A Husband for Christmas

by Gail Gaymer Martin

  Nina agreed. “And what’s Kimmy’s treatment?”

  “Rest, lots of fluids and over-the-counter medication to reduce her fever.”

  Her concern remained. “Can Roseanne handle this?”

  “She wants to try, but it’s not wise. In her situation, she’s likely to be more susceptible to the virus, and, naturally, using crutches and trying to take care of Kimmy doesn’t make sense, either. But you know Roseanne. She’s determined.”

  “And there’s nothing you can do.” She stopped her eye roll, but she’d noticed the attribute in his sister.

  Doug tilted his head with a shake. “Time will prove us or Roseanne wrong. She’s strong willed, and she’ll have to be the one to admit she can’t handle it. Or maybe she can.”

  “No matter, Doug, it’s out of your hands or mine. We can pray everything works for the best.”

  “You’re right.”

  She looked at him for the first time without focusing on Kimmy. He looked exhausted and cold. “You need something warm in your body. Coffee, tea, soup?”

  He chuckled. “Chicken noodle for my health?”

  “Whatever it takes. You looked chilled inside.”

  He nodded and rested his back against the chair. “Stress takes its toll. Kimmy’s happy to be home, but rest is vital to her getting well quickly. I worry about Roseanne transporting glasses of water or juice to her. Unless she gets off those crutches, it’s near to impossible. And I’m concerned about her healing, too. She’s not supposed to put any weight on her legs yet, and I can see her doing anything to meet Kimmy’s needs.”

  “Give her a day or two. That’s all you can do.” She rose. “I’ll bring you something warm to drink.” She left him resting against the chair back, and in the kitchen, she spotted a container of hot chocolate mix. She spooned powder into a mug and poured the hot water from her coffeemaker into it. The chocolate scent filled the air.

  The aroma took her back to Christmas morning when she was a child. Her daddy would make pancakes, sausage and hot chocolate for breakfast after they’d opened her gifts from Santa. The memory warmed her even more after talking with her mother. All those wrinkles of bad memories had been smoothed, and they lay sweeter on her mind.

  She carried in the cocoa and Doug accepted it with a smile. “Now, this is a treat.” He took a sip and studied her. “You’ve become so much a part of my life, Nina, I have no idea how I lived all those years without you. Loneliness grows on a person I guess, and it’s easier to withdraw even more than step out into the world. I suppose that’s what I did. I concentrated on my family’s needs and forgot that I might have a few of my own. I didn’t see them. Now since you turned on the light, I can’t live in the darkness anymore.”

  “You brightened my life, too, Doug. And my darkness was worse because I didn’t even have the Lord to talk with or share my burdens. I lugged it all myself, thinking that I could carry the load. You and I know it’s impossible. We might drag the baggage alone but it’s difficult and miserable. It’s self-defining. And I don’t like that self anymore.”

  He rose from the chair and settled beside her. “I hate to bring this up, but I believe it’s important to you. You’re still carrying some baggage, Nina.”

  His look touched her heart and his meaning was clear. “I have been thinking, Doug. More than thinking. I’ve been doing some research, and I don’t want to get my hopes up, but I’m closer to action than I’ve ever been.”

  His tender look melted her heart. He took the mug from her hand, set it on the nearby table and drew her into his arms. His eyes captured hers, and as he lowered his lips, the sweetness flowed through her body. His kiss strengthened and she yielded to it and a depth of love she’d never experienced. They had shared more in their months together than Todd had been willing to give—honesty, tenderness, joy and even heartbreaks—each the rhythms of life.

  Doug eased back, his breath quick. “Nina, you’ve become an amazing part of my life. I’m so thankful that you’re willing to think about seeing a physician. I promise you, I care about you without promise of children, but I believe you deserve a chance to know the truth. If another doctor agrees with the first diagnosis, I will never ask again, but you are entitled to another chance.”

  She lifted her hands to his cheeks, studied his eyes filled with assurance and touched his lips with hers. He drew her closer, blending their hearts as one with every beat. She trusted him. She believed in him. She longed to learn the truth.

  * * *

  On Friday, Doug arrived home with Kimmy and settled her into her old bedroom. Though it had taken three days, Roseanne finally admitted caring for Kimmy’s needs was more than she could handle.

  Kimmy had showed no qualms when he picked her up that morning. She’d kissed her mother’s cheek and listed a set of rules for her mother’s well-being. Doug had to control his laughter while Kimmy gave her orders with such authority.

  Roseanne hugged him goodbye, and he promised to bring her home for a visit. As soon as she could get around without the crutches, Kimmy would return home for good this time. Her doctor had given Roseanne hope that it could happen soon.

  Since Nina had gone to work that morning, he wanted to surprise her. He’d been tempted to call her but had resisted. Instead, he kept his eye on her house, hoping he’d notice when she arrived home from the office, which was often halfway through the day.

  Though Kimmy’s headache had eased with medication, she still needed rest. After gazing down the block one more time, he filled a container with apple juice, snapped on the lid and carried it to her room.

  Her eyes were closed, so he tiptoed in and set the juice on the nightstand before creeping toward the doorway.

  “Where’s Nina?”

  Surprised, he turned toward her and moved to her bedside. “She’s at work, but she’ll be home soon and I’ll call her.” He lifted the plastic tumbler and slid in a straw. “Can you sit up and drink some juice? It’s apple.”

  She didn’t move for a moment, and then eased herself up on the pillow and took a sip of the drink. “When will I be better, Uncle Doug?”

  A serious expression played on her face, and his lungs pressed against his breastbone. “We’ll see in another week. You should have more energy and be able to do a few things, but rest and fluids will get rid of the virus. When your symptoms are better, then we’ll know you’re on your way to recovery.”

  “It’s going to be Christmas and I’ll miss it.” Her eyes rimmed with moisture.

  He sank to the edge of her bed and slipped his arm around her. “You won’t miss Christmas. You’ll be better before that, I promise.” He lifted a prayer that his promise didn’t disappoint her. He could only guess from the physician’s prognosis.

  She took another sip, a larger one this time, and handed him the juice.

  He set the container back on the stand and tucked her in before heading back to the window.

  When he looked outside, he spotted Nina’s car in the driveway. His pulse skipped as he pulled out his cell phone and hit her number. When he heard her voice, he managed to monitor his excitement. “I see you’re home.”

  “What? Aren’t you at work?”

  “I had extra vacation days for working on that long project so I decided to take the day and give Roseanne a hand.”

  “Doug, you’re the best brother there is. That’s not much of a vacation for you.”

  He grinned to himself, hanging on to the surprise with a death grip. “When you get a chance, come down. I want to show you something.”

  “What?”

  “Come down and see.”

  She chuckled. “You must have bought yourself a Christmas gift. I’m changing my clothes and I’ll be down soon.”

  He disconnected and paced, as time ticked past. He’d become as excited as a child waiting fo
r Christmas, but a guilty one. Though he felt bad for Roseanne, his selfish side arose again. Despite his guilt, he knew it really was best.

  Though he’d doubted his every step with Kimmy until Nina came along, now he realized that if he had been that bad, he wouldn’t be so eager to have Kimmy back. Maybe he hadn’t done such a bad job. He’d missed the joy of having someone in his life that he had to stay one step ahead of.

  Her giggles and excitement had wrapped around his heart. Another person to share his days, his hours. Nina fell in line with those changes, too. She’d slipped into the lonely niche in his heart and filled it with new life and new hope.

  A knock jarred him from his thoughts and he hurried to the door to open it before she rang the bell. He hoped Kimmy wouldn’t hear her arrive until she had rested.

  When he swung open the door, she arched an eyebrow. “I’m curious, you know.” She stepped inside. “I’ve never heard you so excited. I know you bought something new.”

  “Wrong. Nothing new and it was free.”

  A frown dashed across her face for a fleeting minute and ended when Kimmy’s voice sailed into the room.

  “Is Nina here?”

  Her eyes widened, and she sped past him and vanished into the guest room. Their voices merged, both talking at one time. He stayed away for a moment to give them time, and then sauntered in to be part of the new situation.

  When he came through the doorway, Nina looked at him with a grin. “We have our girl awhile longer.”

  “Am I your girl?” Kimmy’s tired face brightened with a grin. “My mom can’t carry my food and drinks even though she tried.” A faint titter left her. “She tried to put a tray around her neck and it tipped over and everything spilled on the floor.” She looked at them with a shrug. “I knew it wouldn’t work, but she thought it would.”

  Doug strode across the room. “That shows you how much she wanted to have you with her.”

  “But I want Mom to get better. She would hurt her bones trying to do everything, and I like staying here. I told her I would come to visit when I felt better.”

  “Once you’re rid of the headache and all the stiffness, and your fever’s totally gone, then you can visit and even go back home.”

  She nodded with a look that said she had figured that out by herself.

  Kimmy’s gaze shifted to Nina. “Can we make ornaments while I’m here?”

  Nina brushed her cheek. “As soon as you get rid of that fever, we will make them. How does that sound?”

  “Good.” She lowered her head to the pillow, wearing a content expression.

  They stayed beside the bed until her eyelids drooped. Doug eased from the room, and Nina soon followed. “I know this is for the best, but I can’t help but feel sorry for Roseanne’s situation. She had been so hopeful.”

  Doug drew closer. “I don’t think it will be that long, and meanwhile, she’ll enjoy getting ready for Christmas here, and then I’ll have to help her mom do something to make the house look like Christmas.”

  “We can help Roseanne.”

  He caught her meaning and drew her into his arms. “We can. I don’t think I can manage without you.”

  She gave him a playful poke but her eyes said more.

  His heart read her message, and he lowered his lips as she honored his kiss without restraint. Though he had questioned her feelings and understood her reservations about commitment, the message had changed. In the past weeks, the assurance had grown that Nina loved him, and her willingness to consider having a second doctor’s opinion validated his confidence. Trying to imagine life without Nina had grown hopeless. One day she would be his wife. Yet despite his strong belief, he lifted his eyes heavenward and asked the Lord for His blessing.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Kimmy, you’d better rest awhile. Doctor’s order.” She grimaced but did as Doug asked.

  He looked at the clock. He’d called Nina’s cell phone but she hadn’t answered and that concerned him. She’d be anxious to hear how the visit to Roseanne’s had gone, and he’d expected her to be clinging to her phone.

  Since pacing hadn’t accomplished anything, he slumped into his chair and sorted through all he and Roseanne had discussed. He knew the time would come again when Kimmy returned home, and he tried to be happy for that day.

  His cell rang and he hit Talk. He opened his mouth to greet Nina and then stopped short when he heard his mother’s voice.

  “I haven’t heard anything lately, Dougie. How’s Kimmy? Roseanne? I hate to call in case they’re sleeping. You know I worry.”

  “Sorry, Mom.” He’d been neglectful recently. He wouldn’t like to be neglected by his children either—if he ever had any. “They’re both doing well. Kimmy should be released from the doctor’s care next week. It’s just about Christmas vacation at her school, so I’ll just get some of her work, and she’ll go back after the New Year.”

  “That’s good news. And Roseanne?”

  “Off her crutches next week, and Kimmy will go home.”

  “Wonderful. We need to get over that way and—”

  “You’re coming here for Christmas dinner, aren’t you?”

  “We are. It’s not that far off, is it?”

  Doug grinned. “No, it’s right around the corner. If it’s too hard to make the trip, then just come for Christmas. You can spend the night here if you’d like.”

  “Wonderful. Maybe we’ll do that.”

  The conversation ran on and finally, with the promise of seeing him soon, his mother hung up.

  When he wandered into the bedroom to check on Kimmy the doorbell rang. This time he had no doubt. He hurried to the door and when he opened it, Nina grinned and stepped inside. “I’ve been anxious to hear how things went. I thought you might call.”

  “I did. More than once.”

  “You did?” She patted her pocket. “I went to El’s and I forgot it. I’d been glued to it before I left.”

  He glanced behind him, making sure they were alone, and then brushed her lips with a kiss. “Kimmy’s in bed for a while. I feared she would hear you and bound out here again.”

  She lowered her voice. “I’ll be quiet. Tell me what happened.”

  He filled her in on Roseanne’s health, and then told her what she didn’t want to hear. “Since she’ll be off the crutches next week naturally she wants—”

  “Kimmy home.”

  He nodded.

  “I can’t blame her, Doug. I’d want the same.”

  “So would I. But if you want to do those pinecone ornaments, you’ll need to fit them in this week.”

  “I planned to, and maybe we could get your tree decorated while she’s here.” She thought a moment. “I’ll go home and bring over what we need to make the ornaments. Then if she gets tired, she’ll be home. It’s easier.” She tilted her head in that direction. “I have a couple things to do, and then I’ll come back.”

  When she looked at him a moment, he saw a sparkle in her eyes. Her lips touched his with a kiss he would never forget. When she eased back, he caught his breath, but before he could say a word, she hurried out the door, leaving him with a warm and wonderful memory.

  While he waited, he pictured the few ornaments he’d packed away in the garage. If he put up a tree, and it sounded as if that was Nina’s plan, he would need to do an inventory. But the most important part of a tree would be buying one. He grinned at his silliness.

  He pulled out a recent newspaper and looked through the ads to see where Christmas trees were sold. His thoughts drifted, and he imagined what it would be like to shop for a tree with Nina at his side and a child or two, excited about selecting the tree. No artificial trees for him. He’d grown up in a live tree home. He wanted to continue that tradition.

  “Uncle Doug?”

&
nbsp; He laid the paper on the table and rose, wondering what Kimmy wanted. She had slipped off the blankets and sat on the edge of the mattress. “What’s up, sweetie?”

  “Can I get up? I’m tired of being in bed, and I feel better.” Wrinkles formed between her brows and her mouth bent down at the edges.

  Her pleading look caused his heart to twinge. “The doctor said you still need to rest.”

  “If I’m tired, I promise I’ll rest. I could rest on the sofa, couldn’t I?”

  He looked down the hall toward the living room and guessed what had stirred her. “I suppose the sofa is as good as the bed for rest.”

  A grin replaced her imploring scowl. She slid on her bathrobe and slippers and hurried past him through the doorway. When she reached the living room, she came to a halt and turned to look at him. “Where’s Nina?”

  His suspicion had been validated. “She went home for a while.”

  “Home? But I thought—”

  “She’ll be back soon.” He crossed to the sofa and patted the cushion. “You heard her.”

  She nodded. “But I really feel fine. I think the doctor is being too careful.”

  “Ah, so you have a medical degree?” He arched a brow, unable to hide his grin.

  She giggled and shook her head. “But he is being careful.”

  “Yes, but that’s because he wants you to get better without setbacks.”

  She ambled to the sofa, propped up the pillow and rested her head on it.

  He grasped the newspaper ads and strode toward the chair when he heard a faint knock on the door. Veering his direction, he opened it and beckoned Nina inside.

  She took two steps in and chuckled. “I see the patient isn’t into resting.”

  Kimmy peeked at her through half-open eyes. “I’m better, but the doctor doesn’t know it.”

  “Is that right? Well, maybe then we can work on something I have in this bag.”

  Kimmy widened her eyes and rolled on her side. “What is it?”

  Nina reached into the sack and pulled out two pinecones.