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

dusted their hands and locked the town gates behind him. Not that the town had gates, but still, metaphorically speaking.
    And now? The sisters were acting way too welcoming around Nash. It had to be more than his cologne setting them off. Cologne he seemed to not be wearing today.
    Mary Alice released him and swung her snowmobile helmet jauntily. “Now, where is that father of yours, Katie?”
    She inhaled sharply. Her father! He was still in the recovery room. Katie spun on her heel and took off, the squeak of Mary Alice’s wet boots trailing behind her.
    Pausing outside her father’s door, Katie turned to Mary Alice. The woman unzipped her thick, one-piece snowsuit and plunged a hand down the neck of her fuzzy sweater. She fished around, her lips twisted in concentration. Her face brightened as she pulled an envelope from her cleavage. “I have a card for Harvey. Brownies, too. From Mandy’s restaurant. Got them yesterday.” She began exploring her cleavage again.
    “Well, that’s nice. Warm brownies. He’ll like that.” Katie fought her gag reflex at the thought of eating brownies warmed by Mary Alice’s mega breasts. “It will be a few hours before he’s up to eating. He just had surgery.”
    “It’s the thought that counts. Did you know that when I had my hysterectomy last spring I went and saw Nash in the city? He made me feel so much better about it all. You don’t need a womb to be a woman.”
    Katie shook the image of Mary Alice and Nash discussing reproductive parts from her mind. “That’s…lovely.”
    “Did you know his ex-wife used to be a lawyer? Well, she still is, actually. Very nice lady. She’s hoping he’ll find someone nice to marry.” Mary Alice gave Katie an assessing glance.
    “That’s great that they’re still friends.”
    “Beth and Nash are, too, you know. Not all men can remain friends with an ex.”
    “Yeah, rather odd, huh? Well, here we are.” She peeked into the recovery area, where her father was sleeping. “He’s ready to go back to a regular room. Do you want to meet me in 107 in a few minutes?”
    But Mary Alice followed her in, making herself at home. “What a place to spend Christmas. No offense to those who work here, but I mean, you understand…” She patted Katie’s shoulder, then roused Harvey with a foot jiggle. “Hey, old man! What’s the meaning of having appendicitis on your wife’s big day, huh? Trying to get yourself killed? Angelica might be sweet and kind, but I don’t doubt she’d take you out if amply motivated. We’d better get you home, pronto.” Mary Alice waved a hand for Katie to help her as she began whipping blankets off him.
    “He hasn’t been cleared for anything but a regular room. He got out of the OR less than forty minutes ago.” Katie grabbed the blankets back and flung them over the shivering man.
    “I’m cold,” her father said groggily. “Mary Alice, you look different.”
    “Oh? You like my hair?” She fluffed her short do and twisted her head from side to side.
    “Maybe you could bring my mom here,” Katie said, regretting the words as they left her mouth. “You managed to get through the snow. Wouldn’t it be safer to try and bring Mom here instead of take Dad home?”
    “Nonsense. I’m already here.” Mary Alice lifted Harvey’s arm and studied his IV. “How do you take one of these things out without making blood squirt everywhere?”
    “I’ll call security, Mary Alice,” Katie warned. Nobody messed with Nurse Reiter and her orders. Not even Mary Alice.
    “I want to go home,” her father said. He struggled to sit up.
    “Not a chance.” She pushed her father back into a prone position. “Mary Alice…” Katie used her best warning voice.
    Mary Alice lowered Harvey’s arm and stared at her in shock. “Don’t you go taking that tone with me.” She lumbered over for a showdown. “And just so you know, Miss Katie Reiter, security isn’t on tonight. Went home two hours ago. Had a nice