by Ash Keller
"We have to get you to the hospital. What if you have internal bleeding or a head injury or something?"
She smiled gently. "Then I'd be dead now. I’m fine, Eric. I promise."
"But…how? How did you walk away from that?"
"I was extremely lucky."
Eric looked back at the car. He'd never been religious, but it was hard not to believe an angel had wrapped Lola protectively in its wings.
He didn't think it was a coincidence that she'd crashed on his farm exactly when he needed her, either. She'd been sent here to save him. And he'd do everything in his power to be worthy of the gift.
Chapter 10
Eric stood in front of the barn, fidgeting. As of eleven minutes ago, the farm was open for business. And no one had arrived.
He still couldn’t shake his fear that no one would come. Lola squeezed his hand, lending him strength. He really couldn't have done this without her. He'd have been an absolute disaster.
But what if no one comes? In less than a year, had he destroyed all his parents’ goodwill in the community? Had he failed them so completely?
He thought of all the co-workers and students he'd hurt in the past several months. He shouldn't have shut them out. He just hadn't wanted them to see him in such a miserable state. He'd make it up to them now if they'd give him the chance.
No one is coming. There hadn't been a single car in—he glanced at his watch—thirteen minutes of being open.
"They're probably just delayed because of the snow," Lola assured him. "They'll come."
But Eric didn't think so. He'd pushed them away. Why would they come?
Then Eric heard the crunch of snow and gravel, the telltale sound of a car coming down the drive. After that, a steady stream of cars arrived. It was the biggest opening day in Jolly Trees Farm history. It seemed the whole town had turned out to support him. Despite his blowing them off for months, his friends and colleagues hugged him and shook his hand. No one seemed to hold his bad behavior against him at all.
Several of his students came with their families, each telling him how much they hated the long-term substitute teacher who had replaced him. He secretly loved hearing that they missed him, but he scolded each of them, making them promise to give Mrs. Shelty a chance.
And all day, old friends of his parents had patted his back and told him how proud his parents would be of him. He knew they were right. His parents loved him, and they loved the farm. Nothing would have made them happier than knowing their legacy continued on after they were gone.
Because Eric spent most of the day talking to people, Lola ended up handling the activities of the farm without him. Her penchant for organization and list-making had come in handy. She was running the farm like a well-oiled machine. Every now and then, he'd catch her eye and they'd grin at each other. Opening day had surpassed his wildest expectations. But with Lola by his side, he believed anything was possible.
He wished his parents could be here to see it. And he wished they could have known Lola. Because they would have adored her just as much as he did.
Lola couldn't stop grinning. The day had been perfect. Every time she'd spotted Eric, he'd been laughing with customers and friends. He was clearly beloved by everyone in the town. She had never known that kind of love. She'd always lived in a city, and since she'd spent so much of her life moving, she'd been unable to form many attachments. In college and medical school, she'd been 100 percent focused on her studies.
She had Lance and Lance's family. It was enough. But looking at the way the whole town had rallied behind Eric, she couldn’t help but long for those connections. She realized then that she would never be a surgeon. It just wouldn’t make her happy.
It might be possible to transfer her residency to another specialty, but she wasn't sure she wanted to do that either. She needed more time to think.
An anguished cry filled the barn. "He's not breathing! Someone call 9-1-1."
Lola's breath caught in her throat for just a moment. Then instinct took over. She rushed toward the sound of the cry and saw Eric doing the same from across the room. She realized she couldn't keep her secret any longer. Her training kicked in and she pushed her way through the crowd.
"Move aside," she commanded. Her eyes met Eric's as she shouted, "I'm a doctor."
His eyes widened in disbelief but she couldn’t keep looking at him. There was a person who needed help.
"Doctor, he can't breathe." A woman stood over an unconscious child, weeping uncontrollably. The little boy's lips were turning blue. A rash spread across his face. Lola placed her fingers against the child's wrist. His pulse was weak and rapid. She looked up at the woman. "Does he have any known allergies?"
"I'm just his babysitter. But I wasn't told of any allergies."
"So, you don't have an EpiPen for him?"
The woman shook her head.
Lola stood and cried out to the crowd. "Does anyone have an epinephrine auto-injector? An EpiPen?"
A middle-aged man stepped forward, fishing one out of a coat pocket and thrusting it at Lola. She snapped off the lid and jabbed it into the child's thigh.
As she counted to ten, releasing the epinephrine into the boy's system, she scanned the crowd for Eric. But he was nowhere to be seen. Her heart sank. He'd learned her secret. And like her foster mom Amy and so many others, he'd abandoned her, too.
Chapter 11
Tears blurring her vision, Lola stumbled toward the tree that she and Eric had tagged the day before. She pulled a glove off so she could feel the pine needles against her palm. Would Eric still honor his promise not to cut the tree down?
Lola needed her big brother. It was time to face the music.
She pulled out her phone, pressing the power button. The pine tree was at a higher elevation than the house, so maybe she'd get cell service here. Holding her breath, she waited for the phone to power back on. There were two bars of service.
She punched in Lance's name and held the phone to her ear. Her brother answered on the first ring. "Lola? Are you okay? Where are you?"
"I'm fine,” she assured him. “I'm at a Christmas tree farm in Kentucky."
"Kentucky? Why are you in Kentucky?"
Lola ignored his question and cut straight to the chase. "I don’t want to be a surgeon."
"Okay," her brother said.
"I'm not sure I even want to practice medicine."
He paused for a moment before asking, "What happened?"
Lola wasn't sure how to answer. It hadn't been just one thing. It was the culmination of a lifetime spent trying to please others. "I don't know," she said honestly. "I just want to be happy, Lance."
"I want that for you too, little sister. With all my heart."
Tears streamed down Lola's face. "You're not mad?"
"I'm definitely mad," he replied, his voice stern. "You took off for several days without checking in. Lainey and I have been worried sick."
Lola sniffled. "I know. And I'm sorry. I'll never do it again. But what I need to know is if you'll be disappointed if I don’t practice medicine. You've sacrificed so much for me."
Lance snorted. "I haven't sacrificed anything. You're the one who's poured literal blood, sweat, and tears into this career path. I'll support you no matter what you do. I love you, Lola."
For the first time, Lola truly believed that her brother's love was unconditional. Lance would be there for her, always, no matter what. He was her family.
"I love you, too, Lance. I'll see you soon."
"You'd better."
Lola hung up and walked back toward the house. The sun was setting and she was back where she'd started at the beginning of the week. Preparing to face a grumpy lumberjack, with no idea what to expect.
But this time she wasn't scared he'd chop her to bits with an ax. It was her heart she was worried about.
Eric sat on the couch, staring at the Christmas tree he and Lola had decorated. There was an ornament that was just a fraction of an inch too c
lose to another. He knew Lola wouldn’t be able to resist moving it.
But she was gone now.
It had been such a wonderful day. How could it have ended so badly?
A knock at the door made Eric jump. He didn’t want to see anyone. It was too tempting to slip back into his lifestyle as a hermit. But he forced himself to walk to the door. He opened it to find a beautiful blonde standing in front of him.
His heart leaped with joy. He wouldn't let her get away a second time: without a word, he pressed his mouth to Lola's. For a moment, he feared she wouldn’t kiss him back, but then her lips parted, inviting him in. He backed into the house, tugging her along with him, not willing to move his lips from hers for even a second.
When they finally broke apart, they were both breathless. "I thought you'd left," he whispered, stroking her silky hair.
"I was at our tree," she said. "I needed to call my brother and tell him I don’t think I want to practice medicine."
Eric’s brow furrowed. “I hope that’s not because of me. You saved that kid today. I’ve been wrong to blame all doctors for what happened to my family. I’m sorry, Lola.”
She sighed deeply. "No, it’s not because of you. It’s something I’ve been thinking for a while. I have a lot to figure out.” Her eyes bored into his. “The only thing I know for sure is that I want my future to include you."
Eric had never heard such wonderful words. His world had been cold and dark for months, but then she arrived, bringing him back to life. A living, breathing Christmas miracle.
His Lola.
He stroked her cheek with his forefinger. "While you're figuring things out, maybe you could be a Christmas tree farmer?"
Lola smiled. "Think your parents would approve?"
A lump rose in his throat. When he spoke, his voice was thick with emotion. "They would have loved you. Just like I do."
Tears welled in Lola’s eyes. "You do?"
Eric smirked. "Not exactly a brain surgeon, are you?"
Lola laughed. "I happen to have an IQ of 170."
Eric placed a finger under her chin and tilted her mouth toward his. "Am I supposed to be impressed?" He brushed her lower lip with his thumb. "Because I am, Lola Blakeman. I really am."
Want more of the Road Trip to Love series? Read Not Happy Campers next!
The only thing worse than being stuck in an RV with your enemy? Having to pretend you're madly in love.
Lance Blakeman is an up-and-coming literary agent with a chance to represent the biggest horror writer since Stephen King. Unfortunately, the client doesn't want to work with a bachelor. Lance needs a fiancée—fast.
Lainey Fredrickson is a struggling artist making ends meet by waitressing at a local diner. Or, she had been, until pretty boy Lance got her fired for accidentally spilling a beer on him. The way he carried on, you'd think she had deliberately doused him with radioactive waste. Now, she has exactly $4.23 to her name—not enough for an iced latte, let alone rent.
When Lance offers Lainey cash to pose as his fiancée, she can't afford to say no, even if it means spending a week in a cramped RV with him. But can they fool the client without fooling themselves? There's a fine line between love and hate. And with kisses this sweet, the line is bound to get blurred.
Not Happy Campers is a laugh-out-loud funny, clean romantic comedy with sizzling chemistry, witty banter, and spine-tingling kisses. If you love a good enemies to lovers or fake relationship story that ends with happy ever after, this book is for you!
About the Author
Ash Keller writes contemporary romance and romantic comedies that are sweet on heat but big on heart. So, if you love sassy heroines, lovable heroes, witty banter, swoon-worthy kisses and happily-ever-afters, you're in the right place.
To discover more about Ash Keller, her books, and upcoming releases, visit www.ashkeller.com.
Also by Ash Keller
The Billionaire's Island
ROAD TRIP TO LOVE
Christmas Crasher
Not Happy Campers
THE MEN OF ENGINE 17
The Day We Met
On the Shelf
Stoking the Flames
Where There's Smoke
Snow Place Like Home
