4. Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Luke
"Okay, any idea on what you want to get your sister?" Brooke asks me.
"Yes, a Coach bag. She has had her eye on one for years, but even though I know she has money saved, she won't buy one for herself."
There’s a Coach outlet store here, and we make it our first stop. The salesgirl is very helpful when I describe the one my sister liked. While they don't have it, they have one that’s close, and they even gift-wrap it for me.
She tells me, "We can store that in Lexi's office so your sister doesn't snoop and find it."
"Good idea."
"Okay, this store has stuff from locals and lots of ‘one of a kind’ type of stuff. My sister-in-law loves this place, and so does my grandma, so I'm going to do some shopping here. Look around, and you might find something for your Secret Santa."
We go our separate ways, and at one point, I notice Brooke tries on a dream catcher necklace but puts it back. I’ve noticed she seems to like dream catchers, and she even had on a dream catcher scrub top with a set of dream catcher earrings. So, when she’s on the other side of the store, I pick up the necklace, take it to the counter, and tell the clerk I'm buying it for her, and then ask her to box it up while I keep shopping. She winks at me and does as I ask.
Still unsure of what to get my Secret Santa, I look at some quotes on wood plaques, and when I see one that makes me laugh, I decide to get it for him.
'Punch today in the face.'
It's perfect for what we all face each day at Oakside. If nothing else, maybe it will make him laugh.
I make my purchases and then wait by the door for her to finish up.
"We done shopping?" I ask, taking her bag from her.
"Nope, I’ve got gifts for my grandma and sister-in-law. Now for the hard ones, the kids and my brother. Plus, we still have to get our picture taken with Santa," she smiles.
I totally thought she was joking about that.
"Well, if we are going to be out much longer, can I interest you in having lunch with me?"
I know this isn't a date, but I really wish it was. Asking her like this feels a bit like it is, but I know it's not.
"Well, I'm going to have to insist on it." She smiles, and we make another stop where she’s able to cross her brother off her list before lunch.
"Man, I know I'm a girl, but shopping really tires me out. I don't know how some people do this all the time!" Brooke remarks as we head towards the food court.
The moment we step inside, my skin starts to crawl. The space is too big, too many unknowns, and the noise seems to amplify.
It's almost like she can pick up on how uncomfortable it is. She grabs my wheelchair, and we go right back outside.
"What's wrong?" I ask her.
"It's too noisy. If you don't mind, there’s a sit down place over there," she says, pointing over her shoulder.
I smile, "Sounds perfect."
Over lunch, we talk about all the things normal people talk about. No doctor appointments or physical therapy talk. She tells me about her family, and I talk about my sister. We share stories of growing up and bad first dates, but I do not have many to share.
For the first time since the accident, I actually feel normal, and I didn't realize how much I really needed that.
"So,” Brook says. “I think I'm going to shop for my niece and nephew online. My sister-in-law did some online wish lists, and I'm just going to buy off there for them and include some candy. Then, that’s all I'll need for the kids." She says as we leave the food court.
"So, anyone else to shop for?" I ask her.
"Nope, not today. Ready to head back after our Santa photo?" She asks.
"Yes, I think so. You sure Lexi won't mind holding the gift in her room?" I ask again.
"I know she won't mind, but I can take it home with me if you want. I have two spare rooms, so putting it in a closet is no big deal."
Though I know Lexi's office would be fine, something about having it at Brooke's place feels right. Plus, then I know I have an excuse to talk to her and maybe see her like this again.
"You don't mind?" I ask.
"Nope, let's put it in the trunk with my stuff, and I will take it home with me."
The line for Santa photos isn’t very long, so we pose for a photo and even get a candy cane before heading back to the car.
Something shifted today between us. I know it did. This was such a normal activity. Something friends could do, and it was so easy and fun, but it was us, and it was perfect.
So, I don't even think twice when she gets in the car. I just lean in and kiss her. She hesitates only a moment before she kisses me back. Her hands in my hair pull me closer, and my lips tingle as they touch hers. I don't remember a kiss ever feeling like this. It's overwhelming, yet I can't stop. I don't want to stop.
Thankfully, it’s her who has the strength to pull away because I don't think I would have been able to. When I search her face, all I see is the huge smile on her face.
One, I'm sure that matches mine.
This feels right. More right than anything in my life has felt before.
Brooke
I just dropped Luke off at Oakside, and I’m now driving home and can't keep the smile off my face. It's been a long time since I've felt like this for a guy, the butterflies and giddy feeling. It's been even longer since a kiss had made my heart race and turned me on like no one’s business.
I pull up and find Lexi waiting for me.
"I just got done shopping for Noah, but he's a snoop. Can I wrap these and leave them here?" She asks.
"Of course. I got some gifts to wrap of my own," I say.
"Then, I’d like your help ordering some stuff for the guys. I want to make sure everyone has something to open other than their Secret Santa gifts." Lexi says as we unload our bags.
"Just set up here in the middle of the living room. I can put on a Hallmark movie, and we can have a mini wrapping party," I say.
"Sounds good. Oh, who’s getting a Coach bag?" She asks, eyeing the bag I’m taking to the guest bedroom.
"Luke's sister. Apparently, she likes to snoop, too. I suggested he leave it in your office, but he seemed a bit hesitant, so I offered to keep it here in my guest closet." I tell her.
"Nice. Not only is he close to his sister, but he also spoils her. Another check mark for him," she says.
I put the bag away and grab my wrapping supplies.
"How many points does he have? And why does he have points at all?" I ask.
"Oh, Brooke. I see how he looks at you and how you look at him when no one is looking."
I feel my cheeks heat, so I turn and head into the kitchen to get us something to drink.
Changing the topic, I ask, "So, what did you get Noah?"
Lexi gives me a look, like she knows exactly what I'm doing, but thankfully, she gives me a break.
"That man is so hard to shop for! I had him make a wish list, which included mostly tools, by the way. Then, I took that list into the store and asked a sales guy for help. I pointed out what I wanted to get him, and here I am. I also went shopping for my brother, his wife, my nephew, and my parents. We still have Noah's family to shop for, but he's going to have to help me there," she says.
"You sound like you were as busy as I was. I bought it for my brother, his wife, and my grandma. However, I gave up and will be ordering for my niece and nephew online. Kids are too hard to shop for these days. They want this toy or game, but it has to be a certain color or character, or heaven forbid you get it wrong. Then, you get the stink eye on Christmas," I tell her.
"Well, what did you expect when you bought her the wrong jeans?" She laughs, remembering last Christmas when I tried to get my niece the jeans she wanted and got the name mixed up.
The ones I got were pretty horrible, once she tried them on. I felt so bad and tried to make it up to her, but the damage was done. I am not the aunt who gives bad gifts. A title I doubt I will ever live down.
We spend the next hour wrapping gifts, before hopping online and going over some possible ideas for Christmas gifts for the patients that fit in our budget.
"Why don't you talk to Mandy to see if she can do some quick fundraiser, asking for gift donations or money for gifts? Every little bit will help. I think we should get the guys something practical they can use." I tell her.
"Good idea. In a perfect world, we could gift them all laptops to help with school or the job search when they are discharged, but laptops for twenty-four patients right now just isn't in the budget.”
We bookmark a few ideas and decide to ask the other staff for some suggestions, too.
When Lexi leaves, I head over to my grandma's for dinner.
"Well, it's about time you get here. I was beginning to think I'd have to send the cops to do a well visit to check on you!" Grandma says as soon as I walk through the door.
That’s my grandma, always overdramatic. That’s how you know she cares about you, though.
"Sorry, I'm late. I was doing some Christmas shopping today. Then, Lexi came over, and we wrapped gifts and did some shopping for the guys at Oakside," I tell her.
"Well, help me finish setting the table, and then you can tell me all about it, " she says as I follow her back into the kitchen.
She made her famous lasagna—not because she knows I like it, but because it will give her leftovers for a week, and she’ll just have to warm it up. She also made garlic bread and a salad.
We sit down, and Grandma makes me say grace before we dig in. Then, she turns to me, "Tell me everything that’s going on at Oakside."
Grandma is one of the biggest reasons I took the job when Lexi and Nash offered it. I was working at the hospital, and the job was comfortable. Because I had been there a few years, I had a good shift, great benefits, and a stable routine.
When Grandma heard of the job offer, she was my biggest advocate for taking the leap and doing it. She has always had a soft spot for our men in uniform, and she helps them out every chance she can. If it all went south, she promised I could move in with her. Though I think both of us knew it wouldn't, as the community at large has been very supportive of a small town in southern Georgia.
Then, I tell her about the Christmas decorations and festivities, my Christmas shopping, and taking Luke with me. I leave out the kiss, but Grandma still eyes me like she knows I'm not telling her the whole truth. Let her wonder.
"So, with the holidays coming up, you got yourself a boy to take to all these events?" Grandma asks as I take my second helping of lasagna.
"Yes, with all this extra time I have." I roll my eyes.
"Well, the winter carnival will be soon. Take someone, and I expect to see photos," she says.
"Why don't you go with me?" I ask her.
"Girl, despite my astonishing good looks, I am no spring chicken. You need a good strong boy to hold on tight to during those rides that whip and flip you," she says.
I almost shoot sweet tea out of my nose at that.
"Grandma, when you talk about rides that whip you, I don't think you are giving me the mental image you are thinking of," I laugh.
This earns me a glare, "You know exactly what I mean, young lady!"
"I promise I will find someone to take to the winter carnival," I tell her because I know she won't let it go.
"I want photos, and it better be a man," she nods.
Great, let me just whip one out of nowhere.