A Christmas Miracle for the Doctor

by Victoria James

  Her mother rolled her eyes, her finger trailing along the spines of the books on the top shelf. “Always a tall tale with you, Addie. Really, so much drama. If you can’t have a prestigious career like your sisters, you ought to at least have a man that has one. I’ll see you at my party. See that you attend,” she said with a smile that made the frown lines around her mouth more pronounced. She walked out of the shop, and Addie stood there, feeling like a fool. When she finally walked over to where she’d left everyone, she saw just Molly there, leaning against the table, a sympathetic look across her pretty face.

  “Did Drew and Bella leave?” she asked, her gaze scanning the room. Because of her drama with her mother, she hadn’t even noticed them walk out of her shop.

  Molly winced and nodded. “Don’t worry. They needed to get going. Are you okay?”

  “I should go out there or something and talk to him. I feel like an idiot,” she said, looking from her sister’s pity-filled face to the street. Drew’s car was still outside.

  “Go,” Molly said. “I’ll wait for you!”

  Without thinking twice, because that would inevitably mean chickening out, Addie burst through the doors and ran toward Drew’s car. He was at the driver’s side, his hand on the handle when he stopped and looked up.

  She stopped abruptly, the cold air slapping against her burning cheeks and making it difficult to breathe properly. Great. What was she going to say? He was staring at her, clearly waiting, clearly curious. “Um, hi. So about that whole thing back there, you don’t have to worry about going to that party. My mother is really…” Her voice trailed off for a couple reasons. The first being she didn’t really know how to describe her mother in a way that wasn’t overly insulting, and who needed to hear her family drama, anyway? Second, in her attempt to catch up to him, she was now standing very close to him, closer than she’d ever stood to him. The streetlight seemed to highlight all his masculine perfection. His green eyes were filled with something that made her stomach feel fluttery and her nerves jittery.

  “It’s okay. I understand well-meaning parents,” he said, clearly being more than gracious. The man was in his thirties, and her mother was setting her up like she was a teenager or something.

  “Well, that’s very nice of you to say, but it’s more than that. Not that you need to know or anything.” She stopped speaking when she realized she was actually saying nothing.

  “Addie, it’s not a big deal. Really. We’ll figure out the details,” he said, shooting her a smile and opening his car door.

  “Wait,” she said, grabbing his arm, remembering about Isabella and the skating. She dropped her arm abruptly.

  “Yes?” he said, looking as patient as can be. So was falling in gentle sprinkles and landed on his dark hair. The twinkling lights from the shops and the smell of cedar seemed to envelop her in this intense cocoon of longing. She blinked, trying to focus, trying to remember that Drew was not for her. Drew was a friend.

  She cleared her throat and looked down for a moment, remembering what she was out here to say. “Um, so Isabella confided in me about a problem at her skating class. It looks like they are doing a mother-daughter skate at ChristmasFest and…”

  He closed his eyes and looked down, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t think Jill will come for that.”

  Reserve judgment, Addie. “I can do it. I didn’t say anything to her because it’s not my place, and I don’t want to overstep, but she was heartbroken.”

  Surprise flickered across his brilliant green eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”

  She backed up a step, hoping she wasn’t about to step on ice and flip out. “It’s probably too much, right? Totally overstepping and—”

  “What? No, I didn’t mean it like that. That’s not at all what I was thinking. That’s very generous of you. Are you sure?”

  She smiled, relieved, refusing to think about what she was actually agreeing to. “Of course. Isabella is so sweet. She’s become important to me. I’d love to do this for her.”

  Silence clung to the air. “I should get going. Thank you, Addie,” he said, opening his door.

  “Bye, Addie!” Isabella yelled and waved from the back seat.

  Addie forced a smile and waved at her. “Sure,” she said to Drew and backed up a few more steps and then turned to walk back to her store. She was relieved and horrified at what she’d offered to do for Isabella. But it was the right thing to do. It was time she conquered her phobia, and she wasn’t going to see her little friend heartbroken again.

  “Well, how’d it go?” Molly said, greeting her at the door.

  She let out a ragged sigh, relief flooding her that at least she could be real now that it was just her and her sister, who understood exactly what had just happened. “I’m spiraling. I’m agreeing to things I would never agree to. I always knew I was supposed to be single, and I was fine with it until Drew came marching into town and Mom interfered.”

  “You weren’t meant to be single. Addie, where do you come up with this stuff?” Molly asked, following her to the back of the store.

  She sat down and put her head in her hands. She wasn’t going to tell Molly about the skating thing because she knew she’d burst out crying. That was one memory that was going in the vault. “How bad was it? I mean, like to an outsider? Drew must think I’m so pathetic. I can’t believe Mom did that.”

  Molly sat down across from her. “I think she made herself look unbalanced. I mean, there’s no way Drew thinks you’re the one with the problem, no matter how she tried to make you look. She didn’t really come across as the loving, motherly type, did she?”

  She almost smiled. “I went out there and stood like an idiot and told him he didn’t have to take me to her party.”

  Molly leaned forward. “What did he say?”

  Addie threw up her hands and leaned back in her chair. “What could he say? He was being a nice guy and said it was no big deal.”

  “Well, it’s not. Besides, take the humiliation factor out and you just got a date with Drew. No other woman at the hospital has been able to accomplish that.”

  “I don’t want him to feel obligated to take me out. I’d love to go out with him, but that’s not what he’s looking for, and even if it were, we’re not each other’s type.”

  “What sane woman would ever say that about Drew?”

  The bells on the door jingled, and Molly’s husband, Ben, walked in. He gave Molly that grin that must have won her over from the very first time she met him a decade ago. Addie loved that her sister was back and had reunited with her first and only love. Their story had been heartbreaking, but despite everything, they’d found their way back to each other. “Addie, this place is looking great,” he said, putting his arm around Molly.

  “Thanks. We’re ready for the best retail season,” she said.

  “I ran into…or away from your mother.”

  They laughed. “You’re lucky you were able to run away,” Molly said, putting on her coat.

  “I guess I’ll hear all about this over dinner?”

  “Or drinks.”

  He laughed. “Addie, would you like to join us? We’re going to the Mountainside Inn unless I can convince Molly we really want Luigi’s pizza.”

  Molly groaned. “Seriously, how can you not be sick of that place?”

  Luigi’s was a town hallmark and made the best pizza for miles and miles. Addie tried to ignore the pang of self-pity and tried to focus on what a nice gesture it was for Ben to invite her to dinner even though he was a newlywed. She’d been the third wheel, the bridesmaid, the set-up, five too many times in her life. “No thanks. You two have a great night. I’m going to close up here and do some planning tonight anyway. I have a lot to organize before ChristmasFest and all the other holiday stuff.”

  Molly gave her a knowing look but nodded. “Okay, I’ll text you tomorrow, and we can come up with some kind of plan.”

  She nodded and gave them both a quick hug, following th
em to the door so she could lock it after they left. She paused and watched the adorable picture they made; snow was gently falling, and they were holding hands. Molly laughed at something Ben said, and then he stopped walking and leaned down to kiss her. It was a scene right out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Addie slowly turned around and looked at her little shop. This should be enough. The dream of it had always been enough. So why now, that she had finally established her little shop, did she feel more alone than ever?

  Chapter Three

  “Daddy, I didn’t know you were a big deal.”

  Drew paused mid-step and looked down at Bella, surprised by her statement. They were on their way to his office in the hospital. He’d agreed after weeks of begging that he’d let her take the day off from school to come to work with him. After what Addie had told him about skating, he thought this might be a nice distraction. Maybe for him, too. He had vowed to himself to make this year about his daughter, but he was getting caught up in Addie. His attraction to her was growing every time he saw her. Sure, she was a beautiful woman, but it was her sweetness that was making him think about her all the time.

  It was his day of patient appointments, and most of them happened to be elderly patients, and all of them were good news results he was going over. He’d warned Bella that she wouldn’t be able to be in the room, and she’d probably spend most of her day in the waiting room coloring. His receptionist, Cheryl, said she didn’t mind at all.

  He assumed Bella was referring to all the people that greeted him as they made their way through the hospital. Most of them were women…the lady he bought his morning coffee from in the lobby had always been extra…friendly. Then there were a few of the younger nurses who seemed particularly animated when he was around…then some of the receptionists. There was lots of hair tossing and smiles that he didn’t give much thought to until now. He’d grown out of being flattered by that kind of thing when he’d gotten married. Even though he’d always worn his ring, it hadn’t stopped women from approaching him. Cheating was a deal-breaker. Looking at a woman, putting himself in a situation where he was alone with a woman who gave off vibes that she was attracted to him, or going out for drinks by himself with a woman was just asking for trouble. He didn’t allow himself to go there. He hadn’t been the perfect husband by any means, but he’d had the basics covered. Even though he was single going on a year now, he wasn’t interested in anyone…here. The one woman he was interested in was off-limits because he was pretty sure Addie was a forever-after type, and he was never going down that road again. Not that he was interested in any kind of relationships now. That was the last thing his daughter needed. Isabella needed him, he needed to make it up to her, and he needed to restore her faith in him again. Getting involved with a woman wouldn’t be fair to her.

  He squeezed Bella’s hand and rounded the corridor that would lead to his office. “See, Bella, not everyone thinks I’m boring and miserable,” he teased.

  “I don’t think that, Daddy! Well, maybe sometimes, but I think people really like you here.” He was laughing when they entered his office space. The waiting room already had one patient whom he greeted with a smile and a nod. She was a very nice woman, and he’d performed emergency surgery last month to remove her appendix. Not his most thrilling type of surgery, but he was pleased she was looking so well.

  “Good morning, Cheryl,” he said to the secretary he’d come to know as efficient, reliable, and friendly.

  “Good morning, Dr. Barrett. And good morning to you, Miss Isabella.”

  Isabella beamed at Cheryl. She’d been in before, and Cheryl treated Isabella like one of her own prized grandchildren. “Good morning, Ms. Cheryl.”

  “I have a basket full of fun things for us today,” Cheryl said with a wink.

  “I can’t wait. But I was going to ask Daddy if I could go in when he talks to his patients,” Bella said, looking up at him. He loved the enthusiasm in her voice, in the way her hand still held on to his fiercely.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

  “Dr. Barrett, I wouldn’t mind a bit if your sweet little girl wanted to sit in on our appointment.”

  Drew looked up to see his patient smiling at him. Her curly white hair bopped up and down as she nodded and smiled at Isabella.

  “That is really very nice of you, Mrs. Meyers, but privacy—”

  She cut him off with a wave of her hand as she stood. “Pish posh, I have nothing to hide. Besides, I like to encourage young minds. I was a teacher for forty years, and the best kind of learning is hands-on learning.”

  He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, being sure not to look down at Bella because for sure she’d be giving him the puppy dog eyes and he’d be a goner. “Are you sure?”

  Mrs. Meyers was already halfway to his office. “Come, child,” she said to Isabella, holding out her hand, the other hand using her cane.

  Isabella gladly walked with the elderly woman but made sure to shoot him a triumphant grin.

  “That one is all charm and smarts, much like her father,” Cheryl said with a laugh.

  He shot her a grin. “Thanks,” he said, heading into his office before his daughter started a physical examination.

  Typical of Cheryl’s efficiency, his office was ready for the day. Isabella was sitting in his desk chair, her hands crossed and on his desk, his stethoscope around her neck while Mrs. Meyers was sitting across from her with a bemused expression on her face.

  “Mrs. Meyers, would you mind going into my exam room? There should be a gown on the table. I’ll have a quick peek at the incision and stitches, and then we can sit back down and discuss any concerns or questions you might have.”

  “Oh, yes, Doctor Barrett.”

  “Will you be okay? Cheryl is happy to help if you need some help.”

  “I’m fine, thank you, Doctor.”

  Isabella tapped him on the arm and cupped her hand around her mouth as though she was intending on whispering. “Do I get to go in and see the cincision too?”

  “I’m sorry, but no, you sit here and wait, Bella. It will only take a few minutes.”

  Mrs. Meyers waved her cane as she slowly crossed the room. “Oh, Dr. Barrett, let the child come in. It’s only an inch of skin and looking great. You might have a future surgeon on your hands. Let’s inspire her.”

  He stared blankly at Mrs. Meyers for a moment. “I really appreciate your willingness to include Isabella, but—”

  “I’ll even sign a waiver if that’s what you’re worried about,” she said, talking and walking.

  “Well, there’s that, but I’m also worried my daughter may try to perform surgery on you when you’re lying down.”

  She chuckled and made her way into the exam room.

  “Daddy,” Isabella hissed. “As if I would ever do that. Don’t embarrass me.”

  “Call us when you’re ready,” he said loudly when the door shut.

  He ruffled his daughter’s hair. “Sorry. But listen, this is the only follow up I’m going to let you come in on today, okay? I’m only here for half a day. After this, we can go out for a late lunch, okay? Besides, Cheryl will be sad if you don’t have time to play with any of the things she brought in.”

  She tilted her head and nodded wisely. “You’re right. I’ll give you both my attention. It’s like being divorced. Time with each of you.”

  His heart squeezed because that’s the way it was supposed to be, but Jill had decided she didn’t want her time. He’d called her three times since he’d found out about the skating thing, but she hadn’t returned any of his calls. But he didn’t have time to dwell because Mrs. Meyer’s called out that she was ready. Actually, she called in his daughter instead of him, but whatever. Isabella ran toward the room. “Isabella. Walk like a doctor, not a race horse,” he said.

  She immediately stopped, straightened herself up, and adjusted the stethoscope. “Hello, Mrs. Meyers. Are you comfortable?”


  He stifled his laugh and walked into the room. Mrs. Meyers had exposed her skin so that the scar was visible. He pressed gently, pleased by the size and the clean lines. “This looks like it’s healing quite nicely,” he said.

  She beamed at him. “It is. I was showing my friends at Aqua Fit, and Gail who’d had her appendix out last year was saying how her scar was triple the size. I’m very happy, Doctor.”

  He smiled. “Good, I’m glad. Okay, I’ll let you get dressed, and then we can sit down in my office.”

  “Little Isabella, do you have any questions?” she asked.

  Isabella’s eyes widened, and she nodded. He held his breath. He had no idea what she was going to ask. “Were you afraid you were going to die?”

  He patted her head, trying not to look like he was dismissing her question, but he didn’t want to get too personal. She looked up at him and frowned.

  “Yes, dear. I was a little afraid because no one ever really looks forward to surgery, especially when it’s not planned. But your daddy was very reassuring. That handsome man convinced me to trust him, and I did. Now, it’s like a distant dream.”

  He smiled warmly at Mrs. Meyers. “Well, I’m glad you’re feeling so well so quickly. Now, come on, Isabella. Let’s give Mrs. Meyers some privacy.”

  “Okay, we’ll be waiting in my daddy’s office,” Isabella said, giving the elderly woman a pat on the hand as though she’d performed the surgery herself. At least she didn’t have self-esteem issues.

  He and Isabella walked back to his office, and she sat in the chair beside his that Cheryl must have brought in. He looked over to smile at her but was surprised when he saw her staring at him with an expression he couldn’t quite pinpoint.