Page 10 of Saving Luke

"Then, I’d like your help ordering some stuff for the guys. I want to make sure everyone has something to open other than their Secret Santa gifts." Lexi says as we unload our bags.

"Just set up here in the middle of the living room. I can put on a Hallmark movie, and we can have a mini wrapping party," I say.

"Sounds good. Oh, who’s getting a Coach bag?" She asks, eyeing the bag I’m taking to the guest bedroom.

"Luke's sister. Apparently, she likes to snoop, too. I suggested he leave it in your office, but he seemed a bit hesitant, so I offered to keep it here in my guest closet." I tell her.

"Nice. Not only is he close to his sister, but he also spoils her. Another check mark for him," she says.

I put the bag away and grab my wrapping supplies.

"How many points does he have? And why does he have points at all?" I ask.

"Oh, Brooke. I see how he looks at you and how you look at him when no one is looking."

I feel my cheeks heat, so I turn and head into the kitchen to get us something to drink.

Changing the topic, I ask, "So, what did you get Noah?"

Lexi gives me a look, like she knows exactly what I'm doing, but thankfully, she gives me a break.

"That man is so hard to shop for! I had him make a wish list, which included mostly tools, by the way. Then, I took that list into the store and asked a sales guy for help. I pointed out what I wanted to get him, and here I am. I also went shopping for my brother, his wife, my nephew, and my parents. We still have Noah's family to shop for, but he's going to have to help me there," she says.

"You sound like you were as busy as I was. I bought it for my brother, his wife, and my grandma. However, I gave up and will be ordering for my niece and nephew online. Kids are too hard to shop for these days. They want this toy or game, but it has to be a certain color or character, or heaven forbid you get it wrong. Then, you get the stink eye on Christmas," I tell her.

"Well, what did you expect when you bought her the wrong jeans?" She laughs, remembering last Christmas when I tried to get my niece the jeans she wanted and got the name mixed up.

The ones I got were pretty horrible, once she tried them on. I felt so bad and tried to make it up to her, but the damage was done. I am not the aunt who gives bad gifts. A title I doubt I will ever live down.

We spend the next hour wrapping gifts, before hopping online and going over some possible ideas for Christmas gifts for the patients that fit in our budget.

"Why don't you talk to Mandy to see if she can do some quick fundraiser, asking for gift donations or money for gifts? Every little bit will help. I think we should get the guys something practical they can use." I tell her.

"Good idea. In a perfect world, we could gift them all laptops to help with school or the job search when they are discharged, but laptops for twenty-four patients right now just isn't in the budget.”

We bookmark a few ideas and decide to ask the other staff for some suggestions, too.

When Lexi leaves, I head over to my grandma's for dinner.

"Well, it's about time you get here. I was beginning to think I'd have to send the cops to do a well visit to check on you!" Grandma says as soon as I walk through the door.

That’s my grandma, always overdramatic. That’s how you know she cares about you, though.

"Sorry, I'm late. I was doing some Christmas shopping today. Then, Lexi came over, and we wrapped gifts and did some shopping for the guys at Oakside," I tell her.

"Well, help me finish setting the table, and then you can tell me all about it, " she says as I follow her back into the kitchen.

She made her famous lasagna—not because she knows I like it, but because it will give her leftovers for a week, and she’ll just have to warm it up. She also made garlic bread and a salad.

We sit down, and Grandma makes me say grace before we dig in. Then, she turns to me, "Tell me everything that’s going on at Oakside."

Grandma is one of the biggest reasons I took the job when Lexi and Nash offered it. I was working at the hospital, and the jobwas comfortable. Because I had been there a few years, I had a good shift, great benefits, and a stable routine.

When Grandma heard of the job offer, she was my biggest advocate for taking the leap and doing it. She has always had a soft spot for our men in uniform, and she helps them out every chance she can. If it all went south, she promised I could move in with her. Though I think both of us knew it wouldn't, as the community at large has been very supportive of a small town in southern Georgia.

Then, I tell her about the Christmas decorations and festivities, my Christmas shopping, and taking Luke with me. I leave out the kiss, but Grandma still eyes me like she knows I'm not telling her the whole truth. Let her wonder.

"So, with the holidays coming up, you got yourself a boy to take to all these events?" Grandma asks as I take my second helping of lasagna.

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