Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 21003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
“Sir, you needed to have a meeting?”
“Yes, please have a seat.”
“For the rest of the week, I’ll be ending the day at six.” Her jaw slackens, but she quickly adjusts her expression.
“That’s good, Sir.”
“It may just be the new schedule unless something happens, so that means we’ll need to rearrange any parts of my calendar that keep me in the office or in meetings late in the evening.”
“Yes, Sir. Is there anything else you need me to do?”
“Not yet, but I will be busy for the next hour before my call with the investors and I don’t want to be disturbed.” She nods and then excuses herself. As soon as she closes the door, I search for the first gifts. It takes me forever to pick each out and then get them here on time.
My assistant knocks on my door. “It’s time for your call with Mr. Feazell.”
“Thank you,” I mutter, closing the tabs and then opening the docs I need before taking the call.
“Hello, Mr. Feazell.”
“Thank you for taking a call with me so close to the holidays. I’m leaving to visit family, so it would be great if we could strike a deal today.”
I’m more than ready to get back to picking out gifts for my reluctant angel. “Well, then, let’s get down to business.”
Our call lasts longer than I expect because he starts talking about his family, and I feel envious. “Do you have a family, Mr. Ames?”
“Only a sister, but I hope to one day have a family.”
“It’s amazing.” Maybe I’m crazy because I just met this woman I am obsessed with, or maybe it’s a Christmas miracle. I stare at the photo of my mother on my desk, and for the first time, I don’t feel completely angry.
Chapter Six
Caroline
I wake up to my Jingle Bells ringtone and smile until I sit up and remember what happened last night. I open my front door to see if he’s still there. It’s a ridiculous emotion, but I’m saddened to see he isn’t there and the snow has covered up his footprints.
I close the door and sigh. “Where did my Christmas sunshine go?”
A dog barks down the street, and then I remember that I have to be at work, so I rush back inside and get ready. It’s a crazy time of year where so many people are getting pets, and the weather brings pets in for cold injuries.
I put on my scrubs with pets in stockings on the top. It’s too cute, not that the dogs and cats care, but sometimes the kids come in and enjoy it.
It takes a little longer to get to the office because of the snow, but I get to work on time. My boss greets me with a grin, but it’s Anne’s face that catches me off guard. She’s practically growling at me like one of our ornery dogs.
“A good morning to you, too.”
“What did you do to Tom?”
“I didn’t do anything to him. Why?”
“He was all upset and said it was the worst experience of his life.”
“Well, maybe you shouldn’t have set me up with an animal-hating, rude man who was more busy staring at the server’s ass than giving me any attention.”
“You jealous?”
“No, of course not. I don’t ever want to see him again. Besides, he seems to like you more. Why aren’t you dating him instead?”
“Because he’s not financially stable.”
“Wow, so you thought he would be good for me? Thanks. I see what you think of me. Well, thanks for the wasted night.”
“He said you ran off with another man anyway and he had to pay the bill.”
“Ha. I didn’t run off with another man. He escorted me to my car and also paid for the dinner, so don’t let Tom lie.”
“Girls, what’s going on?”
“Nothing, Dr. Lee. What do you need me to start with?”
“Check on our overnight patients.” I go back and get to work, avoiding Anne as much as I can. She does the same, but I do catch her glares every once in a while when our paths cross.
“You’ve done an amazing job today, Caroline. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Thank you, Dr. Lee.” He cups my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “Don’t let Anne get to you. She’s been looking for jobs during her down time, so she’s miserable here,” he says with a smirk. “Do you have plans for the holiday?”
“No. My family doesn’t live in Illinois anymore, so I’ll be just enjoying the warmth by myself with hot cocoa and holiday movies.”
“Well, you’re more than welcome to join the wife and me. We’re having family and some friends over on the twenty-fourth for a big party.”
“Thank you. I might take you up on that offer,” I say. After all, I had no one to spend time with, so it would be nice to not be alone during the holidays.