An Evergreen Christmas (10 page)

Noel grabbed her arm before she disgraced herself among the fellow tree pickers surrounding them.

“Whoa. Are you all right?”

Holly straightened her shoulders. “Yes. I’m fine.” The words came sharp but her mind was muddled.

He yanked her along like a reluctant child. “Come on. I need a tree. Help me choose one.”

Oh, thank God. The tree was for him. She’d quickly pick one and then she could go back home.

Noel let go of her hand and dodged through the maze of evergreens. Holly stopped in front of one of them, it’s graceful, sweeping branches catching her attention. She peeled off one of her gloves and poked its beveled needles. Well watered, they bent easily to her touch. She poked it again, smiling this time. Holly leaned into it and sniffed. The tree smelled of her father’s flannel shirt, the one he wore every year to the Christmas tree farm, the pine still fresh upon his chest as she pressed her cheek to him as he hugged her in victory of the perfect tree. She touched the evergreen one more time before putting her glove back on. Sweating beneath her coat, Holly turned away from the tree and searched for Noel.

“Noel?” She called.

He popped out from around the tree.

Holly jolted backward. “There you are.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. Have you chosen one?”

She pointed to the third tree in the row opposite the one she had lingered at, one she had not even inspected. “That one.”

“That one it is!”

Noel took her hand and they walked to the check out booth, standing in line with the other customers. The line moved quickly. They approached the white bearded chubby man with a red and black plaid hunter’s cap snug around his ears.

“Good evening, folks,” he said. “We got plenty of trees to pick from. Truck just pulled in from old McNourney’s farm with a bunch of beauties this afternoon. Which Christmas tree is the one for you?”

Heat rose to Holly’s cheeks and a droplet of sweat trickled down her spine. She knew the farm well. Her toes curled in her shoes. She nudged Noel.

“I’m not feeling well. I overindulged at dinner. I’ll wait for you in the car.”

Noel took off his glove and stroked her cheek. “You do feel warm. I won’t be long. Here are the car keys. Go rest inside. Turn on the heater. I’ll get you home soon and tuck you into bed.”

“You okay there, Miss?” The man asked.

“Yes. I’ll be fine.”

Holly took the keys from Noel and scurried past her evergreen tree, dodging into the safety of his car. She shifted in her seat and then spied out the window. The pudgy bearded man tottered beside Noel, his arms swinging along his plaid fleece jacket that matched his cap. He carried a red ribbon in his hands that were clad in tan leather work gloves. They turned away from her. She leaned closer to the window and squinted. The man tagged the tree. Noel turned and shook his hand. He jogged toward the car, a huge grin on his face. He tapped on her window. She could hear him through the glass.

“Are you okay?”

Holly nodded.

Noel rounded the car and got in. “How come you didn’t turn on the heat?”

“It’s warm enough in the car. I guess I needed to sit a bit, digest. I’m much better now.” She touched his hand. “Did you get the tree?”

“Yep! They even deliver. Now let me deliver you home and tuck you in for the evening.”

She squeezed his hand. “Thank you for everything, Noel.”

He squeezed back. “You’re welcome. I had a great time.”

“Me too.”

Holly sank into her seat. The tension in her neck dissolved and she uncurled her toes in her pumps. She glanced at Noel. As they passed street light after street light, she traced the tiny black dots of stubble poking through his cheeks and chin with each illumination. The flutter in her stomach grew warm as it crept downward. Should she invite him to stay or would that be too forward? She grinned. The gossip at the hospital would churn into frenzy. It certainly would be amusing to watch.

Noel pulled into her drive and helped her out of the car. They lingered under the porch light. He cupped her cheeks and pressed his lips to hers. A dog barking across the street interrupted them. Holly and Noel glanced at Sam’s house. The light in the window snapped off.

“We’ve been spotted,” she said.

“I’m sure we’ll continue to entertain them, especially tomorrow when I pick you up at six sharp.” He kissed her again. “I’d stay but you need your rest. Wear something casual and warm.”

Oh, my God. He said he’d stay!
She wanted to jump up and down like a kid, but instead, she quickly tilted her head. “For what?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Come on, Noel. Tell me.”

He skipped over her porch steps on the way to his car. Turning around he waved to her. “See you tomorrow, Dr. Green!”

Then he backed out of her driveway, riding off like a bandit in the middle of the night. She waited until he turned the corner before venturing inside. Holly slid off her coat and hung it on the rack. Kicking off her pumps, she twirled in circles, splaying her arms out like a child who’s discovered recess for the first time. She stumbled to the bedroom, deliciously dizzy from her whirling about and from her evening with Noel. Unzipping her dress, she let it drop below her knees and stepped free from it. Hanging it in the rear of the closet, she patted it, promising she’d take it out again. Wanting to keep the lacy lingerie on a bit longer, she slid into her bunny slippers and shuffled to the living room, searching for her shoes. She plunked one from the sofa and gazed about the room for its mate. Hmm? Where is it? Carrying the sole shoe, she passed the kitchen and halted. Walking backward, she glanced inside it.
I’ll be darned. There it is
. Kneeling on the floor, she giggled and retrieved the other pump from beneath the kitchen table. Ever fastidious, this was so not like her. The playful, carefree, Dr. Shepherd had entered her life, and that wasn’t so bad.

Chapter Eight

Wrapped in her down comforter and heated from her night of a blissful slumber, Holly wiggled her toes and stretched her legs. Fluttering her eyes open, she yawned, raised her hands over her head, and plopped them upon her pillow. She twisted about, rousing the rest of her body, and then rolled to her side.

“Oh, no,” she yelled, and bolted upright in bed.

Swooning from her night with Noel, she hadn’t set her alarm clock. The glowing blue digits on her nightstand mocked her, “Ha, Ha, Holly. You overslept!”

Whipping off her covers, she slammed her feet into her bunny slippers and dashed into the bathroom. After a spritz of a shower, she hopped into her standard black trousers and white button down shirt. Holly glanced in the mirror at her unadorned face. Ordinarily she wouldn’t care, but now there was Noel, and people would be looking. She had to make an effort. Rubbing in foundation, brushing on blush, polishing off with powder, and a smidge of mascara, she was set. With it being an O.R. day, Holly sleeked her hair back into a ponytail, snapping the velvet black holder, a striking contrast to her blonde locks, into place. No time to brew coffee, or stop at her favorite coffee shop, Holly stuffed a breakfast bar into her tote and yanked on her coat and boots. She reached for her keys on the key hook, but for the first time in her regimented life, they weren’t there. She dropped her tote to the ground and froze in front of her door.
What’s happening to me? I danced around like a bad ballerina, flung off my shoes, overslept, and now I can’t find my keys.
She slapped her hands to her sides and gazed up at the ceiling.
And I’m wearing makeup!
Her heart fluttered. She was changing.
It’s all right. You’ll be fine
, she comforted herself. Holly patted her coat pocket. There they were. She sighed and pulled them out. Then she smacked her forehead with her palm.

“Keys!” Holly glanced at her watch. Okay, she’d be late but Noel was worth it. Mr. Moretti was probably just opening up his jewelry store. He had his store, Special Touch Jewelers, ever since Holly could remember. Her mom and dad were one of his best customers. Holly would quickly call him and order the key ring. She whipped out her cell and found the phone number. Mr. Moretti answered on the second ring. Holly let him know exactly what she wanted engraved on Noel’s present and luckily good old Mr. Moretti assured her he’d have it ready for pick up later that day. Holly tapped “end call” on her cell and grinned. Everything was all set. She’d invite Noel to Aunt Mae’s house for Christmas dinner, and then she’d give the man she was falling so fast in love with his gift.

Holly grabbed her keys and headed for the hospital, praying the rest of her day would proceed on schedule. Noel said he’d pick her up at six this evening. Holly smiled, wondering what his surprise was. Now she had her own surprise for him.

***

Holly skidded to a stop at the 6
^th
floor surgical station, her team gathered on the unit awaiting her. Straightening the lapel of her white lab coat, she cleared her throat. “Let’s go. First patient, please.”

The surly unit secretary extended her arm over the counter, a plastic covered coffee cup in her hand, her eyes still on her computer screen. “Here you go, Dr. Green.”

The muted chatter of her team ceased. Their eyes widened.

Holly took the coffee from her. “Thank you, Ms. Carson.”

Without batting an eyelash her way or missing a key stroke, she said, “You’re welcome, Dr. Green.”

Holly sipped her coffee. “Well now. Shall we proceed?”

Her surgical team snapped to attention. Clifford, her intern and the only brave one to engage her, gave her a glance and a nod. Holly, holding her coffee in one hand, raised an eyebrow, and with the other shooed him on. Clifford disappeared into the crowd of residents and medical students.

Rounds flowed smoothly, each presenting resident and student desperate to impress Holly with their lists of differential diagnoses, pharmaceutical prowess, and proposed therapies. She passed by Noel and his crew. He winked at her. Luckily her team was far enough ahead of her and his behind him for any of them to notice. He knew that too. Sly devil!

He mouthed, “Six o’clock,” and moved on.

Holly finished her coffee, dropped the empty paper cup into a waste receptacle, and caught up with her team who paused outside of Mrs. Shale’s room. She strode past them, approaching her pet patient.

Smiling she said, “Hail to the Queen of Incentive Spirometry. Your chest x-ray this morning is crystal clear and you’ve been afebrile for over twenty -four hours. Your white count is within normal limits. Your incisions are well approximated, and you’re tolerating a regular diet.”

“English, dear,” Mrs. Shale said.

“You get to go home.”

To Holly’s surprise, Mrs. Shale laid there, her forehead furrowed and her lips pressed. “Oh,” she uttered.

Holly ushered her team from Mrs. Shale’s room, telling them she’d meet them in the next patient room. She sat on the edge of Mrs. Shale’s bed. “What’s wrong?”

Mrs. Shale fiddled with her hospital gown. “Nothing. I’ll gather my belongings. Perhaps one of those wonderful nurses can call me a cab. They…and you…and Dr. Shepherd, everyone has been so kind to me.” She patted Holly’s hand. “I’ve received the best care here. I’m going to write a letter stating as much to the head of this hospital.”

“Thank-you. But you won’t need a cab. I have a huge, empty house. I’d like you to stay with me, at least for a few days.”

Mrs. Shale shook her head. “I can’t. I don’t want to be a bother, especially at Christmas.”

“You won’t. And it is especially at Christmas that I invite you to stay with me. I don’t have decorations or a tree. It will be very low key. You’ll have your own bedroom and bath, and the whole house at your disposal. Come and go as you please.” She squeezed Mrs. Shale’s hand. “Please? I know you don’t have any family. I checked.”

Mrs. Shale glanced downward. “I’m sorry I wasn’t straight with you.”

“It’s all right,” Holly said softly.

Mrs. Shale looked up at her. “Okay. I’ll come. But I don’t want to be in your way, and I do apologize ahead of time for being a holiday party pooper.”

Holly nodded. “You’ll fit right in. I have one scheduled operation, and then Noel…Dr. Shepherd, will cover my patients while I take you to my house and get you settled in.”

Giving Mrs. Shale an extra pat, Holly went straight to the computer and inputted her discharge orders. Before leaving for the O.R. she reminded Mrs. Shale’s nurse she’d return after her case to pick up her patient.

The nurse smiled. “That’s very nice of you, Dr. Green.”

“She’s alone. I have a big house. I’m looking forward to her stay. She’ll be fine.”

The nurse stared at her and then she finally blinked.

Holly stuffed her hands in her lab coat pockets. “I’ll be back for her.”

“Uh, okay,” the nurse said.

Everyone seemed to be staring at her. Of course she just kept rambling in front of the nurse. She’d never given as much as a hint to her private life. Here she was talking about her home. And Ms. Carson, the, “I don’t have time to get to know all of you,” stoic unit secretary, engaged her the other day and handed her coffee today. The woman who’d worked there as long as Holly could remember had never done that for anyone, not even Noel, the popular new surgeon on the block. Holly grinned.
I guess the Lifesaver candies worked!

She pumped down the stairwell stairs, the combination of caffeine and her newly found congeniality among staff pulsing in her veins. One short surgery, one trip home with Mrs. Shale in tow, one return for Grand Rounds, check out rounds, and then home again to primp for Noel’s mystery date. She skipped the last three steps, jumping to the floor, and whipped past nurses, fellow surgeons, and anesthesiologists en route to the women’s locker room, their heads spinning her way, the new Dr. Holly Green.

After changing into her scrubs, Holly swung her locker door shut and found the two nurses who had mocked her behind their closed bathroom stalls standing next to her.