Page 38 of A Colby Christmas Rescue

“How wonderful. We’ll be sure to get it.”

They chatted for a moment more until another guest arrived to share her praise for the book. Jamie and Abi wandered to the other side of the room.

“We are twenty minutes out,” he told her.

Jamie left her barely touched glass on a tray. “I think I’ll drop by the powder room.”

“I’ll be right here.” His position allowed him to see the wife, daughter and the doctor.

Jamie nodded and headed through the lingering crowd.

Taking a bathroom break while wearing a dress like this was never fun. But she might as well take advantage of the opportunity. No way to know when she’d have another chance. Ducking behind a bush wearing this wouldn’t be so easy.

She made quick work of the necessary business. After a swift wash of her hands and check of her hair and makeup, she smoothed her dress. It was almost showtime. Maybe they would all get through this without a glitch, and she would be on her way home tomorrow with her little brother in tow.

“Hang in there, Luke.” She hoped she would be seeing him soon.

She exited the ornate powder room and went in search of her date. Well,datewasn’t really the right term.Partner in crime.No sign of the mother and daughter. She surveyed the room again. She spotted them by the larger Christmas tree. It was then that she noticed their dresses fit particularly well with the holiday decor. Every last thing was meticulously coordinated.

“They’ll be going up soon,” Abi told her. “When the doctor goes up, that will be our cue.”

“Have you heard from your getaway driver? You’ve confirmed that all is as it should be?” Her nerves were jangling.

“I have. All is exactly as it should be.”

“When and how will your employer release Luke?”

His gaze collided with hers. “Once Dr. Case is at the designated location, you will be taken to Luke’s condo, and he will be there waiting for you.”

“And when will the doctor be returned to his home?”

“By noon tomorrow I’m told.”

She wondered if he would be considered missing or kidnapped during that time. If so the police and the FBI would launch into action. Or would he simply be made to call his wife and assure her that he’d had an emergency at the hospital?

“Until then,” Abi said, drawing her back to the conversation, “he’ll be caring for an emergency situation. It happens all the time. His wife and daughter will think nothing of it.”

Jamie searched his face. He’d just lied to her, or he’d made the sort of mistake he shouldn’t and he’d glossed right over it.

“Does he usually take his daughter with him to emergencies?”

Abi stared at her for a long moment. “Before the mother realizes she is missing, little Lillian will be back in her room.”

“What will she tell her mother? Another dream for a book?”

Suddenly all the holes in his elaborate plan were far too visible and Jamie had a bad, bad feeling swelling in her gut.

He smiled. “Sounds like a bestseller.”

As long as no one died or was gravely injured, she reminded herself. Jamie settled her gaze on the doctor. How did a man like him—who possessed a skill like no one else—get through each day knowing he could only save a few? How did he decide who he would save and who he would let go?

Did he have the typical god complex associated with some in the profession?

Even as she asked herself this question, his shoulders seem to visibly slump beneath the weight of his success.

Or maybe she wanted to believe he cared that much. After all, imagine the dedication and work required to reach the sort of skill level he possessed. To achieve what no one else had.

She would soon know how he saw himself. More important, how he saw the patients in need of his help.

---