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“How is she?” mom asked, rising to stand and joining my father.
Zoey took a step towards my parents. She reached for my mother’s arm, smiled at my father. “Maggie’s still resting. She’s going to be okay. For now.”
“Can we go back and see her?”
Zoey nodded. “Sure. Just give her a minute to see what she does.”
Holding hands, my parents headed to the back of the clinic, disappearing into the examination room. My gaze traveled to Zoey. She was still staring at the examination room where she spent the last hour tending to Maggie. Zoey sighed and wiped her forehead.
I took a step towards her, closing the gap between us. She raised her head to gaze up at me. My apology got stuck in my throat for a moment just from looking into her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Dr. Marshall. I didn’t mean what I said earlier.”
She breathed in deeply and said, “It’s Zoey.”
I smiled. What I wouldn’t give to go back in time, so I could… So I could take a chance. My father was right. Change is a part of life.
“Lucas, I know you care about this place. And I know you’re going through a lot. The holidays are stressful enough as it is. Losing a family member is always frightening.”
My mother returned to the waiting room with my father trailing behind her. He was holding Maggie in his arms.
“Dr. Zoey,” my mother said. “It’s been a long day. We’re going to take our girl home now if that’s okay with you.”
Zoey hesitated at first, but nodded. “Call me. Day or night.”
The three of them exchanged smiles. My father nodded in my direction and my mother brushed a kiss on my cheek before they left. Silence hanging in the waiting room between us. I thought about what I wanted to say to Zoey next.
Nothing came to mind. Another apology would be useless. It would be too much to expect that she might still want to continue our date. Tonight, or ever.
Suddenly, a rumbling noise broke the silence. Zoey’s hand flew to her stomach. Her cheeks turned red. She looked mortified.
“Oh my gosh,” she said, hiding her face with her hands.
I stepped up to her and pulled her hands away. Our eyes met again, and I said, “After all you’ve done for me and my family tonight, please let me feed you.”
Zoey
“Wemadetheentirething out of natural stone, steel, wood, and glass,” Lucas said.
Since it was pitch black by the time we got back from the diner, I could see the details of the Valentine lodge for myself. I had to settle for a guided tour from Lucas himself.
“The view is amazing,” he continued. “Over there are snow-capped mountains. When the sun sets, it looks like a painting.”
“I’ve seen the sun set in Covington Falls for a year, but never from this high up.”
“You’re welcome back to look at it whenever you like,” Lucas said. He smiled. “This was a weird first date.”
I held my breath. Warmth spread through my body, and I felt my cheeks flush from the heat. I glanced at the tall Christmas tree, trying to conceal my red face.
Lucas cleared his throat. “So, I was thinking I could talk some about my idea of donating software to the businesses around town that needed with technology. Maybe we could get together again the next time I’m in town.”
“When will that be?”
He gazed into my eyes for a long while. “I don’t know, but I think it has to be soon.”
Blinking, I said, “Of course. With your office almost being done.”
His fingers brushed against my cheek, and he said, “No, that isn’t why, Zoey.”
