by Debbie Mason
He smiled down at her. “In the last twenty-fours, you say? Do you think it’s an odd coincidence you’ve been here with me about that long?”
“Really? How strange. And wonderful,” she said, wrapping her arm around him. “It has been wonderful, Matt. I can’t remember when I’ve been this happy.”
And he would do everything he could to keep her that way.
Chapter Nine
The next day, they were standing in Santa’s tiny house in the village, holding hands. Charlotte’s fingers were breaking his. She might be delicate-looking, but the woman had a bone-crushing grip. He forgave her, though. She was too sweet not to. Her eyes were squeezed shut, and her face squinched up. It’s what she did when she was emotional and trying not to cry.
He couldn’t say he blamed her. Watching the brothers sitting on Santa’s knee brought back memories Matt had spent years erasing. They’d been tainted by a memory from five years before, the day he’d come home unexpectedly from his last tour of duty. It was two months before their wedding. Lara had been complaining about how difficult it was planning everything without him, so he’d thought to surprise her. Only he ended up being the one who was surprised.
He’d been smiling as he walked up to the house they’d bought together in Denver, imagining the look on her face when she saw him. He’d been so caught up in the fantasy that he hadn’t registered his baby brother’s truck parked up the street. He didn’t register the sounds coming from their bedroom, either. He assumed she had the TV on. Until he opened the door and his fantasy came crashing down around him.
At first there’d been tears and pleas for forgiveness, but they’d soon changed to recriminations. What did he expect when he was gone so much? Oh, just loyalty from a woman who said she loved him and a brother he’d grown up protecting. The wedding went on as planned; she simply traded one Trainer brother for the other. He hadn’t attended the wedding or spoken to either of them since.
“Matt, are you okay?” Charlotte whispered, pulling him out of his head.
He looked up to see the boys handing Santa pictures of what they wanted for Christmas. He and Charlotte thought this might be the day they’d talk, but the kids were smarter than they were. When Matt had told them where they were going this morning, they’d disappeared into the family room, found a couple of catalogues, and started ripping out pages. If it wasn’t exactly what they wanted, they used markers to make the changes.
“I’m fine,” he said, but he’d lost her attention. She was making funny faces at the boys to make them smile for the camera. Matt laughed, leaned in, and took one of her with his phone.
“You didn’t.” She grabbed his hand to see the picture. “Oh my God. Delete it.”
He held it over her head, the camera shaking as she jumped in an effort to take it from him. “Mrs. Claus is giving you the evil eye. You better stop or she’ll kick you out.”
She stopped but whispered up at him. “Look again. That’s not the evil eye. That’s an I’m-the-matchmaker-extraordinaire look,” she said, rubbing the tips of her fingers on her winter jacket.
“We probably should give her some credit. Without Nell setting us up, we might not be where we are today,” Matt said.
“You could say the same about the accident and the boys.”
“If you want to look at it that way, you could say the same about what happened with Jeremy and Samantha and my brother and Lara.” He wondered what his chances were of her not picking up…
“What about your brother and Lara? I didn’t even know you had a brother. And who’s Lara?”
“What are my chances of you letting this go?” She gave him a dream-on look. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
He gestured to Nell that he and Charlotte would wait outside. The boys were opening an early present from Santa. Given their circumstances, everyone in town was making an extra effort to make their Christmas special.
Matt joined Charlotte, leaning against the white picket fence decorated with cedar garland and bright red bows. Then he told her the same story he’d relived only moments before. No doubt it’s why he’d blurted out his brother’s and Lara’s names.
“I’m so sorry, Matt. I can’t imagine how it must’ve felt to have your brother betray you that way. I bet you were an amazing big brother. You must miss him, just a little.”
He smiled as the boys barreled out of the house. “To be honest, I haven’t thought about him much until the past couple of days. Having the boys around reminded me how close we once were.”
“You should call him.”
“We’ll see. Now we’re taking you to high tea at Dame Alexander’s tea shop. It probably won’t be what you’re used to at the Russian Tea Room. But Dame Alexander says she’s related to the royal family, so it should be pretty good.”
She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “If you do talk to your brother, tell him thanks for me.”
“I’d tell you to thank Jeremy for me, but he’s still messing with you, so I’d rather beat him up.”
She laughed and waved the boys over. “That I’d like to see. And it was sweet of you to want to take me to high tea, but I think the Sugarplum Bakery might be more the boys’ speed. Don’t you?”
“Yeah, you’re—” Charlotte’s phone rang, and she glanced at the screen. “Sorry, I have to take this. Dr. Bailey here.” She frowned, and then her eyes went wide. She looked up at him, her expression stricken. “Don’t tell him what room she’s in. Don’t tell him anything. Say whatever you have to stall him, and I’ll back you up. I’ll be right there. Get security on her floor.”
Matt swore under his breath. “Give me two minutes. I’m coming with you.” He was just about to ask Nell to look after the kids when she appeared at the door.
“You go. Take care of this. We’ve got the boys.” Nell clapped her hands and the boys looked up from the snowballs they were rolling. She waved them over. “Our elves never showed up for work. We need replacements, and you two are the perfect size. Come on, you’ll be Elvis, and you’ll be Elfie.”
Matt took Charlotte’s hand and gave it light squeeze before saying to the boys, “We’ll go get some Christmas shopping done and pick you guys up at four. How does that sound?”
* * *
Charlotte knew as soon as they arrived at the hospital that word had spread throughout the town. Gage and Chance McBride, who’d both been former sheriffs of Christmas, and the current sheriff met them in front of the elevators. “Jill, tell them what they’re dealing with,” Gage said as he held open the elevator door.
“Okay. Jane Doe is Heather Brickman. Husband is Alan Brickman, a wealthy developer. Oldest son is Alexander and baby brother is Oliver. Brickman called the station and lodged a formal complaint. He’s not a stupid man. He knows he’s being stalled, and he knows why.”
“Is she in the system? Has she been admitted for suspicious injuries in the past, or has her family physician registered any concerns?” Charlotte asked.
“Nothing came up.”
“Brickman has enough money and influence to ensure that it doesn’t. Easton’s on it now. Chance is working his connections, too.” Gage nodded at his brother, who was currently on his phone.
“Jill, do you think he’s good for this?” Matt asked.
She nodded. “He didn’t ask about the boys or the extent of his wife’s injuries. His biggest concern was how quickly he can move her out of CGH. He also didn’t like dealing with me. Which is often the case with abusers. They don’t like women in a position of authority.”
“So, if I can get Brickman to threaten me, you can hold him for forty-eight hours without charging him, right?” Charlotte asked Jill.
“What are you talking about? You’re not—” Matt began.
Jill talked over him. “That’d be tough. The guy knows people. Now, if you could get him to physically attack—”
“Dammit, Jill. Don’t give her any ideas.”
“Matt, I’m CEO. My job is to protect my
patients and my staff, and that’s what I’m going to do.” She leaned around Chance McBride and pressed the button for the fifth floor.
“Well, I’m making it my job to protect you.”
“I don’t need protection. Heather Brickman does, and so do Alexander and Oliver. They know you, Matt. They trust you. I do, too. Please, go back to Santa’s Village and watch over them. I’ll be fine. Jill will be with me. And Gage, if you and your brother could provide extra security for Heather, I’d be in your debt.”
“That’s what we’re here for.”
“Thank you. Matt, can you show them to Heather’s room and check her vitals before you leave?”
“Yeah, but I’m not happy about it, Charlotte. Jill, you take care of her. Don’t let her do anything stupid.”
“Matt, I’m perfectly capable of—”
He cut her off with a hard, fast kiss. “I know you are. It doesn’t mean I have to like it though.”
“So it looks like Dr. McSexy has met his match,” Jill said as the elevator door closed behind the three men. “Looks good on him. Guess Nell will be coming out of retirement permanently if you two head to the altar.”
“No, there’s not going to be an altar. I mean, wedding. Matt and I aren’t the marrying kind.”
Jill laughed. “That’s what they all say.”
Before Charlotte could respond, the elevator dinged. “Showtime,” she murmured, wishing she’d been able to change into more professional attire. She wore a powder blue ski jacket over jeans and a cream sweater. At least she’d worn boots with heels instead of snow boots.
Ty sat behind his desk, stiff and pale. She wasn’t surprised he’d come in on his day off. Alan Brickman had no idea what he was up against.
“Mr. Brickman, I’m Dr. Bailey, CEO of Christmas General. I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” she said to the man sitting across from Ty wearing a three-piece gray suit beneath his navy cashmere coat. His black hair was slicked back from an attractive face. His dark eyes flicked over her dismissively as he came to his feet. He was a tall, well-built man.
“Just tell me where my wife is, Dr. Bailey. I’ve been kept waiting long enough.”
“I understand, and I’m sorry to keep you from Mrs. Brickman any longer, but your wife was seriously injured in a car accident two days ago and remains in a coma. It would be helpful to know her complete medical history.” Charlotte held his gaze. “I’d like to speak to your family physician about Heather’s previous injuries. They’re extensive, Mr. Brickman. Extensive and concerning.”
He took a menacing step toward her, and then she could see him visibly rein himself in. “What are you implying?” He smoothed over the anger in his voice. Jill was right. He was a smart man. He wasn’t going to threaten Charlotte verbally or physically in front of witnesses. She needed another plan to buy them time.
She ignored his questions and opened the door to her office instead. She gestured him inside.
“Obviously, I’m going to have to go over your head, Dr. Bailey.” Brickman brought his phone to his ear.
“You’re wasting my time and yours, Mr. Brickman. If you had your wife’s best interest at heart, you’d want to help us get a clearer picture of her medical history.”
He walked by her as he spoke to someone on the phone, close enough that his body pushed her back against the door. “Sorry, I didn’t realize it was such a tight fit. That’s the problem with being big.”
“That’s the problem with being an asshole,” Jill said under her breath. “You okay?”
“Perfectly fine. Have you met our sheriff, Jill Anderson, Mr. Brickman?” she asked when he ended his call.
“For all the good it did me, yes, I’ve spoken to her. Why is she here?”
“To ensure the safety of my patient. Now, I’ll ask you one more time for your wife’s complete medical history.”
He sat on the couch and examined his nails. Seconds later, her cell phone rang. Brickman looked up and gave her a contemptuous smile.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Jeremy yelled as soon as she answered.
Charlotte took the seat across from Brickman. “My job.”
“You won’t have a job much longer if you don’t let that man see his wife and have her transferred to a private clinic in Denver. His lawyers are threatening to sue me personally, and you, and Bailey Healthcare, and CGH. So if you don’t comply within two minutes, you’re fired.”
He had no idea how much she wanted to quit and never have to deal with him again. But that wouldn’t help Heather and the boys.
She held Brickman’s gaze. “Really? And what clinic was Mr. Brickman planning to have Mrs. Brickman transferred to? You may not be aware of this, but she’s in a coma, Jeremy. I can’t sign off on a transfer that could possibly endanger her.”
“How the hell should I know what clinic he’s transferring her to?”
“Mr. Brickman, could you please give Sheriff Anderson the contact information for the private clinic? It would be helpful if it’s the same one you’ve brought Mrs. Brickman to for her previous injuries.”
He didn’t respond. He was back on the phone with his lawyers.
Charlotte got up and moved to the window that overlooked Main Street. Lowering her voice, she made Jeremy aware of her concerns. He was a lying, cheating slimeball, but even he wouldn’t protect a man who was physically abusing his wife. She hoped. She prayed.
“Now what am I supposed to do with that? Dammit, there’s his lawyers again. You need proof, Charlotte. Unless you have proof, my hands are tied. And you better make sure it sticks, or we all go down.” He disconnected.
Charlotte rested her forehead against the cold window pane. She didn’t have proof. She had a feeling, deep down inside, that if she released Heather and the boys to Alan Brickman’s care she was signing the woman’s death warrant.
Her eyes were drawn to the snow-covered rooftops and the giant candy canes outside Santa’s Village. Matt was there keeping the boys’ safe, and she was about to release them into a monster’s care. They needed a miracle. The thought had barely passed through her mind when Whitney Houston singing “When You Believe” blasted through the office’s speakers.
“What the hell?”
She turned to see Brickman and Jill looking around the room. Ty peeked in her office, frowned, and then hurried back to his desk. The music went off.
Charlotte closed her eyes and said a silent prayer. Then she moved back to the chair across from Brickman.
He stood up. “Either you release my wife into my care, or I’ll have you charged with kidnapping.”
“Mr. Brickman, is there a reason you haven’t enquired into the well-being of Alexander and Oliver? I would think you would be as concerned for them as you are in removing your wife from our care. As much as your wife’s previous injuries tell a story, your sons do, too. They’re lovely little boys. Very, very smart. Observant, too.”
“What did they say? They’re two and five. You can’t believe what they say. It won’t stand up in court.”
“Perhaps not. Although I believe them, and I imagine a judge and jury would, too. Regardless, phone records don’t lie. Did you know your wife was seeking shelter in a home for abused women, Mr. Brickman?” She clenched her trembling hands tighter, praying that the beads of nervous perspiration at her hairline didn’t begin trickling down her face. She turned to Jill. “I’d liked to bring a charge of spousal abuse against Mr. Brickman, Sheriff Anderson.”
* * *
In less than an hour, Alan Brickman would be free to remove his wife from CGH and take his children. Charlotte tried not to cry as she closed the freezer door. “Looks like we’re out of ice cream, boys. Would you like to go to the store with me?” She didn’t know where she’d take them, but she wouldn’t let Alan Brickman have them. She’d put them in grave danger by lying.
She felt the weight of someone’s gaze and looked over her shoulder to see Matt watching her. He smiled, softly. “Honey, I know you’re
scared, but you’re not going into hiding with the boys. Trust me, someone will find something we can use against Brickman.”
There was a blast of cold air, and then a voice called out from the front hall. “Mrs. Claus here. I’ve come to pick up Elfie and Elvis. Only one week until the big day, and me and Santa are doing a trial run.”
“Great, someone else trying to kidnap the boys,” Matt muttered, and walked to the front door where Nell waited, dressed as Mrs. Claus. Her husband, Calder Dane, dressed as Santa, waved and ho-ho-hoed from where he stood on Candy Cane Lane behind a sleigh pulled by a team of eight huskies.
“Nell, you and Calder can’t take the boys,” Matt said.
“Why the Sam Hill not?”
“Because who’s going to keep the spirit of Christmas alive if you and your husband end up behind bars?” a voice from the dark said, and then a man stepped out from behind Matt’s truck. It was the janitor from Valley Ridge.
“Henry?”
“Fancy meeting you again, Ms. Bailey.” He sauntered up the walkway with a wiggling package in his hands and winked at Nell before addressing Charlotte. “You mind if I talk to Alex and Oliver? I have a special delivery.”
“I guess. Matt?”
“Sure. Just don’t call them by their names. They don’t know we know who they are. We didn’t want to scare them.”
Henry patted Matt’s shoulder as he strolled by. “You’d be surprised what kids can handle. They know when you’re keeping something from them. More often than not, what they’re imagining is way scarier than the truth.”
Matt watched Henry head for the stairs. “He’s right, you know. We have to tell them. We can’t let them be blindsided.”
“About time. I’ve said right from the start you should tell the kids what’s what,” Nell said.
“We were hoping for a miracle,” Charlotte murmured, wondering if Henry was it.
Matt’s cell rang. “It’s Gage.” He answered the call. “Please tell me you have news…That’s great, right?…Oh, okay. Yeah. I will. Thanks.” He disconnected. “They found Heather’s sister. Brickman cut her family out of Heather’s life years ago so they couldn’t testify to the abuse. But they’ll be arriving in Christmas sometime tomorrow. Gage says they won’t roll over for Brickman.”
