Chapter 3
Phoebe
I adjust my reindeer antlers again, but it’s no use. They keep slipping down over my eyes.
And since I don’t want everyone on the pediatric unit to suspect that Rudolph’s been hitting the holiday sauce, I slam the felt-covered wire headband into the top of my head, take a deep breath, and pick up where I left off with my song-and-dance routine.
“And if you ever saw it….”
The antlers skate down my nose and cover my lips, muffling the lyrics. This makes the kids and their families scream with laughter. At least someone’s enjoying this complete fustercluck.
I shove them back into place.
“You would even say it glows!”
A few minutes later, my performance comes to a merciful end, which means I can return to a job I’m more suited for—handing out candy canes and gifts to the pediatric patients stuck here over the holidays.
My heart breaks for the little ones and their parents. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to have to pretend to celebrate at a time of so much worry.
It’s not fair.
I feel a tug at the fake fur sleeve of my reindeer costume. “Nurse Phoebe?”
I look down to find one of my favorite sights in the world, the upturned, hopeful face of tiny Glennis Turley, who’s going through her second round of chemo. Somehow, this little girl has smiled thorough all of it.
She’s one of the strongest, bravest people I’ve ever known.
I drop to my knees and lower my voice into reindeer range.
“I’m sorry, little girl, but you must have me confused with someone else.
I’m Rudolph, and I have a very shiny snout!
” I press my thumb against the button hidden inside my fake-fur paw, which lights up the battery-powered red ball covering my nose.
Glennis giggles. “Okay, Rudolph, but I made a present for Nurse Phoebe, so would you give it to her when you see her?”
“Of course!” I light up my nose once more as I accept the oddly shaped gift that’s wrapped in equal parts transparent tape and green tissue paper. I see that my name is written in crayon on the little gift tag, and it’s spelled “Fee-bee.”
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You made this all by yourself?”
She nods proudly.
“Can I have a hug?” I open my arms, and she falls against me. I cradle her, careful not to knock loose the IV at the top of her hand. I remember how darn near impossible it was to get that critter started in the first place.
As I hug her, I look up at Glennis’s parents. Her mom’s eyes fill with tears, and her dad’s jaw is tight as a drum. I smile at them.
“Could you give this one to Nurse Phoebe, as well?” The mom holds out a small box wrapped in sparkly foil holiday paper. “It’s just a very small gift of thanks for being the wonderful person she is.”
Glennis’s father gently peels the little girl from my embrace, and I stand. “You didn’t have to do that,” I whisper.
“I know, Rudolph,” she tells me. “And Phoebe didn’t have to be as sweet and generous as she is with Glennis, so we’re even.”
I accept the gift, blinking away the tears I feel welling in my own eyes. We wish each other a happy holiday, and I watch the Turley family walk away.
“You’re the best, Phoebe.”
I turn to see my nursing supervisor standing next to me, smiling. “You’re our Christmas angel again this year, and I can’t thank you enough for all you do, and for staying late after your double shift.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything!” She knows I mean it too, since I’ve told everyone a million times how I learned all I know from the master, my mother, the one and only Izzy Travis, Queen of Christmas.
That woman has always been over-the-top with the holidays—baking, decorating, shopping, more decorating, planning, wrapping, and did I mention decorating? As the only daughter in a houseful of boys, she feels it’s her duty to ensure I can one day carry on with the above-and-beyond traditions.
That’s why every year, I look forward to decorating the pediatric unit for Christmas. I arrange lights and ornaments on the tree. I hang red velvet bows and jingle bells from every hallway and waiting room light fixture I can reach. And I drape evergreen boughs anywhere they’ll let me.
One of my favorite things to do is set out tins of homemade cookies for the hardworking hospital staff, everyone from the custodial team and security guards to the nurses, doctors, and administrators.
But most of all, I’m honored to do whatever small things I can to see these kids happy, if only for a short time. I may not be able to perform a Christmas miracle for them, but I can provide a bit of joy.
Even if it means wearing these goofy antlers.
When I finish with the after-party clean up, I grab my coat and bag and head for the car. The sun is up and the sky is clear, and I take a moment to be grateful for this beautiful December morning.
The temperature may be frigid and the wind may be brisk, but this whole day now stretches out in front of me, opening the door to all kinds of unexpected fun.
I have a feeling that today will be full of wonderful surprises.
And boy oh boy, do I know how lucky I am. I’m lucky in more ways than I can count. But I decide to review the list in my head, anyway.
I’m blessed that Dad’s pain is under control and that his spirits remain high.
I’m fortunate to have my health and the health of my mother and brothers, all five of them. I’m lucky to have my family, my home, my job, my art projects, my cats, dogs, and horses, my friends, and my coworkers.
I’m so glad my oldest brother, Jake, came home yesterday. This year, his hockey team is giving the players ten whole days off for Christmas. Kyle isn’t in the super bowl this year, so he’ll be home soon too. Ryder, Bo, and Mason are already back at the ranch.
On top of all that, I’m in for a special treat on my way home. Today’s the day I’ll swing by the boutique to pick up the dress I had made for Finlay and Emma’s wedding next week.
I unplug my Rudolph nose from the battery pack and yank it off my face. I turn from the medical center parking lot onto the state highway, laughing at how out of character this whole dress adventure has been for me.
When was the last time Phoebe Leeanne Travis got a fancy gown?
Never.
When was the last time she asked a seamstress to create a one-of-a-kind vision in velvet, just for her?
Again, never.
And when has this mild-mannered rancher’s daughter ever wanted a dress designed for seduction? A dress to make a man—one particular man—weak in the knees, unable to resist her feminine charms?
Another never.
I continue driving toward Sweetbriar’s downtown, asking myself for the hundredth time why I suddenly decided to take my shot. My answer never changes. I know the truth.
It’s now or never.
If I don’t at least try to get Evander MacLaine to see me as more than innocent little Phoebe from next door, I’ll always wonder what might have been.
He’s been back at Yosemite Ranch for more than two years now. When he broke his leg in the spring, I helped care for him. Something changed between us. I could feel it, and I think he could feel it too.
Sometimes I’d catch Evander looking at me. I’d see a flash of interest in those sexy violet eyes and an unasked question on his face.
He’d always look away.
And when he healed enough to be up and around again, I didn’t have an excuse to spend additional time with him. He certainly didn’t need me hanging around the way he had when he first came home from the hospital. So I wished Evander well and went on my way.
I couldn’t stop thinking about him, though. It was so bad that I knew I had to break it off with Rick, the man I started seeing when I lived in Arizona. We’d been trying to make it work long distance.
But when I met up with Rick in Tahoe for a romantic weekend just a couple of months back, it didn’t go well. More than once, he asked me if something was wrong. I seemed distant, he said.
On Sunday afternoon, I told him the truth. I told him that the long-distance thing wasn’t working. I told Rick that he’s a wonderful guy and that he deserves more than I can give him.
He looked shocked. “Is there someone else?”
I said no, which is the truth. Because anything happening with Evander is unfolding in the privacy of my thoughts and in my secret heart of hearts. Not in the real world.
It was enough, though. I told Rick it wasn’t fair to string him along. We broke up.
And that’s when I decided I needed a killer dress. One that would make Evander sit up and pay attention.
I’ve imagined the moment a thousand times. I’ll walk into Finn and Emma’s wedding in my curve-hugging red velvet masterpiece and Evander will glance my way.
He’ll go back to his conversation only to do a double take, his attention snapping right back to me.
He’ll stare. He’ll walk my way, helpless to resist. He’ll ask me to dance.
As we hold each other close, Evander will no longer be able to avert his gaze. That flash of interest will grow into something more. Something hungry and intense. All his questions will disappear. He’ll finally see me for who I am.
I giggle.
Hey, a girl can dream. And fantasize, apparently.
I find a parking spot and pop into the shop. My dress is hanging by the door, steamed and protected in a fancy cloth garment bag.
“You’re gonna knock ’em dead in that dress,” the seamstress says to me. “And I expect all the details before New Year’s!”
I swing the garment bag over my shoulder. “You bet!”
“But honey, you might want to ditch the antlers.”
“Huh? Oh.” I reach for the felt-covered wires sticking from the top of my head and laugh, then look down at myself. I’m a crazy person, roaming the streets of Sweetbriar, Nevada, in a reindeer costume. “You might be right about that! Thank you, again!”
I walk to my car and carefully hang the dress on the rear seat’s suit hook. I put the car in reverse, put my foot on the gas, and back up. Just then I remember to take off my antlers. I reach up.
And the rear wheels of my car slide out from under me. I’m whipping around. End up facing the opposite direction and sliding downhill. Right into the path of an oncoming SUV.
I stomp on the brakes. Big mistake. I miss the other car but bash into the curb.
TO be CONTINUED…
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