Page 10 of Christmas of Love

Nate nodded slowly and smoothed his hand over his jaw. “Oh, yeah. That’s right. She told us all about that.”

I frowned. “Who’s us?”

“Oh, just me and the guys at the station. She drops off fudge and cookies on the regular.”

“Really?”

“Sweet girl.”

“She’s not a girl. She’s a woman.” I nodded. “But yeah, she’s very nice.”

Nate nodded. “Alright. Well, if I bump into her, I’ll let her—”

“No need.” I pushed past him.

“Well, that’s my sign to go home and crack open a bottle of gingerbread beer your brother left at my house earlier.”

I stopped and turned around. “Oh, yeah.”

Nate nodded. “Been waiting all day to get a little festive.”

I laughed, knowing he was in for a treat. “You enjoy that beer now, Nate.”

“I plan on it.”

Realizing I wasn’t the better person, I made my way to the ambulance, where I instantly heard her laughter ring through the air.

It was like my drug.

The moment I heard the melody, I wanted more and more.

I poked my head around the opening, and my eyes landed on her, huddled under the blanket with an oxygen mask.

“Daisy.” I hadn’t meant to say her name aloud.

Her brows furrowed, and her head tilted. “Hunter?”

Her voice was muffled from the mask. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted a cheeseburger.”

“Oh, well. I don’t think that’s happening tonight.”

The medic checked the oximeter on her index finger and removed the mask.

“Are you still feeling okay?” the medic asked.

“Totally fine. I swear.” She nodded, smiling.

Dang, I missed seeing her smile.

The medic nodded. “Alright. If you experience any of the symptoms we spoke about, go straight to the emergency room.”

“Will do. Thanks, Lacy.” Daisy kept the blanket wrapped around her shoulders and started toward the opening of the ambulance.

I offered my hand to help her down, and she grinned. “Chivalry twice in one night?”

“What can I say?”