at my folks' house in Knoxville. But sometimes we get together at my sister's place in Nashville.”

“I'll be in Ponder Hill. So that would be…close.”

“All right. See. That wasn't so hard.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. “Punch your number in and I'll call you.”

“Does this even work up here?” she asked.

“No, but it's a handy place to store phone numbers. I'll call you from the landline at the clinic.”

When she was finished, she handed the phone back. “All right. I guess that's it then. We'll talk. Soon.”

Drew pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “This isn't the end.”

Though she wanted to believe him, she wasn't quite there yet. It could be the end. He could forget to call. And over time, they'd forget what they'd shared. It happened. Feelings faded. Fires burned brightly, then died.

Alison stepped back, out of his embrace. “'Bye, Drew. I'll see you.”

He stayed in his spot, next to the truck, watching her as she backed away. “'Bye, Alison. Drive safe.”

As she slipped behind the wheel of the Subaru, Alison glanced back at him in the side-view mirror. She put the key in the ignition and, to her surprise, she felt sorry that the car started immediately. There were no excuses anymore. It was time for her to get off this mountain.

She watched him in the mirror, then rolled down her window and waved at him. He held up his hand and waved back, and Alison wondered what was going through his mind. Would they see each other again? Or was this the end of a beautiful fantasy?

T
HE SNOW HAD STARTED
shortly after Drew closed up the clinic for the day. At first, it hadn't seemed like a problem, but as he came down out of the higher elevations, it turned to sleet, making the roads a mess.

He glanced at the clock on the dashboard. Alison's recital was scheduled to start at seven. If he found the recital hall without a problem, then he'd have enough time to say hello and give her the bouquet of flowers he'd brought along.

They'd talked a few times on the phone over the past two weeks, but it hadn't been the same. In the real world, they were still relative strangers, without a long list of shared experiences. There had been several silences and topics that didn't seem to lead anywhere, leaving Drew to wonder if what he'd felt for her those two nights in his cabin was an illusion.

To his relief, the campus had signs pointing to the performing arts center. When he reached the building, Drew found a parking spot and pulled in, then jumped out of the car. Inhaling deeply, he raked his hand through his hair and straightened his tie.

They had the whole night in front of them. He'd made arrangements for another doctor to take any emergency calls for the weekend. He'd brought along clothes and condoms for
two days and nights. And he could barely keep himself from thinking about what lay ahead—after the recital.

Drew pulled open the front door and walked inside the lobby of the center. It was festooned with Christmas decorations, and swags of greenery and twinkle lights were draped across the wide glass windows. Another sign pointed to the recital hall, and when he got there, a student was standing at the door, handing out programs. “I'm looking for Alison,” Drew said.

“Professor Cole?” she asked.

“Yes, Professor Cole,” Drew replied. “Do you know where I could find her?”

“She's probably backstage. Through those doors and down the hallway. There are people who can help you.”

“Thanks.” Drew followed the directions and found himself backstage in a flurry of activity. When he finally saw Alison, she was standing in the midst of a group of students singing harmony to her main tune.

Their gazes met and her eyes registered pleasure. He felt a small measure of relief. The attraction was still there and it was as powerful as ever. When the song was over, she crossed the room and stood in front of him. “You came,” she said, throwing her arms around him and giving him a fierce hug.

“I told you I would.” He closed his eyes and reveled in the contact. All week he'd thought about touching her, and now that she was in his arms again, he didn't want to let go. Drew held out the flowers. “These are for you.”

She looked so beautiful, her hair curled and her eyes smudged with a smoky makeup. She wore a deep blue gown with sparkly things around the low-cut neckline. Drew was almost afraid to touch her, but he rested his hand on her waist and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

Alison grabbed his hand. “Come with me.”

She led him into a small dressing room near the stage, then closed the door behind them. The instant the door shut, she
threw her arms around his neck again and kissed him, her lips soft on his. With a moan, Drew dropped the flowers and slipped his arms around her, returning the kiss with the same passion.

It was wonderful to be able to touch her body at will. Though her scent was different, an exotic perfume instead of soap and shampoo, there were so many things familiar to him—the silken feel of her hair, the soft swell of her breasts. When they finally paused for a breath, Drew looked down into her eyes. “I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder.”

“I was worried,” she said. “I thought things had changed.”

“How?”

“I don't know. When we spoke on the phone, everything was so…polite. It was like talking to a stranger. But now that you're here, we're not strangers anymore.” Alison stood on her toes and kissed him again. “How long can you stay?”

“All weekend,” he said. “I have someone to cover my patients. After the recital, I'm going to take you out to dinner and we'll—”

“My parents are here,” Alison said. “They were planning to take me out. But you can come with us—if you want.”

“I'd like that,” Drew said. “I'd like to meet the people who raised such an amazing woman.” He felt a sense of urgency. If he and Alison didn't get to know each other a little better, then the relationship was doomed to fail. And what better way to know her than to meet her parents?

He picked up the bouquet of flowers. “Maybe I should save these and give them to your mom,” he said.

Alison laughed as she grabbed the flowers from his hand. “No! They're mine.”

Drew yanked her to him and playfully tried to retrieve the bouquet. “But I want her to like me and—” The phone in Drew's pocket buzzed. “Meeting your parents is imp—” It
buzzed again. With a quiet curse, he pulled it out and looked at the caller ID. It was the clinic.

“Sorry,” he said. “This will just take a second.”

“It's all right,” Alison said. “You have to answer it.”

Drew pushed the green button. “Hi, Sally. What's up?”

“I'm sorry to call, but I knew you'd want me to,” she said in a breathless voice. “It's Ettie Lee. You'd better come quick. It's serious.”

“How serious?” he asked.

“She refuses to go to the hospital. She says it's her time. It's her heart. Dr. Roy is with her now and he says she doesn't have long.”

“I'm on my way,” Drew said. He slipped the phone back into his pocket and turned to look at Alison. “I have to go,” he said. “It's an emergency and—”

“I thought you said there was another doctor—”

“It's Ettie.”

Alison's eyes went wide. “Is she all right?”

“I don't know. She's refusing medical care and won't let them take her to a hospital. If I get there in time, maybe I can convince her to go.”

“In time? Is it that serious?”

Drew nodded. “She's eighty-five years old.”

“I'll come with you,” Alison said, her eyes swimming with tears. “I want to tell her how important she is to—”

“No,” Drew replied, holding tight to her arms. “You have a recital to give. And there's nothing you can do. If this is her time, then we have to let her go.”

“No!” Alison cried. “You have to help her.”

“I made a promise to Ettie and I intend to keep it.”

“What kind of doctor are you? You're supposed to save her.”

Drew pulled Alison into his arms and gave her a fierce hug. “You need to focus on your music right now. Sing Ettie's songs tonight and tell everyone to say a prayer for her. That's
what you can do.” He kissed her again, his hands cupping her tear-dampened face. “I have to go. I'll call you later. Good luck.”

Drew took one last look at her, then walked out. This was not how he'd wanted the weekend to go. But then, trying to recreate a fantasy had been a foolish notion in the first place. He and Alison spent the majority of their time in the real world. And in the end, the real world might be exactly what pulled them apart.

 

T
HE TINY GRAVEYARD WAS
set in a small clearing on the mountain. It didn't appear on any maps, nor did it have an address. But everyone in the area had known Miss Ettie and they were all going to her funeral. Alison simply had to ask directions.

Though she hadn't known Ettie that well, she felt they'd shared a special connection through her music. Alison had sung her songs at the recital, had asked for prayers, and yet the phone call from Drew still came. Ettie had passed that night at 9:13 p.m., December eighteenth, before Drew could get back to see her once more.

Drew had called Alison about the funeral and she had offered to sing some of Ettie's favorite songs. Over the phone, his voice had sounded strained and detached, as if planning Ettie's funeral had been too much for him. But he'd gratefully accepted her offer.

Alison walked along the muddy path to the old graveyard, her thoughts on the talented woman who'd lived her life without much notice. She deserved more. People needed to know about her. From her tiny cabin in the mountains, Ettie Lee Harper had carried on the musical traditions of her ancestors. And like a gift, she'd given them to Alison. There had to be some way to pay her back.

A small crowd was huddled outside the weathered picket fence and Drew greeted each guest as he stood beside the
preacher. When he saw Alison approach, he whispered something to the man, then walked toward her.

“Hi,” he said, leaning close to kiss her cheek. “Thanks for coming.”

“I had to be here,” Alison said. “For you and for Ettie.”

“I think we want to start and finish with a song,” he told her. “The service will be short. She didn't want anything fancy.”

“I'm sorry, Drew,” she said. “I know how much Ettie meant to you.”

“She was the reason I came back.” He gave her arm a squeeze. “There's a lunch after the burial, at the church. You should come. We can talk.” He forced a smile. “We have a lot to talk about.”

“Drew, I've been thinking and—”

“No, don't think. Not right now. Can you stay?”

Alison shook her head. “I can't. I have exams to give and office hours. I have to leave right after the service.”

After their weekend together on the mountain, it had seemed like such a simple thing to continue seeing each other. But since they'd parted, they had been pulled in opposite directions. Though they only lived a few hours apart, they inhabited different worlds with different priorities. No matter how Alison looked at it, the most they could share was a casual weekend relationship. Drew needed to live close to his patients and she needed to be close to the university.

“I have something for you,” he said. “Actually, it's a Christmas present from Miss Ettie.” He reached in his jacket pocket and handed her a gift-wrapped box. “You don't have to open it now. Save it for Christmas Eve.”

“Thank you,” she murmured.

Drew hesitated. “This isn't going to happen, is it?”

“I don't know,” Alison said. “It seems so difficult suddenly. I talked to the people from Texas after my recital. I'm their top candidate now.”

“That's wonderful.” Drew reached up and touched her face. “Do you still want me in your life?”

“Of course I do. But you can't live in my life any more than I can live in yours. How are we supposed to make this work?”

“I'm a doctor. I can get a job anywhere.”

“But you belong here with your patients. They need you.”

“And I need you.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, if we could gather round. We're ready to get started. We'll begin with a song, one of Ettie Lee's favorites.”

Alison drew a deep breath and pasted a smile on her face. “I guess that's my cue.”

Drew gave her hand a squeeze. “All right. Make it good. Give Ettie a nice send-off.”

As Alison began the song, she felt a wave of emotion come over her. Tears pressed at the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill over. But she focused on the music, on the words Ettie had used that day in the cabin.

She was sad for the loss of Ettie's talent and all the beautiful songs she still had to sing. Her thoughts drifted to the story Drew had told her about Ettie Lee's sweetheart, killed in the war all those years ago.

What was she willing to give up to have that kind of love with Drew? The job in Texas? Her teaching career? All of her dreams and aspirations? She stared at the flower-draped coffin. She could never ask him to give up his work here, with these people. What Drew did was life or death. She merely sang songs.

So it would be up to her. If she wanted to love him, then she'd be the one to give up her dreams. Was a chance at love really worth all that? And how often did love fade over time. Alison never wanted to regret her choices.

She looked up and met Drew's gaze. Her heart ached and
a tear escaped and ran down her cold cheek. She did love him, that much she could admit now. But love wasn't always enough.

 

“W
E'RE DOING THE NATIVITY
at precisely seven o'clock and not a moment later,” Alison's mother called from the kitchen. “And we're all going to be in a festive mood.”

Alison sat down on a stool in her parents' kitchen. She'd driven back to Ponder Hill as soon as her exams were finished, packing up the Subaru with gifts she'd purchased and work she planned to do between Christmas and New Year's.

She'd been thinking about her next step. Her interview was scheduled for the first week in January and an offer would be made by the end of the month. But the closer she got to the job in North Texas, the more she wondered if it really was right for her.

“Frank Bellingham announced his retirement at the Christmas party,” she said. “There's a tenure spot open at East Tennessee.”

“That's wonderful!” her mother said. “I hope they're going to consider you.”

“Maybe. They know I'm up for a job at North Texas.”

“Texas?”

“Just outside Dallas. It's not far, Mom. And it's a really good job. I'd be starting a brand-new department. I'd have a chance to build it from the ground up. And hire all the best people to teach.”

“But you're studying mountain music. Shouldn't you be near the mountains?”

“Yeah, I suppose.”

“What's wrong?” her mother asked. “You seem…sad.”

Alison shook her head. “I just have a lot on my mind. Thinking about work.”

The people from Texas had made their position clear. She'd be the point person for the new department, and with that
came much more administrative work than she was used to. Teaching would take a backseat. And her publishing schedule would be accelerated. They expected a book and a recording within the first year.