Page 72 of Mistletoe and Mischief

“Yeah, we got lost.”

If Mel announced that to one more person, Linc might be tempted to slug him.

“Where are they taking you?” he asked.

“To the birthing center in Silverdale,” one of the EMTs answered.

“You won’t have any trouble finding it,” Cliff assured them. “I’ll draw you a map.”

“No, thanks.” Mel shuddered noticeably.

“We’d better follow the aid car,” Linc said.

“Mary Jo, we brought you gifts.”

“Thank you, Ned.” Her face softened as she looked at the three of them. “That’s so sweet.”

“We’re sorry about the things we said.” Again this came from Ned, who was more willing to acknowledge he was wrong than either Mel or Linc.

“Yeah,” Mel agreed.

Linc muttered something under his breath, hoping it would pass for an apology. He did feel bad about the way everything had gone and the pressure they’d put on Mary Jo. They hadn’t meant to. Their intentions had been the best, although he could see now that they’d gone too far. Still, he wasn’t letting David Rhodes off the hook. The man had responsibilities and Linc was as determined as ever to see that he lived up to them.

“Linc, Mel, Ned, I want you to meet Mack McAfee,” his sister said, her arm out to the EMT. “Oh, I forgot,” she added. “You guys met earlier.”

Linc nodded at the other man. So did Mel and Ned.

“Good to see you again,” Mack said. “And congratulations on your brand-new niece. Oh, and this is my partner, Brandon Hutton.”

Once more the brothers nodded.

“I couldn’t have managed without them,” Mary Jo said fervently.

Linc thanked them both. “Our family’s much obliged to you for everything you’ve done.”

“Just part of the job,” Brandon said.

“It was an honor,” Mack told them. “I have to tell you this was the best Christmas Eve of my life.”

“And mine,” Mary Jo said. She looked at Mack, and the two of them seemed to maintain eye contact for an extra-long moment.

“Now, Grandma?” Tyler stepped up to Grace, a small drum strapped over his shoulders.

“Now, Tyler.”

The youngster set his sticks in motion. Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum.

Linc glanced over at the barn and saw the ox and the lamb in the paddock. They seemed to be keeping time to the drum, bowing their heads with each slow beat.

Mary Jo was right. This was the best Christmas Eve of his life. Ofalltheir lives.

20

Mary Jo woke to find Mack McAfee standing in the doorway of her private hospital room. “Mack,” she whispered. Her heart reacted to the sight of him, pounding extraordinarily hard. She hadn’t been certain she’d ever see him again.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, walking into the room.

“Fine.” Actually, she was sore and tired and eager to get home, to be with her family.

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