21. Erin
ERIN
I looked at the clock before focusing back on changing the dressing on Mrs. Brooks’ arm.
She’d fallen off a ladder and had landed in the shards of the broken mason jar she’d tried to store away. She’d had cuts deep enough to require stitches, but they were healing nicely.
And watching the minutes tick by didn’t make the morning go faster or slower. I wasn’t quite sure why I was so nervous. When James called and told me he wanted to show me something, I didn’t expect excitement and dread to fight for the upper hand in my stomach all morning.
It was a change of the routine we’d fallen into.
Although seeing him alone, without the girls, would give me a chance to talk to him. Tell him.
Would he be willing to take a chance on me? To take the leap into a relationship?
I basked in the love and being part of the family dynamics—loved how his demand for me to stay with them had been an outward sign of his care for me.
But Alan’s words had hit home for me—that it wasn’t enough. I wanted more. I wanted it all, and I wouldn’t waste another day.
Another thing Bob’s attack had shown me.
Time was precious.
I had been so scared—felt so helpless. I knew Jessie and the kids were in the house, and all I wanted was to get him as far away from them as I could.
I would’ve gone with him just to get him out of the house. But I didn’t expect what happened next. Didn’t expect James to sweep in like some kind of furious mystical creature and act in the blink of an eye.
I would never forget the anger and determination in his eyes that made me fear for his life. And mine.
And then it was all over in a matter of seconds.
I shook my head.
“Tell me, sweetie. Do you have plans for Christmas?”
Mrs. Brooks was a nice older woman. I’d met her daughter Julie at the impromptu barbecue, though she and her husband, Kevin, had left town since. Mrs. Brooks was nosey, but usually, she only asked one or two questions before she went into talking about Paul, her professional-hockey-playing son, and his newest adventures.
“No plans as of yet, Mrs. Brooks.”
“It’s Janet. How often do I have to tell you?”
I smiled and nodded. Almost everyone in Moon Lake was on a first-name basis, which took some getting used to.
“If you’ve got no plans, why don’t you join me and my husband? Christmas is not the same without the kids back home.”
I smiled at her, grateful for the invitation, but before I could say anything Alan entered the exam room.
“Erin, James is here. I’m taking over,” Alan said, and I stepped aside.
Alan and I had seamlessly fallen into an easy routine. We both saw patients, consulted with each other, and he seemed to enjoy having an extra pair of hands, and a second opinion.
No turf wars or start-up difficulties at all. Not your typical doctor-nurse dynamic either. He treated me like his equal, and it gave my confidence a much-needed boost.
My mind wandered back to our conversation this morning. We’d become friends—friends who looked out for each other. Friends who gave each other a kick in the butt if needed.
Because that’s what he gave me. A pep talk to tell me I needed to go after what I really wanted.
I exited the examination room and grabbed my thick winter coat from the hanger in the small office. Through the frosted window panes, I could see the sun reflecting on the fresh snow that had fallen overnight, adding to the already impressive blanket covering the ground.
The scent of pine from the wreath on the office door mixed with peppermint from the candy cane jar on the reception desk created a cozy and Christmas-ey atmosphere.
I moved towards the front door, and there he was, breathtakingly sexy, leaning against his parked SUV, sunlight caught in his dark hair. His black wool coat and leather gloves made him look like he'd stepped out of a luxury winter fashion catalog, oozing confidence and money. His breath created small clouds in the frigid air as he smiled at me.
"Hey, you."
"Hey." I pulled my scarf tighter against the biting cold.
He brushed some lint off my shoulder before he helped me into the warm SUV.
The heated seats were a welcome relief from the December chill.
He expertly maneuvered onto the main road, and we toward town only to take the next exit.
Untouched snow sparkled like diamonds in the winter sun.
I looked at him, but he was focused on the snow-covered road, carefully navigating the icy patches.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Lunch." His smile held a secret, and Christmas carols playing softly on the radio added to the magical feeling of the moment.
“Here?” There wasn’t much to see. It was a driveway similar to Alan’s. We took a couple of turns before a ranch house came into view.
While Alan and Jessie’s home was an old two-story farmhouse with thick, stone walls, this one was a one-story ranch house. Made of honey-toned wood, framed by a wraparound porch and a snow-covered roof.
Inviting and lovely.
“Is this a restaurant?” I hadn’t heard of it, but then again, I came straight home from work to James and the girls most evenings. I’d visited Blake’s bar a couple of times. Mostly when Jessie decided it was girl’s night out, and we met with a bunch of other women.
“Nope.”
“Then what is it?”
James drove up to the entrance, killed the engine, and sat there for a couple of seconds. “It’s your new home.”
My new what? “What?”
“I own it, but it isn’t being used at the moment.” He shrugged. “You can use it for the time being, or until you find somewhere else to live.”
I gaped at him, my eyes darting back and forth to the house.
It was an amazing gesture.
Not that I wanted it.
At all.
But that he was offering it was a sign of him honoring and respecting my wishes. A testament to his character.
And it made me mad at myself and sad.
Time was running out.
What had I been thinking waiting so long? I’d told myself I needed more time, needed to get to know James better.
Bullshit.
I loved James, loved his girls, loved living with them and being part of their family.
I didn’t want to move out.
I wanted them. Wanted him.
Only him.