Authors: Judy Christenberry
“I wouldn’t turn down an offer like that.”
“At six?”
“Perfect.”
She hung up the phone and got ready for her day. Suddenly it seemed a much better one, knowing that Mike would be waiting for her.
When she reached the clinic, the first thing she did was check on Rosa. The baby turned her head toward Caroline when she heard her voice. Caroline leaned over and kissed her cheek. “That’s your reward for being so smart, little girl,” she whispered.
“Hey, Caro, glad to see you made it in,” Jon teased when he caught up with her in the hall.
She put her hands on her hips in a mock-defiant stance. “Don’t start with me, Jon Wilson. I was here throughout the storm while you were at home with your family.”
Jon smiled. “I know. That’s why I wanted to urge you to take some time off.”
“Thanks, but no. I just slept late this morning. I seem to have less energy these days. But I’m okay now.”
“Want me to give you a once-over?”
“No, thanks. I may start taking a multivitamin, though.” She knew Jon was studying her, and she shrugged as she grinned. “I’m not your patient, Jon.”
“I don’t know who else’s you’d be.”
“I’ve just come through a period of stress. I’ll feel more energetic now.”
“Okay. Did you finish your Christmas shopping this past weekend?”
“Most of it. I’m glad we’re drawing names for Christmas.”
“Yeah. Otherwise, we’d have to start shopping in June.”
Caroline laughed. “Right, because you do so much of the shopping.”
She headed to her office, but Jon called, “I do some!”
Waving to him, she entered her office. The truth was she’d been a little worried about her exhaustion last night. But this morning she was doing fine.
She’d packed her leftover dinner from last night for her lunch today. Steak would provide the protein her body needed. But a couple of hours after lunch, she was feeling tired again.
Leaving the clinic at four o’clock, she crawled into bed and set the alarm clock for a quarter to six. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she fell asleep.
When the alarm went off, she had to force herself out of bed. She studied her face in the bathroom mirror. No sign of flu or virus. But she promised her reflection that she’d let Jon give her a checkup if she didn’t feel better soon. Shrugging off any concern for now, she redid her hair and then headed to the café.
Mike was standing at the door of the restaurant, waiting for her.
“Am I late?” she asked.
“Nope. I just missed you.”
She smiled, pleased with his response. “I’m glad you asked me. It gave me something to look forward to all day.”
He bent over and kissed her lips.
“Mike! Everyone will see us.”
“Good. I don’t want any of the guys thinking you’re available.”
“Would you be jealous?” she asked with a coy grin.
“Damn right!”
He took her hand and led her to a corner table in the rear of the café. “We won’t be noticed as much back here.”
Caroline found those words amusing, especially since numerous people came by their table to speak to them.
When Harry stopped by, Caroline wanted to know how he was doing. He sat down at the table to answer her, and Mike glared at him. Harry jumped up, a contrite look on his face. “Sorry, boss.” He left the café.
“Mike Davis! What’s wrong with you?” Caroline admonished. “I needed to see how he’s doing.”
“He’s doing fine.”
“I didn’t think you were a doctor!”
“And I didn’t ask you here to share you with a lot of other men, Caroline.” He leaned in close to her. “I want you all to myself.”
Mike spent every free minute with Caroline over the next few days—and nights. As much as he relished their time together, he became increasingly concerned about her lack of stamina. He’d warned her that she was overdoing it, trying to finish her Christmas shopping in addition to work. He’d even noticed she couldn’t run as long as he did on their morning jogs.
When he expressed concern, she dismissed it. Mike encouraged her to take a nap in the afternoon, to which she didn’t object. It was already becoming part of her routine, she said.
Unbeknownst to Caroline, Mike had called Jon the day after the snowstorm. He’d asked Jon to keep an eye on her and make sure she didn’t get too tired.
“Is something wrong?” Jon asked.
“I’m not sure. But her energy level is different than it was when she first came back. I’m just a little worried.”
“I didn’t know it was the sheriff’s business to keep an eye on everyone’s health. You’re going to be one busy man.”
Mike growled, “You know it’s personal. Don’t give me any lip,” he added with a grin.
“I know, but I wasn’t sure you knew.”
“Most men notice when they’ve been struck by lightning,” Mike said. “But I promised myself I’d go slow.”
“I think Jake would prefer that you take her by storm,” Jon said with a laugh.
“You think he’ll approve?”
“Are you kidding? I heard you were his personal choice for his only son-in-law.”
“I’d like to think that. But it’s Caroline’s choice that matters to me most.”
“She seems interested.”
“Being interested is a long way from being committed.”
“It’s hard to commit if you haven’t been asked,” Jon stated. “My wife pointed that out to me last night when we were discussing you and Caroline.”
“You were discussing us?” Mike asked in surprise.
“Hell, Mike, half the town is talking about the two of you. Every time you appear in public, every night you spend at Caro’s house, every smile she gives you—it’s all discussed. We can’t wait until there’s another Randall party.”
“I had no idea I was holding up a celebration.” He cleared his throat. “Just keep an eye on Caro.”
“Will do. Are you coming to the ranch for Christmas?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Good. See you then.”
When Mike met Caroline at the café again for dinner a couple of nights later, he discovered she had another problem. “What’s wrong?” he asked as she frowned.
“Oh. I drew Casey’s name for Christmas. I’ve got
everyone else’s presents, but I haven’t been able to come up with anything good for him, and tomorrow’s Christmas Eve.”
“I have something you can give him.”
“What?”
“Michael Jordan had a big picture book out a few years ago. I have an autographed copy. I think Casey would love it.”
“Let me buy it from you,” she said eagerly.
“It’s not necessary to pay me for it. Every time I move I think about getting rid of it because it’s so heavy. I’ll be glad to see it find a new home.”
“And what do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?” Caroline asked.
“I’m not telling.”
“Why not?”
He just smiled.
“Well, I’ve bought you one present, but I’d like to get you something else.”
Mike smiled again. He had a present for Caroline, too, but he wasn’t sure she’d accept it. He’d promised to go slow, but he was finding it difficult to hold back.
He reached across the table and caught her hand. “Did you get tired today?”
She looked away. Finally she glanced at him. “I made it fine…but I took a nap after lunch. Jon saw a couple of patients for me. I had to apologize when I woke up, but he didn’t seem to mind. Then I took his last two patients so he could go home early.”
“That was nice of you. Then the vitamins aren’t making a difference?”
“It’s too early to tell. They have to have time to build up. Christmas will give me a chance to catch up. Jon says the clinic is open only for emergencies. I intend to sleep late every day.”
Mike gave her a half smile. “Want some company?”
She squeezed his hand. “Oh, yes. By the way, when are Bill and Margie going to get married?”
“I think New Year’s Eve. Bill said he wanted to start the new year off as a married man.”
The waitress picked up their empty plates. “How about dessert?”
“I shouldn’t,” Caroline said.
“But you will. She’ll have a slice of coconut pie, and so will I,” Mike stated with a smile.
“Mike, you’re going to get me fat.”
“I find that hard to believe, since you’ve been jogging with me in the mornings. I hear we’re entertaining the entire town. They’re all getting up early to see if you run with me.”
Caroline looked shocked. “Really? They’re that interested in my exercise program?”
“No, honey, they’re that interested in your private life.”
“I guess that means Dad knows that we run together?”
Mike couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “I suspect he knows a lot more than that.”
“Oh. Has he said something to you?”
“No, not yet. He just gives me a stern look when they come to build the workout room.”
“If Dad says something to you, just tell me.”
“Why? I think that’s his right. You’re his little girl.”
“Silly me. I thought I was an adult.”
Mike grinned. “You are an adult. A very beautiful adult. But you’ll always be your dad’s little girl.”
“It’s a good thing he didn’t know Don was in town,” Caroline said with a sigh.
“He did.”
“He did? But why—?”
“I told him I’d get rid of the man.”
“Oh.”
The waitress brought their slices of pie. Caroline picked up her fork. “I’m glad you talked me into this, even if it is a thousand calories.”
Mike smiled and said nothing.
“We’ll go out to the ranch about two o’clock tomorrow. Is that okay with you?”
“I’m looking forward to spending Christmas with your family,” he said.
“Me, too. I’m thankful I can now appreciate them and be glad I came home.”
Once they’d finished their dessert, Mike went to his apartment and found the book with Michael Jordan’s autograph. He took it to Caroline’s and she wrapped it up after admiring it. “How did you get it autographed?”
“I used to work security at the Bulls games. I brought the book with me one evening and asked him to sign it. He did. He’s a considerate man.”
“Once I tell Casey where I got it, he’ll think you walk on water. He already thinks you’re hot stuff.” So did she, but in a different way.
“Do you need any help wrapping presents?” she asked.
“No, thank you. The general store wraps anything you buy for Christmas.” He’d bought hospitality gifts for the Randalls and several things for Caroline, other than the big present he’d bought her. “I’ll have everything ready by two tomorrow.”
He stood up. Caroline gave him a surprised look. “Aren’t you staying the night?”
“I’ve got to do some things before I leave tomorrow, so I’d better go home this evening.”
“Oh, of course,” she agreed readily.
He leaned over and kissed her goodbye. Then he left.
Caroline sat on the floor where she’d been wrapping, staring into the fire. She missed him so much when he didn’t stay with her. She felt stronger, more at peace with everything when she was with Mike.
What if he didn’t feel the same? What if he didn’t want to marry a woman who was childless? She might get to adopt Rosa, but it was also possible the baby’s parents would show up. She loved the little girl, but she was trying not to get too involved just yet.
Besides, as tired as she was, Caroline couldn’t handle a baby and her work, too.
But most of all, she couldn’t do without Mike. A scary thought.
She was comfortable back in Rawhide now. She realized she’d been feeling sorry for herself all those years. But taking the last step—agreeing to marry a man who said it was okay to not have kids and believing him—was difficult.
She wanted to. God, how she wanted to. She didn’t want to give up Mike. She’d let herself fall for him,
hard. Her day improved drastically when she knew Mike would be in it. In his presence, she felt smarter, brighter, prettier. Without him, the hours seemed to blur.
She couldn’t imagine a lifetime without him in it.
T
HE NEXT AFTERNOON
at exactly two o’clock, Mike pulled up in his SUV, got out and knocked on her door. Caroline swung it open, and he swept her up in his arms and kissed her. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
“Me, too,” she replied fervently.
“I don’t suppose we’ll share a room at your folks’ ranch?”
“Not likely,” she said. “You’ll be confined to the bachelor pad. That’s what they call the boys’ bunkhouse.”
“Not exactly what I had in mind,” Mike said with a laugh.
“Me, neither,” she assured him. “I haven’t ever wished for Christmas to be over, until now.”
“And you’re going to take some time off after Christmas, so you can rest up, aren’t you?”
“Yes, worrywart. I’ll get all rested up.”
“Good.” He kissed her again. “I guess that will have to do me for a while.”
He loaded all the gifts she had wrapped, and put her suitcase next to his. Then they drove out to the ranch. They talked the whole way there, both of them eager to share bits and pieces of their job experiences, stories of the townsfolk.
“I got a Christmas card from Tracey Long,” Caroline
said. He could hear the excitement in her voice. “You remember her?”
Mike recalled Caroline’s high school friend who’d been abused by her husband. “Of course. She hear from her no-good husband?”
“No, thank God. But she and the kids are all settled in Denver now with her parents. The girls love it there.”
“A happy ending.” Though he kept his eyes on the road, he reached out and squeezed Caroline’s hand. “I’m glad for you. But I wish I could predict the same for Holly Gambil.”
“Yeah,” Caroline said. “I checked on her father and he told me Nick helped them get a good attorney.”
“They’re going to need one. From what I hear, the trial date’s not that far away.” Mike shook his head. He never could understand why people resorted to violence, no matter how emotional their situation. The image of a distraught young Holly still stayed in his mind. “I hope it turns out okay for her. She’s going to need lots of help getting her life back. And Mr. and Mrs. Gambil, too.”
In his profession—and in Caroline’s—there wasn’t always a happy ending. He guessed that was why he felt elated when it did work out for someone. And baby Rosa? he wondered. How would the story end for her?
He never got the chance to consider it, as they’d arrived at the Randall ranch.
“Your dad must have his own snowplow,” Mike said, noticing how clean the drive was, with a ridge of snow down each side.
“Oh, yes, he has the kind that attaches to the tractors.
He used to let me ride with him when I was a little girl. I loved watching the snow spiral up into the air before falling on the side of the road.”
“That’s a great memory,” Mike said.
He could feel Caroline looking at him. “You never talk about your childhood, Mike. Is it too painful?”
“Nah.” He shrugged. “It was what it was. Life was hard for my mom, being all alone with the three of us. She worked a lot and we kind of got by. At least we had Uncle Bill. And my sisters took great care of me. A benefit of being the youngest, I guess. But my mother…well, she did the best she could.” Mike glanced at Caroline. “It wasn’t all bad, you know. We did have some fun times. My sisters and I could really get my mother going.” He broke out in a grin at the memories.
“I called them all this morning to wish them a Merry Christmas,” he continued. “My mom said it was eighty-one degrees in Florida, can you believe it?”
“It must be hard not being together at the holidays,” Caroline said. She rubbed his arm gently. “You know, lately it seems the more people I talk to, the more I realize how much I have to be grateful for.”
“You sure do.” At the turn in the driveway, he said, “Will Sarah and Nick be here?”
Caroline stared at him, not understanding the change of subject. “Well, yes, I think so. Why?”
“No reason. I just remembered seeing Sarah at the store the other day. She wanted to give me a discount because we got rid of their thieves. I told her to offer it to Harry.”
“That was nice of you.”
Mike shrugged his shoulders.
Then, since they were on the driveway, not the county road, he pulled to a stop.
“What are you doing? Is something wrong?”
Mike took a deep breath. “Yeah. I was going to wait until tomorrow, but I can’t. I brought you this present.” He pulled a small box out of his coat pocket.
“Don’t you want to wait until we open presents in the morning?”
“Nope. If you won’t accept it, I’d rather you turn me down in private.”
He noticed her breathing hitch, and she took the box in shaking fingers. “I—I…what is it?”
“You’re supposed to open it.”
He was as nervous as she was, and had to fight the urge to tear the paper off the small package. When she finally pulled it off, he took a deep breath. “Okay. Now you can open the box.”
She eased it open. Inside was a dark green, smaller box, a jewelry box. Slowly she pried it open and gasped. Then she stared at him.
For the first time he had a hard time reading someone. “Well? Do you like it?”
“Oh, mercy, Mike! It’s stunning!”
“Sarah sold it to me. But will you accept it?”
“What finger should I wear it on?”
He looked at her as if she were crazy. “Lady, that’s an engagement ring. And it means a short engagement. I love you so much. I want to take care of you, be there for you, build a life with you.”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “Even if there are no children?”
“Hell, yes! Haven’t I convinced you of that?”
“Yes! I just had to ask one more time. Mike, I love
you
so much.”
He gave her a deep kiss, sealing their promise to each other. In fact, it was so powerful, they might have made love right there on the side of the road, if a car hadn’t passed them, honking as it went by.
Mike muttered under his breath and helped Caroline sit up. “Damn, it’s Jon. He would just happen by. Here, put the ring on. Sarah said she had your size on record.”