A Heart For Christmas (Heartwarming Romance)

by Callie Timmins

  “Yeah. Can’t wait to see you.” Kara felt her shoulders relax and the stress slowly disappear at the thought of seeing Marie again. Oh, how she longed to be with someone who wouldn’t judge her or laugh at her gullibility over her relationship woes.

  “I can’t wait to see you, either. It’s been far too long. We’ll talk more when you get here. By the way, has that jerk called you?”

  “No. And I don’t really care.” Kara exhaled, thankful Steve had given up trying to contact her after she blocked his number and refused to take his calls at the law firm. He could grovel all he liked, but there was no way she was going to let him back into her life.

  “Good for you. You’ll get over this. You’re strong,” Marie replied. “See you soon.”

  With her shoulders relaxed and a small smile playing on her lips, Kara willed the next half hour to go quickly.

  Car horns blasted and sirens pierced the air as the city limits came into view. Billboards flickered with images of the latest fashion and theater advertisements, and pedestrians played chicken with the traffic.

  Kara slammed on the brakes, narrowly avoiding a man in a suit dashing across the road. He waved his briefcase in the air in an angry salute, while she slowly eased the car forward through the traffic and navigated towards the west side of the city. What a crazy place! The hustle and bustle was a huge change to the quieter pace back in Splitsville. She chuckled at the new name she’d given her hometown. Splitsville indeed.

  Finally, a woman’s voice filled the car, informing Kara she’d reached her destination. She pulled to the curb outside a brownstone apartment building. Boxwood shrubs stood tall in concrete planters on either side of the double glass entry doors. Stepping out of the car, Kara stretched her aching muscles and arched her neck up, her gaze taking in the floors and floors of building above her, before hauling her suitcase from the trunk. A doorman dressed in a black jacket with gold trim, black pants and matching black hat, opened one door as she approached. A gold name badge on his jacket read, Maxwell.

  “Welcome to Valessia.” He greeted her with a gleaming white-toothed smile. “How may I be of assistance?”

  “Hello,” Kara replied, adjusting her purse straps over her shoulder as the doorman took the suitcase from her. “Level eight, please. I’m visiting the Falconers.”

  “Brilliant. Follow me.”

  Kara’s flats tapped across the black and white checkerboard tiles as she followed Maxwell to the elevators. Numbers ticked over and soon the doors opened with a ding. Kara stepped inside and reached for her suitcase.

  “I’m okay from here, thanks.”

  Maxwell pressed the button for Marie’s floor and tipped his hat. “Have a nice day, Ma’am. If I can be of any assistance during your stay, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “Thank you.” The doors closed and Kara leaned against the mirrored wall of the elevator as it took her up to level eight. Her stomach dropped with the upward movement, and for a brief moment, it felt like all her cares were falling away. If only it were that simple.

  Chapter 3

  The black paneled door of the apartment swung open barely a second after Kara pressed the doorbell.

  “Hello!” Marie flung her arms around Kara in an embrace that almost had the two of them tumbling through the doorway. Kara steadied herself against the wall and grinned at her cousin. Marie had dyed her hair blonde and it had been styled into a short, tapering bob since last time she’d seen her. So stylish in comparison to her own layered mousy-brown do.

  “You look amazing.”

  “Pfft.” Marie waved the comment away and grabbed Kara’s hand, leading her inside the spacious apartment.

  “Wow, this is beautiful,” Kara gasped, eyeing the dark timber floors with contrasting white paneled walls. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, and she could make out a green strip of parkland between the gap in the buildings across the road.

  “That’s because I cleaned up,” Marie replied, gesturing to a stool at the kitchen counter. “I don’t normally have floors that sparkle. Two kids, you know.”

  “Of course,” Kara chuckled, gazing around the spacious, open-plan apartment. Colorful artwork adorned the walls and a family portrait of Marie, her husband David, and their two daughters, Jennifer and Violet, hung over a cream leather sofa.

  “It’s still so weird thinking of you as a mom. Do you remember when we were kids and dreamed of such things?” She pushed aside the twinge of melancholy at her shattered dreams. Not that the demise of her relationship rested entirely on her shoulders; she wasn’t the one who’d chosen to cheat.

  “I know.” Marie filled the water reservoir on the espresso machine. “And here we are, a million years later. Do you want some coffee? I’m dying for a cup.” Kara nodded as Marie placed a cup under the machine and hit a button. Soon, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air.

  Kara ran her fingers over the swirls in the marble countertop. “I won’t stay here long, okay? I’ll find a job and then a place of …”

  “Kara, you can stay here as long as you want. There’s room, and we’re more than happy to have you. It will be great to have a woman to gossip with. Here, coffee.” Marie slid a cup across the counter.

  Kara smiled her thanks as she wrapped her hands around the cup of steaming liquid. She closed her eyes, inhaling the delightful scent. The first cup of the day was always the best, and roadside diner coffee earlier that morning didn’t count.

  “What kind of job are you wanting?” Marie added a dollop of cream to her cup and stirred. “I know it’s early days and all that.”

  “Oh, I really don’t care.” Kara’s gaze drifted to the window where a sparrow had landed on the sill outside. “I’ll work at Macy’s, or as a waitress somewhere. Whatever. I just want to do something and keep my mind off … things.”

  For the first time in her life, she didn’t have any goals or aspirations, and it felt freeing. Not that her previous goals had been anything exciting. Marry Steve. Buy a house. Have children. That had been the extent of the vision for her life. Not very ambitious when she thought about it. She’d been so used to having everything comfortable and just so. Now, it both scared and excited her with the possibilities that lay ahead.

  “I’ll keep my eye out for you. There might be something at the hospital.”

  Kara placed her cup on the counter and shook her head. “I’m not trained in anything medical.” The thought of anything with blood or gore made her stomach turn.

  Marie ran her finger around the rim of her cup. “Not every job at the hospital requires a medical degree. There are receptionists, and there’s …”

  “That sounds good.” Kara rubbed her eyes before pushing her half-finished cup of coffee aside. “I don’t mean to be rude, but would you mind if I take a nap? The drive has suddenly caught up with me.”

  “Of course.” Marie stood and grabbed Kara’s suitcase, wheeling it along the hallway. “Your room’s up this way.”

  The brightly lit hallway was adorned with various photos of Marie’s family, all smiling in what appeared to be a variety of holiday destinations. Kara shoved aside the small stab of jealousy in the pit of her stomach. She had no right to be jealous. And yet, the photos of her cousin’s family represented the life she was supposed to have had with Steve. The steady, perfect, all-smiling life. Instead, she was in a new city, far away from all she’d known, starting her life from scratch.

  “Here you go.” Marie ushered Kara into a bedroom at the end of the hall. A large bed with a white comforter filled the room. Lace curtains covered the window that overlooked another brownstone apartment building. Marie wheeled the suitcase to the oak dresser. “Take as long as you need. I’ll see you when you wake up.”

  Kara perched on the side of the bed and slipped off her flats. Her limbs weighed heavy with fatigue, and it didn’t take long before she’d crawled under the covers and drifted into a sleep filled with images of white picket fences and a family she would
never know.

  Chapter 4

  “So, Grace is gone?”

  “Hmm?” Caleb glanced up from reading through pathology results on the computer. He’d been due for rounds over an hour ago, but with having to take the children to school, he was running well behind schedule. Miriam had already postponed a few appointments, but bedside rounds were unavoidable. Thankfully he could hide behind the ‘Doctor’s-schedules-always-vary’ excuse. Except he’d always been proud of his punctuality, and now he was running late.

  With Grace no longer in his employ, he needed to find a solution soon, otherwise he didn’t know how he would be able to fit all of his responsibilities into a twenty-four hour period. He’d always had someone else look after the children and worry about homework and extra-curricular activities, not to mention the housework and preparing meals. How was he supposed to do all that, and know where the children were supposed to be and when?

  “Grace.” Miriam snapped her fingers in front of him, drawing him out of his distressing thoughts.

  “Yes. Gone.” Caleb told Miriam what he knew, which was nothing more than what he’d told her earlier that morning when he phoned her in a panic.

  “So, what are you going to do?” Miriam sat in the seat across from his desk; her back straight and pen poised above the notebook on her lap.

  Adjusting the knot of his tie, Caleb sighed. “I don’t know. I need a replacement. But, I don’t have time to be looking for one. Or even the slightest clue of where to start.” That had been Camille’s domain. What would a cardiologist know about nannies? Give him valves and pacemakers any day. But a nanny? Grace had always been there. Meals had always been ready. And the children had always been where they were supposed to be. Now …

  “Leave it with me,” Miriam said, jotting a few notes down on paper. “I’m sure we’ll have everything sorted in no time. Which reminds me.” Tapping the pen, she glanced up. “Christmas. When are you finishing up?”

  Christmas? Caleb glanced at the calendar on his desk, flanked by photos of Lucas and Molly, reminding him that he had two children who needed him. He didn’t want to think about Christmas. If he could work non-stop through the holiday season, he would. That time of year always elicited bad memories. He couldn’t stand seeing other people so joyous when he carried guilt and grief like a lead balloon. Perhaps he should volunteer to be on call. That way he could commiserate with those in hospital and he wouldn’t have to be surrounded by memories that wouldn’t leave him alone.

  “You need a break, Caleb. You can’t keep working yourself to the bone. Besides, those children need you.” And that’s what it always came back to. The fact that he was an awful father.

  He’d somehow bumbled through the aftermath of Camille’s sudden death, carrying enough grief for the children. Burying himself in his work had sufficed short-term. He kept telling himself he’d make more time to be at home when the children were older, but now, he realized Miriam was right. He couldn’t sustain his non-stop hours. He couldn’t continue to keep his distance from the two people who needed him the most. They’d already lost a mother. They didn’t need to lose their father to his career as well.

  “Two weeks. I’ll finish up two weeks before. And then …” He ran a hand through his neat hair, sending a few strands awry. And then he’d just have to wait and see what the New Year brought.

  He caught snippets of Miriam’s conversation as he tried to focus on his schedule. Thankfully he had no procedures booked; only rounds on the hospital wards and his clinic to finish out the day. Then he’d have to pick up Lucas and Molly and … darn it. He wondered if Grace had prepared any meals before she left. Probably not, as her departure was quite sudden. Blow it. Takeout would suffice for one night.

  “You’re somewhere else again, Caleb.”

  “Sorry. Just trying to think ahead.”

  Miriam rose from the chair and drummed her fingers on the desk. “You just focus on your patients. I’ll figure out the rest.”

  He caught Miriam’s gaze and smiled. “Thank you. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “You’d bury yourself in your work, that’s what. Now.” Miriam walked to the door separating his office from the reception area and turned to face him. Her tone was soft and reassuring as she spoke. “Don’t stress about Lucas and Molly. Everything will be fine.”

  Chapter 5

  “How’d you sleep, Kara?” Marie’s husband, David, stood in the kitchen with the morning newspaper spread on the counter in front of him.

  “Really well, actually.” She slid onto a stool at the counter and smoothed over her pants. After her nap the previous day, she’d met David and Marie’s children at the front door after school and listened to their endless chatter about the upcoming Christmas pageant. They were great kids, and it had been wonderful to see how much they’d grown since she last saw them. Excusing herself early after dinner, she’d gone to bed and had slept uninterrupted for the first time in weeks.

  “Good to hear.” David tipped the last of his coffee down the sink before grabbing his briefcase off the counter. “Well, I hope you have a good day in our beautiful city and find it easy enough to settle in.”

  “Thank you. I’m looking forward to exploring a little more, taking some photos and trying to find a job. If you hear of anyone hiring, let me know.” She grinned as David waved goodbye and closed the front door.

  Quiet settled over the apartment, although the relentless hum of traffic drifted up from the street below. Marie had left for work early, and the girls were at school. Kara gazed around the spacious empty room. Now what? She was so accustomed to her routine back home that she didn’t quite know what to do. Possibilities were endless. Should she explore the city? Start job and house hunting straight away? Or curl up with a good book and leave everything for another day?

  After eating a piece of toast washed down with a glass of orange juice, Kara grabbed her satchel and camera and made her way outside, greeting Maxwell on her way to the street.

  “Good morning, Ma’am.”

  “Morning, Maxwell,” Kara replied, adjusting sunglasses on her face as she stepped outside. She paused on the stoop, taking in her surroundings. The cars driving by. The multi-level buildings stretching towards the heavens. The pop of color from trees on the sidewalk.

  “Where are you heading this morning?” Maxwell folded his hands in front of him.

  “Oh, I don’t really know. I’m just going to start exploring and hopefully take some photos on my way.”

  “That’s a fine looking camera you have there. Are you a professional?”

  Kara chuckled. “No! Not at all. It’s just a hobby.” She loved photography. She enjoyed seeing the beauty in things and making images come to life through the lens. But it was something she hadn’t done in a very long time. Steve had never shared her enthusiasm for her craft, and she’d gradually let it fall by the wayside.

  Irritation bubbled beneath the surface as she realized he had squashed a lot of her ideas over the years. When had she settled for comfortable and steady? Well, no more. She was no longer under Steve’s influence. The world was her oyster – or New York City at least – and she was a free spirit to do as she pleased.

  Maxwell gave her a brief overview of sights to see – some tourist attractions, and some places only familiar to locals on the West Side. She made a note of the buildings to visit for their architecture and history, and the pockets of parkland nearby.

  Adjusting the camera strap around her neck, Kara straightened her shoulders. It was a new day. She was a new woman. And she couldn’t wait to explore the city that lay at her doorstep.

  With a spring in her step, she bid goodbye to Maxwell and made her way down the street, passing other brownstone apartment buildings before crossing over and cutting through a park that ran between two blocks. She stopped several times, snapping pictures of buildings – their varied architecture, and close ups of flowers in bloom. It was nice to see pops of color in the midst of
the concrete jungle. No matter which way she turned, there was always something to see and capture.

  After a few hours of walking, Kara found herself staring up at the gray concrete walls of the Metropolitan Hospital. Her stomach growled, and she glanced at her watch, surprised at how quickly the morning had passed.

  Pulling her phone from her purse, she sent a quick text to Marie.

  Are you free for lunch? I’m standing out the front of the hospital.

  Her phone soon dinged with an incoming message.

  Would love to. Come up to the third floor. I’ll meet you in the lobby.

  Kara followed the signs in the hospital and soon found herself in the lobby waiting for Marie. She moved to the window, away from the busyness of the department where visitors, patients and medical staff rushed by. A woman’s voice could be heard over the speaker system, calling for a Doctor Franz to attend to department four, wherever that was.

  “There you are!” Marie walked over, tucked some files under her arm and pulled Kara into an embrace. “Oof! What was that?” Stepping back, she rubbed her hip.

  “Oh, sorry!” Kara moved the camera to her side. “I’ve been out exploring and taking photos.”

  “Did you get some good ones?” Marie gestured for her to follow as she walked toward the elevator.

  “I hope so. It’s such a vibrant place. There’s always something going on. Always something to see.”

  Marie nodded. “There is. And you’re seeing it with fresh eyes, which is always exciting.” They stepped inside the elevator, slotting into the already crowded cart, and rode to the ground floor. “Are you happy with hospital cafeteria food?”

  “I’m happy with anything at the moment!” Kara exclaimed, keeping pace with Marie as they crossed the main lobby towards the cafeteria. After ordering and taking their trays of sandwiches and coffee to a vacant table by the front window, Kara offloaded her camera and satchel onto the empty chair beside her.