Page 52 of Merry with Me

My best friend, she’s the best. She read the situation, and she’s helping to bail me out. It doesn’t matter that I’m twenty-three, my dad is protective, and I know he’s picked up on… whatever this is between Oliver and me. I’m sure he’ll be asking me. I better figure out what I’m going to say.

“Love you, Blake,” Dad says.

“Love you too, Dad.” I smile at him, and my mom grabs his arm and pulls him away.

As soon as they turn, Oliver steps close, placing his hand on the small of my back and bending close. His hot breath fans across my face. “I missed you.”

I can’t hide my shock as I turn to look at him. He nods and gives me a small shrug. This isn’t the Oliver I know, but I like this version. Who am I kidding? I like all his versions, even the grumpy, bossy one.

I’m in trouble.

So much trouble.

“Let’s get closer to the tree,” Brad suggests. “You want me to take her?” He offers his hands to Carrie, but she’s not having it.

“She’s fine, really.”

“Let me try.” Isla holds out her arms, making a silly face, and Carrie giggles and holds her arms out, going easily to Isla.

“Care Bear.” Brad places his hand over his heart as if it’s breaking. We all laugh, including Carrie, who pokes at Isla’s Christmas tree earrings. She’s fascinated.

The mayor steps onto the stage and welcomes everyone to the festival. Isla and Marisa are deep in conversation, and Brad has Abe on his shoulders. That leaves Oliver and me. We’re standing next to one another. His hand still rests on the small of my back. The mayor drags on. Old-man Washington has always had a lot to say.

All the lights go out. There’s a murmur through the crowd in anticipation of the Tree Lighting. They’ve done this as longas I can remember. They kill the lights on Main Street, making the street completely dark, to count down from ten for the tree lights. The crowd starts to count, as do I. However, I falter when I feel Oliver move behind me and wrap his arms around my waist. He rests his chin on the top of my head, and I force myself to keep counting.

The lights come on, and everyone cheers. Everyone but me and Oliver. We’re too wrapped up in our own little world. He leans in close, his lips pressing against my cheek.“I don’t think I’d have missed so many events if I could have gone with you.”

It’s a good thing he’s holding me, because I’d be a puddle in the middle of Main Street. I can’t deny it. I’m falling hard and fast for this man. Maybe Marisa is right? Maybe, just maybe, he’ll open his heart again? It’s too late for me. He already holds part of mine.

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

Oliver

“Good morning, Kathy.” I smile at my nurse as I pass her desk on my way to my office. It’s Monday morning, and tonight is the hospital’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, which means more of Blakely. That’s definitely something to be chipper about.

“Um, good morning,” she replies with her own hesitant smile.

I know what she sees. I’m smiling like a fool. But how can I not be after spending the entire weekend with Blakely? Five minutes in her presence is enough to make any man smile. It’s not just the fact that she’s the first woman I’ve spent time with since Hannah. I know it's more. I can feel it in my chest. It’s a feeling I’ve been ignoring and will continue to ignore, but it won’t stop me from spending time with her. I don’t know how long I have her. I don’t know how long she’ll let this… whatever we’re doing, go on for. So I’m going to soak up her time, her kisses, her soft touch like a fucking sponge, and even then, I’m certain it will never be enough.

My day flies by. I end up adding a patient in over my lunch hour, but I’m able to stay caught up with my charting. I refuseto be late for the ceremony, which is something I never thought I’d hear myself say. Not me post-breakup, anyway. But she’s going to be there, and I know she’s worked hard on this event. Besides, I’m hoping to spend some time with her after. So yeah, I’m not taking work home with me tonight, and I have a policy: Do today’s work today because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I learned that in residency. In healthcare, no two days are the same.

That’s why I’ve just finished charting for the day when my cell rings at four thirty. Looking at the screen, I smile when I see her name. “Hey,” I answer.

“Oliver, are you super busy?” she asks in a rush.

“I just finished up for the day. What’s up?” I ask, shutting down my laptop.

“I have a huge favor to ask.”

“Sure. Ask away,” I tell her.

“Well, Dr. Anderson was supposed to be at the ceremony tonight to give the welcome speech. His wife just went into labor.”

“Okay?”

“It’s always been a member of the medical staff to open. I know this isn’t your thing, and I’m certain it’s the very last thing you want to do tonight, but I need to find his replacement, and it’s last minute. We’re hours from the ceremony. Will you do it? Will you fill in for him? It’s nothing big. Just welcome everyone, and then Hilary will take over from there. It’s tradition to have a Willow River General physician greet the crowd, say hello, and introduce Hilary.” She exhales loudly at the end of her speech.