by Doyle, Jen
Then he put his hand through her hair. Tilted her head up a little. Leaned down and kissed her, although this time in the sweetest, gentlest, most tender way ever, and she felt such a surge of love that her whole being nearly lifted. His forehead coming to a rest on hers briefly grounded her before he pulled away and turned to face the crowd.
“So, uh...” He held his hand out to the side, as if to say, what you see is what you get. And, sure enough, he smiled as he pulled a little at the hem of his T-shirt. “There’s your answer. Plain white T-shirt. That’s all I’m sharing.”
He ducked, pushing her behind him as the crowd turned on him—laughingly, of course, with a few crumpled napkins being thrown their way. With a big smile on his face, he held up his hands, going for complete hamming-it-up mode. “No tips, folks. Plenty of opportunities to spend your money tonight, all of it going for a good cause.”
Deke came up to the stage as the lights went up, accepting Tuck’s handoff of the mic and taking over emceeing duties as Tuck took Karen’s hand and pulled her toward the back hallway, stopping along the way as they got to Taylor and Gabe. The other woman reached up to give him a hug. “I honestly didn’t think I’d ever laugh that hard again.” She gave him a tight squeeze. “You’re a good man, Tuck. And I sure as hell hope Karen is somewhere real close by.”
Karen stepped forward. “Right here.” Two seconds later she was in so tight a hug she could barely breathe. Which was good, because if she had been able to get any air in, it would have fed directly into a huge sob...and it wasn’t Tuesday. She’d already shed too many tears.
Releasing her, Taylor said, “Now go do something sinful with that man.”
More laughter bubbled up. “Oh, I plan to.”
“And she’s not going to tell you a single detail about it,” Tuck said, smiling as he took Karen’s hand again and pulled her away. “But right now I need to borrow her for a few more minutes.”
Undeterred, Taylor called out, “Take it all off this time, Tuck. Every single bit of it.”
This time Tuck was the one laughing, even as he looked down at Karen, so much heat in his eyes that she almost stumbled. They’d barely even rounded the corner and disappeared out of the sight of the crowd when Tuck picked Karen up and pinned her against the wall. One of his hands was on the back of her neck, the other running down the length of her thigh as he pushed against her, grinding into her with so much desperation and relief that she almost came right there. She had no more interest in that public of a declaration than he did, however, so she managed to keep her wits about her. But the kiss he gave her was the air she needed to breathe again; she’d never felt so full.
“I figured it was a little too soon to ask you to marry me,” he said after pulling his head away. Nothing else, though. She wouldn’t let him. She held her legs tight around his waist, gripped his shoulders with her hands.
“Too soon,” she confirmed. But not by much.
“I get it,” he said. “I understand what you meant. And you were right. I knew it the moment you drove away, because I didn’t care about my job right then. I didn’t care about who was watching or what they might need. All I knew in that moment was that I’d lost everything.” His hand went to her hair. “And I know it might not be for forever. That neither one of us knows how long. But I want every minute of every day that I can get with you. I’ll come to you. I’ll quit my job. I’ll even get my own freaking Snuggie if it matters. But please don’t ever drive away from me again.”
Leaning forward for another kiss, Karen closed her eyes as she savored the taste of him. As she fully took in the power of his words. But she didn’t stay quiet for too long. “You don’t need to quit your job. And if you don’t mind, I think I’d like to be here. In that beautiful house, with those wonderful dogs, and with you. Always with you.”
He actually seemed a little choked up as he smiled. “That sounds perfect.”
She kissed him again, rested her forehead against his. “Okay, good. Because you are going to have to get a Snuggie. And it’s going to be hot pink.”
He took a deep breath. Looked down at her lips, then back up at her eyes. “Okay. But then I get to strip you out of yours.”
She had absolutely no problem with that.
“Maybe we could get some bells?” he added.
“Quit while you’re ahead, Officer Hottie.”
“Tinsel?”
Licking her lips, she cocked her head. “Nope.”
“We’ll see what Bruiser has to say about that,” he grumbled.
She grabbed bunches of his T-shirt in both hands and pulled him to her. “Now that’s an excellent idea.”
He went still. “Right now?”
Not quite able to tell if he thought that was a good or a bad thing, she just smiled and shrugged.
His smile turned wicked as he took a step back and let her feet drop to the floor. Then he took her by the hand. “Well, then, let’s go.”
Epilogue
It was Christmas Day, and as promised, Karen took her shift at the hospital. There was a new round of patients with a new round of stories, some of which she could smile about, and some for which the opposite was true.
But thanks to Tuck, Karen wouldn’t be spending most of the day in her office alone. In fact, none of the families would be alone unless they wanted to be.
For those who were bed bound, Tuck had arranged for Nate to visit. She did now understand that he was a pretty big deal, but it wasn’t until she saw the looks of the kids on the children’s ward that she realized how big a deal, especially since the Watchmen had won the World Series for the second year in a row, just a couple of months before. And even on the other floors where dreams were more about the past than the future there was a hush among the patients because Tuck had gotten Nate to bring along some old-timers, heroes all around.
But it wasn’t until she made the rounds—and, of course, gotten multiple texts from both Ryan and Tuck that it was time for her to eat—that she felt true, unadulterated happiness while standing there in the entrance to the cafeteria as she watched the man she loved take care of her people—by bringing along some of his own. It looked like all of Inspiration had gathered here at the Ames Med cafeteria to feed not only the patients’ families, but also all of the staff, including the cafeteria workers, their Christmas Day dinner.
It took her a while to make her way to him. When she did, she put her arms around him and gave him a long, lingering kiss. “I love you.”
“Mmmm. Merry Christmas. I love you, too.” He ran his thumb over her lip. “You ready?”
Resisting the urge to clap giddily, she nodded.
“All right everybody,” he said, “time to open up the gifts.” Because there was one for everyone. They literally had hundreds ready to go.
“Ready?” he said. “On three.”
Karen gave in to the giddy urge as everyone counted. And then the wrapping fell away. “Snuggies for everyone! Put them on! It’s movie time.”
They shut off the lights, and everyone who was there grabbed their dinner or their dessert or whatever they could for however much time they had to be down here, and they settled in. Deke pulled the screen down as Fitz turned on the projector, and the opening credits of A Christmas Story began to roll.
Tuck had grabbed a chair that was big enough for her to sit on his lap for the fifteen minutes that she could stay. The ghost of Christmas future was here, and if this was what she got, Karen would take it for as long as she could.
“I like you in your Snuggie,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder.
“I like you out of yours,” he said. Then he kissed her. “Now watch the movie and eat your sandwich.”
Best. Christmas. Present. Ever.
And he was all hers.
* * * * *
Ac
knowledgments
As always, a lot of people contributed to bringing this manuscript to fruition. It started with Jess, who posed the question as to what brain surgeons say because they can’t answer “Well, at least it’s not brain surgery.” Sadly, I don’t think my answer was that brilliant, but there you have it.
Thank you also to Jennifer Hallock (with whom I will road-trip anywhere, anytime) for many hours spent plotting and talking about Tuck and Karen when I was truly and utterly stuck, not to mention reading a very early draft and making some key observations. This novella truly wouldn’t have happened without you. (And Walker Hayes, but that’s another story.)
A big thank-you to Heather Patton for, well, everything—“meeting” you is one of my favorite moments ever as an author. Your thoughtful comments and feedback are so very deeply appreciated. A huge thank-you also to Traci Patton, who fielded many questions and helped keep Tuck on the right side of the line. (Alas, I was not able to get the title changed, so my “Thanks, Traci!” here will have to suffice; next time, though...)
I would also like to send a major thank-you to Dr. Patrick Doherty and Elizabeth Bogel Ryan, MD, for taking the time to not just read through the manuscript but also answer all of my (very annoying, I’m sure) follow-up emails regarding concussions and, yes, neurosurgery. I still can’t quite believe how lucky I was to have your comments. That said, any errors that may have been made (and I’m sure there are some) are mine and mine alone.
Thank you, Mom, for your feedback, as always, and Camilla, because I know you wanted to. (One day you’ll be able to read again; not for a while, but it will happen.) And Jess, too, who already got a mention, but gets a second one here. I love you all.
And to Kelley, Lucy, Will and James—you are my heart.
A tremendous thanks to Sarah E. Younger, whose faith, encouragement and support have never wavered, and to Alissa Davis, who is the greatest editor an author could ever hope for. I am also grateful to everyone at Carina Press and so very honored to be able to contribute to the holiday novella tradition.
These Acknowledgments wouldn’t be complete without a shout-out to the TGISF crew. You bring a smile to my face pretty much every day, but especially on Wednesdays and Fridays. You know exactly what I mean.
This time, however, the last mention is reserved for the group of people who deserve more thanks than I could ever possibly give. My utmost thanks go out to the neurosurgeons (and other doctors), nurses, PAs, etc., who dole out compassion, care and respect in equal measure. I’m guessing you don’t have a standing Tuesday date with Bruiser, but I am in awe of what it takes for you to do your jobs each day. Thanks as well to everyone from the security team who drives late-night shuttles, to the hotel staff who accepts last-minute requests, to the cafeteria workers who spend holidays at the cash register, manning the various food stations and creating full holiday meals. (Given the circumstances, it was not our favorite Thanksgiving dinner, but it sure was tasty.) The medical establishment is, yes, a machine with a billion pieces to make it go. But it has a heart and soul in each and every being who passes through those doors and I am so grateful for what you give. I hope you like Karen, flaws and all, because she is my love letter to you. Pax.
Also available from Jen Doyle and Carina Press
Calling It
Called Up
Called Out
Also available from Jen Doyle
Crush
Breathe
About the Author
Award-winning author Jen Doyle is a big believer in happily-ever-afters—so she decided it was high time she started creating some. Jen holds an MS in library and information science from Simmons College GSLIS and, in addition to her work as a librarian, has worked as a conference and events planner as well as an administrator in both preschool and higher-education environments. (Some might say that there is very little difference between the two; Jen has no comment regarding whether she is one of the “some.”) She currently lives in the Boston area with her husband, three children and three sometimes problematic cats. Visit her at jendoyleink.com, Facebook.com/jendoyleink, Twitter.com/jendoyleink and Pinterest.com/jendoyleink.
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Hit a home run of heart, heat and plenty of laughter with Jen Doyle!
CALLING IT
Baseball player Nathan Hawkins needs to get away from Chicago. Librarian Dorie Donelli never thought she’d get to meet her fantasy man in person—much less while she’s wearing her bathrobe. For Nate, being with Dorie is the only time in months that he finds himself smiling. Laughing. And he has no intention of letting that go. He might even be falling in love...if only Dorie will let him say the words. What they have isn’t just a dream, but the start of a dream come true...
CALLED UP
There’s one thing Max “Deke” Deacon can always count on besides his old high school teammates: Angelica “Fitz” Hawkins. Fitz knows for a fact that it is not better to have loved and lost. With Deke, Fitz feels dangerously close to falling in love. But she can’t risk another broken heart—especially if it means losing one of her best friends for good. Now it’s up to Deke to convince her that the safest place she could ever be is right here with him.
CALLED OUT
Jack “Ox” Oxford is used to being alone. Granted, when you screw over your friends, being alone isn’t always a choice. Recovering control freak and single mom Lola Deacon McIntire doesn’t need an arrogant ballplayer to swoop in and save her. She isn’t about to upset her sons’ lives for any man—much less one who so clearly doesn’t think he’s dad material. Jack never thought he’d find someone who wanted to build a life with him, but the more time he spends with Lola and her boys, the more it starts to feel permanent...
“Sexy and sweet and packing some serious heat. CALLING IT is a debut home run.”
—Marina Adair, #1 national bestselling author of Summer in Napa
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Deck the halls with these holiday romances!
From New York Times bestselling author Shannon Stacey
MISTLETOE & MARGARITAS
SNOWBOUND WITH THE CEO
HER HOLIDAY MAN
HOLIDAY WITH A TWIST
HOLD HER AGAIN
From New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton
ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS
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