An Unexpected Kiss (12 page)

As
Lucy
packed her suitcase Friday evening, she tried to ignore the heavy feeling of
hopelessness. While Christmas had been nice, she couldn’t shake the melancholy
shrouding her. Cole hadn’t called or texted. Several times she typed a message
but ended up deleting it each time. He’d made it clear her decision to only be
friends suited him just fine.

The
Christmas Ball had been dismal, and for the first time she’d wished Lance would
have been pestering her for a dance. Not because her feelings had changed, but
because she was lonely, and it seemed everyone had a significant other but her.

Folding
the last of the new clothes she received for Christmas, she added them to the
over-stuffed bag and glanced at the digital clock. Surely Cole was awake by
now, even if he’d needed to catch up on sleep. He knew her plane left tomorrow,
and she’d at least expected to hear from him today, if only to say goodbye.

Someone
knocked on her door. “Lucy?” her father said. “Can I come in?”

“Sure,
Dad. It’s open.”

The
hinges creaked as her father entered the room. “Are you sure you don’t want me
to drive you to the airport tomorrow?”

She shook
her head. “You and Mom promised to take the boys skiing. I should’ve known
better than to book my flight so early.”

“Can’t
you change it? I wish you could come with us.”

“No, I
already tried. With the holidays the only thing I can get would be late Sunday
night. My meeting is first thing Monday morning and I’d never make it on time.”

She tried
zipping her bag shut, but it was too full. “I may need to borrow another bag.
You and Mom shouldn’t have given me so many gifts.”

“Let me
do it, honey.”

Moving to
the side, she allowed her father to help. She was so lucky to have the family
she had, and knew she had taken them for granted all these years. He zipped the
bag closed, and pulled it off of her bed.

“Thank
you, Dad.” She hugged him tight. For some reason the tears she’d been keeping
at bay the past few days started to flow.

“Hey,
now. What’s this all about?”

“I don’t
know.” She sniffed, and buried her face into his flannel shirt. “I’m just going
to miss everyone so much.”

Her
father patted her back. “Are you sure it doesn’t have more to do with a certain
doctor?”

She
stilled, and squeezed her eyes shut. “No,” she lied.

“Lucy.”
Her father gently set her back from him so he could see her face. “I don’t
think you’re telling me the truth.”

She
pressed her quivering lips together, and felt a tear slide down her cheek.
“Cole is just a friend.”

“I might
be old, but I’m not stupid. When he came to dinner on Sunday, the electricity
zipping between the two of you was powerful enough to light up every Christmas
light in the city.” He gave her a stern look. “Something happened that night,
and you haven’t been the same since.”

“I
panicked when he showed up so unexpectedly, and made him believe I didn’t want
anything more than friendship.” Sniffing, she slowly sat down on her bed.
“Actually, at the time that is all I wanted.”

The
mattress sunk down as her father took a seat across from her. “Did Cole want
something more than friendship?”

Lucy
nodded her head. “He did, but I don’t think he does now.”

“Honey, I
saw the way he looks at you, and I think all he needs is a little bit of
encouragement from you.”

“It’s too
late, Dad. He knows I’m leaving in the morning, and he hasn’t messaged me or
called.”

“He’s a
man, Lucy, and you wounded his ego. He’s not going to call you unless he knows
you want him to.”

“So what
am I supposed to do? Call him and tell him I’m an idiot and I’m in love with
him?”

One of
her dad’s eyebrows rose up. “This is more serious than I thought. You’re in
love with him?”

“I think
so. He’s all I can think about, and I feel miserable without him. I don’t want
to go back to California, and I don’t want to get the promotion and move to
some place like China.”

“Then
that’s exactly what you need to tell him.”

“What if
he doesn’t want me anymore?”

“You’ll
never know unless you say something. He seems like a pretty decent guy, and my
guess is he’ll be over here minutes after you talk to him.”

The sick
knot in her stomach began to unwind as hope filled every part of her. “Okay.”
She smiled, and threw her arms around his neck. “Thanks, Daddy. I love you.”

He gave
her a gentle squeeze. “I love you too, sweetie.” He pressed a kiss to her hair.
“I’m not going to say a word to your mother. If she got wind of this, Dr.
Taggart would never have any peace.”

Lucy
laughed softly. “If Cole doesn’t talk to me I might need Mom’s help. She’s
pretty relentless and eventually he’d call me just to get her to leave him
alone.”

“Good
luck.”

As soon
as her dad left her room, she pulled her phone out of her pocket. There still
weren’t any messages or missed calls. She opened Cole’s contact information,
but still couldn’t bring herself to make the call.

Another
knock sounded on the door. “Come in,” she said, expecting to see her dad.

Logan
poked his head in and handed her a small rectangular box wrapped in shiny red
paper. “I just found this by the couch when I was looking for my shoes. It has your
name on it.”

“Thank
you.”

She
waited until she was alone again before looking at the tag. She recognized the
all caps writing style Cole had used to write both of her prescriptions. When
had he left this for her? She still had his gift wrapped up in her closet. It
wasn’t much, just a copy of
The Polar Express
book and movie, along with
a few other DVD’s of her favorite Christmas shows.

Hands
shaking, she tore at the paper. The slender box underneath the paper had the
name of Snow Valley’s only jewelry store imprinted on the lid. Lifting off the
cover, she found a beautiful silver charm bracelet. Immediately, she recognized
the meanings of the charms he’d picked out. Lifting the bracelet up, she
jingled the bell and laughed when she heard the light, tinkling sound.

Feeling braver,
she picked up her phone and called Cole’s cell. It rang several times before
rolling over to voice mail.

Nervous,
she plunged ahead. “Hi, Cole. This is Lucy. You probably already knew that.”
She cringed and debated about hanging up to start over. “Anyway, I hope you had
a good Christmas, and that work wasn’t too crazy. My brother just found the
gift you left, and it’s beautiful. I have your gift here at the house, but
you’ve never stopped by again. I’ve wanted to call you because I miss you, but
then you didn’t call and I didn’t dare call because I basically told you I only
want to be friends.” She took a quick breath. “Well, I’ve changed my mind. I
don’t want to be friends. Wait, that’s not right. I want to be friends but I also
want more.”

She
closed her eyes, imagining the look on his face when he got this message. She
hoped it wouldn’t scare him off. “I want more, Cole. And if the job offer to
help update your office with the latest computers is still on the table then I
accept.”

Now what?
She struggled to think of an appropriate way to end the message when she heard
a beep. It seemed like her time was up. Would he even get the message?

Her
shoulders tensed as she paced around her room, waiting for him to return her
call. After twenty minutes had passed by, she started to think the worst. Was
he sitting there trying to figure out a way to let her down gently?

Another
ten minutes went by. Maybe the message didn’t go through. Maybe something weird
had happened with the connection and he didn’t know he’d missed her call. When
forty-five minutes went by with no response, she sank down on her bed, and
rolled her shoulders back. If by chance he didn’t get the voicemail, a text
message would be better than not doing anything.

Since it
was still awkward typing with her finger, she repeated basically the same thing
using her voice to text option. The process was tedious because her phone
autocorrected a lot of her words so the message didn’t make any sense. It took
her a while but finally the message was ready to be sent. Holding her breath,
she tapped on the button to send it. She followed the progress of the little
blue line at the top of the screen until the swooping sound indicated the text
had gone through.

At least
now she knew she’d tried. If he didn’t make a reply then she’d know it was too
late.

Early
Saturday
morning, Cole woke to pounding on his bedroom door. He was exhausted after
staying up late searching the Internet for a reputable IT company to digitize
his medical practice. He should’ve just broken down and called Lucy to ask for
her professor’s name, but he couldn’t do it. The more time he spent away from
her, the more he wanted her. He knew if he talked to her again he’d probably
blurt out how much he loved her, and beg her to stay.

In a few
hours she’d be leaving Montana, and maybe then he’d get his life back on track.

Climbing
out of bed, he crossed the room and opened the door.

“Hey
there,” Uncle Will said cheerfully. “I just listened to my answering machine
and the hospital found your phone. They’ve got it waiting for you in the ER.”

“That’s
great.” Cole ran his hand through his hair. “I thought I was going to have to
buy a new one today.”

“Bev is
coming over in a few minutes to make homemade crepes. You’re welcome to join
us.”

Cole
thanked his uncle for the invite, but wanted to go to the hospital first. After
doing a double shift in the ER Christmas Day, Cole had come home and slept for
ten hours straight. When he woke up, he couldn’t find his phone. After
searching his car and his room, he remembered he could log into his account and
locate his phone through an app he’d downloaded.

It
indicated it was at the hospital, but it also showed it only had nine percent
of battery power left. He’d immediately gone over to the hospital to look. Using
a personal phone of one of the nurse’s, he’d logged onto his account to
activate the audible sound. He’d only gotten a message that said the sound was
pending until the phone was connected to the Internet.

Taking a
quick shower, Cole skipped shaving and made his way to the hospital. He
couldn’t volunteer to do doubles anymore. It was too exhausting. At least his
turn to take call for the ER wouldn’t come around again for seven weeks.

The
hospital parking lot was pretty empty. He entered the double doors and made his
way to the emergency department. It wasn’t fair. They weren’t very busy and
only had a couple of patients on the white board.

“Hey, Dr.
Taggart,” a nurse said. “They found your phone in the laundry.”

He
smiled. “I hope they found it before it went through the wash and not after.”

“You’re
in luck. Housekeeping said she found it when she was sorting the laundry.” The
nurse handed him his phone.

“Thank
you so much.” He glanced around. “I’m not gonna jinx you all, but next time I
work here can it be a shift like this?”

They all
laughed. It was taboo to mention how quiet the ER was. You were guaranteed to
get slammed.

Returning
to his Land Rover, Cole immediately plugged in his phone. He knew it would take
a few minutes to get enough juice to power up. In the meantime, he drove past
his house. Work wouldn’t resume until Monday. If he was lucky, the plumber
would finish up before the New Year, and Cole could move in.

Tempted
to drive by Lucy’s house, he turned around and headed back to his uncle’s. He
didn’t know the exact time of her flight, but remembered her saying something
about early afternoon. With the distance to the airport, and the time it took
to get through security, she would be leaving soon.

Pulling
into Will’s driveway, Cole powered up his phone. It showed he had a few missed
calls, and one voicemail. There was also a text message from Lucy. He swiped
his finger across the screen, and opened the text. The message was long, but
not too far into it he realized what she was saying.

Letting
out a loud whoop, he put the car in reverse and backed out. Lucy missed him,
and wanted more. Even better, she wanted the job he’d offered her.

The drive
there seemed to take forever, and he was careful not to speed. He’d already
been pulled over once last week, and got off with a warning. He doubted his new
doctor status would get him out of a second ticket. Besides that, it would take
up too much time.

Finally,
he pulled up in front of her house. Cutting the engine, he got out of the car
and quickly made his way to her door. His adrenaline was ramped up so high his
heart felt like it’d beat right out of his chest. He pushed the doorbell, and
hoped just once Lucy would answer.

He was
disappointed when her father pulled open the door. “Dr. Taggart, what are you
doing here?” His voice had an edge to it that matched the hard look on his
face.

“I’m
sorry I stopped by so early, but I have to see Lucy.”

“It’s a
little late for that,” Lamont said. “When you didn’t return her call or reply
to her text, she cried herself to sleep.”

“But
that’s why I’m here. I lost my phone at the hospital, and they just notified me
they found it in Laundry. The second I read her text I came right over.”

Lamont
blew out a big breath, shaking his head. “I tried telling her something like
that might have happened, and she should just go by Doc Taggart’s, but she was
too upset to listen.”

“I’m so
sorry. Please let me talk to her.”

“She’s
not here. Lila and I are taking the boys skiing so Lucy rented a car yesterday
and left about an hour and a half ago.” He glanced at his watch. “Her plane
leaves around noon. If you leave right now, you should be able to make it there
in time.”

“All
right.” He took a step backward and pulled out his phone. “I’ll try calling
her, but if she happens to call you, please tell her not to get on the plane.”

“Lamont,
who’s at the door,” Lila said, coming up to stand next to her husband.

“It’s
Lucy’s doctor, and he’s going after her.”

“Oh thank
heavens,” Lila said, putting a hand over her heart. “Now Lamont won’t have to
go to prison for shooting you.”

Cole
stumbled on one of the stairs, and glanced at Lucy’s father. Lamont grinned,
and waved his hand. “I was kidding. Now hurry up.”

Turning
around, Cole ran to his car and climbed inside. Lucy’s dad might be kidding,
but he made a mental note to never get on his bad side.

All the
way to Billings, Cole tried calling Lucy. Her phone immediately rolled over to
voicemail, like it wasn’t even on. He left several messages, explaining why had
hadn’t returned her call. He also begged her not to get on the plane.

About a
mile before taking the airport exit, Cole saw the flashing blue lights come up
behind him.
Shoot
. He looked down at the speedometer and groaned. He was
going ninety miles an hour.

Slowing
down, he pulled over into the emergency lane. When he came to a stop, he
grabbed his wallet and pulled his license out. Leaning across the seat, he
opened the glove box and found the registration.

Hoping
his preparedness would buy him some points, he rolled his window down as the
state trooper approached the driver’s side.

“I’m
sorry, officer. I have a very good reason for going so fast.”

“License
and registration, please,” he said, ignoring Cole’s confession.

Cole
handed him his license and paperwork. “If you’re going to give me a ticket, can
you make it fast? The woman I love is boarding a plane in thirty minutes.”

Once
again, the trooper ignored Cole. “I’ll be back in just a minute.”

Fifteen
minutes later, the trooper knocked on Cole’s window. “I clocked you going
ninety-two in a sixty-five zone. The woman you love isn’t gonna be too happy if
you get yourself killed, and take someone with you.” He handed Cole his license
and registration. Then he gave Cole a handheld computer for him to sign.

“Slow
down,” he said, once Cole was finished.

“I will,”
Cole said.

He waited
until the trooper was back inside his vehicle before he dared pull away. Going
exactly the speed limit, Cole took the exit and groaned when he saw the posted
speed limit had dropped to forty-five. Using his Bluetooth, he tried calling
Lucy again, but still got no answer. By the time he finally made it to the
airport parking garage, it was five minutes past noon.

Running
inside, he found the monitor and located the right flight. The flashing words
made his stomach sink. Departed. He couldn’t believe he had missed her. He
stared at the monitor, wishing the status would change. He knew it wouldn’t, and
needed to come up with another plan. He wasn’t going to let Lucy go that
easily.

People
congregated around the monitors, and encroached on his space so he couldn’t
concentrate. Moving to a secluded alcove, Cole pulled out his phone. He swiped
his finger over the screen to open his travel app, and typed in the
information. Impatiently, he waited for the results to load.

A tap on
his shoulder startled him and Cole turned around, half-expecting to see the
state trooper. A smile spread across his face as Lucy stepped near enough for
him to catch the scent of her perfume.

“Um, hi,”
she said, sliding her arms around his neck. “I’m Lucy, and I need you to kiss
me. Right now.”

Bringing
his hands to rest on her lower back, he pulled her to him, and lowered his head
until their mouths were so close their breath mingled. “I’d be crazy not to,”
he murmured before covering her lips with his. Unlike his mad-dash to the
airport, Cole was in no hurry, and savored the slow caress of her soft lips.

Gradually,
the need for more of her increased, and he deepened the kiss. Lucy rose up on
her toes and, returned his kiss with an urgency that ignited all the feelings
he’d kept bottled-up. Indescribable happiness filled him, making him complete.

After a
while, the kisses softened and Cole reluctantly drew back. “I love you, Lucy.”

Her kissable
mouth curved up. “I love you too.”

“I was so
miserable without you.” Cole gently pressed his forehead against hers. “I know
I have a heart, Lucy, because it broke when I thought I’d lost you.”

“Mine
too.”

“I wish
we could have a do-over for Christmas. I wouldn’t work, but spend every second
with you.”

She
tipped her face up so their eyes met. An adorable smile appeared on her lips.
“Did you know I sent Santa a letter and asked if I could be on his naughty
list?”

Cole
smiled. “And why is that?”

“Because…”
She nestled close. “All I want for Christmas is Cole.”

Laughing,
Cole kissed her again. And just like the Grinch, he felt his heart grow three
sizes that day.