One Great Christmas Love Story

by Kaylee Baldwin

  Holly checked her purse to make sure she had everything for the skating date. Her shoes skidded on the ice, and Jack’s hand steadied her at her elbow.

  “Thanks.” She took a deep breath, unaccountably nervous—it wasn’t even her date. But meeting with a woman made it more real. She was setting Jack up with someone who could prove to be his one great love.

  There wasn’t much more she wanted for him than that, and the happiness it would bring.

  Towering Christmas trees surrounded the rink, each hung with glittering gold and red balls. Holly led them to the skate rental, a small wooden stand with an upright heater emanating welcoming heat. “Christina is meeting us here.” Holly checked her watch. They still had a few minutes before seven.

  “Should we get our skates while we wait?”

  “Sure.”

  Holly had to try on a couple before she found a pair that fit with her thick socks. At the last minute, she bought a large paper cone filled with warm cinnamon-sugar almonds and two hot chocolates. She looped the tied laces of the skates over her arm and made her way through the slush to where Jack had saved them a place on a bench. The lake was starting to fill up with couples and families. Holly looked at each newcomer, hoping to see a familiar face from the picture Christina had sent her, but so far, she hadn’t seen anyone similar.

  “Guess I wasn’t thinking about how busy this would be on a Friday night.” She handed him a hot chocolate and tilted the paper cone of almonds toward Jack.

  He tipped some almonds into his hand. “These are still warm.”

  “The best kind.”

  Holly put her own skates on while they munched on the almonds. She kept her eye on the door, but thirty minutes past when they were supposed to meet, there was still no sign of Christina.

  “I’m calling it.” Jack looked at his watch. “Time of death for this date is 7:35 p.m.”

  Holly sighed. He was probably right. “I hope something didn’t happen to her.”

  “Maybe she remembered there was a new episode of The Bachelor on tonight.”

  “No, there isn’t. And how did you know she liked The Bachelor?”

  “Who else would email you to go on a blind date with a guy from a MyHeartChannel show?”

  She didn’t want to answer. She’d email Christina later and see what had derailed her from coming, but she had most likely decided to back out, and if she had emailed Holly about it, it would be lost somewhere in her inbox, probably never to be found.

  She returned her phone and mic to her backpack, but Jack stopped her when she went to return her skates. “Don’t you need to show something for your show?”

  “Yeah,” she said with a sigh. “But getting stood up doesn’t make for heartwarming television.”

  Jack laughed, and Holly was glad he was taking it so well. “I’m sure you can explain the road to true love was never smooth, or something like that.”

  “True,” she said slowly, retrieving her phone and mic from the backpack.

  He was right; she needed something. She attached the mic to her camera and lifted it to face Jack. His cheeks were pink against his blue scarf, and his breath came out in puffs of white mist. All he needed was a few snowflakes on his eyelashes to be the perfect picture of a winter model.

  “I’ll intro it when I get home, so for now, I’m going to ask you a few questions.”

  “And then we’re going to skate, because I’m getting cold sitting here.” He rubbed his hands together and blew on them.

  “Me too.” The internal warmth she’d gotten from the nuts and hot chocolate was wearing off. “You need gloves.”

  “They keep getting lost. Are you videoing this?”

  “Yeah. My viewers like to know the riveting details like the state of your gloves.”

  “Maybe I just need someone to hold my hand,” he said, giving a serious look to the camera.

  The camera was jostled when Holly smacked him on the leg.

  “What?” he said, his lips finally turning up into a smile. “I’m trying to be romantic.”

  “No, you’re not. You’re trying to make me laugh.”

  He tipped his head in concession. “When’s the last time you went ice skating?” Jack leaned back on the bench, placing his arms behind him, and putting his defined chest on display.

  “I can’t even remember. When I was a teenager, probably. You?”

  “I brought Shiloh out here last week. We go every year.”

  Her heart melted a little. It was the things Jack said when he wasn’t trying to be mockingly romantic that would attract more emails from people who wanted to go on a date with him.

  Of course, that meant an even fuller inbox, but she’d worry about that tomorrow.

  “How’d you do?” she asked.

  He gave her a mirthful smile. “Well, I’m glad I got a trial run before my skating gets put on camera.”

  “Stop making me laugh. It’s going to make for poor-quality video.”

  “I can’t make any promises.” He held up both of his hands in surrender. “Did you bring your tripod?”

  “Yeah.” She had a tripod that collapsed small enough to fit into her backpack. She hadn’t thought she’d need it because she’d be following Jack and Christina around. It took another minute to get it set up and pointed at Jack. She slid onto the bench beside him. “Take two.”

  “Do we have to have the same conversation we just had?” Jack asked.

  “No.” Although she’d love to have him say the part about going ice skating with Shiloh every year, but she knew he wouldn’t repeat it. She’d have to find a way to edit the episode to include it. “Tell me about your dream date.”

  “Ice skating,” he said with a straight face. “Maybe warm pecans instead of almonds.”

  She gave him a stern look. “I’m serious, Jack. If you could plan the perfect date, what would it look like?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it much.” He stuffed his hands in his coat pockets. She wouldn’t look away, not willing to let him off the hook for this. “I don’t think I have a perfect location or activity for a date. The perfect date would be doing pretty much anything with someone I cared about.”

  Again, her insides went to mush. “You have a secret romantic side, Jack.”

  “Yeah, well, it’s so secret even I don’t know about it.”

  “But I do,” she said, and then she turned to the camera with an impish grin. “And now, so do you—”

  Jack took her by the hand and pulled them to standing. Her skates slid a little wildly on the icy snow patch, and she clung to his arms.

  “Can’t wait to skate?” she teased, her heart racing at the sudden movements.

  “Not for another second.”

  “I’m bringing the camera with me. You can’t escape.” She snatched it from the tripod and followed him out onto the ice, her legs shakier than she’d anticipated. She threw her arms out for balance, and then back into her chest to protect her camera. A second later, she repeated the same motion. From behind her, she could hear Jack laughing so hard it almost sounded like he was wheezing.

  “Are you going to just stand there or help me?” she asked grumpily.

  He skated forward, and she reached out his hand. Instead, he took the phone from her and skated backwards while videoing her.

  “Hey!” she said, her arms pinwheeling. It took a second, but she got her balance again. Jack continued to skate a backwards circle around her. She looked at him suspiciously. “So you skate once a year with Shiloh, huh?”

  He shrugged. “And I may have played ice hockey through my undergrad program.”

  “For fun?”

  “For scholarship.”

  She hadn’t known that about him. She tried to skate closer to grab her phone, but her skates slid around. Just before she fell, Jack swooped up beside her, his arm wrapping around her waist.

  “Thank you,” she said a little breathlessly. “How did I not know you played ice hockey? Do you still p
lay it?”

  “Here and there.” He gently helped her ski forward, still holding the camera so it faced them. “Not since Dallon died, though.”

  “Why not?” Dallon had never played ice hockey, so it couldn’t be something that reminded him of Dallon.

  He shrugged. “It took a lot of my time, and I got busy with other things.”

  “Being there for me.”

  He didn’t correct her, and guilt filled her up. She’d had no idea he’d sacrificed activities he’d loved to be with her. She hadn’t known or even thought much about what he’d done in his spare time, when he wasn’t hanging out at their house or going somewhere with Dallon. It was as if he’d only existed when he was there, annoying her. He’d opened up a little bit in the last couple of years about his divorce, but for the most part, they didn’t talk about their pasts, shared or otherwise.

  “Jack, you shouldn’t have given it up.”

  “It’s not forever.”

  Right. The reminder that eventually Jack would let go of his guilt and move on. But when? She wanted to ask but didn’t want to know.

  “Besides,” he continued, “I like spending time with you more than I do with a frozen rink full of smelly guys.” He put her hand on a balance bar at the edge of the lake and let her go. He skated backwards again, pointing the phone camera at her. “So, Dr. Whitacre, what is your perfect date?”

  “Jack, this show is supposed to be about you.”

  “No one cares to hear about me. They want to know more about the mysterious woman behind the MyHeartChannel show.”

  She knew no convincing on her part was going to make him turn the camera over to her. The only way out was through.

  And as much as she hated to admit it, she wasn’t completely heartbroken that Christina hadn’t shown up. December was a difficult and stressful month for her—not only because of Dallon, but because of patients trying to squeeze in one last appointment or procedure before their insurance benefits ran out for the year.

  “So, your perfect date,” he said, waving his hand for her to go on and tell him.

  “I don’t know. I haven’t even thought about it,” she said.

  “See? These questions are challenging.”

  It was a lot harder to be on this side of the camera than the other. She shrugged. “Honestly, I liked your answer, Jack. Being with someone you love is enough.” She paused and tilted her head. “That said, any experience is better with Mexican food.”

  “Italian food,” he countered.

  “We’re never going to agree on this.”

  “There’s nothing to agree on. What kind of food do you picture in heaven: deep-fried chimis, or a luxurious plate of mushroom ravioli drizzled with a creamy parmesan sauce?”

  “Do the chimis have chicken or beef in them?”

  “Both.”

  “Okay, gross. But a mini chicken chimi paired with a carne asada taco, both topped with an abundance of sour cream and guacamole? That’s definitely in my heaven.” She paused, remembering she was on film. She knew she could edit this out, but just in case, she added sternly, “In moderation, of course. Eaten rarely, and only when you’re in good health. Clogged arteries are no joke, friends.”

  Jack laughed, the kind of rare, full-throated laugh that drew her gaze right to his strong jaw and full lips. She looked away quickly. “Always the cardiologist,” he said.

  “I prefer heart doctor,” she teased, placing her hand gently over her heart. Francis had emailed her to let her know that his article was nearly finished and the paper wanted to call it “The Heart Doctor.” At first she’d cringed at the cheesiness, but it was growing on her now.

  “Noted,” Jack said, his smile still wide. When was the last time she’d seen him smile for so long? “So, perfect date: an abundance of trans fats, but with the person you love.”

  She stuck her tongue out at him. “Yes. Now, are you going to leave me here hanging onto this bar all night, or are you going to help me skate?”

  “One more question.”

  “Ask away.” She was already going to have to edit this episode to almost nothing.

  “What would Dallon think of you dating again?”

  She sucked in a deep breath, taken by surprise. “Jack …”

  “I’m curious.” He tilted his head. “I know what I think, but it doesn’t matter what I think.”

  Of course she’d thought of this question before, but she always pushed it out of her mind before answering it. “And it doesn’t matter what Dallon would have thought, either, because I’m not planning on ever dating again.”

  “But do you think he would have minded?”

  She stared at Jack hard. Why was he asking this? And right now? “I don’t know.”

  “You know.”

  “Jack, why are you pushing this?” She pressed her lower back against the bar for more balance.

  “Why can’t you answer the question?” he returned mildly.

  She clenched her jaw, and despite herself, the question had already embedded itself into her mind, along with the answer she’d always known was there. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind,” she said through a clenched jaw. “Is that what you want to hear?”

  “No.” He dropped his arm, the camera dangling from his hand. “But is it what you needed to hear?”

  Her stomach twisted. She knew Dallon would only ever want her happiness, but right now, being alone and honoring his memory and their love was what made her happy. Besides, she’d seen what trying to find love again had done for her dad: marriage after marriage ending in disaster and unhappiness for everyone.

  “Love like that doesn’t come around twice in one lifetime,” she said quietly.

  “I wouldn’t know.” Jack didn’t sound sad, but his words struck Holly with sorrow anyway. He skated close and held out his hand. “Come on. Let me help you.”

  She tentatively held out her hand and took his, then let him lead her onto the ice, skating together, her hair flying behind her, the cool wind biting her cheeks, and they skated faster than her thoughts and fears and wishes until she felt like she was flying.

  Chapter 15

  Jack sat at his kitchen table with his dinner, watching the episode Holly had just uploaded onto her MyHeartChannel show. She’d called it “An Icy Beginning.” She showed footage of them wondering where Christina was and hoping she was okay, and then transitioned into her asking him about the perfect date. Overall, she’d kept most of the conversation they’d had—except when he’d pressed her about how Dallon would feel if she’d started dating again.

  He probably shouldn’t have pushed her, but he genuinely wanted to know what she thought. He had his own opinions on the matter—most having to do with knowing that Dallon would want Holly to be happy, and if that meant dating someone else, then he’d want her to do that. What he hadn’t expected was how defensive she’d be about her answer.

  And maybe she’d meant it as a warning for him to stay away from the subject, but it had the opposite effect on him. He was intrigued. Why the shield? If she had answered the question in a matter-of-fact way like he’d expected, he might have been able to let it go. But instead, it sounded almost like she was trying to convince herself, which left him with … hope.

  His phone buzzed.

  Holly: Are you free Wednesday night?

  Jack: I’m working until 7.

  Holly: What about Saturday?

  Jack opened his calendar. I’m free.

  Holly: I’m going to set you up on a date with Georgia McCay.

  He groaned. He’d kind of hoped she’d see how fruitless it was now that Christina hadn’t shown up, but he should have known she’d never give up.

  Jack: Not again.

  Holly: Jack. Skating wasn’t so bad right?

  Jack: It was fantastic—probably because my date didn’t show.

  Holly: Oh, she emailed me. She apologized and said her car broke down on the way and she didn’t have my phone number. She actually took it as a sign you
weren’t meant to be and has withdrawn her name from consideration.

  Jack: Please tell me she didn’t word it that way.

  Holly: That is a direct quote. I spared you the emojis after every sentence.

  Jack closed his eyes. He’d definitely dodged a bullet.

  Holly: Saturday at noon. Let’s meet at my house.

  Jack: You’re going to let someone you’ve never met come to your house?

  Holly: It’ll be fine.

  Jack blew out a breath. Let me have her contact info. I’m going to vet her.

  Holly: By vet her you mean …

  Jack: Google her.

  Holly: To see if her profile picture is of her murdering someone.

  He laughed. Exactly.

  It took a few minutes before she sent him a screenshot with Georgia’s email.

  Jack: Lunch tomorrow?

  A few minutes passed, and he wondered if he’d hear from her again.

  Holly: Maybe.

  Jack: Got plans?

  Sometimes they couldn’t meet for lunch, if they had staff meetings or classes they were guest lecturing in, but he hadn’t heard of any of those things from her, and she usually loved sharing her schedule with him.

  Holly: I don’t know. I’ve got to go.

  He debated messaging her back for more info, but his phone rang with the on-call doctor who had a question for him, and he filed away his curiosity for later.

  Chapter 16

  Holly moved from patient to patient, grateful her schedule was slammed, because it gave her less time to think.

  After she’d uploaded the video of her and Jack ice skating, she’d gotten even more messages from people who thought she and Jack should be together. Someone even started a hashtag campaign: #JollyForChristmas.

  It took her a moment to piece together that Jolly was a mash-up of their names. Clever.

  But still. It weirded her out. This whole plan was backfiring in a major way—except for the part where her viewership skyrocketed. She couldn’t turn up her nose at that, especially when it meant more money for Bridger Cares.