One Special Christmas & Home for the Holidays Read online

  “You mean other than the usual mayhem around this place?”

  Kate chuckled. “What’s going on now?”

  “A friend of Cal’s had to go out of the country on business for a few weeks and somehow conned my good-natured husband into baby-sitting his iguana. The twins are fascinated. Personally, when it comes to pets I prefer the warm, cuddly variety. However, as long as I don’t have to touch it, I suppose I can put up with a reptile in my house for a limited time. But speaking of ‘warm and cuddly’—how are things with Eric?”

  Kate flushed. She’d tried to downplay their relationship, but Amy wasn’t inclined to buy the “just friends” routine. Which, in a way, might make it easier to broach the subject that was on her mind. “Things are fine.”

  “’Fine,’ hmm. Would you define that?”

  “I see him a lot. We go to church together and all of us eat dinner at his mother’s every Friday night. Sometimes he drops over. Like tonight.”

  There was silence for a moment. “Look, Kate, I don’t want to pry—or push. So if you want to tell me to mind my own business, it won’t hurt my feelings in the least. But is it really just a friendship thing with you two?”

  Kate played with the phone cord. “Yes. Although sometimes I… Well, I think maybe he’d like for it to be more. I mean, I know he still has concerns about mixing medicine and marriage. He got burned pretty badly the first time he tried that. So he’s gun-shy. But I have a feeling if I gave him some encouragement he might be willing to at least…consider it.”

  “And I take it you haven’t?”

  “No. I’m still trying to put my own past behind me,” Kate admitted, her gaze coming to rest on the wedding picture that hung over the couch. “It’s really hard to let go, you know? Even after all this time.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Amy sighed. “I guess you just need to listen to your heart and do things at your own pace, Kate. You’ll know when it’s the right time to move forward.”

  Kate took a deep breath. “Actually, that’s one of the reasons I called. I think maybe it is the right time. At least to take a few small steps.” Kate explained Anna’s Thanksgiving plans and her concern about Eric being alone. “So I wondered if maybe… Well, I thought that—”

  “Invite him,” Amy interrupted promptly.

  “Honestly?”

  “Of course. One more mouth to feed in this household won’t even be noticed. And there’s plenty of room. We’ll kick out the iguana if we have to.”

  Kate laughed. Amy had always had a knack for making her feel better. “You’re a pretty terrific sister, you know that?”

  “Just paying back an old debt. Seems to me you were a pretty good sounding board once when I really needed guidance. If it wasn’t for you I might never have married Cal and ended up living in the heart of Tennessee. You know, come to think of it…”

  Kate smiled at her teasing tone. “You wouldn’t trade your life for anything and you know it.”

  “You’re right about that. Listen, you bring that overworked doctor down here and we’ll show him a Thanksgiving he won’t forget.”

  “Thanks, Amy.”

  “My pleasure. Just do me a favor, okay? Warn him about the iguana.”

  Kate didn’t mention the holiday that night when Eric stopped by for cake and coffee. In fact, it took her a whole week to work up the courage to broach the subject. And when she did, it was at the last minute, as he walked Sarah and her to the door after Sunday services.

  Kate fitted her key in the lock and ushered Sarah inside, then turned to Eric, struggling to get her suddenly-too-rapid pulse under control. “Thanks again for the ride. And for breakfast,” she said a bit breathlessly. “You’re welcome.”

  Though there was a chill in the early-November air, his smile warmed her all the way to her toes. “Uh, Eric…”

  He looked at her curiously, alerted by something in her tone. “Yes?”

  “I’m glad your mother is going on that cruise.”

  “So am I. It will be a nice change of pace for her. She sounds like a kid when she talks about it—which is most of the time. I didn’t think we’d get a word in edgewise at breakfast today.”

  “I know. She’s so excited! But… Well, what about you? It won’t be much fun to spend the holiday alone.”

  He shrugged dismissively. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Your mom is kind of concerned about you being by yourself.”

  He tilted his head and eyed her quizzically. “Did she tell you that?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  He frowned. “I told her not to worry.”

  “That’s how mothers are. It’s in the job description.” She paused and took a deep breath. “To be honest, I’m not too happy about the situation, either. So I thought you might like to… Well, I talked to Amy and…you know we always go there for Thanksgiving, and there’s plenty of room—Amy said so. Except she did tell me to warn you about the iguana. Cal’s watching it for a friend of his. Amy’s not too happy about that, but the kids love it and—” Her nervous babbling ceased abruptly when Eric laid his hand on her arm and gazed down at her.

  “Kate, are you asking me to spend Thanksgiving with you and your family?” he asked quietly.

  She swallowed with difficulty and nodded. “Listen, I know it’s kind of a long trip and they’re all strangers to you, so it’s okay if…”

  “I accept.”

  She looked at him in surprise. “Really?”

  “Really. Because between you and me, I wasn’t looking forward to spending this holiday alone. And I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be on this Thanksgiving than with you. And Sarah. And Amy and her family…and the iguana,” he teased, a twinkle springing to life in his eyes.

  Kate’s gaze was locked on his, and she watched, mesmerized, as the twinkle suddenly changed to an ember that quickly ignited, deepening the color of his eyes. Her breath caught in her throat as he slowly reached over and touched her face, letting his hand linger before gently raking his fingers through her hair.

  Though the touch was simple, its effect on Kate’s metabolism was anything but. She longed to lean against his solid chest, to feel his arms protectively and tenderly enfold her. She closed her eyes and sighed softly, instinctively swaying toward him.

  Eric read her body language, recognized the invitation she was unconsciously issuing, and fought down the sudden urge to pull her close. Dear Lord, give me strength, he prayed, his heart hammering in his chest. He wanted to hold her tightly, to touch her, to caress the soft waves of her ebony hair and the silky smoothness of her cheek. He wanted to press his lips to hers and taste their sweetness. Bottom line, he wanted a whole lot more than he should want at this point, he reminded himself as he struggled to control his desires. Get a grip, admonished himself sharply. This is not the time. Or the place.

  With a triumph of willpower that surprised him, he dropped his hand and stepped back, drawing a long, shaky breath as he did so.

  Kate opened her eyes and blinked, as if trying to clear her vision, then reached out to grip the doorframe as she stared at him.

  “I’ll call you,” he promised, his gaze locked on hers.

  She nodded jerkily. “Okay.” It was barely a whisper.

  He held her gaze for a moment longer, then with obvious effort turned and strode quickly away. Not until he was out of her sight did he pause for a moment to take a deep, steadying breath. He knew that Kate was close to reaching out to him. The real question now was whether they were both ready. During the last couple of weeks he’d thought a lot about his conversation with Frank, and he was gradually beginning to believe that maybe…just maybe…marriage and medicine could mix—with the right woman. Namely, Kate. But even if he resolved his own issues, there was still Jack. Could she let him go? And could she ever find it in her heart to love someone else as intensely as she’d loved her husband?

  Eric wasn’t sure. And that uncertainty left him discouraged. For if he truly set out to win the heart of this specia
l woman, he realized he could face a daunting task. The simple fact was, his experience in dealing with living rivals was extremely limited. And he was at a total loss about how to deal with a dead one.

  Chapter Nine

  Kate glanced over her shoulder at Sarah, whose excited chatter had finally been silenced by sleep, and smiled. Her gaze connected with Eric’s as she turned back, and he glanced briefly in the rearview mirror, his own mouth lifting at the corners.

  “Looks like the sandman finally won.”

  “Thanks for being so patient, Eric. I’m sure you would have preferred a quieter drive.”

  “Honestly? No. Most of my drives are far too quiet. This was a nice change.”

  “Well, Sarah isn’t usually this wound up. It’s just that she’s been so excited about the trip. She was up at dawn, ready and waiting.”

  “Which means her mother was up at dawn, as well.”

  She shrugged. “I had things to do anyway.”

  “You must be tired, Kate. Why don’t you grab a nap, too?”

  The sudden tenderness in his voice made her stomach flutter, but she tried to ignore the sensation. “I’m okay. The fact is, I’m excited, too. I’ve been looking forward to seeing Amy and her family as much as Sarah has. The kids are cute, Cal is great and Amy… Well, Amy’s special. I hope you like her, Eric.”

  “I’m sure I will. Especially if she’s anything like you.”

  She felt a warm flush rise to her face. “Actually, we’re pretty different,” she replied, striving to maintain a conversational tone. “Amy has always been more outgoing and self-confident, sort of a take-charge kind of person—in the best sense of the term. She’s a doer and an organizer and always has things under control. Unlike me.”

  Eric frowned and glanced over at her. “I think you’re selling yourself short.”

  Kate gazed unseeingly into the deepening dusk. “’Control’ isn’t a word I would apply to my life in recent years,” she said quietly.

  “The things that happened were beyond your control, Kate,” Eric reminded her gently but firmly. “You coped admirably under extremely difficult circumstances and through it all you’ve been an exceptional mother. That ranks you pretty highly in my book.”

  Kate turned to study his strong profile, trying unsuccessfully to read his expression in the dim light. “I have a feeling you’re just being kind, Eric, but in any case, thank you.”

  His gaze flickered momentarily to hers. “I’m not just being kind, Kate. Trust me.”

  That tender, intimate quality was back in his voice, and her heart stopped, then raced on. “You know, Dr. Carlson, you’re going to turn my head with all these compliments. Pretty soon I’ll have to add conceitedness to my list of faults,” she quipped, unwilling yet to deal with the implications of his flattery—and his tone. She was relieved when he picked up on her cue and responded with a chuckle.

  “Why do I doubt that?” he countered.

  They lapsed into companionable silence then, and by the time they pulled into the drive that led to Amy’s log house it was after ten. The crunch of the tires on the gravel announced their arrival, and as they pulled to a stop, the front door was flung open to reveal a silhouetted, jeans-clad figure.

  Kate smiled softly. “Amy’s been watching for us.”

  Before Eric could respond, the woman in the doorway called something over her shoulder, then raced down the steps, bypassing the last one with a leap. Kate pushed open her door, and the two women met in front of the car, clinging to each other in a fierce hug.

  “Oh, Kate, it’s so good to see you!” Amy said fervently.

  When Kate replied there was a trace of tears in her voice. “I’ve missed you so much!”

  Eric leaned against the car and folded his arms across his chest as he silently watched the reunion. Though it was difficult to see much in the dim light, there were definitely some physical differences between the two women. Amy was taller than Kate, and her hair wasn’t nearly as dark. While Kate was softly rounded in all the right places, Amy’s build seemed more angular and athletic. And her movements suggested a more boisterous, impulsive nature than Kate’s. But whatever their physical or personality differences, it was clear that the sisters shared a strong emotional bond. He felt touched—and honored—that Kate had included him in this family gathering.

  When Amy at last extricated herself from the hug, she strode toward him and extended her hand. “You’re obviously Eric. Welcome.”

  He straightened quickly and took her fingers in a firm grip. “And you’re obviously Amy. Thank you for inviting me. I’m looking forward to being part of your holiday.”

  Amy tilted her head and planted her hands on her hips. “I hope you still feel that way when you leave on Sunday. Kate did tell you about the iguana, right?”

  He smiled. “I’ve been duly warned about your temporary guest.”

  “Well, I’m glad you used the term ‘temporary,’” she confessed with relief. “We’re eccentric enough without having strangers think we regularly keep weird animals in our house. You’ll be happy to know that Wally isn’t sleeping in your room.”

  “’Wally’?”

  “The iguana.” She rolled her eyes. “An iguana named Wally, can you believe it? The next time Cal agrees to—”

  “Did I hear my name mentioned?”

  A tall, dark-haired man slipped his arm around Amy’s shoulders and she turned to look up at him. Her expression softened, though her tone was teasing. “You did. We were discussing Wally.”

  Cal grimaced good-naturedly. “Why do I think I’ll never hear the end of this?”

  “Because you won’t,” she replied pertly. “But enough about Wally for the moment. Eric, this is my husband, Cal. Cal, Eric Carlson.”

  While the two men shook hands and exchanged greetings, Amy slipped from under Cal’s arm, peered inside the car and grinned. “Looks like someone nodded off.”

  “About a hundred and fifty miles ago,” Kate informed her.

  “Well, I’m sure you’re all exhausted after that long drive. Are you hungry?” She glanced from Kate to Eric, and they shook their heads.

  “We stopped for dinner along the way,” Kate told her.

  “Okay. Then let’s get you all to bed. We can visit tomorrow.”

  By the time everyone was settled, it was nearly eleven. Sarah and the twins were happily rolled into sleeping bags in the living room, while Kate took the twins’ room. Eric was assigned the sleeper sofa in the den.

  “Now, is there anything else you need tonight?” Amy asked.

  “We’re fine,” Kate assured her. “Get some rest yourself.”

  Amy chuckled and glanced at her watch ruefully. “Fat chance. Believe it or not, Caitlin still likes a midnight bottle. My six-month-old,” she explained to Eric.

  He smiled. “A healthy appetite is a good sign.”

  “I’ll remind myself of that while I’m feeding her in the wee hours,” she replied with a wry grin. “Good night, you two.”

  They watched her disappear up the rough-hewn split-log stairway, and then Eric turned to Kate. The warmth in his eyes banished the evening chill. “Sleep well,” he said huskily.

  She opened her mouth to reply, discovered she’d somehow misplaced her voice, and forced herself to take a deep breath before trying again. “I usually do when I’m here. I like being in the country.”

  “I do, too. This seems like a perfect spot to celebrate an all-American holiday. Thanks again for inviting me, Kate.”

  She smiled. “Like Amy said, save your thanks until we leave. It can get pretty crazy around here with all the kids.”

  “It’s a good kind of crazy, though.”

  Her smile softened. “Yeah, it is.”

  Kate expected him to turn away then, but instead he propped a shoulder against the doorframe and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He drew a deep breath, and in the dim light of the hall Kate could see twin furrows etched between his eyes.

  �
�Is something wrong?” she asked in concern.

  He glanced down at her, and his frown eased. “No. I’m just thinking how nice it is to be in a home so obviously filled with love. Amy and Cal seem to have created something really special in this house. I can feel it, even in the short time I’ve been here. It’s heartwarming to see such a successful marriage.”

  “They do happen, Eric. I know.”

  He looked down into her eyes and nodded slowly. “I know you do. I guess the question is…”

  His voice trailed off, and Kate felt her breath catch in her throat. She could guess what he was thinking, and she knew she ought to leave his comment alone. But she spoke anyway. “The question is what?” she ventured hesitantly.

  Eric gazed at her for a long moment. Then, instead of replying, he withdrew one of his hands from his pocket and reached over to cup her chin, his thumb stroking her cheek. It was a casual, uncomplicated gesture. But the warmth of his gentle touch, the compelling look in his eyes, turned it into so much more. A deep yearning surged through Kate, and she felt her heart pause, then race on. She wanted more, she realized. She wanted him to hold her in his strong arms, to tenderly claim her long-neglected lips. Instinctively Kate knew Eric’s briefest kiss would transport her to a land of emotion from which she had long been estranged.

  Eric saw the longing in Kate’s eyes and could no longer ignore—or suppress—the attraction that sparked between them. It was time to test the waters. Slowly he leaned toward her, his gaze locked on hers. His own pulse was none too steady, and he closed his eyes as their lips came whisper close, eager to taste the sweetness of—

  “Oh, I’m glad you’re both still up. I forgot—”

  Kate heard Eric’s sharply indrawn breath and pulled back, startled. She felt hot color suffuse her face as she turned to her sister.

  Amy paused on the bottom step and quickly assessed the situation. “Uh, listen, leave it to me to barge right in at the wrong time. I just wanted to let you know that we planned to go to services tomorrow morning at ten, if that’s okay with you two.”