by Mimi Barbour
He knelt so they were eye to eye. "You hit your head on the steering wheel. You ran into a tree."
Oh, God. Her stomach clenched as memories flashed through her mind—she was driving to her parents, the weather was bad. It had been snowing, the girls singing Christmas carols… The girls! "My children," she choked on the words and tried to move, but he kept his hand on her shoulder. "Are...are they here with me?" No! They were no more than babies. Only five and seven. It was too soon for them to see their daddy again. They deserved a life!
"Yes, but they’re fine. Not a scratch." He smiled and glanced over his shoulder. She followed his gaze. Her children stood in the snow, looking like two little Elves dressed in their matching red and green striped leggings, their bright Christmas sweaters. A small Dalmatian pup was squirming in their hands, struggling to break free.
Relief rushed over her in a hot wave. Her daughters were alive. Jennie blinked away tears. Oh, thank the dear Lord! She whipped her head around—the movement causing her a sharp stab of pain. She was still in her car. It smelled like snow and pine trees and coffee. Earthly sights and smells. "I don't understand. How can this be heaven, if I'm in a car and they're not hurt?"
He laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners, his full mouth resting in a smile. "You're in Heaven, Pennsylvania."
Jennie closed her eyes and took in the news. It was cold because he had the car door open. It smelled like coffee because she’d spilled her mug. "Oh. That is good.” Her front window was cracked and the heavy pine scent came from the branch in her passenger side. “No wonder I hurt." She touched her forehead and felt something sticky. "Katie? Brooke," she called to her children, needing to feel their warm, sweet bodies, to reassure herself that they were truly alive and well. The nice man leaned back as her daughters rushed forward. She’d lost enough in this past year, and if she'd lost them too. Well, it was unbearable. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, think about that.
"Mommy, are you okay?" Katie poked her head in and looked at her. Her daughter’s eyes were a golden shade of brown, and right now they were wide with fear. "You scared us. You wouldn't wake up." She bit her lip, having learned too young about loss.
Jennie's head throbbed, but it was a minor problem compared to what could have been. "I'm fine, sweetheart."
"Good." Katie moved away from the door so Brooke could see into the car. Her five-year-old held the wriggling black and white dog and wore a big grin. “Look at the puppy. He's so cute." Brooke squealed as it tugged on her auburn braid like a chew toy.
The dog. More memories came back, like flashing headlights. Jennie had pulled off the highway, needing gas and a bathroom break. It was snowing, but not a heavy snow. Big, fluffy flakes. She had made the turn and was easing into the station when that dog ran in front of her car. She'd stomped on her brakes, swerved into a tree, and that's the last thing she remembered until she woke up with a stranger's face peering into hers.
"Help me out?" she asked him.
He rubbed the cleft in his smooth chin and shook his head. "The gas station owner called 911 and the ambulance is on the way. The police have been notified too."
She nodded. "Yes, but my children need me."
"You were knocked unconscious, ma’am, which means it’s probably a concussion. The medics will want to check you out."
"I need to hold my kids." Jennie heard them playing with the puppy and knew they were fine, but she wanted them in her arms anyway. She undid her seatbelt, wondering why the airbags in her car hadn't deployed. Her stomach rolled at the smear of blood on the steering wheel. "Please?" She tried to push herself out of the seat, but the stranger’s gentle grip was stronger than it seemed and kept her in place.
"I can't, ma'am. You wouldn't be here right now if I hadn’t been chasing the puppy, trying to catch him so he wouldn’t get hurt. I'm responsible for you."
She heard sirens and knew the ambulance was close. But before they came and whisked her away, she needed to feel her children safe in her arms. "Just one second with my girls."
He glanced at the kids and back at her. "Girls!" he called out. "Come give your mother a hug."
"I'm sorry," he said, "but what are your names?"
The girls dropped the dog as the ambulance pulled off the highway. They had been fine a minute ago but now they both burst into tears and squeezed between the door, the stranger and her lap. "This is Katie, and my youngest is Brooke. I'm Jennie."
"I'm Nick Ryan," he said, stepping away to give the girls more space.
She kissed their cheeks, and tasted their salty tears. "I love you both so much. If anything happened to you..." Jennie bit back a sob. She said a prayer of thanks and hugged them tight. Life was fleeting, fragile. Had Daniel been looking out for them tonight? A guardian angel?
Her husband had been a naval officer in Norfolk, Virginia on a training exercise when his helicopter went down. It was in January, almost a year ago.
"Don't cry, Mommy,” Katie said, frowning at Jennie’s forehead. “We'll take care of you."
She forced a smile and ignored the stabbing pain in her temple. "I know you will. You're the best girls in the world."
"Oh, oh." Brooke pushed out of her arms. "We forgot the dog. He's running away." Katie left her embrace too, in an eager attempt to catch the dog. The bad pup raced by the car, wagging his tail and running toward the gas pumps.
Nick leaned in, as if sensing how she must feel being deserted for an unknown pup. "You know kids," he said. "They can't sit still."
She swallowed a lump in her throat. "Yeah. I know. Hope you catch your dog." Jennie glanced at him, wondering why he hadn't had the pup on a leash. The accident could have been avoided.
"That’s not my dog," he said with a shrug and a crooked grin. "I was on my way to work and saw him running down the road. I gave chase, trying to save him from getting run over, and darn near got you all killed instead." He glanced at her head injury and frowned. “I am so sorry, Jennie.”
She sniffed. Whatever was he wearing? He smelled, well, heavenly. She turned her head and buried her nose in his collar, and sniffed again. His scent was a mixture of sweat and cologne. Manly. Why she could appreciate this now was beyond her. Could be the emotional state she was in after crashing into a tree, or the simple fact she hadn't been touched by a man in a year. She hadn't been aware that she'd missed it.
"And don't worry about the bills," the nice smelling man named Nick said. "I'll take care of everything."
"You don't need to do that," she answered. "I'm not destitute. Not yet, anyway. I have insurance, too." She gave a brief smile. "I don't want to go to the hospital. Would you do me a huge favor and tell the ambulance driver that I'm fine?"
"Nope. Listen, have them check you over and if the hospital releases you, call me and I'll drive you to the Inn. We only have one in town and they always have room. But I'm not going to let you sign off." He shifted so they were practically nose to nose and spoke quietly. "I'm not being obstinate, just practical. Years ago a buddy of mine had a sister, and she was skiing in Aspen during Spring break. She took a bad fall, and allowed the ski patrol to take her down the mountain, but then she refused treatment.” His expression darkened. “She never made it through the night."
"That's a terrible story." She touched her throbbing head. "You win. I'll go. For everyone's peace of mind," she added, holding his gaze. He had a very caring face. Like Daniel's, she thought. A face that she had loved with everything in her heart.
"Thank you." He leaned back, giving her some room to breathe. "So where were you headed before I messed up your plans?"
"Philadelphia. To spend the holidays with my parents." She sighed. "We were almost there, but I was low on gas and the girls needed a bathroom.”
He dug into the front pocket of his black winter coat and pulled out a phone. "Give me their number and I'll call them."
"That's kind of you, but if I could have my phone, I could do it." She glanced around. "I don't see it." Panic rose in her voice. Tears we
ren't far away.
Nick cleared his throat and she looked up into his warm brown eyes. "We'll find your phone later. Is there anyone else I should let know? A husband? The girls’ father?"
"No.” She took a calming breath, holding herself together. “Just my parents. John and Louise Howard."
Before she could say more, the ambulance arrived. Uniformed medics carried a stretcher toward her. She wouldn't refuse treatment. She was a single parent now, and couldn't afford to take any chances.
Nick stepped away, allowing the two young men to take over. "I'll meet you at the hospital," he told her. "Don't worry. I'll call your parents and take care of the car. Everything will be fine."
“Thanks.” She nodded and spoke to the medics. "The kids...Can they ride in the ambulance with me?"
"Yes, ma'am. They should be looked at too." Carefully, they lifted her onto the stretcher, asking her routine questions. Katie grabbed Jennie’s purse from the car, brushing broken glass from the strap. Brooke carried her and Katie’s backpacks. Jennie gave the medics the information they requested, and then she and the girls were lifted into the ambulance.
The last thing Jennie saw before they closed the ambulance door was Nick sneaking up behind the pup, grabbing hold of him tight, and then cradling him in his arms.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A1AWBU0
About Patrice Wilton
Patrice loves to connect with her readers and receive personal emails. She will always answer! Contact her at [email protected]
CONTACT INFORMATION
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Other Books By Patrice Wilton
THE CANDY BAR SERIES--https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NFNE78A
REPLACING BARNIE #1
WHERE WISHES COME TRUE #2
NIGHT MUSIC #3
FOR THE LOVE OF CANDY #4
RETURNING WAR HERO SERIES--https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B1D43C6
A HERO LIES WITHIN #1
HANDLE WITH CARE #2
AT FIRST SIGHT #3
SERENDIPITY FALLS SERIES--https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IQEP5Z2
SERENDIPITY FALLS #1
WEDDING FEVER #2
A COUGAR FOR KYLE #3
PARADISE COVE SERIES--https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7J56WN
PARADISE COVE #1
HOOKED ON YOU #2
PLAY RIGHT BY ME #3
RIGHT MAN / WRONG GROOM #4
HEAVENLY CHRISTMAS SERIES--https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LG87NDG
A HEAVENLY CHRISTMAS #1
SOMEONE TO LOVE #2
CHRISTMAS WISH #3
A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION #4
We Wish You
A Ferret Christmas
Nikki Lynn Barrett
USA Today Bestselling Author
Copyright © 2015 Nikki Lynn Barrett
Book Description
One lost and found ferret may bring two broken families together this Christmas.
Widower Lance Rossiter is struggling this holiday season. His young daughter is recovering after an accident. The first thing she asks for when she's able to talk again is her lost pet's whereabouts- the very same pet Lance blames for the accident...
Cara McLean is still dealing with her feelings about her son's recent diagnoses. The widowed mother of two very different kids feels like she's coming apart at the seams. When her son attaches himself to a stray ferret, the situation brings her closer to Lance and his daughter.
The pair quickly learn they have a lot in common and form a deep emotional bond, but neither can let go of the insecurities from their past. They're forced to reevaluate the things that haunt them before the shot of a future together is shattered.
Awards and Praise
“Her characters definitely come to life and pull you in, her plot is always thrilling, and she loves to keep you wondering just where this path is leading then turns you halfway through just to throw you off track.” - Literary Misfit
“I can compare Mrs. Barrett to some of my favorite authors that I grew up reading.” - Kristy's Reviews & Random Thoughts
“Take my word for it grab this book or any other by this author, get the tissues ready and fall in love with her books like I did.” - Racing To Read
Chapter One
“We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you....” Children's voices blended with a few adult ones filled the hallways.
Seriously? Lance Rossiter glanced up from the magazine he'd barely been looking at anyway to peer out the hospital room door. Christmas carolers? So people still did things like that? He found it a little disheartening that Christmas tunes were sung as a background noise to beeping machines- one of them currently hooked up to his five year old daughter to monitor her breathing.
Fine. Maybe some people felt the need to surround themselves with the holiday. He could put on a little cheer and go with the flow. He loved Christmas, as did Tamara, but his bad mood reflected on his first reaction to wave off the cheery carolers.
Nah, really they were a welcome sound. Plastering on a smile, he stood and quietly moved toward the holiday cheerers. He watched as the group of around eight or more kids with two adults slowly walked down the hospital hallways singing. In their hands, they each carried a bag. Lance spotted a teddy bear hanging out of one of them. So not only were they singing, but bringing gifts as well. Maybe a get-well effort? Kind of like candy stripers, or whatever you call them. They weren't over-the-top loud, and their harmonies blended well. Others had taken up his idea and lined the doors of hospital rooms. Some were wearing a smile, but others were unsure what to make of the whole scene. When the kids spread out and handed each person a bag, his heart melted. Well, this wasn't something he saw every day. What a sweet gesture. Whoever organized this event deserved a medal. This was a perfect way to brighten a sick child's day.
A little sandy blond haired boy Lance guessed to be about seven trailed behind. He wasn't singing, and his face was masked into one of confusion and worry. The woman leading the group stopped, smiled, and held her hand out to him. “Come on, Alex. Don't be afraid,” she soothed. “You love music.”
The boy didn't reach for her hand. He trailed close behind the woman, but didn't make eye contact with her. His gaze was cast downward. The child shuffled his feet along the tile.
“Look up at me, please,” the woman said softly. The rest of their party continued down the hall singing. The kid clutched the gift bag.
Lance should have gone inside, but he continued to watch the two. Most of the other patients and family members had already disappeared from the doorway, probably taking pictures of the goodies, posting them on social media, and sharing them with the patients.
“No! Leave me alone!” The boy screamed and ran from her, barreling straight towards Lance. Startled, he took a step back as the boy plowed into him, ran into the room, and closed himself off in the bathroom.
Alrighty then. Talk about awkward.
“I'm so terribly sorry!” The woman's cheeks reddened as she darted toward him. “I'd hoped for a better outcome today.” She shoved her frizzy brown curls from her face.
Unsure what to do or say, Lance shrugged his shoulders. “Kids will be kids.” He stared back at Tamara and hoped this situation could be resolved quickly. He felt for the little boy, who was obviously having some kind of meltdown. He also sympathized with the woman, who'd become very flustered and nervous.
“Alex, please come out of the bathroom. I don't want to have to call your mom. She's very busy at work today,” she coaxed from outside the door.
The sound of crying wafted through the walls. Lance didn't want to sit back down, but standing around seemed like the wrong thing to do. He didn't want to leave the room in search of a nurse or someone else who could help, either. He blew out a breath and hoped to hide his exasperation. While patient and understanding, he silently pleaded with no one in particular for
this to get situated quickly.
The woman glanced back at him again. “I really am sorry-”
“It happens.” He waved it off, but Lance wished he'd never walked toward the door. Would that have stopped the little boy from running into his room? Maybe not. Thank God for little favors, though. Tamara hadn't woken from her nap to this mess.
The woman pulled out a cell phone and, in a desperate plea, spoke into it. “Cara? I'm sorry to bother you, but Alex locked himself in a bathroom at the hospital. In a patient's room. I think it's best you come down here.”
Lance stifled a groan. This could take a while.
As the boy inside the bathroom continued to wail, the sound of Christmas carolers on TV now drew his attention, singing the same song he'd just heard.
“We wish you a Merry Christmas....”
Some Christmas.
*****
Cara McLean ignored the frustrated mixed with pity stare from her boss as once again she had to leave her desk for another meltdown rescue. Alex had been been having meltdown after meltdown at school, and more frequently she continued to go there to coax him out of a room. It wasn't really the teachers' faults. They didn't know how to handle him.
Just before school, Alex had been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, after countless appointments and evaluations. She'd dodged the suggestions for months about moving Alex to a more private school setting. He was a bright kid and had a lot of talent, but it appeared his behavioral issues were going to be in the way of regular learning.
It took her a long time to accept it, and Cara hoped the damage hadn't already been done. She'd agonized over the decision and the pros and cons of it since the diagnosis. It didn't help being a widowed mom of two and going at this alone, especially since Cara had attempted to convince her late husband that something wasn't right with Alex. No, he'd avoided the subject and said she was paranoid. Nothing could be wrong with his son.
