Page 1 of Stitch's Mercy

1

Mercy

I might throw up from watching Hope dash around her home, making sure everything was perfect for her very first holiday party. Christmas was in fourteen days, and I had a few days off, a whole three-day weekend, before the craziness of the holiday season descended on the emergency room.

But I didn’t want to be at Hope’s place on a Friday night, after working a double shift. I did, but didn’t because I knewhewould be here too—doctor Brady Hayes. He’d recently returned from his medical leave after that fucking Forrest Frat had shot him and held Piper hostage.

Admittedly, I avoided him…

And missed him.

He’d called every week and texted, and I had cowardly ignored his calls. Months had passed and Brady hadn’t given up. At work, I’d remained professional, then got the hell out of the building like my ass was on fire so he couldn’t corner me.

How would I avoid him tonight?

“I think that’s it. Am I missing anything?” Hope scanned the living room. Her hands were on her hips and her brows were pinched tightly together as she considered the space. She looked gorgeous wearing an off-the-shoulders red sweater and a black leather skirt and… Christmas socks covered in mistletoe. Her long blonde hair was in a sassy ponytail and her lips were tinted red. She radiated holiday cheer.

“Babe, everything looks beautiful and perfect.” I stared at her huge fresh tree in the corner. There must have been three times the amount of twinkling lights, then the average store-bought tree.

There were only silver glass balls and white snowflakes on the evergreen giant. At the top was a silver satin bow, eighteen inches in diameter. Hope had spent days watching DIY videos to make it. I recalled her saying how she wanted a simple, yet elegant tree, like the kind seen in movies or posted on social media. I’d say she’d achieved her goal. It was the first holiday in Levi’s and Hope’s new home. She had been on a mission to make it magical—and it was with holiday splendor in every room.

Feeling my inner “Grinch” rising to the surface, I plastered a smile on my face and shifted my position on the couch. I tucked my feet under my butt, so my hunter green sweater dress covered my legs. Why didn’t I wear jeans and a plain sweatshirt? I would be more comfortable, and my feet wouldn’t be cold because I could’ve worn a cute pair of socks instead of tights. Or brought a pair of fuzzy slippers with me since I’d taken my ankle boots off at the door. Guess I’d been too nervous about seeing Brady that I hadn’t thought things through.

In the Upper Midwest, most folks didn’t wear shoes indoors, especially during winter. Currently, there was a foot of snow out and nobody wanted to clean up melted water and dirt each time someone entered the house.

A dress was a dumb choice. It wasn’t like I wanted to impress anyone…

Liar. You want to outshine the other nurses attending the party. They’ll be all over Doctor McHottie.

And I will hate every second of it.

“Thank you. I’m just nervous.” Hope checked her phone. “The guys should be here soon, then the regular guests will start arriving. Lady M is sending her famous cranberry pie with Levi. I told her she didn’t have to, but I’m so glad she didn’t listen to me. It’s to die for.”

“Does she ever listen to anyone?” I smirked and pulled my strawberry-blonde hair to one side. “I mean, other than her husband.” Lady M was the matriarch of the Knight family. She ruled the roost, and her children respected the crap out of her.

“Sometimes she doesn’t listen to Ben either.” Hope giggled and plopped down beside me. “I have to tell you, Brady’s looking forward to seeing you.”

“Ha, sure he is. I don’t know how to resist him.”

“Levi said getting shot has made him more determined to be with you.” She cocked her head. “Why didn’t you tell me he’s been calling and texting?”

I sighed, grabbed my glass of wine, and gulped.

“Mercy, do you really want him to give up on you?”

“I don’t know. He was shot, Hope. If he weren’t a biker…”

“But he is, and you’re in love with him.”

“I’m not.” I stood to refill my glass and avoid Hope. She knew me better than anyone, which meant she knew my true feelings for Brady, even though we rarely discussed him.

Of course, Hope followed me into the kitchen. “Let yourself love him.”

“And then what? One of his enemies kidnaps him or me and…” I snap my mouth shut before I say the evil M-word that had shattered me more than a decade ago.

“Brady isn’t like the fucker who killed your brother.” She slowly touched my shoulder.

At least she didn’t say the M-word. “He’s a biker too.”

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