Page 39 of Mistletoe Dreams
"That's you too. You're the one who suggested we clear a place to go fishing down by the river on your farm."
He raised his brows, questioning her, and she nodded in agreement. He was right. It had been her idea.
"But you took initiative. You didn't have to."
"That's true." He laughed a little, as though thinking that her stubbornness in refusing to take all the credit was cute.
They chatted about a few other things as they finished up their meal and he paid the bill, and then they slid out of the booth and put their coats back on.
"I feel like I need to take you home."
"You don't need to feel like that," she said, not sure if he was saying that he wanted to or just that he felt weird ending a date by parting at the restaurant.
"I just don't like the idea that you're heading there by yourself. I know you've done it a million times before, but... I feel like it's my responsibility to make sure that you get there safely."
"I'll be fine. I can text you when I get there."
"Would you think I was being too much of a stalker if I asked if it would be okay if I followed you home?" He sounded humble, like he sincerely cared about her, and it made her feel warm and happy. Usually, she was the one who was caring for others, and it felt good to be on the receiving end.
"Of course not. But I'll have to insist that you come in for a cup of hot chocolate."
"All right. I accept."
They smiled at each other, and then he opened her car door, and she got in.
On the drive out to her house, she felt like she was basking in a warm, happy glow, unsure exactly what was going on with them, but knowing that she liked the direction they were heading, and the fact that he was going to talk to Mason meant that he was serious.
She definitely was.
Her phone ringing startled her. It took a moment for the name on the screen to register.
Stephanie Brunswick.
They'd done their residency together. She'd lost track of her a little bit since her move, but they used to be very good friends, especially since Stephanie was originally from North Carolina.
"Hello?" She picked up on the hands-free.
"Hannah! It's Stephanie. It's been a long time."
"Yeah. My goodness, how are you?"
"I'm great. I actually got a job in Raleigh as the head of pediatrics at the hospital there. It's a huge step up and definitely thedirection I want to go with my career. But I was stopping in to see my grandmother, and I thought you were near her now. I heard through the grapevine that you are in Virginia now?"
"Yes. Mistletoe Meadows."
"I thought so. That's just a couple of hours from my gram's. But I don't want to put you out. I'm sure you're probably really busy."
"No. I'd love to have you." She was sincere. She really would love to see her friend. But she kind of cringed when she thought about the small town and her position as doctor at the medical clinic. It was a far cry from the prestigious position she'd had in the city the last time she and Stephanie had talked. Her career definitely wasn't on an upward trajectory.
She swallowed. Just a few minutes ago she had been exceptionally happy about that. But now... talking to Stephanie made her doubt everything she had been thinking. Stephanie was going to wonder what was wrong with her because she'd basically been demoted. And not just a little.
But she had loved what was happening in her life. She had been thinking it was the best thing that could possibly have happened. How did that all change in an instant?
She gave Stephanie some directions, and Stephanie told her approximately what time she'd be driving through. She hung up the phone, still not feeling the greatest.
She'd almost forgotten about Ben following her when the headlights flashed behind her as she pulled into the farmhouse driveway.
He followed her down, and she parked, keeping her hands on the steering wheel before turning her car off and opening the door.
