CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Natalie
The next few weeks were insanely busy. So maybe people scheduled surgeries at the end of the year since they’ve met their insurance deductibles or out of pocket maximums. Sabine, who’d come in from France to spend Christmas with me, didn’t fully understand what I was talking about.
Insurance worked so differently in every country, but the US system seemed to be one of the hardest to understand.
And, since I didn’t want anyone to die of boredom, I didn’t try to explain it. I just said it was the busiest time of year for surgeons and other people in the health care field.
That seemed to take care of it.
But this year that busyness had an unintended consequence. I kept trying to make plans with Heath so I could break things off with him. Every time I tried, he would magically have something come up. It had reached the point that I was starting to wonder if he knew what I wanted to do.
I believed that even more after I heard what Sadie said at dinner one night. Lynne had invited everyone over so they could see Sabine. Normally, she said they would have had a nice dinner at Jack and Diane Crenshaw’s house, but they were going through a lot with Carrie’s divorce.
So, she hosted even though her house was much smaller.
We were all eating and enjoying good company. It was about a week and a half before Christmas. I thought I still had time to break up with Heath before the Christmas Eve ball his parents were hosting. That is, if I did it soon.
Until what Sadie said next.
I was talking to Tim about what he was doing at the quarry lately, when Sadie suddenly called to me across the table.
“Natalie, it’s unbelievably kind that Heath and his parents have invited all of our friends to their Christmas Eve ball.”
I stared at her, not comprehending. “What do you mean?”
It seemed like every conversation stopped, and I felt all eyes on me.
“Melinda and Drake have been invited, as well as their parents. The same for Blair and Scott and their parents, too. Carrie and her parents were invited, but they’re not going because… well, you know.”
I nodded, dazed. They had also invited Imani and her boyfriend, but they weren’t coming home this year. They were both doing their residencies out of town and were exhausted. Their parents were going to travel to see them this year for the holidays.
“That’s… great.” Well, damn. I couldn’t very well break up with him now.
“You didn’t know?” Sadie asked, frowning.
“No.” I realized everyone thought I was upset they’d been invited. “I mean, it’s great, though,” I said forcing a smile. “I think it’s going to be a really fun night.”
Both Sabine and Tim were watching me carefully. Sabine had theorized that Heath was doing this on purpose for some reason. But who would want to hold onto someone who didn’t want them? Especially when I didn’t even think he loved me?
This was all very strange.
Later, Tim was helping dry the dishes when he saw me walk by. He handed Alexis the dish, grabbed my hand, and pulled me out on the back deck.
“What are you doing?” I laughed.
“Getting you alone. What is going on with that whole Christmas Eve ball thing?”
I bit my lip. I couldn’t tell Tim before I told Heath. That wasn’t fair. “I was surprised, that’s all. I, um, appreciate the Reyes going to all that trouble to make us all feel welcome.”
Tim’s eyes narrowed at me. “I call bullshit. It’s something else. Why won’t you tell me?”
“Look!” I pointed above us as a shooting star streaked by. It couldn’t have come at a better time.
He caught the tail end of it. “Did you make a wish?”
“I forgot.” I closed my eyes and thought hard about what I wanted. I had somehow found myself way over my head with Heath, and I wanted out. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, either, but that might be too much to wish for.
When my eyes fluttered open, I saw that Tim was watching me.
He was standing very close. My breath hitched.
He leaned down and pulled me to him at the same time his lips landed on mine.
I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck, losing myself in him.
We kissed like that for several moments, and just as things were about to really heat up, Sabine walked out.
“That’s what I thought,” she said.
I whirled around, but Tim and I didn’t have time to pull apart.
She laughed. “You two look so guilty. Just enjoy. You are young.”
“But Aunt Sabine…”
She held up a hand. “Continue.” She winked at us and went back inside.
I pulled back from Tim. “This can’t keep happening,” I hissed at him, more frustrated with myself than him. It was unfair to take it out on him, but that’s what was happening.
“Why?” He ran his thumb over my jawline and down my neck. I shivered. “You’re cold,” he said reaching for his jacket only to realize he wasn’t wearing one.
I wasn’t cold. I just wanted him. I took several steps away from him. “Look, even if I wasn’t with Heath, you and I aren’t going to happen.”
He went a little pale. “Because I was an idiot?”
“Yes.”
He nodded and looked away. “I get it.” He started to say something else, but we were interrupted again.
Jack Crenshaw walked out on the deck. “Hey, Tim. Hey, Natalie.”
We both greeted our town mayor, everyone’s favorite doctor, and Carrie’s dad. “Mr. Crenshaw, I didn’t even know you were here,” I said. I could’ve sworn I hadn’t seen him at dinner.
“Oh, I wasn’t here for dinner. Diane just sent me over with a pumpkin roll since we couldn’t come. And for gosh sakes, call me Jack.”
“She does make a mean pumpkin roll,” Tim said, perking up a little.
“And I wanted to talk to you about something, Natalie.”
Tim moved towards the door, but leaned in and whispered, “We’re not done, Nat,” in my ear before he went in.
“I heard through the grapevine that you have several opportunities when your contract is up at the hospital.”
“Yes, I have a few,” I admitted, wondering where he was going with this.
“I guess I’m here to throw my hat in the ring.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Oh?”
“My practice can’t afford another doctor. The town is growing, though, and there’s too much work for just me and the other two doctors. We’re looking to take on a physician’s assistant in the new year. You’re currently the surgeon’s first assistant, right?”
I nodded. First assistants were typically physician’s assistants or nurse practitioners.
I hadn’t even thought of an option like that. I liked working at the hospital, but I missed the daily interaction with patients. Most of the patients I saw were unconscious on the surgery table. My mind was racing through the possibilities, not thinking of how long I’d been quiet.
“Listen, I knew it was a long shot.” He gave me a big smile. He was the nicest guy in our town. “You take care, sweetheart.” He stepped towards me and gave me a quick hug.
“Wait… I was only quiet because I was thinking.” I looked at him. “My contract runs through the end of May.”
“The other doctors and I agreed that we’d wait for the right candidate. And we all think that’s you.”
I was incredibly flattered—and I was interested in the job. Very interested. “Can I think about it?”
“Can you give me a decision before March first?”
“Definitely,” I nodded. “Thanks so much for thinking of me.”
“Thank you for even considering us. We’ve heard great things about you professionally, and, of course, we all know you personally. Send in your resume to make the whole thing official for the practice manager, okay?”
I nodded and waved as he went back inside. I turned and stared up at the stars. They seemed extra bright tonight, and I wondered if my parents could look down and see me. I wondered what they’d advise me to do.
Follow my heart. It was the answer that came to my mind immediately. It felt like it was from them, and I suddenly felt happier than I had in a long while.
***
On the night of the ball, I put my arm through Heath’s as we made our way up the stone stairs to his parents’ entryway.
The huge double doors were open as party guests filtered in.
The house was lit up brightly, and I’d never seen more beautiful Christmas décor in my life.
It was breathtaking. I turned to tell Heath and saw that he was watching me.
“I’m so glad you’re here tonight. It’s going to be very special.” He smiled and bent for a kiss.
Very special? Oh, shit. My stomach dropped.
I hoped he was just speaking in generalities.
Because this backdrop would be perfect for a proposal, I realized as we walked in.
Everything gleamed and sparkled. There was an elaborately decorated tree in every room we walked through on the way to the ballroom.
“You look incredible in that dress,” he said, kissing my bare shoulder. He was being unusually affectionate in public. He hadn’t been that way since he’d flirted with me the day he hit me with the door, and I landed in the bushes.
“Thank you. Aunt Sabine brought it from Paris. She picks out the most beautiful things.” It was a velvet and satin evening dress in midnight blue. It looked amazing with the earrings he’d given me several weeks ago.
“I’m so proud to have you on my arm,” he said as we made our way to the front of the room to say hello to his parents.
It felt like they introduced me to half of Halliwell. There was no way I’d remember any of the names by the next day.
“Would you like some champagne?” he asked.
“Please.”
He looked around. “I don’t know where the waitstaff is. They should be circulating by now. I’ll be back.” He hurried off.
I looked around trying to see familiar faces amidst the sea of guests milling around.
“Natalie!”
I turned and saw beautiful Blair Hastings in a deep red evening gown that made her look like a model. I couldn’t believe how fantastic her figure still was considering all the children she’d had. I’d kind of lost count of all her kids, actually.
“Hey, Blair.” I gave her a hug.