Page 40 of Holiday Haven

“Yeah, that would be nice.” He shook off his somber mood and glanced at his watch. “I only have another hour of my shift left to go. How about you? “

She nodded. “Yep. I'm off at eleven-thirty, too.”

“Would you like to stop for a drink after work?” His invitation caught her off guard. Was he looking for someone to talk to after his rough shift? If so, she couldn't blame him. “There's a great Irish pub down the street and they serve hot chocolate laced with peppermint schnapps.”

Luis Garcia was a very attractive man, his dark hair and bright smile enough to charm any woman. As much as she wished she could go with him, it wouldn't be fair.

Not when her heart still ached for Adam.

“I'm sorry, but I can't tonight.”

He didn't take offense. “I understand. Maybe another time?”

“Sure.” If she could find a way to get over Adam, she wouldn't mind seeing Luis away from the hospital. Maybe he didn't have the same hang-ups about sharing his emotions as Adam did.

At the door of Frankie’s room, he turned to glance back at her. “By the way, good catch on those wheezes earlier. You helped save that little girl's life.”

“Thanks.” She blushed, surprised by his compliment. Before she could say anything more, he flashed that amazing smile and left.

Luis was a great guy. A few months ago, she would have been thrilled to go out with him. Then again, a few months ago she hadn't been nearly as self-confident—in her nursing abilities or on a personal level.

But not anymore. For the first time in months, she didn't feel as if she were sitting in Danielle’s shadow. She was a competent pediatric nurse and an attractive woman.

Too bad her heart was set on the one man who didn't want her in the same way she wanted him.

* * *

Adam couldn't pryKrista out of his mind. After he'd gone home the previous night, he'd thought about her until he'd fallen asleep. And she was the first person that popped into his mind when he woke up the following morning.

He needed to talk to her. Soon. Today. He needed to tell her about the accident and about losing his son. She deserved the truth.

And maybe he needed her absolution.

There wasn't time to drive past Nancy Williamson’s house before work. He had early patients scheduled that morning. When he walked into the clinic, he heard the Christmas songWinter Wonderlandand immediately thought of Krista. He could still see her so clearly in his mind, holding Joy and humming along as the carolers sang.

At this rate he'd never get her out of his head.

The clinic schedule was packed for the morning, but surprisingly light in the afternoon. Maybe because tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and most people were only coming in if their child was really sick. As he took a quick break from lunch, his mother called, demanding to know if he invited Krista to the annual Monroe holiday gathering on Christmas Day.

“I'm sorry she can't come, she's working.”

“Working?” His mother's disappointment radiated over the line. “Can't she take off?”

“On Christmas Day? Someone has to work the holiday,” he said in a gentle tone. He'd done his fair share of holidays as had Amber and Andrea. “I'm sure all the nurses would love to have the day off. I'll ask her again, just in case she's really not needed.”

“Alright.” His mother sighed. “See you on Wednesday.

“I'll be there,” he promised, before ending the call.

He stared in the distance for a moment. His mother wasn't the only one disappointed to know Krista had to work the holiday.

He wanted to share Christmas with her, too.

He wasn't sure how it had happened, but somehow Krista made him forget the sadness of the holiday. It had been years since he'd had fun playing in the snow. And just the memory of her in that red strapless gown made his mouth go dry. Shaking off the memories, he stood and prepared to see his next patient. Two more to go before he could head to the hospital to make rounds.

He hadn't heard anything about Joy's mother. Alec had promised to go over there sometime this morning, since he couldn’t. He suspected Nancy Williamson wasn't living in the tiny bungalow anymore. But where was she? Had she moved in with a friend? Or worse was she on the street? He hoped and prayed she’d found refuge in a shelter.

Regardless of where she was living, he'd have to discharge Joy this afternoon. He was only holding off because he still hoped Nancy would show. And that they'd have some answers as to why she'd given up her baby girl.

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