The Christmas Rental

by Hendricks, Savannah

  Lorelei didn’t want to offend Jodi, and she cringed before she said, “Thank you, but I think I’ll spend some time in the office, get a feel for the patients by reviewing their charts and assessing the doctor’s stuff.” Lorelei turned without a response and headed back down the hall. Doctor’s stuff . . . what was this, kindergarten pretend play?

  “Wait,” Jodi warned. “Hand me your cell phone.”

  “But what is a nurse or doctor needs me?”

  Jodi pointed at Lorelei’s pocket. “Because you're in Oakvale, not Minneapolis.”

  Lorelei huffed and handed Jodi the cell phone before storming back to the office. She set Mary Ann in the office playpen and was about to sit down in the plush executive chair with nailhead trim when her daughter let out a wail of a cry.

  “It’s okay. Mommy’s here.” She went over and hoisted her daughter up into her arms. “I guess being stuck in a playpen all day isn’t the best thing.” She kissed Mary Ann’s forehead and placed her in her lap as she returned to the office chair.

  “Baby girl, how wonderful is this place?” Lorelei held a teething toy in front of Mary Ann’s grasp while her eyes explored the office. The wall directly opposite the desk showed off a forty-something-year-old collection of thank you cards. To her right, shelves of tiny carved trinkets. On her left was a picture window with thick red drapes. She took Mary Ann with her and walked over to look outside. As she pushed back the drapes, Lorelei spotted a patio with a small wrought iron table and two chairs safe from the falling snow. A wooden fence sat just beyond the deck.

  She glanced at the clock on the wall behind the office chair. It was not even nine thirty in the morning. Lorelei wanted to run over to the Oakdale Pizza Pie and see if she could find Tyler’s picture, but they wouldn’t be open yet.

  “Jodi!” Lorelei called but headed down the hall anyway.

  “Yes, boss lady?” Jodi stood on a stepladder as she hung Christmas lights over the front door frame.

  “Do you happen to know where the photo of Tyler is at the pizza place?” Lorelei sat in the wing chair with Mary Ann, warming up by the fire.

  “I do, but he already told me not to tell you.” Jodi beamed.

  Lorelei gasped. “That stinker, how’d he even know I would ask you?”

  “Tyler can read a person like he does books.” Jodi climbed down from the ladder to grab another decoration from the box.

  Lorelei leaned forward in the chair. “If you see his love for the bookstore, and I do too, how do his parents not see it?”

  She might have been overstepping, yet again, but they’d pinky sworn to help each other, and all she was doing was research.

  “Richard and Arlene are the nicest folks in town.” Jodi paused, resting her hands on the edge of the box. “But their family business means a great deal to them and the future McCains.”

  “Yet if they’re the nicest, shouldn’t it be easy for Tyler to tell them what he wants?” Lorelei bounced Mary Ann on her knee as she started to fuss.

  “That’s probably why it’s so hard for Tyler to tell them. Just because they’re nice doesn’t mean they want to see the obvious.”

  “But what about his book travel thing?” Lorelei’s brow creased, creating lines across her forehead.

  “We both know he is using that as an excuse. He has pretty much accepted that it won’t happen, which is why he saved up to travel the world for half a year.”

  “Well, the good news is, I’m going to help him,” Lorelei boasted.

  “And just how do you plan on doing that? I don’t mean to snow on your Christmas parade, but I don’t see how you can help Tyler overcome what he has been hiding for so long and suddenly give him courage.”

  Lorelei slumped in the chair. But before she started to feel too defeated for herself and Tyler, the front door burst open. Snow drifted in and stuck to the entryway rug.

  “Why, Mrs. Wilson, are you alright?” Jodi went to the woman with curly pearl-colored hair and glasses from the 1950s.

  Mrs. Wilson clutched at her tan corduroy coat oddly. As she unbuttoned it, a tiny kitten of smoky gray popped its head up.

  “I’m fine, dear. It’s Mittens. I think she’s sick.” Mrs. Wilson caught the view of Mary Ann, and her cheeks plumped up. “Is this the new family in town? The Norths’ niece?”

  Lorelei remained seated with her daughter. “Yes, I’m Lorelei, and this is Mary Ann.”

  “What a precious baby. Once Mittens is feeling better, you must swing by my house. I can show her all the lovely Christmas joy my home has to offer.”

  “We'd enjoy that,” Lorelei replied.

  Mrs. Wilson glanced around. “Jodi, where is the rest of the Christmas décor? You’re aware it’s after the first of December, correct?”

  Jodi placed her arm around Mrs. Wilson and quickly led her down the hall. “I’m working on it right now. Let’s get you and Mitten’s into a room, and the doctor will be right with you.”

  When Jodi returned, Lorelei asked, “Why is Mrs. Wilson in a room with a kitten?”

  Jodi held out her hands for Mary Ann. “Let me take your daughter while you see to Mrs. Wilson and Mittens.”

  “I’m a doctor, not a veterinarian.” Lorelei’s eyes widened. “What am I supposed to do with Mittens?”

  “Oh, Boss Lady, Mittens is fine. Mrs. Wilson relays problems she’s having through Mittens. So if Mittens has a stomach ache, it’s Mrs. Wilson. If Mitten’s paw hurts, Mrs. Wilson’s foot hurts.” Jodi patted Lorelei on the back. “You’ll get the hang of this.” She smiled. “Honestly, she wants someone to talk to without feeling vulnerable.”

  Lorelei’s heart swelled with delight. Actual time to chat with a patient was almost too good to be true. Her smile radiated through her as she went down the hall to the exam room.

  Chapter 13

  “If you keep pacing, we’ll have to add a fifth bowling lane parallel to the windows,” Richard declared.

  “Sorry, Dad, it’s just—” Tyler paused, leaning against the window where he could see Lorelei’s parked sedan in front of the doctor’s office.

  Richard reached out for Tyler’s shoulder and squeezed it with one hand. “You can’t be . . .”

  “No, Dad, I can’t like someone I only met a few days ago. And she’s not staying. Sure, she’s the first person I’ve connected with since Meg . . . .” Tyler shoved his hands in his pockets. But it doesn’t matter.

  The coldness from outside seeped through the thin windows of the bowling alley. Meg was his high school sweetheart, and he thought his future wife. After their senior year, she packed up and left for college in California. She’d kept in touch for a while, but Tyler found it best for them both to move on with their lives.

  “You and the doctor would make a nice couple, and you know your mother already likes her.” Richard’s car keys jingled in one hand as he held his travel mug of coffee in the other. “And you know how badly we want you to marry and start a family.”

  “Dad, too soon,” Tyler whined. “Anyway, she can’t stay even if she wanted to. I mean, there are no long-term jobs, and after speaking with her, I found out her parents don’t want her to raise her daughter here. I don’t need another heartbreak caused by this town.”

  “Another?”

  “Never mind.” Tyler shook his head.

  “When love is meant to be, it finds a way.” Richard straightened the mugs in the beverage area. “And I thought her uncle was planning to retire?”

  “I’m not sure about Dr. North retiring. I’d heard a rumor, but it was short-lived because he didn’t want to leave the practice to just anyone.”

  “Well, she is family.”

  “So, maybe he was waiting for her all along.” Tyler didn’t want to state the obvious, but Lorelei had no place to live. And no one in town had mentioned moving out, not even Sandy and Ted after they sold Once Upon a Book. “Lorelei asked for my help. I guess her parents are coming to town to visit for Christmas, and she and I—” Tyler paused. He almost let it
slip that Lorelei was going to be helping him out, too. “She wants my help convincing them that being a small-town doctor is her dream, even if it's not this small town.”

  “How do you plan on going about that? Can Mom and I help you out?” Richard took a seat in the chair opposite Tyler’s desk and stretched out his legs.

  Tyler strolled over to his desk chair and reluctantly sat down as if taking an eye off the doctor’s office would cause Lorelei to disappear. He folded his arms and leaned forward on the desk.

  “There’s the reindeer contest and, of course, the O Come, All Ye Readers event that would be a great way to show Lorelei’s parents about our close-knit community.” Tyler picked up the Norths’ signed rental agreement to finally file it away when he spotted a sentence. He tilted his head much like Cider does when she looks like she’s questioning something.

  “Everything alright?” Richard asked, taking a step forward.

  Tyler leaned forward and reread a paragraph of the contract. “It says Lorelei is to host a Christmas feast.”

  “What?” Richard took the paper in his hand and read it. “Why it certainly does. That’s rather odd.”

  “Why would the Norths put this in the agreement?” His dad handed it back to his son.

  Tyler shook his head. “I have no idea, but it’s in two days.” Tyler covered his mouth as he gasped. “Oofta!”

  “She doesn’t know?” Richard’s eyes bulged.

  “I didn’t even know.” Tyler sprung from the chair. He snatched his coat off the coatrack near the door and hastily wrapped a scarf around his neck.

  “It’s not like the Norths will hold her to the contract. They’re not even here,” Richard reminded him.

  “I have a feeling Lorelei follows everything to the letter.”

  “You might be right.” His dad shoved a hand into his pocket. “I think Oakvale is exactly what Lorelei needs, and maybe Oakvale needs her. She does seem a bit tense, always on the go.”

  Tyler threaded on his gloves and nodded his head. “She has a lot on her plate to unwind from.”

  “Indeed. You’d better go and speak to her. I’ll stay here and man the fort.” Richard made his way to the beverage area, pulling the lid off his mug. “I’ll keep Cider company, too.”

  Tyler swung open the door as the frigid air and snow came drifting in. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll be right back.”

  He made his way up the street as the wind and snow battled his every step. The snowflakes tickled his face, and his boots slipped as he passed the pizza place. He paused at the crosswalk, checking for cars. Once Tyler reached the path to the front door of the doctor’s office, he grabbed hold of the railing to aid him. But as he pivoted to head up the ramp, his feet went out from under him. Attempting to brace himself, he wrapped both hands around the railing. However, holding onto the handrail only caused Tyler to appear as though he were trying out for a ballet recital. Pirouette and plié. He knew these words thanks to all of the picture books he’d read at the bookstore’s story time.

  Keeping his hands still wrapped around the railing, Tyler swung underneath the bar and landed with a thump in the snow. He raised himself by pushing his elbows into the snow, but he only fell flat again.

  The snowflakes started to cover Tyler’s coat as he lay on his back, catching snow in his mouth.

  “Tyler!" Sharon called out.

  He lifted his head and spotted Sharon, bundled up in her bright-pink coat and hot-pink scarf and matching hat, dashing across the street. She leaned over him, blocking some of the snowflakes.

  “Tyler, honey, are you alright?” Sharon asked. “I saw you putting on a show with some tricky footwork over here.”

  “I think I might have bruised a few things. But I’m sure I’m alright. Just need a minute to stand up.”

  “You stay put. I’m going to go get the new doc.” Sharon shuffled up the ramp without slipping even once.

  Pushing himself up on his elbows, he finally sat up completely, although his back was already sore.

  As he brushed the snow from his hair, Sharon and Jodi emerged from inside the doctor’s office. “What did you do this time, Ty?” Jodi raised an eyebrow and grinned.

  “Don’t be jealous of my moves.” Tyler reached up for the railing.

  “I’ve seen your moves at our Under the Snow prom. Everyone saw your moves. It explains why you’re on your bottom right now.”

  “Sounds like someone’s jealous she didn’t get a dance with me,” he said.

  “Yes, soooo jealous.” Jodi reached out her hand.

  “Ladies, thank you. I’m alright.” He eased himself to his feet. Grateful Lorelei wasn’t seeing him at this very moment.

  Jodi got on his left side, Sharon on his right, and they brushed snow from the top of his coat. Then, they linked arms with him as he crept up the ramp, trying to hide his fear of slipping again.

  “Tyler, I’m sorry. You know how hard it is to keep the path clear with all this snow falling nonstop,” Jodi stated, letting go of him to open the door.

  “Not a problem at all.” Tyler internally rejoiced at the sight of Dr. North’s faux leather chair. “Where are Lorelei and her daughter?”

  “They’re both back with Mrs. Wilson,” Jodi said as Tyler lowered himself into the plush chair.

  “Mrs. Wilson does love babies as much as cats.” Tyler reached his hand behind him, massaging his lower back where the pain warmed. “I think I’m alright. Let’s not tell Lorelei.”

  Sharon folded her arms over her chest. “Fine, have it your way. I need to get back to my customers.”

  “Thank you, Sharon.” Tyler relaxed back into the softness of the chair. “And, Jodi, thank you. Do you know how much longer Mrs. Wilson might be? I have an urgent matter I need to discuss with Lorelei.”

  “The doctor—I mean Lorelei—should be finishing up shortly. Mrs. Wilson has been back there for over half an hour.” Jodi placed an ornament from a nearby box onto the Christmas tree and stood back before adding another. “I’ve never seen her chat with Dr. North for his long before.”

  “Thank you again, Doctor,” Mrs. Wilson’s voice traveled down the hall. “Don’t cha know Mittens is already feeling better.” A grand smile formed on her lips as she reached the reception area.

  “Mrs. Wilson, Mittens, wonderful to see you both.” Tyler eased out of the chair, reaching for his back.

  Lorelei appeared behind Mrs. Wilson with Mary Ann on her hip. She was dressed in scrubs and wore running sneakers with neon-orange laces.

  “I’ll get you squared up, Mrs. Wilson.” Jodi stepped behind the desk.

  “Good morning, or mid-morning, Lorelei,” Tyler stated, holding his back.

  “Tyler took a little slip outside.” Jodi peeked around Mrs. Wilson at him. “He might have hurt his back.”

  He waved her off with his free hand. “No, it wasn’t anything. I’m a Minnesotan. I can handle the snow. I did need to speak with you, Lorelei, if you have a moment.”

  Lorelei nodded. “Sure.”

  “Privately,” Tyler whispered. He didn’t want Jodi and Mrs. Wilson to see Lorelei flip out if she did that sort of thing when he told her the Christmas feast news.

  “Oh.” Lorelei’s mouth went from a smile to a frown, a wrinkle creased between the bridge of her nose. “Sure.”

  “Do you need me to take Mary Ann?” Jodi asked.

  “No, I need to get her to nap for a bit, thank you, though.” Lorelei headed down the hall to her office.

  Tyler closed the door halfway behind him. He didn’t want Lorelei to feel as though he was trapping her in the office.

  After Lorelei laid Mary Ann down in the playpen, she took a seat behind the desk, and Tyler took one of the patient chairs opposite her. “Are you sure your back is feeling alright?”

  “Oh, yes. Okay, remember how neither of us read the rental agreement before you signed it?” Tyler continued to whisper. He wanted to model quiet behavior in hopes of keeping Lorelei calm. Yet, she worked in an emergency d
epartment. Technically, she shouldn’t frazzle easily.

  Lorelei nodded, her face confused in thought. “What’d I miss? Wait, I don’t have to cover the cost for the roof repair, do I?”

  Tyler leaned forward. “No, of course not.” He gently cleared his throat. “See, your uncle and aunt added a small thing you have to do. I mean, you can skip it. I don’t think they will find out until they return. But you seem like a stickler for rules.”

  Lorelei’s hand went to her neck. “I do?” She titled her head. “Of course I do.” She brought her hand to her forehead. “There’s nothing wrong with following rules. They keep people safe, and I’m a mom. A role model.”

  Lorelei stood and paced the small office. She wrapped her hand around the back of her neck.

  Tyler ran his hand through his hair. “It’s not a big deal. A-a-a Chr-rr-ristmas feast, to be exact,” he stuttered.

  “A Christmas feast?” She paused, tilted her head. “I have to throw a dinner party?”

  Tyler scooted to the edge of the chair and placed his hands on her desk. “The contract says you need to throw a feast and invite residents of the town. I have no idea why your uncle and aunt are doing this, but of course, they aren’t here to enforce it.”

  “That’s not bad. I mean, I wanted to decorate anyway, and the Norths left a note about using their decorations. And I’d love to meet more residents. I mean, it’s only a feast, how much work can that be, but I think you mean potluck …where everyone brings something, right?”

  Tyler swallowed; the noise echoed in his ears.

  “When is this little potluck I’m having?” Lorelei beamed, unaware of what was about to come out of his mouth.

  “It’s not a potluck.” He presented the rental agreement to her.

  Lorelei read it over and looked up. “It specifically states I need to cook, from scratch, a Christmas feast. Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, rolls, and green bean casserole. Plus pie for dessert. And I must decorate to the nines.”

  Tyler drew a deep breath. “The Norths have always wanted their renters to connect with the town, but never something like this before. Maybe by hosting a feast, you can have a real sense of what living here will be like?”