On A Cold Winter's Night

by Leanne Burroughs

  "Would you mind being with me when I tell them? I'd be more at ease having another doctor around given my dad's prior heart attack and Kimmy's pregnancy."

  He reached out and rubbed her tense shoulders. “If you want me there, then I will be. Now, you need to heed your pop's advice and loosen up."

  "You're right. You want to go upstairs with me?"

  "You don't want to join the party?"

  Elle grimaced when a Christmas carol started playing loudly. “It's been lovely to reminisce with old friends and neighbors, but I'd much rather have a little alone time with you than play holiday musical chairs."

  "That's an offer I can't refuse."

  She took his hand and guided him upstairs. Philip followed her past guests, glancing at the elaborate holiday decorations and candid photos lining the walls that chronicled her family's journey through life together.

  "Here we are,” she announced after leading him into a bedroom decorated with white and lavender. “Our own temporary sanctuary."

  Philip tilted his head and stared at the trophies and medals resting on the shelves and posters of former teen idols hanging on the walls. “It looks like your mom hasn't changed a thing in the last ten years."

  Elle shut the door behind them. “Not an inch."

  "My childhood bedroom in Kentucky still looks the same, too. I guess we never really grow older in our mother's eyes."

  "Maybe not, but this itchy holiday sweater my mother never threw out is growing old,” she said and began undoing the buttons. “Would you mind grabbing a sweatshirt out of my closet for me to slip over my T-shirt?"

  "Sure.” From the closest hanger he retrieved a gray sweatshirt embellished with a fading high school mascot on the front and held it out to her. “Will this do?"

  When a reply never came, he glanced back over his shoulder and saw Elle standing in front of her dresser mirror. Her gaze held steady while she stared at her reflection, gingerly placing her fingertips to the bruises on her arms and the scar on her neck that the T-shirt revealed.

  "Elle?” Philip murmured worriedly. “Ellie, are you all right? Did the sweater irritate your skin?"

  "No more than expected.” She sighed and turned away. “And at least it hid all of this. I wonder if I'll even be able to recognize myself in a few weeks once more side effects are visible."

  "I'll recognize you,” he whispered into her ear.

  She tried to smile. “Yeah, I guess I will stand out in a crowd, won't I?"

  "You always have, how could you not? You're a beautiful woman."

  "Am I?"

  Philip wrapped his arms around her waist and placed gentle pecks near the bruises, trailing up to her neck before he slipped the sweatshirt over her head. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. And nothing that happens in the next few weeks or months is going to change that."

  Elle hugged him and kissed his lips tenderly. “Even right now touching you,” she said, stroking his face, “part of me can't believe you're really here."

  "I am and I'm staying put."

  "I know. I think my head is just still reeling from how quickly everything has changed within the last few months. I went from being a typical 28-year-old, thinking my life was on the right track with an engagement and a successful residency to being alone on the other side of the gurney with a frightening diagnosis."

  "You aren't alone. And I'm going to try to find a way to arrange my schedule so I can be with you after treatments and take care of you."

  "You don't have to take everything on. My parents will help. And if I'm lucky, I won't be completely sidelined by this. I called St. Anne's today, and even though the lymphoma will most likely push back my training a few months, there are a couple of clinics in the city where I might be able to get a shift on good days to keep up my skills until I'm able to take on the chaos in a hospital again."

  Philip smirked. “That's my girl. I knew you wouldn't be able to put that stethoscope down for very long."

  "Is that a polite way of saying I'm a control-freak?"

  "No, I'm just saying you're very dedicated. It's a good thing."

  "Honestly I did it because making plans calmed my nerves some about the unknown future."

  "Would you feel up to making more?"

  "What did you have in mind?"

  Philip slid his hand into the pocket on his flannel shirt and retrieved her gift, dangling a golden, heart-shaped locket from his fingers.

  "Oh, it's lovely!” Elle said. “You shouldn't have done that. I don't have a gift for you."

  "Open it."

  As she pried open the locket, Philip bent down on one knee, grinning, when she pulled out a diamond ring.

  "Philip!” She gasped and drifted her gaze toward him. “I know we've decided to get back together, but are you sure you want to jump back into an engagement so readily?"

  "I'm positive, now more than ever. I love you."

  "I love you, too. But I don't want you to be pressured and asking just because you think it's the right thing to do to make me feel better."

  He grasped her hand and kissed it. “I'm not. I want to be with you, Elle. We both admitted trivial arguments tore us apart. Fights about where to live are invalid now. I'm already here in Evansville and I like it. And as for whether we should rent or lease a house or apartment, that's fairly simple, we just take the best deal."

  "What about fights regarding the wedding?"

  "I don't care about that anymore. You can have whatever kind of wedding you want—on a beach or at city hall whenever you want it. All I want is to be your groom. I lost you once, I don't want to ever lose you again. Elle, will you marry me?"

  She knelt before him and threw her arms around him. “Yes!” she whispered excitedly and pressed her lips against his.

  Philip quickly stood and lifted Elle with him, spinning her in slow circles, never breaking their kiss.

  She pulled away gently and breathlessly murmured, “I just have one question."

  "What?” Philip slipped in another quick peck as he set her back on the floor.

  "Why did you bring a locket?"

  He glanced down at the necklace looped on his fingers. “I thought a little about what you said yesterday, about how sudden this really is. I know the announcement about your diagnosis will be a lot for our families to take in. So, I thought you might want to keep the ring in there until you're ready to tell them and we've had the opportunity to get things back the way they should be."

  "That's a beautiful idea. And the locket will be useful when I'm working again since rings can be a nuisance when sliding latex gloves on in a rush. But for now, while we're alone, I'd really like to put this back where it was.” She opened her hand and removed the ring from her palm.

  "Allow me.” Philip guided the small stone over her left ring finger. “It looks so great on you."

  "I'm glad you think so, because I'm not going be returning it,” she informed him, turning away when she failed to stifle an abrupt yawn.

  "Tired?” Philip asked knowingly.

  She gave a reluctant nod. “Yeah, everything wears me out lately. And I think playing cookie cop with my dad all night must have taken its toll."

  "Maybe you should lie down,” he suggested.

  "Sitting down will suffice. Come on, I want to show you something.” She drew back her curtains and peered out the large window. “I always did this when I was a little girl waiting on Santa Claus to arrive. I'd curl up on the window seat, wrap myself up in a quilt and refuse to fall asleep so I could meet him and ask for one special gift."

  Philip sat and pulled her onto his lap. “And what was the gift?"

  "To ride in the magic sleigh and see the North Pole, naturally.” Elle draped a blanket over herself and rested her head on his shoulder.

  "Should've known. What would you ask for now?"

  "I don't think the big guy in the red suit makes house calls for twenty-somethings, Philip."

  "Maybe not, but that doesn't mean adult
s can't have Christmas wishes."

  She sighed weakly. “I think we both know Santa can't bring me what I really want. A miraculous recovery can't be wrapped in a box."

  "That won't stop me from hoping and praying for one."

  "You really believe in miracles?"

  "Sure I do. After all, this is the season for them. And as far as I'm concerned, I've already experienced one."

  "You have?"

  "Yes and I'm holding it right now. Who would have thought we'd be here at this moment in time when days ago we didn't even know we were in the same city until a patient brought us back together?"

  Elle grinned and shook her head. “Somehow, I doubt the poor man who had to go into anaphylactic shock to make our paths cross would agree with you."

  "Maybe he would. How often is life so serendipitous that you have a doctor twenty feet away when you desperately need one?"

  "I guess you could be right. You were there for me when I fainted, and more importantly, when I needed someone to confide in. I don't know how I would've gotten through this without you."

  "And you're never going to find out.” He planted a kiss on her forehead.

  "I still can't help feeling guilty. People are supposed to care for one another in relationships and right now you're getting a full load."

  "That's not true. You've cared for me before. Remember when I got chickenpox?"

  Elle chuckled quietly. “Yeah, it's kind of hard to forget the whining. Your mom actually called a few times just to see how I was holding up from dealing with you."

  "I know I was a pain, but you still made me soup and slathered on calamine lotion."

  "We both know that doesn't compare to what's coming next week,” she said seriously.

  "I know. But we'll deal with it. In fact, if you're so worried about it, I know something you could do for me on New Year's Eve if you're feeling up to it."

  "What's that?"

  "When my mother makes us play board games until midnight, you could be my partner so my kid brother finally gets stuck partnered with Aunt Trudy."

  "I've liked everyone I've met in your family. What's so bad about Aunt Trudy?"

  "She takes board games very seriously and will hit you with her cane if you aren't equally as passionate. It's Landon's turn to get a few bruises."

  "Isn't that a bit cruel?"

  "Nah, he'll have a couple of docs nearby. He'll be fine."

  "This from the guy who was just talking about Christmas miracles?"

  Philip cracked a smile. “Being reunited with a lost love at Christmastime is a miracle. Nothing about the wrath of Aunt Trudy is miraculous. And—"

  "Whoa!” Elle exclaimed when a bright light suddenly flashed in the night sky and illuminated the room. “Did you see that?"

  Philip nodded. “Yeah, look up in the left corner, it's a shooting star! Hurry and make a wish."

  Silent moments passed.

  "What did you wish for, Philip?"

  "I can't share that, you know the drill."

  "It's a shooting star, not a birthday cake. Tell me."

  Philip took her hand and ran his fingertips over the diamond ring. “I wished that next Christmas we will both be wearing wedding rings and have a photo from the ceremony on the wall in the hallway here alongside your family."

  "Y-You didn't wish that I'd be in remission?” she stammered.

  "I didn't have to wish for that,” he said calmly, kissing the scar on her neck, comforted by the strong pulse that vibrated up to his lips. “Because I know you will be."

  Church bells sounded in the distance, blending in with the chime of a grandfather clock and faint chorus of echoed cheers downstairs. “It must be midnight. Merry Christmas!"

  "Merry Christmas, Ellie. Now we should bring in the holiday with a kiss,” Philip suggested.

  "You know that's a New Year's Eve tradition."

  "Yeah, I know, but Aunt Trudy frowns upon lack of participation and public displays of affection. We should get it in now."

  Without another word, Elle claimed his lips in a passionate kiss to celebrate the start of Christmas Day and the life they would build together and fight to save.

  * * * *

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Connecting Flights

  * * * *

  Judith Leigh

  * * * *

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Judith Leigh lives in rural Florida with her own hero, her husband who served 28 years in the Air Force. They have been married 43 years producing three children, thirteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She writes historical, contemporary and mainstream fiction. Her first novel with Highland Press, When the Vow Breaks, deals with breast cancer, with which she has had first-hand knowledge. As a twenty-two year cancer survivor, she plans to donate a percentage of the novel's profit to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Judith also has two other novels which will be released by Highland Press Publishing—A Father's Hope and Joshua's Faith.

  Judith's holiday short stories appear in Love Under the Mistletoe, Flames of Gold, and On A Cold Winter's Night.

  Visit Judith on the Web

  judithleigh.net/

  * * * *

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter One

  * * * *

  Elizabeth Rawlings paced in front of the baggage terminal of the Tallahassee, Florida airport. She couldn't believe it had been two hours since her flight had landed, and she still couldn't get her suitcase because of the lightning storm. Was it ever going to stop? Thank heavens the temperature was in the mid forties or they might get some snowflakes, which wasn't the norm in Florida. She was thankful for that. Christmas was the only time she wished for snow.

  She had just finished talking to someone in the baggage department, but that hadn't done any good. She looked at her watch and grimaced. Her daughter, Jena, was probably upset about the bad weather and the delays it caused. The delay gave Elizabeth time to call her mother, though.

  Frustrated, she pulled out her cell phone, flipped its lid, and punched in her mom's number.

  While she listened to the ring and waited for her mother to answer, she scanned the terminal and spotted a man looking in her direction. Probably at someone behind her? She turned. No, no one there. Elizabeth sighed. Great. This was all she needed, some guy stalking her. Yes, the man was drop-dead gorgeous and had a pleasant smile, but so had Ted Bundy. She shook her head. Was Mr. Gorgeous merely flirting? Watching so many murder mysteries had warped her brain.

  "Hello.” Her mother's voice brought her attention back to the phone.

  "Mom, it's me."

  "Elizabeth, it's so good to hear your voice. We've been worried about you in this storm."

  "I'm fine, Mom. The baggage handlers can't unload the bags until the lightning stops, which makes absolutely no sense since they didn't care that we walked in it to get to the terminal.” Elizabeth paced. Out of her side vision, she noticed the hunk, seated not far from her. Their eyes met. She ducked her head. “Is Jena okay?"

  "She's fine. Her friend Lexie spent the night and they're up in her room. Do you want to speak to her?"

  "Yes, if you can tear her away from Lexie."

  "No trouble. I'll holler for her."

  Elizabeth held the phone away from her ear as her mother yelled. Smiling, she shook her head, and the dark-haired hunk smiled at her, tipping his head. Something about him seemed familiar, but what? She'd never seen him before today. With his good looks, there was no way she'd forget meeting him. When she heard her daughter's voice, she broke eye contact.

  "Hey, Jena, I hear your grandmother let Lexie spend the night."

  "Yes. Mom, she is so cool. That's why I love staying with Grandma."

  "I hope you didn't keep her up late."

  "No, we kept the noise down. I'm so glad your plane finally landed. The lightning is pretty bad here. What's it like at the airport? “

  "Lots of thunder and lightning. That's why I'm running late. The baggage h
andlers can't bring in bags until the weather calms down. I'm stuck here until then."

  "That really sucks."

  "Yes, it does. By the way, I brought you something."

  "You did? What?"

  "Remember that hunky guy I took you to hear sing?"

  "Chris MacDonald? Oh, yes. He had such dreamy eyes."

  "I got you a T-shirt and one of his CDs."

  "Oh, Mom, that's so cool."

  "You be good and tell your grandmother I'll be there as soon as I can."

  "Okay, Mom. I love you."

  "I love you too. See you soon."

  Elizabeth closed the phone and returned it to the side pocket of her laptop case. She checked to see if the guy was still looking at her, but she didn't see him. She ignored the little flash of disappointment and made her way to the coffee shop across the wide walkway. Right now double latte sounded good.

  * * * *

  Aaron Blake slumped over his table in the coffee shop. The baggage delay was an annoyance, but spotting the pretty redhead had been a nice diversion. A shocking diversion at that. He recognized her, a blast from his past. What were the odds of him running into Beth Dalton, the girl he'd vowed to love forever when he was seventeen? The fact she didn't seem to recognize him dealt his ego a blow. He'd fled to the coffee shop before she had him arrested for stalking. Besides, what would he say to her? Hi. Remember me? When you were sixteen, I'm the boy who promised to love you forever. Yeah right. Not hard to imagine the look she'd give him.

  He took a gulp of coffee and glanced down at the newspaper. Seeing all the Christmas advertisements reminded him if he didn't start shopping soon, he'd be buying gifts at the last minute again.

  "Excuse me. Would you mind if I share your table?"

  He looked up to find the girl of his boyhood dreams standing in front of him.

  "I'd be honored, Beth.” He grinned as he looked up into her beautiful green eyes. They still held him captive.

  Elizabeth's mouth fell open. “Only one person ever called me Beth, mainly because he knew I hated it.” She collapsed into the chair. “Aaron?"

  "That's me.” The mischievous grin formed across his lips. “You haven't changed, Beth. You're as beautiful as ever."