Chapter 13
The morning started with Tyler Kleinhopper and Becca Withers rushing through the clinic door at eight a.m.
“His face is swelling!” Becca clutched Tyler’s arm. “I made him Christmas cookies, and now he looks like a chipmunk.”
Lili took one glance at Tyler’s puffy face and flushed skin. “Exam room one. When did this start?”
“Twenty minutes ago.” Tyler scratched at his neck. “Right after the cookies. And I’m itchy everywhere.”
“What kind of cookies?” Miles appeared beside her, already pulling on gloves.
“Sugar cookies. But I added walnut dust to make them fancy.” Becca’s voice broke. “I didn’t know he was allergic to nuts! I swear!”
“Babe, it’s okay.” Tyler pulled her close with his free hand. “How could you have known?”
“I should have asked. I almost killed you!”
“You didn’t almost kill me. I’m fine. Look, still breathing, still handsome.”
“Your face is a balloon.”
“But a handsome balloon.”
Lili’s lips twitched. She glanced at Miles. He was already looking at her, the corner of his mouth quirked up. Her chest tightened. She glanced away fast.
“Any trouble breathing?” Miles asked.
“No, just itchy and puffy.” Tyler kept his arm around Becca. “Can you fix me before tonight? We’re supposed to go to the Rocking F party together. First time as an actual couple in public.”
“You’re coming out?” Lili grabbed Benadryl from the cabinet.
Becca nodded, wiping her eyes. “We’re tired of pretending we hate each other. It was fun at first, but—”
“I want to hold her hand at the Christmas party, even if my face looks like I went ten rounds with a beehive.” Tyler puffed out his cheeks.
Miles checked his vital signs. “The swelling will go down quickly. Your blood pressure’s fine. Airway’s clear. Classic allergic reaction.”
They gave him Benadryl and had him lie down to wait. Becca sat beside the exam table, holding his hand.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Stop apologizing. You baked me cookies. That’s the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
“Even though I tried to kill you?”
“Especially because of that. Shows commitment.” He grinned despite the hives, then scratched at his arm where the poison ivy was still healing. “Besides, a little danger keeps things interesting.”
She laughed, scratching her elbow. “The poison ivy’s almost gone, at least.”
“Best hiking trip ever.”
“We scratched ourselves crazy.”
“Worth it.” He pulled her down for a kiss, awkward with the swelling but sweet.
After thirty minutes, Tyler’s swelling started to go down. He sat up, still holding Becca’s hand.
“Feeling better?” Miles asked.
“Much better. Thanks, Doc. Thanks, Lili.”
“Avoid walnuts from now on,” Lili said. “And all tree nuts to be safe. We’ll give you an EpiPen prescription just in case.”
“Got it.” Tyler stood, pulling Becca up with him. “Merry Christmas. See you tonight at the party.”
“We’ll be there,” Miles said.
After they left, the clinic fell quiet. Just Lili and Miles and the echo of Tyler and Becca’s easy affection.
Brenda appeared in the doorway. “That’s it. I’m locking up. Merry Christmas, you two.” She paused, looking between them. “Whatever’s going on with you both, sort it out. Life’s too short for regrets.”
* * *
The Rocking F Ranch blazed with Christmas lights.
Every fence post, every tree, the barn itself, all wrapped in strings of white and colored bulbs that turned the winter darkness into something magical.
Cars lined the long driveway and spilled onto the grass.
Music drifted through the cold air, mixing with laughter.
Lili climbed out of Rose’s minivan. Emma grabbed her hand. “Aunt Lili, wow. It’s like a fairy tale!”
“It sure is, sweetie.”
Tom hefted a sleeping Kevin onto his shoulder while Audra texted someone, her face illuminated by her phone screen. Rose looped her arm through Lili’s free one.
“You okay?” Rose asked.
“Fine.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
The barn doors stood open, spilling warmth and light.
The barn was transformed. White lights draped from every beam and rafter.
Real evergreen garlands wrapped around the support posts, filling the air with a pine scent.
A massive tree stood in the far corner, so tall it nearly touched the ceiling.
Tables lined the walls, covered in red and green cloths, laden with food.
A full bar had been set up in one corner, manned by a bartender in a Santa hat.
In the center, a space was cleared for dancing.
A small band played in the corner—guitar, fiddle, and bass—working through Christmas standards with a country twist. The place was packed; there had to be at least a hundred people.
Lili recognized faces from the clinic, from church, from around town.
Everyone was dressed up. The women wore festive dresses or nice jeans and sweaters, while the men sported button-downs and boots.
“There you are. So glad you could make it.” Jenny appeared out of the crowd with Adam on her hip. The toddler wore a tiny bow tie and kept trying to eat it.
“My pleasure.”
Jenny’s smile was enormous. Scott materialized beside her, slipping an arm around her waist. They peered at each other with that private communication happily married people have, then looked back at Lili.
“We have news.” Jenny radiated joy.
“Oh?” Rose leaned in.
“We’re pregnant!” Jenny squealed.
The women nearby shrieked. Nina rushed over from the refreshment table. Marie from the hospital abandoned her conversation to join the huddle. Everyone was talking at once, with congratulations and questions flying.
Lili hugged Jenny. Her eyes stung. “That’s wonderful. When are you due?”
“July. We just found out last week.” Jenny squeezed her tight. “And thank you for saving Scott. The doctor at the ER said if you hadn’t decompressed his chest when you did, he might not have made it to the hospital.”
“I’m glad I was there.”
“Me too. Thanks to you, this one gets to meet their daddy.” Jenny put her hand on her flat stomach.
Lili’s throat closed. She managed a smile and another hug before extracting herself from the women cooing over Jenny’s news.
She needed air. Or a drink. Or both. The punch bowl sat on a table near the tree. She ladled some into a cup and took a sip. Non-alcoholic, but sweet and cold.
Brenda appeared beside her. “That’s the kid-friendly version. The adult version is at the bar.”
“This is fine.”
The older woman studied her face. “You sure? You seem like you could use something stronger. Everyone knows you’re leaving, honey. Word got out.”
“I figured.”
“People are taking it hard. You made an impression.” Brenda sipped her own punch. “Miles especially.”
Lili’s heart ached. “He’s the one who told me to go.”
“Men are idiots. Especially when they’re in love.” Brenda patted her arm. “Earl thinks I should mind my own business. But I’ve known Miles since he was in diapers, and I’ve never seen him like this.”
“Like what?”
“Miserable. Walking around like someone died. Not even after Sarah broke their engagement. Checking his phone every five minutes like you might text him and tell him you changed your mind.” Brenda’s voice lowered.
“He’s not good at asking for what he wants, especially when what he wants scares him. ”
“Lili.” Mrs. Dalton rushed over, arms outstretched, and pulled her into a fierce hug. “I can’t believe you’re leaving us.”
“It’s an excellent opportunity.”
“Oh, I know it is. Denver’s lucky to get you.” Mrs. Dalton pulled back, eyes shiny. “But we’re going to miss you terribly. You’re the first person who made me feel like my anxiety wasn’t just me being silly.”
“It’s not silly. It’s real.”
“I know that now because of you. Promise you’ll take care of yourself up there.”
“I promise.”
“And if you ever need anything, anything at all, you call me. Earl and I will be there.” She hugged Lili again.
More people approached. Marie from the hospital with her husband Carlos. “We wanted to thank you again for last night. The kids haven’t stopped talking about the pretty elf who gave them candy canes.”
The Kincaid family, Eric the vet and his wife Mindy, came over, carrying their twin toddlers.
“We heard you’re leaving.” Mindy shifted her daughter on her hip. “We wanted to say thank you for judging the lights contest, for making Eric feel like he’d actually won something important.”
“You did win,” Lili said. “Your display was beautiful.”
“That’s kind of you.” Eric put his twin on his shoulders, giving the girl a piggyback ride. “Denver’s getting a good one, just so you know.”
Tom appeared with Emma, who demanded Lili pick her up.
“You’re leaving?” Emma’s lower lip trembled. “But you just got here.”
“I know, sweetie.”
“But you’re supposed to stay. You’re supposed to live with us and read me stories and help me find my shoes.”
“Your mom can do all those things.”
“But I want you.” Emma buried her face in Lili’s neck.
Lili held her niece close, breathing in her little-kid smell, shampoo and candy canes. This was what broke her. Not the adults with their well-wishes and kind words, but her three-year-old niece who didn’t understand why Aunt Lili couldn’t just stay.
“I love you so much,” Lili said.
“Then don’t go.”
Tom gently extracted Emma. “Come on, ladybug. Let’s go find Mommy.”
“But—”
“Santa will be here soon. We need to check.”
That distracted her enough to let Tom carry her away, but Emma looked back over his shoulder, confused and hurt.
Lili’s vision blurred. She blinked hard.
Tyler and Becca arrived, walking in holding hands. No more hiding. Several people noticed and whispered, but most just smiled. Tyler’s face was still slightly puffy, but the hives had faded.
They made their way over to Lili. “We wanted to say goodbye,” Becca said. “Before you leave.”
“And thanks.” Tyler wrapped his arm around Becca’s shoulder. “For not ratting us out about the poison ivy.”
“I’m not allowed to break patent confidentiality. Your secret was safe with me,” Lili said.