7

 

Brynn watched as, that Friday, Dillon pulled a chair close to Janie’s hospital bed and leaned into the edge. He’d insisted on accompanying her to the pediatric ward again today, and since Gran was nicely on the mend, Brynn felt comfortable leaving her and Gramps alone for the afternoon. Tonight they’d all attend the fundraiser at the pizzeria.

Best of all, Sarah had actually ventured home for the afternoon; trusting Brynn and Dillon to keep watch, along with the nurses, over her daughter. Brynn hoped Sarah was indulging in a much-needed nap followed by a soothing, hot shower and a meal that didn’t come slopped on a tray. The poor woman had barely seen the inside of her home in two weeks.

In the meantime, a coloring book was splayed across the crisp, white sheet and Janie, swathed in heart-monitor wires and IV tubes, looked on while Dillon shaded in a chunky Christmas stocking filled with toys. His technique for staying within the lines was surely the envy of every preschooler on the planet.

“Color the lollipop purple for grape.” Janie caught her bottom lip between gapped front teeth and tugged. Curls the color of cinnamon spilled over the pillow beneath her propped head. Freckles dotted her pale cheeks, but Brynn was pleased to see clarity had returned to her denim-blue eyes while her sweet, tiny voice seemed stronger and clearer. The worries over complications from infection following surgery on her spleen had all but passed. Vitals displayed on the monitors looked good. “I like grape suckers.”

“I do, too.” Dillon tore the finished page from the book and handed it to Brynn to tack onto the bulletin board on the wall at the foot of the bed. “What else do you like, Janie? What do you want from Santa?”

“Baby Cries A Lot.” She yawned and scratched her arm where the tape that held her IV line in place was stuck to her skin. “She’s a doll.”

“I’ve seen the commercials.” Dillon nodded.

“Yeah. She can sleep in the bed here with me while Mama rests in the chair.”

“That sounds like a good choice.”

“Uh huh. Becca got Baby Cries A Lot for her birthday and she brought her to school for show-and-tell. I got to hold her and give her a bottle when we went to the playground so she would stop cryin’.”

“I see.”

“I told Mama all about it, and she said I did a good job being a little mommy. But how will Santa know I want Baby Cries A Lot if I don’t sit on his lap to tell him?”

“We can write a letter.”

“A letter? Will it get to the North Pole in time?” Janie reached for her water glass, and Dillon offered her a sip through a straw. “Maybe the elves have already made all the toys.”

“Oh, no they haven’t. They work straight through Christmas Eve to get Santa’s sleigh loaded.” Dillon placed the cup back on the table beside the bed and reached for a notebook that sat beside it. “And they take last-minute orders. Tell you what; you say what you want, and I’ll write it down. Brynn and I will mail it to Santa at the North Pole on our way home from here, OK?”

Brynn and I. That sounded so…right, Brynn thought. She sipped lukewarm coffee from her go-cup as Dillon, strong as a fortress, seemed to melt at Janie’s adorable eagerness.

“OK.” Color rushed to Janie’s cheeks at the excitement of sharing her wishes with the white-bearded, jolly old man. Brynn’s insides turned to liquid, too. By all accounts, Dillon had fallen hard for sweet little Janie. He was the best medicine yet for the child.

Over the course of the week, Dillon had transformed the stark hospital room into a colorful haven. He’d thought to bring a tiny, tabletop tree from the nursery and asked the nurses’ permission to place it near the window overlooking the parking lot, where Janie could easily see sunlight capture the star atop tiny branches. Decorated with miniature, colorful balls and a strand of flashing lights unearthed from a storage crate, the tree added a welcome touch of Christmas cheer to the room, and its fresh pine scent chased away the sting of disinfectant.

The paper dolls strung together like garland along the walls also added to the holiday cheer. They were Dillon’s idea, as well. He’d started a campaign at the nursery, along with Hattie and Mattie’s help, to ask the children of their customers to color a doll and add their name to its T-shirt. In this way, Janie and Sarah learned of all the people in the Clover Cove community who held them close in prayer. Seeing the army of dolls grow daily by leaps and bounds had moved Sarah to tears while bringing a smile to Janie’s angelic face.

“OK, I’m ready for your list.”

Dillon’s voice broke into Brynn’s thoughts.

“The sky’s the limit when it comes to Santa.”

“Can he bring some toys for Sassy, too?”

Dillon glanced at Brynn, his eyes questioning.

“Sassy’s Janie’s cat,” Brynn murmured.

“Oh, right.” Dillon jotted a note on the pad. “Sure, honey, toys for Sassy. Got it. Next?”

“Flowers for Mama.” She rubbed at her eyes with her free hand. She’d overdone things today, and the strain was catching up and closing in. “She likes those yellow ones with the brown eyes.”

“Brown-eyed Susan’s?”

“Umm…uh huh. Sometimes I pick them from the yard and bring them to her. She smiles real big and hugs me.”

“OK, then…flowers for your mom.” Dillon noted the request. “Next?”

Sleepily, Janie crooked a finger at him and Dillon leaned in, pressing his ear close to her mouth. Janie peeked at Brynn as she cupped one hand at Dillon’s cheek and whispered in an urgent tone.

“Well…yes.” Dillon nodded slightly as he listened. “Um…I think Santa can manage that.”

“Manage what?” Brynn inched forward in her chair. Janie and Dillon, the little mischief-mongers, simply grinned in reply.

“It’s a secret.” Janie’s eyes fluttered closed on a yawn as Dillon settled back into his seat. In the wink of an eye, she drifted off as the monitors continued their cacophonous symphony.

“Dillon?” Brynn rose from the chair to cross over to the bed, tugging Janie’s blankets to her chin. “What are the two of you up to?”

“You’ll just have to wait.” He pressed a finger to her lips to shush her. “Like Janie said…it’s a secret.”

Brynn’s breath caught as Dillon replaced his finger with a kiss.

“Oh, my…” Sarah paused in her tracks as she entered the room. “I’m…interrupting.”

“No.” Brynn sat back, her cheeks flaming. “Dillon was just…kissing me.”

“Well, I hope you kissed him back.” She continued into the room, heading straight to Janie’s bed. “She did OK?”

“She did fine. Dillon wore her out coloring and writing a list for Santa.”

“Anything on there I need to know about?”

“Not at all.” Dillon winked. “Santa’s got it covered.”

“Thank you for staying.” Sarah settled into the last empty chair in the room. “I feel so much better after a nap and a shower. I suppose you two should be heading out to Pappy’s Pizzeria.”

“Soon.” Brynn nodded. “What’s that in your hand?”

“Oh, I almost forgot.” Sarah handed over the flyer. “I saw this on the board near the service elevator. It wasn’t there when I left, so it must have just posted.” Her voice held a touch of pleading. “I know you’ve mentioned you’re not planning to stick around Clover Cove permanently, but you’ve been so good with Janie and helping out around here with the nurses. I thought you might be interested...and perhaps have a change of heart.”

A change of heart?

Brynn scanned the flyer. It was for a job opening in the trauma unit—for a pediatric nurse.

 

****

 

Later that evening, Dillon filled his plate with a variety of pizza slices from the buffet Anthony had prepared. He weaved through the crowd, making his way back to tables that had been wedged together to accommodate the entire Cutler clan.

Brynn engaged in conversation with his mom and wisps of their conversation told him she delighted in sharing the tremendous progress Janie had made over the past week.

“If she continues to improve, she might actually make it home by Christmas Day. The doctor said it’s a miracle, and I believe the sudden positive turn is largely due to Dillon.”

“How’s that?” Dillon squeezed through the crowd to reclaim his seat beside her.

“You have a way with little girls.” Brynn grinned at him. “See what I mean?” She laughed as she jostled little Nancy on her lap, who now had her arms outstretched to Dillon. The child’s puckered lips were smeared with marinara sauce. “I’m tossed to the curb like the morning newspaper when you’re around.”

“I’ll swap you.” Dillon offered Brynn the plate of pizza. “I’ll share if you will. Come on over, Nan.”

Brynn carefully handed over the child. “Wyatt and Kami sure do make pretty babies. This little one’s gonna be a heart breaker.”

“Don’t I know it.” Nancy giggled as Dillon wiped the sauce from her face. She pressed a rosy cheek to the cotton fabric of his polo, her skin warm against his chest. Dillon bent to nuzzle her crown of chestnut curls, inhaling the scent of baby shampoo.

Mom leaned in with Nate on her lap. His arms and legs pumped like pistons in the pursuit of his sister. “Three generations of Cutlers all at one table. It’s a wonderful thing.”

Indeed, Dillon watched his brothers chat with their wives while Maddie and Gunnar shared a plate of pizza and relayed nephew Kyle’s latest accomplishment—passing the test for his driving permit. It was a milestone, for sure, and a testament to the strides he’d made since Gunnar took him in three years ago. Word was Kyle’s mother—Gunnar’s sister—lived somewhere out west. No one could say for sure, since she hadn’t been heard from in nearly a year.

“Dillon mentioned Sarah gave you a flyer for a job opening in the trauma unit at the hospital.” Kami deposited a large basket of garlic knots onto the table. Steam wafted, carrying the rich aroma of butter and parmesan. “Are you considering applying?”

Dillon’s pulse kicked up a notch as he zeroed in on Brynn’s response.

 

****

 

“I don’t know if that’s even an option.” Brynn shifted in her seat and glanced across the table to Gran and Gramps, settled near the far end. Gran looked a bit peaked, the exertion of the evening obviously wearing on her. She’d not spent much time out of the house over the past three weeks, except for visits to the doctor. “I’m expected back in Jacksonville.”

“What would it hurt to apply?” Maddie chimed in. “I’m sure your grandparents would be thrilled to have you here permanently. I know someone else who would be thrilled, too.” She nodded toward Dillon while winking furtively.

“We’re just…friends.” Brynn’s cheeks burned. She was thankful Dillon appeared completely oblivious to their conversation as he indulged in a game of peek-a-boo with Nancy.

“Sure you are.” A chuckle escaped Maddie’s lips. “And I still believe in the tooth fairy.”

“I have a life back in Jacksonville…a job.”

“Family?”

“Well…I did. But Dad relocated to Charleston in October. He never stays in one place for too long. He has to go wherever the military tells him.” Brynn’s heart tugged at the thought of leaving Clover Cove. She found it odd that she already missed Dillon, and she hadn’t even gone yet. He sat right beside her, his shoulder nestled against hers as he segued from peek-a-boo to pat-a-cake, delighting Nancy with his antics.

“What would it hurt, Brynn, to toss your name into the hat for the job? Sarah gave you that flyer for a reason. Maybe God’s working through her—have you considered that?”

“I…” She drank in the sounds, the smells, and the heartfelt laughter swirling around her. On the counter near the end of the buffet line, a gallon jar overflowed with donations from those who’d come out to show their support for Janie and Sarah Mitchell. It had already been emptied twice. “I’ll think about it.”

Colorful lights twinkled along the length of the ceiling while a Frasier fir, joyfully decorated and topped with a silver-toned star, greeted customers as they stepped into the foyer. In the background, the merry sounds of Christmas danced as carols played. It was all so lovely, so cozy…so home. And the best part of all was the man sitting beside her—Dillon.

As if he read her mind, he leaned in to capture her lips. The kiss lingered, stoking her need to stay. Nancy, enthralled, clapped with delight before pressing one soft, tiny palm to Brynn’s cheek.

“Kiss?” She puckered her plump little limps and pressed them to Brynn’s nose. Right then and there, Brynn melted. Her gaze clouded as a lump closed her throat, rendering her unable to speak. A swath of emotion chiseled straight through her heart. Maybe Maddie was right—maybe God was sending a message. She’d do best to consider things carefully.

“I guess that settles it.” Maddie laughed. “Nancy has cast her vote.”

A chill rushed through the room and Brynn lifted her head to see the entrance doors thrown wide. For a moment, it seemed a ghost had entered, but then, hauling a purse large as an oversized duffel bag, a woman stepped into the foyer light. She paused, preventing the doors from closing as she scanned the room. Her gaze zeroed in on Dillon, and a triumphant smile spread across lips glossed fireball-red. She tugged a knit cap from her head, unleashing a waterfall of auburn hair. The silky tresses spilled over her back to kiss her waist.

“Dillon.” Her voice sliced through the chatter, and all eyes turned to watch her beeline like a heat-seeking missile toward the table. Three-inch heels clicked across the tile as she approached the table. “I’m back.”

Dillon’s head shot up. “Jacqui.” He blanched white as the tablecloth as she neared. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, that’s a fine how-do-you-do.” She dropped her purse on the floor and nudged Nancy aside to peck him on the cheek. “It’s good to see you, too. I see I’m just in time for the party. She scanned the length of the table, nodding appreciatively. “Wyatt, Reese, Maddie…Hattie. Hail, hail the gang’s all here. Well, isn’t this a comfy little gathering.”

“I wasn’t expecting you.” Dillon shifted Nancy in his arms, perching her on the leg closer to Brynn.

“Obviously.” Jacqui shimmied onto the seat beside him. Her gaze drifted to Brynn and her smile grew by the megawatt as she extended a hand. “Nice to meet you…er…”

“Brynn Jansen.”

“Oh, yes. Nice to meet you, Brynn. I’m Jacqueline Roberts. I suppose Dillon’s mentioned me.”

“Actually…no.”

Jacqueline’s laughter rang like broken glass. “That’s certainly a surprise, since the last time we were together we discussed marriage.”