Jingle Bell Bride

“I’m trying. We’re going snowmobiling. We’re just about to head out.”

“Sounds fun, so what are you doing on the phone with me?” He opened the dishwasher.

“Fine, so I’m not cutting back on my workload like I planned.” Steve didn’t sound guilty about that, not at all. “Eventually I’ll have to, since the new doctor I hired to help me starts on Monday.”

“I had no idea. Last I heard you were going to wait until January to start looking for someone.” He turned on the faucet and ran a lunch plate through the stream.

“I’ve had my eye on this doctor for a while, she’s available and the timing is right.” Steve’s smile warmed his words. “One of these days I won’t have to come into the office at all. The rest of you are so good, I’ll be absolutely unnecessary.”

“You? No chance of that.” Steve Swift was one of the most knowledgeable doctors around. “No one can fill your shoes.”

“I don’t believe it for a second.” Steven chuckled and it was good to hear him sounding happy. “My wife is calling. Better go.”

“Have fun. No more thinking about work. You’re not on call, remember?” He slipped a plate into the dishwasher rack, trying to imagine the unathletic man on a snowmobile. “And no accidents, got it?”

“Got it. No worries, Laura has done this before. We’re going on a tour up in the mountains. Great, now she’s honking. I really do have to go.”

“Have fun, Steve.” He set the phone on the counter, shaking his head. Seeing Steve broadening his horizons was gonna be very interesting. Maybe because although twenty years separated them, they were very alike. Workaholics dedicated to their profession, men of science and men who didn’t have room for much else in their lives.

What about the new doctor? And why hadn’t Steve said more before this? Why the mystery? Then again, that had been the plan since his health scare. He’d had a minor heart attack, but it had been a wake-up call for Steve. Less time at work, he’d said in the break room one day. More time spent living life to the fullest.

Couldn’t argue with that. The light clink of the dishes as he loaded the dishwasher kept him company in the lonely room. In Michael’s opinion, this was living life to the fullest. He had a job he loved, a comfortable home and a daughter to care for. Speaking of which, he grabbed the phone, dialed his mom and waited for the phone to connect. He swished the soup pan through the water, fit it into the bottom rack and closed the dishwasher door as she answered, sounding breathless.

“Am I catching you at a bad time?” He reached for the paper towel roll.

“No, just came in from running errands. It’s cold out there!” June Kramer blew out a breath for emphasis and something in the background rustled. “The grocery store was crazy. Everyone stocking up for the next storm. They say it’s going to be a doozy. How’s my granddaughter?”

“Napping.” He peeked around the corner. Yep, still asleep.

“Good, she needs rest to heal. Say, I bought cookie makings. Figured she might want to help me with my first batch of Christmas cookies. That ought to be a proper excuse to spend time with her. How does tomorrow sound?”

“I’m sure she’ll like it.” He was thankful to the Lord that his mom was the kind of grandmother who would step in and fill the void in Macie’s life. His mom was gold in a hundred different ways. “Why don’t you take her home after church? I’ll pack a bag if you want to keep her overnight.”

“Yes, yes, yes! Oh, you’ve just made me a very happy grammy.” More rustling bags and the sound of a refrigerator opening. “I’m glad I bought the supplies for her favorite supper.”

“You were already planning, admit it.” He grabbed a paper towel and a spray bottle of eco-friendly cleaner. “That I suggested you keep her worked into your master plan.”

“It did. Your dad will take her to school come Monday, as long as it’s not a snow day. Then, again, maybe we’ll keep her forever.”

“Sure, go ahead and try.” He squirted the length of counter and wiped it down. “In the meantime, I need your help with one of Macie’s Christmas gifts.”

“Do you mean the Christmas gift, the only one she wants?”

“The kitten.” No idea how that was going to work out, and he was a little afraid to think about it. “Where do I find one? I want a good one. The right one.”

He had no idea how to know which one would be the right one. Surely all kittens were nice, but how did he find the one that would be the loving friend Macie wanted?

“I have no idea. I know, not what you wanted to hear. But I have my sources. Let me make a few calls and talk to some friends. I’ll get back to you.”

“Mom, you’re fantastic.”

“Don’t I know it,” she agreed happily.

Relieved, he turned the conversation to what was going on in his parents’ lives. He listened while he wiped down the table and started sorting clothes in the laundry room. Wind gusted against the side of the house, and the last of the sunlight bled from the sky. He said goodbye to his mom and lit a fire in the fireplace. By the time the new storm’s first snowflakes fell, the Kramer house felt warm and snug. This was as good as life got, he thought, watching his daughter sleep. He couldn’t ask for anything more.

Chapter Four

The weekend flew by. Chelsea barely had time to breathe settling in at home—unpacking her car, putting up the rest of the lights and then there was church on Sunday. Monday morning blew in with a fresh accumulation of snow and a storm that sent snow drifting over roads and made the mile drive into town challenging. She pulled into the little parking lot behind Dr. Swift’s medical clinic ten minutes late. Totally hating being late, she shoved open her door, hauled her bag from the passenger seat, slipped on a sheet of ice and landed on her bottom.

Great. Just great. Cold seeped through her wool slacks as she levered back onto her feet, grabbed her keys and prayed Dr. Swift wouldn’t be too unhappy with her. He’d been clear. Staff meeting starts at seven-thirty. Halfway to the door she noticed a reflection in a glass window. Her headlights. Double great. With a sigh, she tromped back through the snow. Hurry, hurry, hurry. This was no way to start her first day of work for the man she’d looked up to all her life. Steve Swift was not only her new boss but her longtime mentor. He’d encouraged her in her studies and he’d been there for their family when Mom had fallen ill—

Her right foot slipped, she went down on her knees in the same ice patch she’d fallen in earlier. Fabulous. So, maybe she was missing Seattle’s rain just a little. She pulled herself up holding on to the door handle, unlocked her car, turned off the lights and trekked back through the snow. Really, the day had to get better from here, right?

Her cell chimed the moment she set foot through the back door. Warmth enfolded her, chasing away the chill as she fished her phone out of her bag. A text message stared up at her.

Hope your first day goes well, sweetheart, her father had written. I know you’ll do great.

That was her dad, always there for her.

Thanks. She hit Send, smiling as she unwound her scarf, imagining him at work at the vet clinic, cradling a cup of coffee and carrying on a conversation with any animals who happened to be in the kennels.

She unwrapped her scarf and her phone chimed again. Not Dad this time.

Praying UR first day is fabulous! Johanna’s words marched across her screen cheerfully. Meg says U go, girl!

Okay, this was the upside of sisterhood. Maybe being back in Wyoming wasn’t so bad. She unbuttoned her coat, shrugged out of it and tapped out an answer. So far I haven’t broken a leg. Have a great day, 2. Dinner tonight?

At Jeff’s Diner, Johanna answered. Six o’clock. UR treat.

MY treat? She texted back.

Becuz U love me and because I’m broke.

Hard to argue with that. She’d missed her sisters living so far away. Weather aside, it really was good to be back.

The door swung open without warning. Snow blew in like a blizzard, borne on a strong gust. A tall man dressed in black shouldered in, his silhouette strangely familiar. A dark knit hat hid his sandy-brown hair and for a moment the snow shielded his face, but she knew him even before he rammed the door shut.

Michael Kramer. Doctor Michael Kramer.

“What are you doing here?” she asked before her brain kicked in. “Wait, don’t answer that. Let me guess. You work here.”

“Guilty.” He tugged off his hat. He smelled like snow and pine. Very Christmassy. Very nice. “My name is on the stationery, at least it was the last time I checked. Are you here to see one of the other doctors?”

“See one? No, I work here. I’m the new—”

“Pediatrician.” He blinked in surprise, his gray matter suddenly stuck in neutral. Why hadn’t he guessed it? Maybe because when he’d first met Chelsea McKaslin, he’d had his daughter’s broken arm on his mind. The second time he’d met her, it had taken most of his mental acuity not to dwell on how beautiful she was. “Right. Guess I should have known.”

“So, you didn’t read the memo?” Blue eyes sparkled up at him, bright with humor.