Page 24 of Holiday Haven

“I don't mind at all.” She walked to the small closet and drew out her coat.

He took a deep breath, then stepped forward to take the long, ebony coat from her hands. He held it out for her. The scent of evergreen trees and cranberries weren't just from the tree but seemed to cling to her hair. Did she bathe in the stuff? He settled the coat over her shoulders and then strove for a casual tone. “Ready?”

“Yes, thanks.” They left her apartment and walked back down the stairs to the main lobby area he escorted her to his car.

“I'm supposed to say thank you.” She turned to face him in the dim interior of the car.

“Thank me?” He raised a brow. “For what?”

“Dinner last night.” She flashed him a puzzled look. “Chinese food, remember? Jenny, Emily and the rest of the staff really enjoyed your meal.”

“Oh yeah.” He had gone home to his empty condo, tossing and turning for hours before he'd finally fallen asleep. Thankfully it hadn't been his Saturday to work the clinic. There was no reason for him to be this distracted by a beautiful woman. “Tell them they're very welcome. It's not a big deal. Nurses bail physicians out all the time.”

That made her laugh. “I'm glad you realize it,” she said in a teasing tone. “Anyway, it's been totally nuts on the floor the past few nights. We ran back to the break room anytime we had five free minutes to eat. We finally finished everything off by the end of our shift. The night nurses were upset we didn’t save them any.”

Cold Chinese food? He grimaced. “Glad I could help.”

“So, tell me who's going to be at your parents’ house tonight?”

Was she nervous about meeting his family? No that didn't make sense. She'd grown up in the same area and had gone to high school with several of his siblings. “You know Amber, she'll be there with her husband Nick. My sister Andrea can't make it, Bethany is sick. You know my brother Alec, he'll be there with his daughter Shannon and his wife Jillian. My brother Austin is home for the holidays, so he'll be there.” He slanted her a curious glance, seeking a reaction to Austin's name, but she simply nodded. “You'll like my parents, they're great.”

“I'm sure they are.”

His parents would love her, too. He cleared his throat and concentrated on driving. The little bit of snow that had fallen made the roads slippery.

He parked in front of his parents’ house and took Krista’s arm to help steady her as they walked up to the door. He knocked twice then open the door and walked in.

Everyone was already there, though the noise level higher than usual. Like Krista, his mother had decorated for Christmas. Krista’s eyes widened for a moment but once he drew her forward and began introductions, she relaxed.

“Mom, Dad, this is Krista Vaughan. Krista, these are my parents, Abe and Alice Monroe.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Krista shook hands with both of them.

“Krista, it's great to see you again.” Amber came forward and enveloped her in a welcoming hug. “I'm thrilled Adam brought you along. Come on come on I want you to meet my husband Nick.”

Adam hung back, watching as his made Krista feel comfortable without the slightest hesitation. He'd had reservations about bringing her but, of course, she fit right in. Just like he known she would. He tried not to roll his eyes when his mother sent him a sly wink of approval.

“Krista, I remember you from high school,” Austin said as he moved forward to take her hand. “You're prettier than ever.”

“Thank you.” Krista blushed and Adam sent his brother a warning glance, which Austin cheerfully ignored. Since his younger brother was actually smiling for the first time since he'd been home, Adam let it go.

But if his brother’s smile turned into anything more, he was dead meat.

“Something to drink, Krista?” Abe asked in his loud booming voice. “We have hot apple cider, or a variety of other soft drinks.”

“Hot apple cider sounds wonderful, thank you,” Krista said.

“Good choice.” Abe grinned and Adam knew Krista had won his dad over easily. Then again, his dad was a pushover for a pretty face. Except for Danielle. “Adam, will you fetch more mugs from the kitchen?”

“Sure.” He walked past Krista, lightly brushing her arm as he passed. She shot him a secret smile and in that moment he knew he didn't have to worry about Austin.

Krista was happy to be there with him. He found the Christmas mugs and carried them back to the living room. Shannon was showing Krista her doctor's bag and explaining how the various instruments worked. He'd heard Shannon talk about how much she wanted to be a doctor but had expected the novelty to have worn off by now. He had to admit, he was surprised it hadn't.

Abby and Nick were talking about the Children's Memorial Christmas ball, where proceeds from the sale of the tickets would go to support medical care for kids in need.

Kids like Joy.

He usually attended, most of the physicians on staff did. He'd planned to go alone as usual, but glancing at Krista, he was struck by the idea of taking her with him.

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