“Did you go with them to the parties?”
“No.” He snorted a laugh. “My parents partied like it was New Year’s Eve every night, and kids weren’t invited. Eventually, I went to my own parties. Even though I grew up with money, I really didn’t like hanging out with rich snobs. I came to the conclusion Christmas was nothing more than a glorified marketing scheme. If it really was all about Jesus then I wouldn’t have a problem, but from what I’ve seen it’s nothing but a greedy holiday where people feel entitled to get more stuff.”
“That might be true, but it also brings out the good in people. They seem to be a little kinder, and more charitable. There’s nothing more fun than finding the perfect gift for someone you care about, and that gift doesn’t have to be expensive. It doesn’t even have to be something you buy.”
“The majority of the world doesn’t feel that way, Lucy.” He looked away for a second. “I just get sick of the entire month of December turning into one big shopping spree. I see more patients during that month with so much stress manifested by ulcers, chest pain, high blood pressure, and depression.”
“Wow. I see have my work cut out for me.”
He brought his gaze back to hers, and smiled. “Tell me some of your favorite things about Christmas.”
She breathed in deeply. “For one, the smell of fresh baked cookies and hot cocoa.” She leaned forward. “I love Christmas lights, especially after a snowstorm. I love finding the perfect Christmas tree and decorating it while listening to Christmas music. I love handwritten cards that come in the mail. I even love the cheesy family letters that highlight the best things that have happened over the past year. I love Hallmark Christmas shows, and making sugar cookies. And I love playing secret Santa to someone in need.”
Cole’s eyes had widened, so Lucy stopped reciting her long list. “Those are just a few things.”
“You mean there’s more?”
“I don’t want to overwhelm you.”
He sat back, and shook his head. “Do you want to know what’s sad? My parents would get Christmas cards in the mail, and never read a single one after they opened it. Once they determined there wasn’t anything of monetary value, they’d toss them in the trash.”
A wave of tenderness for her mother washed over Lucy. Her mom read every card and then taped them on the door frame into the kitchen.
By the end of December, the entire frame was covered with cards, letters and photos.
They didn’t have time to talk anymore because an energetic man dressed like an elf bounced in and greeted everyone occupying the North Pole car. The elf came to their table and asked for their names.
“I’m Lucy, and this is Cole,” she said, noting how uncomfortable Cole seemed with a man dressed in green and white striped tights.
The elf winked at Lucy, and put his hands on his hips. “Girl, I’ll bet you’re hoping Santa puts coal in your stocking this year.”
The couple behind them started to laugh. Lucy smiled, enjoying the embarrassed look on Cole’s face much more than the pun.
“I guess I’ll just have to see if I’m on Santa’s naughty or nice list.”
The elf leaned toward Lucy and whispered loud enough for others to hear, “I know which one I’d want to be on.”
At this point, Cole’s face was as red as Rudolph’s nose. Thankfully, the elf flitted to another table.
Lucy pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. “I think he liked you.”
“Very funny.”
Two female elves came in, each pushing a food cart. One was loaded with warm cookies, and the other had carafes of hot cocoa which was served in a keepsake Polar Express mug. Lucy decided she liked traveling first class.
Soon after everyone had been served, the conductor came through asking to see everyone’s ticket. Cole pulled the tickets out, and Lucy noticed they were gold foil, and much fancier than the ticket she’d given away.
The rest of the trip was magical. At least for her. She hoped Cole was having a good time. He seemed to be, and listened intently as one of the elves read The Polar Express book while they traveled to the North Pole.
When the story finished, Cole leaned toward her and whispered, “I’ll bet you can still hear the bell, right?”
Lucy smiled, and nodded her head. “I hope I never lose that ability.”
He watched her contemplatively, and she wished she could read his thoughts. Finally, he said, “I’ve never met anyone like you before. Through your eyes, Christmas is magical.”
His words warmed her, as if she’d had another cup of hot chocolate. “That makes me happy.”
“I’m very glad I met you, Lucy Phillips.” His gaze drifted down to her mouth, and she knew he was thinking about the way they’d met. Lucy had vowed not to think about the kisses they’d shared, but she couldn’t help it.
Their eyes met again, and Cole reached across the little table and took a hold of her hand. His touch made her feel like she had a passel of sugarplum fairies dancing in her stomach. The rest of the trip passed by too quickly.
They arrived in the North Pole and picked up Santa. On the return trip back, he and Mrs. Claus greeted everyone and then handed out little red gift bags. Lucy could hardly wait to look inside. She knew from past experience the occupants in the coach cars would only receive a candy cane.
She and Cole waited until the Clauses left their car before opening their gift bag. Among the little mementoes was a silver bell.
Cole lifted his out and jingled it. “What do you know? I actually can hear it.”
Lucy’s heart melted, and she stifled a sigh. Dr. Taggart was pretty sweet, not to mention cute. Suddenly, being on the naughty list didn’t seem like a bad thing. Not if it meant she got Cole for Christmas.
Chapter Eight
COLE HAD A FEW MORE PATIENTS to see before he could call it a day. It was a good thing since his mind was preoccupied with Lucy. As much as he thought about her he wasn’t so sure it was wise to spend any more time with her.
Since they hadn’t made any definitive plans last night, maybe he didn’t need to worry about her following through with her promise to change his Scrooge-like attitude about Christmas.
She obviously hadn’t wanted her mother to know she’d spent the evening with him on the train, and not Lance. When Lucy’s mother texted her to meet up at the front entrance, she and Cole parted ways with only Lucy promising to contact Pastor John—a family friend and the minister of the church—to get names of anyone they could play secret Santa to.
Out of all the things Lucy loved about Christmas, secretly making someone’s Christmas better was top on her list to help Cole like Christmas.
Uncle Will had only stayed in the office for a few hours, but ended up covering the ER at the hospital, leaving Cole to meet patients without his uncle’s introduction. Things had gone smoothly, but Cole missed the efficiency of having everything on the computer. He’d need to find someone to transition the current hard copies to electronic medical records sooner than later.
Grabbing the chart from the door of his next patient, Cole opened it up. TJ Parker, age six. Sore throat, fever, and cough. He looked for the child’s previous history but found none. The little boy was a new patient.
He knocked on the door as a courtesy, and then opened it up and stepped inside the room. A young mother sat on one of the chairs, holding a little girl. TJ sat up on the exam table, his face pale.
“Hello, Ms. Parker.” He held out his hand for her to shake. “I’m Dr. Taggart.”
The woman timidly took his hand and quickly let go. Even though she smiled, he saw the fatigue written all over her face. He suspected she was pretty when she wasn’t sporting dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep.
“It’s nice to meet you, doctor. And you can call me Allie.”
Cole would’ve said hello to the little girl, but she had her head buried against her mother’s chest. Turning around, he faced his young patient. “You must be TJ.”
&
nbsp; The child nodded his head.
“I understand you’ve got a sore throat.”
Again, only a nod.
His mother piped up. “He’s been sick for over a week now. I kept hoping he’d get better, but he won’t eat anything, and today I could barely get him to drink water.”
“We just moved here,” TJ said in a soft voice. “I haven’t been able to go to school yet.”
“Do you like school?” Cole asked.
“Yes.”
“I’ll tell you what, TJ, if you can let me take a look at your throat, I’ll be able to know what we can do to help you get better.” Cole took the otoscope from its base and turned it on. “This is a special light that helps me see inside your mouth.” He shone it on his palm. “If you can open your mouth as big as you can, I’ll use the light to look at your throat.”
“Okay,” TJ said, opening his mouth wide. He said ahhhh without being prompted by Cole. The child still had his tonsils, and they were so swollen and infected they were nearly touching.
“Good job, buddy.” Cole put a tip on the otoscope. “I’m just going to shine this light in your ears now. I promise it won’t hurt.”
Cole winced when he saw one of the eardrums bulging and red. Even if he started the kid on antibiotics, he predicted the eardrum would rupture before the day was done. The other side didn’t look as bad, but it was still infected.
TJ did everything Cole asked as he listened to his lungs and heart. At least his breath sounds were clear. That was more than he could say about the little girl. She had a nasty cough.
He’d ask the mother if he could take a look at her after.
Other than his acute illness, TJ appeared to be in good health.
As Cole turned to talk to Allie, the little girl stated she needed to go to the bathroom.
“I’m sorry,” Allie said standing up. “I’ll be right back.”
“No problem. TJ and I will wait right here.” Cole opened the door for Allie and pointed out the restroom.
Hoping to make the child comfortable, Cole asked the age-old question for this time of the year. “So, TJ, tell me what do you want from Santa?”
The little boy’s eyes didn’t light up. Instead they grew dimmer. “Santa isn’t coming to our house this year.”
Cole was temporarily speechless. He felt sick inside, and wondered what the circumstances were for a mother to tell her child Santa wasn’t coming. He hoped it wasn’t some kind of punishment.
“Oh, why not?”
TJ’s little shoulders seem to droop. “Mama says it isn’t because I’m bad. She told me I’m the best boy in the world, but that Santa needs help this year and we don’t have any extra money to help him.”
A feeling of despair and helplessness enveloped Cole. How many other children were out there with the same reality as this kid? Each year, Cole contributed money to his pastor to help those families in need, but Cole had actually never met anyone in person. They were just a paper star on the Christmas tree with the age and gender of the recipient as the only information.
Fighting back his emotions, he tried to think of something to say to give this little boy hope. TJ continued, his tone accepting and matter-of-fact.
“My daddy wasn’t very nice to me or Hailey. He was mean to Mama too. We moved away so he can’t hurt us anymore. Mama says next year we’ll have enough money to give to Santa. She says this year we can give each other gifts that we make.”
The door opened and Allie walked in carrying her daughter who looked to be about four years old. The child started coughing again, and Cole’s worries increased. “Allie, it sounds like I better take a look at this little one. What’s her name?”
“Hailey.” Allie swallowed, and Cole noticed her lower lip trembling. “I don’t have enough money for two co-pays today.”
“Let’s not worry about that right now, okay?”
Allie nodded her head. “Okay.”
Cole sat down on the chair next to Allie, unwinding his stethoscope from around his neck. “Hailey, I’m Dr. Taggart, and I’m just going to listen to your breathing just like I listened to TJ’s.”
Allie lifted the back of Hailey’s shirt and Cole placed the diaphragm of the stethoscope against the small back. After listening to each side, he ruled out pneumonia. “How long has she been sick?”
“Her cough started about five days ago but she’s had a cold for about two weeks. We just moved here, and I’m still trying to get settled. I just kept hoping they’d both get better.”
“Hailey’s illness most likely started out as a virus, so bringing her in sooner wouldn’t have helped.” Cole stood up and picked up the portable oxygen saturation monitor. “She’s got bronchitis which should get better with antibiotics. I just need to make sure she’s getting enough oxygen.”
Cole crouched down low. “Hailey, will you let me put this on your finger? It won’t hurt and you’ll be able to hear your heart beeping.”
Allie helped her daughter hold out her small hand. Cole put the monitor on her finger and watched the numbers on the display. Hailey’s heart rate clipped along in a healthy rhythm and her oxygen levels were in the high nineties which was right where they should be.
“Good job, Hailey.” Cole removed the device and turned it off. “Her O2 sats are great, Allie. Do either of your children have any known drug allergies?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Good, I’d like to prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic for both of them.”
Right away, Cole saw a new stress press down on this already burdened single mother.
“I’m going to have my nurse get a weight on Hailey while I go into our supply room. Our pharmaceutical rep left us with a good supply of medication last week, and I should have enough samples for both kids so we can start treatment immediately.”
“Thank you. That would really help.”
Cole exited the room and asked his nurse to weigh Hailey. He went into the supply room and found enough of the medication for both kids. He also grabbed samples of children’s ibuprofen and cough medicine. Putting everything into a bag, he made his way back to the examination room. Cole gave Allie the medication and wrote the instructions down for each child. “If you don’t see a change over the next four days, I want you to call me, okay?”
“I will.” She put on her daughter’s coat and handed TJ his coat. “Thank you so much, Dr. Taggart. You’ve been really kind.”
Cole smiled, but his chest tightened with emotion. TJ’s coat was obviously too small. The coat was clean, though, and Cole knew Allie was doing the best she could.
“You’ve got a couple of great kids.”
He opened the door and instructed the nurse to let the children choose something from the treat basket. He planned on getting a vending machine with small toys the kids could buy with a token. It was just another thing on his list to update Uncle Will’s practice.
Cole saw the last two patients of the day, grateful they were both follow ups which didn’t take long. Uncle Will’s office was closed on Fridays, something Cole liked and planned on keeping. The patients already were accustomed to this, and Cole saw no reason to change it.
As soon as the receptionist and the nurse left, Cole located Lucy’s records and found her cell phone number. He knew he could get into trouble, since his reasons for getting the information had nothing to do with her health.
But he knew Lucy would understand.
She answered right away. “Hello.”
“Hey, this is Cole Taggart.” He cringed. She already knew his last name.
“Well, hello, Cole Taggart,” she said with a small laugh.
“Hi.” He suddenly felt like a dorky teenager who didn’t know how to talk to a pretty girl.
“Hi, yourself.”
Cole laughed. “I’m not usually this awkward when I call a girl.”
“I make you nervous?”
Yeah, now that he thought about it. “A little.”
“It’s my mother, i
sn’t it? You don’t want her hitting on you for me, right?”
He laughed again. “Actually, that’s not the reason. But speaking of your mother, why didn’t you want to be seen with me last night?”
“Seriously? Don’t you know I was trying to protect you? If she learns I’m hanging out with the cute new doctor in town, your life would never be the same.”
“You think I’m cute?”
“Did I say that out loud?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. Just trust me when I say I’m protecting you from my mother’s matchmaking schemes.”
Cole was about to make some flirtatious comment about not minding if her mother wanted to push them together, but sobered when Lucy asked what he’d called about.
“Can we meet somewhere for dinner? I just found our Secret Santa family and we need to get started right away.”
Chapter Nine
LUCY PULLED INTO THE RESTAURANT parking lot, and nervously glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror. “This isn’t a date,” she said out loud. She twisted her finger around an errant curl, and then applied a fresh coat of lip-gloss.
It wasn’t a date…not really. Just because Cole admitted she made him nervous, and she apparently admitted she thought he was cute, it didn’t mean anything. They were just friends.
Satisfied by both her appearance, and her ability to lie to herself, Lucy climbed out of the car and made her way into the quaint eatery. She suggested they meet here because it was twenty minutes outside of town, and lessened the odds of running into someone from Snow Valley.
As she quickly made her way to the entrance, the cold air felt like icy fingers slipping between the seams of her coat. Living in Northern California for the past year and a half had obviously made her a wimp when it came to cold weather.
A tiny bell jangled when she opened the door. She stepped inside, and was immediately enveloped in warm air, scented with heavenly aromas of something delicious.
“Welcome to Granny’s Kitchen.” The bubbly hostess was a cute dark-haired girl that looked to be a little younger than Lucy.
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