Chapter 11 #3
Victoria couldn’t recall another time when she’d been this excited on Christmas morning.
Dressing in her red sweater and the red slacks she’d bought for today, she felt like Mrs. Santa Claus.
Taking a morning stroll through the square, she thought back to how much had changed in the last three weeks.
When she passed the bushes she’d butchered, she had to laugh.
Thank goodness fresh limbs were already sprouting.
Glancing at her watch, she saw she had to leave.
Time to get that meal going. Derek had taken most of the the gifts over to Amblebury after the caroling that night. The last few were packed in her trunk.
By the time she reached the clinic, Phyllis had a huge turkey and a ham going in separate slow cookers.
The place smelled heavenly, and Victoria rushed to hang her coat in the back.
On her way past the tree, she admired the gifts under the tree.
Phyllis came to join her. “Don’t they look wonderful? The children are dying to open them.”
“The people that bought those gifts will be coming soon.” They made such a colorful display under the clinic tree.
She felt Derek’s presence before she saw him and turned. “My, aren’t you looking handsome, Dr. Darling?” Derek stood there in gray slacks, a blue shirt and his boots, of course.
When he leaned over to kiss Victoria’s cheek, Victoria caught Phyllis’ pleased smile.
But everyone was starving, and they had to serve. Although many of her customers had arrived, Miss Charlotte wasn’t here yet.
“People are getting hungry,” Phyllis said, glancing at the closed door.
“Let’s serve,” Victoria said. “They’ll be here soon.”
But she was worried. Had something happened to them?
Just as folks began to go through the line, the front door opened with a bang. Uncle Vinny stepped through with Miss Charlotte and her friends. Victoria couldn’t believe her eyes. Behind them were Victoria’s parents, their eyes casting around as if they might be in the wrong place.
“Mama? Daddy.” She rushed over.
“Now, you didn’t think we could have a Christmas without you, did you?” Daddy wrapped her in a bear hug.
“I told him he had to come.” Uncle Vinny claimed credit for his twin’s appearance.
“My goodness, sure smells good in here,” Mama said, glancing around.
Quickly she introduced Derek to her parents. “We saw you in the paper,” Mama told him while Derek blushed something awful. “Vincent saved a copy for us.” Mama never called her brother-in-law Vinny.
Daddy offered his hand and Derek took it. “Did you get my note?” Daddy asked.
What was this?
“Yes, sir. I did.” Derek spoke to Daddy with such respect. She could see he was gaining points with Daddy. “I can’t tell you how much your Christmas gift means to this clinic. And I’ll be happy to discuss its future with you, whenever you’re ready.”
What was this about? Her head spinning, Victoria slipped behind the serving table.
As guests were served, she rushed back and forth to the kitchen, refreshing the steaming serving pans.
Finally, she got to sit down with her family.
But this time, Derek was beside her, taking her hand whenever it was free.
As usual, Uncle Vinny kept the conversation going until everyone was full of turkey and dressing.
Looking at Miss Charlotte cuddling with her uncle, Victoria wondered if Miss Charlotte had changed her mind.
When it was time to open presents, Santa came out of Derek’s office.
“He never told me,” she said, laughing. With Phyllis helping him, he handed out gifts.
The patients opened the beautifully wrapped gifts.
Victoria didn’t think she’d ever felt this happy watching other people open presents.
Then Santa disappeared and Derek reappeared ten minutes later.
The crowd became quiet when Dr. D. stepped up to speak. He talked about the past year and how the patients had enriched his life. His voice grew thick with emotion that brought tears to her own eyes.
Victoria loved his passion. She loved him. The realization swooped over her and left her trembling. Concentration became impossible. How she longed to finger those dark brows, smooth the frown from his forehead and trace his full lips.
But not now. Back to Derek’s speech, which obviously held everyone’s attention.
Even Friskie’s tail had stopped thumping the floor.
“And perhaps the greatest gift of all,” he said, “was a check I received last week that will allow us to expand services and ensure that your health remains a priority at the Open Hearth Clinic.”
Phyllis and the other staff were dabbing their eyes. Victoria looked over at Daddy and mouthed a silent Thank You.
The kitchen that afternoon was heaped with dishes that took forever for Phyllis and Victoria to clean up. “What’s the first thing I’d like you to buy with my father’s Christmas check?”
Derek glanced around. “A dishwasher?”
“How did you guess?” She cuddled in his arms. Everyone had disappeared. They had the kitchen to themselves.
“I can read minds,” he whispered, dipping his head with kissable intention.
She had to laugh, breaking away from his lips. Victoria wanted the whole story. “So you always knew?”
“What would that be?” Looking dazed, he lowered those outrageously long lashes.
“That you were my Christmas challenge?”
His sigh reverberated through her body while his hold on her tightened. “I didn’t know, Victoria. But after a while, I sure hoped.”