Page 80 of My eX-MAS Emergency

He kissed the top of her head and held her tight, knowing he couldn’t love her more if she were his daughter. “Quinnster.”

“I just don’t want to lose her again. I love it when she takes me to school and picks me up. We laugh and sing in the car. Last night she just held me in my bed and told me how sorry she was. I want that mom.”

Tristan wanted that for her too. He had a feeling when she said all she wanted for Christmas was for him and Calista to be together, what she really wanted was her mom back. “If your aunt Calista has any say, that’s exactly what you’ll get.”

“She really is the best,” Quinn replied.

“That she is.”

Quinn gave him one last squeeze before pulling away. “You better not be late picking her up. And don’t forget: you need to get her the perfect Christmas present.”

Tristan grinned. He knew exactly what he was getting Calista for Christmas. He saluted Quinn. “Aye, aye, captain.”

She giggled. “By the way, I still want some cousins.”

“I’m working on it.” He chuckled. “Now get back to work.”

She scooted off, and he hustled to grab his coat, eager to get to the woman he loved. He hoped it would be a memorable night and a fresh start—a better start, even. Because this time he knew what he had, and he wasn’t dumb enough to let it go.

TRISTAN WAITED IN THE HOSPITAL lobby for Calista, as anxious and as excited as the first time she’d agreed to go out with him. He smoothed out his dress coat while he listened to the instrumental jazz Christmas music playing in the background. Every person who came through the revolving doors seemed to laser in on him like they knew who he was there for. He knew coming out into the open tonight was going to cause a stir. He prayed this town would be kinder to Calista and their relationship wouldn’t be considered such a scandal this time. For her sake, at least. Tristan didn’t give a damn what anyone in this town thought about it, especially his parents.

It wasn’t long before Calista walked through a set of electronic doors. She’d changed out of her scrubs and wore snug jeans and a deep-brown funnel-neck sweater that matched her hair and made her hazel eyes shine warmly. She carried her parka, which would come in handy while they ice-skated.

Like the lovesick fool that he was, he jogged over to her, not able to wait one more second to have her in his arms.

Calista’s smile said she knew exactly how she affected him.

Tristan would gladly admit to being besotted. As soon as he was to her, he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her cheek. “Hello, gorgeous. How was your day?”

She snuggled against him. “Long, but good.”

“You sound tired. Do you want to just do dinner and a movie?”

She smiled up at him. Her cinnamon breath begging him to kiss her. “I think you’re just afraid I’ll outskate you.”

“I have no doubt you will.”

She laughed before skimming his lips with her own.

Tristan so badly wanted to kiss her breathless, but refrained for the sake of propriety. “I’m just glad you’re coming around to winter again.”

She bit her lip. “It’s okay.”

He knew she was downplaying it. She loved winter weather and even this town. He regretted making her think any differently. But he planned to make up for it. “Shall we go?”

She nodded.

Tristan helped her put her coat on before they walked out into the crisp, clear night. The stars seemed to twinkle extra brightly. Perhaps the universe was just as happy to see them back together as he was.

He took her hand and let their clasped hands swing between them, happier than he had been in years. The hope of Christmas and the future lingered in the air. He couldn’t help but think of a quote from A Christmas Carol. “Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering.” His home was Calista, and there was no one more appreciative than him at that moment. There would be no more wandering.

They were almost to his car when the loud screech of tires squealing and the most horrendous sound of metal colliding and glass shattering split the air. A car had run a red light and collided with a car turning into the hospital. The impact was so great, the turning vehicle spun and ended up hitting a light pole on the other side of the street.

Before Tristan could process what had just happened, Calista let go of him and bolted across the hospital parking lot. She shed her coat and tossed it on the ground as she went so that she could run faster, but she kept her backpack.

Tristan followed her and watched in horror as Calista crossed the busy street, dodging cars to get to the mangled car with smoke pouring out of the hood. By the time Tristan made it to the street, several cars had stopped, making it easier for him to cross. The smell of burning rubber filled the air, making him cough.

When Tristan reached Calista, she was wrenching open the passenger-side door to the severely damaged large SUV with no thought for her personal safety. “Is everyone all right?” she called out.

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