Doctor to the Rescue

“Hard.” He brushed his thumb and forearm on her shoulder. While it was meant to be a touch of comfort, it left her skin feeling tingly.

“Speaking of Christmas, I wanted to take you shopping today. I figured we could pick up some decorations and gifts. Grab a quick lunch here first and eat dinner while we’re out?”

The thought of having holiday decorations ignited joy. The thought of having dinner with Ian made Bri cautious. Yet a sliver of excitement she didn’t want to acknowledge grew within her. “I’d love that. Thank you, Ian.”

He scratched his jaw and shifted from foot to foot. “Also, I was wondering if you’d like to join a few of us at Lem’s for a Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow. Kate, Mitch and Lauren will be there, too. Plus Lem and Tia. We’d love to have you join us.”

She sighed. Despite feeling like a pity case, Bri’s former dread of spending Christmas alone and without Mom fled. “I heard Lem’s Southern cooking is superb. If you’re sure it’s all right and that I won’t be intruding, I’d love to go.”

His face flashed with some undetectable emotion when she’d agreed to go. Was Ian happy she’d be going, or disappointed? She still found it difficult to read men’s thoughts, because of her ex-boyfriend’s changeable personality.

“Good. I’ll pick you up at four since you can’t drive yet.” He walked over to the neatly stacked books. Then eyed the not-so-neat stack. “These for Lem’s library fund and run?”

“Read-n-run.” She giggled. “Yes.

“Need me to help you get them to Lem’s place?”

“No, I—”

“Can’t drive for six weeks. Let me rephrase—you hold open the door. I’ll load these books into those plastic bins and we’ll drop them off at the library on the way to the toy store.”

She ground her teeth together. Resisted the temptation to inform him he was bossier than Kate. “Okay.” While he loaded, she made pita sandwiches, which they ate before driving to town.

Partway through their excursion at Tinker’s Toy Store in downtown Eagle Point, Bri indicated a fairy costume Ian held up with a raised brow. “Yes. Tia will love that.”

“I hope so.” Ian set the boxed dress-up ensemble in the cart and sighed dauntingly at the rows of other toys. “Did she happen to mention to you anything she’d like for Christmas?” He stuffed hands in his pockets. “I asked her, but she said the only thing she wants for Christmas is her mom.” Ian’s voice pinched.

Bri put a camouflage monkey in the cart. “For Kate.”

Ian met Bri’s gaze, and grinned like a slow dawn. “I never would have guessed. She’s obsessed with those things.”

Bri cleared her throat and kept stride with Ian as he pushed the screechy cart. “Tia did mention a couple of things she wanted.”

The squeaking wheels silenced as Ian paused the cart.

“She mentioned wanting a pet. Specifically a yellow dog, but if she can’t have that, she’d settle for a fish named Jonah.”

Ian’s hands tightened around the cart. She tensed. “I’m frustrated she told you and not me.”

“So, you’d consider a dog?”

“No. We don’t have time to give it proper care and attention. The fish, however, is doable. If I can find a place to get one. I’ve been too busy to scout the town.”

“That’s partly my fault. And there’s a pet store down the road.” Bri pursed her lips. “I’ll show you after we leave here.”

Ian faced her. “Didn’t mean to make you feel like a burden. Sometimes I don’t think before I speak.”

Sometimes? Bri bit her tongue from saying it. She needed to cool her jets and keep the peace. “I’m gonna look around.”

Ian became subdued again “Fine. See you at checkout.”

Fine? Like she needed his permission to shop. Ian was seeming more like domineering Eric every day. It was going to be tough to work as his babysitter, but she’d do it for Tia’s sake, and for saving the lodge’s sake.

Bri found a set of fairy books for Tia for Christmas and a gift card for Caleb, so he could load apps and games into his phone. Despite her anger, Bri added a second digital card for Ian when he wasn’t at the checkout lanes. Where had he gone?

Two customers away from the cash register, Bri tried to open her wallet one handed. Couldn’t. A strong hand pressed it back into her purse. She looked up. Ian stood behind her. He crammed a fistful of bills into her handbag. “What’s that?”

“An advance on your paycheck.”

Anger flashed. “I don’t need your charity.” She didn’t want to make a scene, so she paid using his cash. Her fingers trembled, and her insides quivered as if they’d been set to broil. Someone as distinguished and well-off as Ian couldn’t possibly understand why accepting handouts was so hard.

But she was about to let him have it.

Chapter Four

Ian’s peripheral vision caught some motion happening at his car in the Tinker’s Toys lot.

He turned around to see Bri whirling at him.

“Why did you do that?” Angry hurt flashed from her eyes.

Mind blank, he blinked. “Do what?”

She slammed her shopping bags into his open trunk. “Make people think I’m poor! Everyone saw the horrible thing you did!”

Was she kidding? What woman in her right mind would call two hundred free bucks horrible?

Ian couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing.

That did not go over well. Fists balled and lips clenched, she got nose-to-chin with him. Few women could do that with his six-foot-four frame. She hissed through her teeth.

He partially turned, calmly dug the keys from his pocket and eyed her.

“I didn’t know you had anger issues.”

She shook her head. Threw the passenger door of his truck open and flung herself inside. “I don’t have anger issues.” She jabbed toward the street. “And the pet shop is that way.”

“I didn’t say you did. I’d like to know why you have a problem with people helping you. Had I known you’d be embarrassed, I’d have been more clandestine and considerate. I’m sorry.”

Her shoulders relaxed, face calmed. “Unless you’re up to your eyeballs in debt, I can see by the fact you have two new cars and a half-million-dollar home on the lake that money’s not an issue. So it would probably be hard for you to understand.”

No debt. Just good money management, disciplined spending habits, wise investing and savings. “Try me.” He followed the road she pointed to, where the pet shop must be.

“I have a tough time accepting help and handouts because it reminds me too much of Mom having to scrounge for food, clothes and shelter after Dad left us destitute.”

“Caleb mentioned your dad left you guys. I’m sorry, Bri.”

“Why? You’re not the woman who lured him away, then left him to rot in a nursing home alone. Never mind. End of subject.”