The Doctor's Instant Family

by Mindy Neff

  “Dogs in the bed,” Chance complained fondly from the doorway. “You’ve spoiled them rotten and they’ll never be the same.” He scooped up the puppy and tucked it between the girls. For several minutes there were giggles and barks as animals and children—and Chance—played and goofed around.

  “Okay, settle down everyone,” Kelly said. The five occupants on the bed gave her a look that clearly stated she was a killjoy.

  “Mom’s right. Better mind or we’ll all be in trouble.”

  After hugs and kisses, including the dogs, Kelly and Chance turned off the lights and headed back to the living room to finish wrapping gifts.

  “I’m a sucker for big round eyes,” she said.

  Chance raised a brow. “How about mine? Are they big and round enough?”

  “Is that one of those wolf questions?”

  He laughed. “I’m crazy about you, Hollywood.”

  “Yeah, well, get to wrapping, or Santa’s gonna get caught with the goods.”

  “Slave driver.”

  “You’re worse than they are, you know. What if Snowball piddles in the bed?”

  “I’ll put him back in his box after everyone’s asleep.” He reached over and stuck his finger on the ribbon she’d wrapped around a box, holding it in place so she could tie a bow.

  “Thanks. Will your family be coming out for Christmas?”

  “No. They alternate. This year they’re spending Christmas with my sisters, but everyone is coming out here for New Year’s Eve. I’d like you to meet them.”

  Kelly wasn’t sure that would be possible. Perhaps she could delay her trip home just a bit. A couple of days, maybe. Because she’d like to meet his family—especially his mother. She wanted to compliment the woman personally on her incredible paintings. And she wanted to buy and have one shipped to her.

  Mentally making plans to leave was depressing her.

  “Your one sister’s name is Lisa. What’s the other’s?”

  “Allison.”

  “So how’d you come by your name? It’s not exactly commonplace.”

  “I’m the youngest. They named me Chance because they were taking one last chance to have a boy baby before they quit at their agreed-upon limit of three.”

  “Ah. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Your mom’s a creative person.”

  “That she is.”

  “What’s it like having a famous mom?”

  “I don’t think of her as famous. She’s just my mom. She baked cookies and cheered at football games and pitched a fit when she found out I was the one who drove the pickup truck through the Langleys’ field and inadvertently got Emily Bodine—she was a Vincent then—hauled in for being underage and out after curfew.”

  “You were a bad boy.”

  “Of course not. I was charming.”

  She laughed. “Your modesty astounds me.”

  “Yeah, but you love it.”

  Her hands stilled on the ribbon. Their gazes met. She nearly agreed with him, caught herself.

  Standing, she took the box and placed it under the tree.

  He came up behind her. “Why do you do that?”

  She didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “Because I’m scared.”

  He put his arms around her, drew her back against his chest. “It’s okay to be scared. Just don’t pull away.”

  “Chance—”

  The phone rang, startling them both. Kelly looked at the clock. It was only nine-thirty. Not really that late. But calls at night usually meant Chance was needed at someone’s house.

  She watched him pick up the phone from the end table, then frowned as he held the receiver out to her.

  “It’s for you. A Dr. Laura Gorman.”

  The partner in her practice.

  Kelly took the receiver, sat down on the couch. “Laura, how are you?”

  “I hope I’m not calling too late. I didn’t think about the time difference until I’d already dialed.”

  “No. It’s fine. It’s still early. Is everything all right?”

  “Yes. Actually it’s great…from my end, anyway. I’m not so sure how you’ll feel about it.”

  “What’s up?”

  “I’ve been offered a professorship at UCI Medical Center as head of their children’s orthopedics department.”

  “Oh, Laura, that’s wonderful. Are you considering it?”

  “I’ve accepted, Kelly. That’s why I’m calling. It’s what I’ve always wanted, and it’s a great honor to be asked. The position starts after the first of the year. I guess I just needed your assurance that you were going to be back by then.”

  That had been the plan all along. So why did she suddenly feel so odd? She glanced at Chance, who was standing by the fireplace, staring at the flames. His back was to her, but he was obviously hearing her side of the conversation.

  “It’ll mean that some of my patients will shift over to you,” Laura said, then paused. “Kelly? You are coming back, aren’t you?”

  “Of course.” Oh, God.

  “Listen to me. I’m a horrible person for not asking right away. How are the girls?”

  “Thriving.”

  Laura paused. “Montana’s that good for them?”

  “It seems so.”

  “And Kimmy?”

  “No words, but she’s starting to resemble the little girl she once was.”

  “That’s terrific news,” Laura said gently. They were partners and friends, knew about each other’s lives, but they weren’t the kind of pals who shared every secret and socialized a lot outside of work.

  “You know, kiddo, I realize you wanted to ease up on your caseload when you came back, and with that in mind I took the liberty to talk with a couple of colleagues who’ve expressed an interest in joining the group—Michael Leland and Stephanie MacNiel.”

  “From San Diego?” Kelly asked. She knew their reputations. They were excellent surgeons. It would definitely boost her career to align herself with them.

  “Yes. I’m pretty sure they’re willing to make the move to L.A. I can set up a meeting with them if you want, but it really should be you doing the interviewing, since you’ll be working with them…won’t you?”

  It was all so much to think about. Here she was geared up for Christmas, experiencing things she’d never experienced, becoming part of a community, falling in love, watching her daughters laugh and smile and frolic.

  Damn it, she’d acquired a puppy.

  All of which she never should have done since she’d known her time here was only temporary.

  But life had intruded. Fate had intervened.

  Chance Hammond had happened.

  And now reality had reared its head to smack her in the face, to remind her what was at stake. A lifetime of work. A career. A five-year lease on an office building that would be a huge financial burden if she walked away from it.

  Perhaps in the back of her mind she’d thought that Laura would always be there to handle the practice. To be honest, Kelly hadn’t done a lot of thinking lately. She’d only been going with the flow, enjoying, living in a dreamworld.

  A regular Scarlett O’Hara worrying about tomorrow when it came.

  It had come.

  “Why don’t you do the preliminary interviews, Laura? I’ll touch base with you after Christmas.” Three days. Kelly’s heart felt heavy in her chest. Three days to decide. Three days to say goodbye.

  She took a breath. “Laura? Congratulations, sweetie. This is a terrific honor, and you deserve it.”

  “Thanks, Kel. Merry Christmas. Give the girls a hug.”

  “I will. Merry Christmas to you, too.”

  She hung up the phone and looked up. Chance was watching her.

  “Problem?”

  It shouldn’t be, so why did it feel like it? “Not really. That was my partner. She’s been offered a professorship at a teaching hospital.”

  “Where does that leave you?”

  Her smile was forced, she knew it. But she had three days. This wa
s her time. Hers and her daughters. She’d wanted a new experience, a special holiday. She was going to enjoy it.

  She felt she should apologize to Chance. But for what? Her career? “It leaves me to scramble for another partner for the group.”

  He was watching her closely. She saw both resignation and respect. Chance wasn’t a man to compete like Steve, to begrudge an opportunity. He was too self-assured. Too special a man.

  “You have a lot to think about,” he said quietly.

  She went to him then. “Right now, I have Christmas to think about. And gifts to wrap.”

  The heat of his body radiated toward her, tempted her. She put her hands on his shirtfront, her eyes pleading for him to understand, to not make it more difficult. It wasn’t fair, what she was asking of him.

  She had an idea that she knew his feelings, though she couldn’t be absolutely certain. He’d never professed to love her. Never actually asked her for a commitment. For long-term. He’d respected her need for distance.

  He’d never asked her to give up anything for him, and she didn’t think he ever would.

  The only thing on which she was absolutely certain was that her heart would break when she left.

  But what choice did she have? She had obligations. A lease in her name. Patients. An entire life in another state.

  He slid his hands over her shoulders, her arms, stroked up and down, warming her with the essence of his body, his touch, his soul.

  “What do you say we call it a night?”

  She nodded and slid her arm around his waist as they shut off the light and walked down the hall.

  Three more days. If she could, she’d pack a lifetime into those three days.

  Chapter Fourteen

  After church the next day, Kelly spent the rest of the morning getting one of the guest bedrooms ready for her father’s visit. He was due that afternoon, and she was excited. Aside from the girls, he was all the family she had left…except for the extended family she’d acquired here in Shotgun Ridge.

  A pang of sadness swamped her. Everything was changing so fast. Ever since the phone call last night, she and Chance had been walking on eggshells, both avoiding talk of the future, both knowing what it held.

  The girls had picked up on the tension and were bickering more than usual—Jessica vocally, Kimberly in actions.

  Kelly sighed. She had to do something to break the strain. The last thing she wanted was to ruin their lovely holiday.

  She heard glass shattering, then Jessica’s scream. “Mommy!”

  Running down the hall, her heart pumping, Kelly skidded to a halt in the living room. Chance wasn’t far behind her.

  Kimmy stood frozen by the tree, a shattered glass angel in splintered pieces at her feet. She looked terrified, as though she expected punishment for something that was an accident.

  “Oh, baby, it’s not your fault,” Kelly said. It was the most heartbreaking thing in the world to watch a four-year-old with tears streaming down her plump cheeks and no sound coming from her trembling lips.

  Kelly picked up her daughter and held her away from the glass, tried to infuse her with love, with the strength of her arms. She felt so impotent. Such a failure.

  Jessica, ever protective of her little sister, watched from several feet away, a sadness on her face that was too old for her years. Kelly remembered a time when the kids fought over every little thing—the color of M&M’s, doll clothes, toys, attention…everything.

  But when Kimmy’s voice had disappeared, so had any hint of dissension between the girls—except for a couple of times today, perhaps.

  For the most part, Jessica was patient and sweet with her little sister. Too patient and sweet for a normal six-year-old.

  “It’s okay,” Kelly crooned, including Jessica with the soothing words.

  Chance scooped up the puppy and put it in its box so there wouldn’t be cut paws, shooed Scout out of the way, then stooped to sweep up the broken glass.

  Neither one of them was prepared for the bombshell Jessica dropped next.

  “It’s all my fault that Kimmy can’t talk,” she wailed, barely able to speak through her sobs. “I said mean, bad things to her after you yelled at Auntie Candy. I told Kimmy it was her fault Daddy died, ’cause she didn’t call you.”

  At her sister’s admission, Kimmy buried her face in Kelly’s neck, and Chance immediately swung Jessica up into his arms, soothing her with a hand on her back, rubbing, patting, consoling.

  “Oh, Jess.” My God, Kelly thought, she’d been concentrating on Kimmy because her problems were obvious. She should have known better, pushed harder to draw Jessica out.

  “I said I was sorry!” Jessica sobbed. “I told her and told her and Marcy told her, too! But she won’t believe me!”

  “Oh, honey.” Everyone was walking around with a load of guilt and blame. Including Kelly. It was time to unburden.

  With Kimmy in her arms, she sat on the couch and motioned for Jessica to join them.

  Chance, his heart nearly breaking, brought her over. His arms felt empty as she climbed into Kelly’s lap and settled, tears dripping off her chin.

  Two little girls clinging to their mother. He wished he could help, wished he could wave a magic wand and make it all better.

  “We need to talk about how Daddy died, okay?”

  Jess nodded. Kimmy remained stoic, trapped in icy shock and her world of silence.

  “I’ll leave you alone,” Chance said.

  Kelly glanced up as though she’d forgotten he was still in the room, a ravaged look on her face. “Stay. Please.”

  He nodded. She needed support. He didn’t know if he could give it, but he wanted to try.

  “Electricity is a wonderful thing,” she began, stroking her daughters with fingers that trembled. “It runs our lights and our televisions and radios and many other things. But we have to respect it, be careful. Daddy knew that, and he was always careful. He had no reason to suspect that the tool he was using in Aunt Candy’s garage was broken. It was old, sweeties, and it malfunctioned—it didn’t work like it was supposed to. That was nobody’s fault. I know I yelled at Aunt Candy, but I didn’t mean it. I was scared, and just like you did, Jess, I said bad things.”

  “But you’re a doctor. You said you could fix him.”

  “No. Even if I’d been right there in the garage, I couldn’t have fixed him, Jess. The electricity hurt his heart.”

  “Why?”

  What she was asking was why did he have to die. Chance had heard the question before. There were no easy answers.

  “It’s hard to say,” Kelly whispered. “We don’t know why sad things happen. Maybe it’s like one door closing so another, nicer one can open. Something happens and everything we thought we knew changes.”

  Jessica plucked at the thick yarn on her sweater. “It changed when we comed here and lived with Chance and got Snowball and got to play with Scout and Nikki and Ian.”

  Kelly looked up at Chance. Was he the door they were supposed to walk through?

  “Yes, there have been nice changes.”

  “Do you think Daddy’s sad?” Jessica asked. Kimmy lifted her head, listening intently.

  “No. No one is allowed to be sad in heaven.”

  “Is Daddy an angel?”

  That’d be a miracle. “Marcy, you mean?” Was this what was behind her insistence on seeing an angel? A coping mechanism?

  “No, silly. Marcy’s a girl angel. She’s not Daddy.”

  “Oh. Well, I suppose Daddy could be an angel. I do know that he’s probably watching over you, and he would never, ever want either of you to be sad or think you were to blame in any way.”

  Jessica nodded and Kelly felt Kimmy relax against her chest.

  Then Jess reached over to hug her little sister. “I’m sorry I yelled at you, Kimmy. You’re the best sister in the whole wide world.”

  Jessica’s compassionate little voice had Kelly swallowing back tears. She couldn’t fall apart or she’
d undo any good she might have managed to accomplish.

  Kimmy hugged back, then linked hands with her big sister.

  “Does everyone feel better?” Kelly asked. “Understand that none of us are to blame for what happened to Daddy?”

  Both girls nodded and scooted off the couch to resume their play with the dogs.

  Kelly wished she could be distracted so easily. She felt raw, turned inside out.

  Chance came over to her, brushed the hair back from her temples.

  “You okay?”

  “No.”

  “Ah, Hollywood.” He drew her into his arms. She shouldn’t let him, should find the wherewithal to raise her shield.

  She’d been looking at life differently since she’d learned what true intimacy was like. How in the world was she ever going to leave all this behind?

  But what else could she do? She had a partner counting on her, a thriving medical practice. Everything she knew was in California. It was ridiculous to feel as though she belonged here in Montana.

  Her future was so sketchy. She couldn’t make any plans or decisions, couldn’t take anything for herself. Her children came first. She couldn’t predict if Kimmy would heal, or if something would set her back and send her deeper into the pit of whatever it was that held her—Jessica’s careless words or the horror of what she’d seen.

  “How could I have missed Jessica’s torment, too?”

  “You’re only human, Kel.”

  Oh, but she needed to be so much more. Had always needed that.

  She hadn’t been enough of a mother to keep her youngest from traumatic symptoms. Maybe the therapist was wrong. Maybe Kimmy didn’t feel close enough to her, didn’t trust her enough. And that was her own fault. For not being there, for spending longer hours in her medical practice than she should have.

  Well, she would be there for her children from now on. Their needs would always come first.

  Or so she thought. The instant her father knocked on the front door several minutes later, the second she looked into his loving hazel eyes and melted into his arms, her own needs swamped her.

  “Daddy.” Just that. Just the one word nearly sent her into an embarrassing bout of weeping.