Page 2 of Santa's Mistletoe Playbook

Now that they were closing in on their second anniversary of dating, Danica figured the next logical step in their relationship was to get engaged.

After graduation, Bryson was offered a spot with an obstetrician team at the Phoenix hospital. Unfortunately, it ate up most of his waking time in the first year. Now, he was in his second year at the hospital, and his being gone so often strained their relationship.

Danica expected Bryson’s erratic schedule to improve once he built a reputation for delivering newborns. But as time wore on, she grew increasingly anxious about the future.

Her phone vibrated on the granite counter, and she tapped the speaker icon.

“Hello, my lovely,” said Bryson in a low tone. “I’m on my way home.”

“I missed you today. Dinner is waiting,” she purred into the phone.

“I have big news. Can’t wait to see you.” He ended the call before she could say, “Love you, too.”

Her pulse ticked up, anticipating his news. Hopefully, it will be a change in his busy work schedule. If so, that would be perfect for her Sedona getaway plans and the romantic vacay she hungered for. Her job as a massage therapist was nowhere near the stress of Bryson’s, as she set her own hours.

Danica hurried upstairs to do what Krystal had suggested and changed into her sexiest see-through baby doll nightie. Giddy with anticipation, she eagerly awaited the moment Dr. Bryson Cooper would walk through the front door.

CHAPTER TWO

BRYSON

Bryson wondered how Danica would receive his news. She’d hinted that she had a surprise planned for the holidays, and he suspected the fresh development at work would no doubt change her plans.

He opened the door and heaved a sigh of relief. The three C-sections had complications requiring surgeries for most of the day. All he wanted was to crawl into bed for the night after a soothing shower.

“Danni? I’m home!” he called out, his voice echoing under the towering cathedral ceiling.

“Up here, Bry,” she called from upstairs. “Come on up.”

Bryson trudged up the curved staircase and padded down the plush hallway carpet to their master bedroom. When he stepped inside, his jaw dropped.

Danica lay on her side on the king bed in a skimpy black bra and thong. She gave him a blue-eyed smile, her blonde tendrils splayed on a pillow.

“Come here, big boy. I’ll make you relax.” She patted the spot next to her, licking her lips.

If he weren’t so wiped out, that would surely do it for him. He opened his mouth to protest how tired he was, then rememberedwhat he was about to spring on Danni and clamped it shut. He lifted his V-neck scrub top over his head and tossed it in the dirty laundry.

“Got to shower first, hon. Babies are a messy business.” He wanted to have sex with Danni in the worst way, but after the stressful, fatiguing day he had, he doubted he could get it up, even after a shower.

“Okay, I’ll be waiting.” She picked up the remote and clicked on the TV.

He could tell he’d disappointed her, but his insane work schedule had caught up to him. When he finished showering, he dried himself and walked into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.

Danica had fallen asleep. Her soft snores told him he shouldn’t wake her. They never seemed to catch a break. Either he was eager for lovemaking, or she was, but their timing was always off. He sighed and headed down to grab himself a plate of enchiladas.

Danica appeared behind Bryson’s chair, and her arms came around him in a gentle hug. “Tell me your news.” She yawned and dragged a chair next to him. Dammit, she’d covered up with her pink robe.

He turned to face her. “Remember Dr. Perry, the obstetrician who transferred from Anchorage a few months ago? You met him at the holiday party we had at the Camelback Resort.” He shoveled in a mouthful of enchilada.

“Yes, I remember him.”

“Dr. Perry has a family emergency, so he asked if I’d be willing to fill in for him at Mercy Hospital in Anchorage while he’s gone.”

“Anchorage? When?” He could tell she forced a smile.

“Right away. He has to settle his ninety-five-year-old mother into an assisted living facility in Virginia. She fell and is in a hospital there. He has to leave as soon as possible.”

Danica’s sapphire eyes grew big as snowballs. “Right away? As in now, right away? But—but we planned to go next summer, so I could meet your parents.” Her voice rose along with her displeasure at this news.

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