An Evergreen Christmas (17 page)

Noel blinked. “Wow!

Heat snaked from her neck to her cheeks.

“Nice bunny slippers! I like those.”

“Ahh!” Holly’s mouth hung open. She thought he was talking about her sexy little black dress. “Oh, my Gosh!” Holly turned on her heels and rocketed up the stairs.

“Holly?” Aunt Mae called.

“Hey, Holly. Come back. You look great,” Noel yelled.

She could hear his footsteps right behind her. “I’ll be right down, Noel.”

But it was too late. He had already caught up with her.

Holly’s chest heaved. “Noel.”

Noel walked right up to her, cradled her face in his hands, and rested his lips on hers. She stood there, in her bunny slippers, her arms limp by her sides, an ornament in each hand, and her mouth held completely captive in his lips. Her stomach dipped at his every press. When he finally eased away, her head lolled on her neck he had made so magically pliable a minute ago. She had forgotten about her bunny slippers until she blinked her way back to her intended mission. Holly kicked off her slippers and slid into her black satin pumps.

Noel grinned. “Hey, those are nice, too.”

“Oh, you like these?” Holly asked, striking a playful side pose.

“I like everything,” Noel said, softly. “Last night, this morning,
now
!

He held out his hands. “I’ll take those downstairs, if you want.”

Holly clutched her ornaments. “No, I want to put these on the tree, myself. But you can grab those two packages. Oh! Oh! Not that small one.” She grinned. “I’ll come back for that one.”

A quizzical look crossed Noel’s face. “Oh, okay.” He looked back at her, his eyes soft. “How about we decorate that tree together?”

His arms full, Holly gave Noel a quick peck on his lips. “I’d like that.”

***

While Holly sifted through the ornament boxes, Noel struggled to untangle a ball of Christmas lights. He had taken off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves half way into the job, politely declining Holly’s assistance. He’d wave his hand. “I can do it!” Every time she’d giggle, he’d arch a brow and smile. “Almost done!” After a good thirty minutes, Noel shot his hands to his hips and puffed out his chest. “Okay, I got it!”

What is it about men and electricity? Holly mused. “That’s great!”

Holly and Noel rounded the tree, stringing the lights along every branch, careful not to knock off the lone snowman ornament.

With a gleam in his eye, Noel plugged the end into an outlet. The barren tree sprang to life.

“How beautiful,” Mrs. Shale said from her recliner.

Holly picked up the ornament Mrs. Shale had given her and smiled at her. “This one’s next.”

Mrs. Shale sniffled. Tears spilled from her cheeks. Holly’s throat tightened. She shouldn’t have said that. She made Mrs. Shale cry. Holly quickly tucked the ornament in a box.

“No, no,” Mrs. Shale cried between gulps. “You don’t understand. I’m crying because I thought I’d never see that ornament hang on a tree again.” She raised her hand. “Please, put it up. Martin loved Christmas.”

Holly retrieved the ornament and hung it next to her snowman. Then she reached for her parent’s one. Her fingers trembled. Noel knelt beside her and rested his hand on hers. Holly’s heart beat wildly in her chest. She thought she could do it. Maybe not.

“It’s okay, Holly. You don’t need to hang it this year.” He stared deep into her eyes. Holly’s eyes began to sting and her mouth went dry. Other than her Aunt Mae, meeting Noel was the best thing that had happened to her since her parents died. He kissed on her head. “We can put it away for now.”

Holly shook her head. “No, I don’t want to, Noel. It belongs on this tree, this beautiful tree that I gave you so much grief about.”

He smiled and kissed her, his lips as tender as his heart. “It’s in the past,” he whispered. “Where would you like it, Holly?”

“The other side of my snowman.”

Holly released the ornament into Noel’s hand. He hung it next to Holly’s snowman. “Good?” he asked.

Holly bit her bottom and paused. Then she answered, “Perfect.”

When the last ornament was hung upon the tree, the doorbell rang. Aunt Mae ran from the kitchen, no longer wearing an apron, but a red dress with a wreath brooch pinned to her collar.

“I’ll get it,” she called like a nervous schoolgirl.

Holly glanced at Noel. “I wonder who that could be? I thought it was just us.”

Noel shrugged.

Dr. Maxwell Thornton, and Charlie Donahue, the volunteer from the hospital sweet on Mrs. Shale, stood on Holly’s doorstep smacking the snow from their shoes.

“Come on in boys,” Aunt Mae chimed.

The men’s faces pinked.

“Boys?” Holly whispered to Noel.

He shrugged again.

She gently poked her elbow into Noel’s side. “You’re no help,” she teased.

Holly rocked from her knees, stood, and walked to the front door. “Dr. Thornton and Mr. Donahue, what a nice surprise. Please, come in.”

Holly raised her brows at Aunt Mae who grinned and shrugged.

What is with all the shrugging today?

Noel crept up next to Holly and extended his hand. “Nice to see you, Dr. Thornton.”

“Same here, Dr. Shepherd. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you too, Sir.”

Dr. Thornton clapped Noel on his back. “Call me, Maxwell.”

Noel nodded. “All right, Maxell. And call me Noel.”

“Will do.”

Maxwell Thornton eyed Holly carefully and hesitated. Holly drew a deep breath and hugged the man who worked valiantly to save her parents’ lives that night so long ago. “Thank you for coming.”

“Thank you for having me in your home today.”

She squeezed his hand. “You’re welcome anytime.”

And by the doe eyed look between Aunt Mae and Maxwell, Holly had a feeling she’d be seeing more of him outside of the hospital. Charlie Donohue had already made his way to the living room sofa where Mrs. Shale had conveniently relocated to from her armchair.

Noel squeezed Holly’s elbow and whispered, “Should be an interesting dinner.”

***

Noel pulled out Holly’s chair. She held her breath for a few seconds and sat as he gently pushed her to the holiday table. Ordinarily she’d help herself, but today was Christmas and everyone’s eyes were on Noel and her. They were queen and king at this table, but their court was just as cozy. After helping their ladies to the table, Maxwell scooted his chair closer to Aunt Mae and Charlie Donohue’s face beamed over his red bowtie as he patted Mrs. Shale’s hand. Holly blinked. When did this all happen? Maybe there was more to Aunt Mae and Mrs. Shale’s lunchtime outings than the two sly women let on.

“Oh, Aunt Mae. This all looks so delicious.” Holly inhaled with a huge smile on her face. “It smells heavenly.”

“Here! Here!” Everyone cheered.

Aunt Mae flicked her hand and blushed. She tapped her wine glass with her silver spoon. “Okay, all. Let’s hold hands and bow our heads.”

Holly slipped her hand into Noel’s warm hand. He squeezed her fingers delicately, a surgeon’s touch, a touch that set off every tiny nerve ending in her body. Her skin pulsed. Holly felt the rhythmic response of Noel’s heart stream through the pads of his fingers. Aunt Mae took her other hand. Flanked by the two people that meant the most to her, Holly bowed her head and thanked God for sending them to her, and asked his forgiveness for all those years she was so angry with Him. Her throat tightened. And suddenly a warm breeze touched her ever so slightly on the back of her neck. Holly’s heart fluttered so fast that her breath could not keep pace with it. Shalimar! Her mother’s favorite perfume. The sweet scent clung in the air about her. 

She whispered to Noel, “Do you smell that?”

He whispered back, “Yeah, the turkey smells great.”

No one could smell that but her! And then came what nearly sent her flying from the table. Her daddy’s bristly cheek wisped across hers.

“Wha..whaaa?” Holly uttered, about to bolt from the table.

Noel squeezed her hand tighter. “It’s all right, Holly. I’m here. We’re all here.”

She took a deep breath and swallowed. The faintest whisper buzzed in her ear. “Merry Christmas, Sweetheart.” The breeze left as mysteriously as it came. Tears webbed her lashes. Holly sniffed softly.

“Are you all right, Holly?’ Aunt Mae asked, concern echoing in her voice.

Holly sniffed again, her parent’s visit whirling in her mind and her body still brimming from their heavenly touches. Miraculously tranquil, she smiled. “I’m fine, Aunt Mae. I’m fine. Go on.”

“Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We also celebrate our blessed beginnings. To Holly and Noel, who have found one another in this holiday season.” Noel stroked her fingers in his palm. Warmth spread through her chest and her neck pulsed. “To my new and dear friend Maureen Shale. And to Maxwell and Charlie, who have brightened our Christmas. May we gather at this table this holiday, next Christmas, and the coming days in between. Lord, please, bless this bountiful meal for which we are eternally grateful. Amen.”

“Amen,” everyone joyfully resounded.

Maxwell carved the turkey, and mashed potatoes and an assortment of festive vegetables were passed around. Silverware clattered against the fine china.

Noel stood and raised his wine glass. “Merry Christmas!”

They all clinked their glasses.

Noel linked arms with Holly in their own intimate salutation. “I’m so happy I bumped you from your O.R. that day!”

Holly grinned from ear to ear. “Me, too!”

Holly sliced, the still steaming from the oven, spiced apple pie, her mom’s recipe, having had two servings herself! After sitting back in their chairs and rubbing their bellies while telling jokes, the men rocked out of their seats and cleared the table. Aunt Mae and Mrs. Shale followed them into the kitchen.

“Ah, alone at last,” Noel quipped. He grabbed Holly’s hand. “Let’s go sit by the tree before the others make their way there. And by the sound of the laughter coming from the kitchen, I think they are going to be huddled in there for quite a while.” His eyes twinkled. “I have something for you.”

Holly hugged him. “And I have something for you!”

Noel gently touched his forehead to hers. “Hold onto that thought for later.”

Holly thumped him on his chest and shook her head teasingly. “That’s not what I meant.” She grinned. “At least not yet!”

They snuck away into the living room and ran hand in hand to the evergreen waiting for them in the corner, it’s bright lights beckoning them. Holly and Noel skidded to the tree like kids on Christmas morning and knelt. Noel grabbed a big box wrapped in gold foil with a huge red satin ribbon cascading from the top. “This is for you!”

“Noel!” Holly whispered. She grabbed his gift. “For you.” She felt her cheeks pink. She could always blame the heat from the Christmas lights. “The paper’s kind of dated.”

He kissed her lips. “It’s great. I love it.”

Holly nudged him. She bounced on her knees. “Well open it, silly!”

“You first!”

“How about we open them at the same time?”

Noel winked at her. “I love a woman with brains!”

“One,” Holly shouted.

“Two.”

“Three,” they yelled together.

Wrapping paper crinkled. Bows flew into the air.

Holly ripped open her box. “Noel!” She tugged out a pair of white leather ice skates. A rainbow of lights flashed in the polished silver blades. “Oh I love it. Thank you! Thank you!”

Noels eyes shined. “Look inside, Holly.”

Holly squinted. She dove her hand in one boot. She shrugged.

“The other one. Check the other one.”

He leaned in to her, his breath heating her cheek. Holly pulled out a small box and unwrapped it. She popped open the box. A silver chain with a glimmering diamond studded snowflake lay mounted on deep blue velvet. “Oh, Noel! It’s beautiful.” She gently freed the necklace. “Put it on me, please.” She turned her back to him. Noel slipped the snowflake necklace across her neck and clasped it. He kissed the back of her neck. “Merry Christmas, Holly.” He whispered in her ear. “Wait until Valentine’s Day.”

Holly whipped around to face him. “I love this. I love you.”

She pressed her mouth to his, not caring whether anyone caught them. Noel raked his fingers through her hair, settling them at the back of her neck sending tingles down her spine. At this rate he’d not even get to her present. She eased from his embrace. “Open mine,” Holly whispered.

Noel thumbed open the box and pulled out the leather key ring. “I need one of these. Thank you.”

Holly bobbed up on her knees. “The key. The gold key. Read it.”

Noel held the gold key up to the Christmas lights.

“It doesn’t fit anything,” she interrupted, “but....”

Noel read the inscription. “The key to my heart.”

“Holly!” he said softly, his voice cracking a bit.

Holly grasped Noel’s hands. “You’ve unlocked me from a very dark place I’ve hidden in for a long time.” Now her voice cracked. “I love you, Noel Shepherd, even though you took my O.R.” She grinned. “Just don’t do it again!”

“You’ll have to pry me away.”

Under the very evergreen tree that she had chosen for a purpose unknown to her that night, Dr. Holly Green kissed Dr. Noel Shepherd for a very long time.

The End

About the Author

Tanya Goodwin is a physician and an author who loves to write medical romance and romantic suspense with a medical edge. Tanya is a member of Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. For more about her sweet holiday medical romances, please visit
www.holidayheartbeat.com
. For readers who would like to discover Tanya’ “suspense side,” she would be thrilled for them to stop by at www.tanyagoodwin.com.