Eggnog and Candy Canes: A Blueberry Springs Christmas Novella by Jean Oram Read Free Book Online Page A

reason not to kiss him, even in a jolly, festive, platonic way, but darn if she could recall what that was.
    Or what platonic meant.
    His lips were demanding. Demanding what, exactly? she wondered. Reciprocity. He was challenging her.
    Challenge accepted.
    He was not coming out on top. She would be the one leaving him panting, thank you very much. She kissed back, hard, putting everything she had into outdoing him. She pulled her sexiest moves, and his body responded against hers.
    “Okay, that’s enough!” Trey snapped. “My arm is getting tired. Besides, I thought you two were, like, rivals or something?”
    “Still are,” Katie murmured as she broke the lip-lock. Her eyes felt heavy with seduction and she didn’t want to remove her hands from Nash’s chest. He felt good. Right.
    How could that be?
    “Completely hate each other,” Nash replied, his arms still tight around her.
    “Right, then. I’m off to give Lauretta a chance with Gran’s boyfriend, Reggie. Ciao.”
    Nash loosened his grip at the mention of his ex-fiancée’s grandmother, and Katie stepped back, breaking their embrace completely.
    She felt cold standing in Trey’s puddle of melted snow.
    She couldn’t seem to break eye contact with Nash. Their flirting had slipped under her skin, the kiss sealing the deal.
    She was officially in lust with her best friend’s ex.
    All Katie had to do was take one step forward and she’d be back in Nash’s arms. Only this time she didn’t have an excuse. Granted, there was no excuse for the way she’d kissed him only seconds ago. Mistletoe or not.
    “So we might get stranded here? Together?” Nash asked, his voice throaty and deep. He couldn’t seem to pull his attention away from her lips.
    “Baby, it’s cold outside.” She was easing closer. Leaning in, inhaling his scent, memorizing it for the forbidden fantasies she’d surely be enjoying later.
    “Dr. Leham!” Amy scuttled around the corner, halting abruptly when she spotted Katie. “You’re needed in the ER.”
    He’d been leaning in, too, Katie noticed as he straightened. So quick, he practically took the air with him.
    “Katie, you’d better come, too.” The nurse’s voice was stern and serious.
    Katie and Nash fell into step, hurrying down the hall. As Katie rounded the corner to the ER, she almost laughed, feeling as though she was filming a medical drama and the credits were about to roll, with the two of them racing to save the day. Her breath left her chest as she spotted the patient sitting on a gurney, clutching his midriff.
    “Dad! Is it your heart?” She knew it wasn’t; he was clutching the wrong part of his body. But seeing her father in pain pretty much negated her nursing degree.
    “I don’t think so,” he gasped. He leaned on Katie’s shoulder as she wrapped an arm around him. “I’m glad I have the best nurse in town to help me. No offense, Amy.”
    “None taken,” the other nurse grumbled.
    “Appendix? Gall bladder?” asked Angelica. She was hovering, her eyes so wide they amplified the whole reindeer thing she had going on with her antler headband and Rudolph sweater.
    “Dad,” Katie said carefully, “is this the same pain you were having last night?”
    “It wasn’t the cabbage rolls,” Angelica informed the group. She placed a hand on her daughter’s wrist. “Dear, I told you your Christmas outfit would come together. You look lovely. Such a ray of sunshine for your patients.”
    A ray of sunshine. Yes, she was. She blinded them with too much Christmas whenever she entered a room. Add eye exams to every patient on the floor, please.
    “I’m sorry I’m ruining Christmas,” Harvey said to his wife, as Nash had him lay back for an examination. “I know how much tonight means to you.”
    “Well, then, you’d better get fixed up so we can head home before that turkey dries out.” Angelica seemed to be half teasing, half serious. She dabbed at her eyes and turned away.
    “There is plenty of