One Special Christmas & Home for the Holidays Read Online Free

really good places are booked solid and have waiting lists a mile long.” She dropped her head into her hands and drew a shuddering breath. “This isn’t at all what I wanted for Sarah!”
    Eric’s throat tightened. For a brief moment he was overcome by a powerful urge to reach over and take her hand, to give her the reassurance of a caring touch thatshe seemed to need so desperately. He knew that she was stressed to the limit, torn between want and necessity. At this point he was actually more worried about her physical and emotional state than he was about Sarah’s. Children had a way of adjusting. And Sarah had the security of Kate’s love. But Kate was alone, with no one to share her burdens. Though his heart told him to reach out to her, in the end professional decorum prevailed and he refrained—with great effort.
    â€œYou’re doing the best you can, Mrs. Nolan, under very difficult circumstances,” he reassured her gently, his voice unusually husky. “Don’t be too hard on yourself.”
    Kate looked into his eyes, and she felt strangely comforted by the kindness and compassion she saw there. She was trying to do her best, and it lifted her spirits ever-so-slightly to have someone recognize that.
    â€œThank you. But it’s obviously not good enough. I want what’s best for Sarah, Doctor. There has to be a better solution than this.” She sighed and wearily ran her fingers through her shoulder-length hair. “I guess I’ll just have to keep looking.”
    Eric stared at her bowed head, his face growing thoughtful as an idea suddenly took shape his mind. If he could pull it off, several problems would be solved, he realized. Sarah would have a more personal day-care situation. Kate’s guilt would be eased. And Eric’s mind would be relieved of a constant worry. It was a long shot, of course. And he didn’t want to raise any expectations until he had a commitment. But it just might work.
    â€œI’m sure you’ll find the answer, Mrs. Nolan. And in the meantime, remember that children are more resilient than we think. You’re clearly a caring, conscientious parent, and children know intuitively when they’re loved. That makes a huge difference.”
    Kate looked at Eric, essentially a stranger to her despite their brief, traumatic encounter five years before. Yet he seemed to know exactly the right thing to say to relieve her mind. Maybe it was a knack he had with all worried mothers. But the caring in his eyes seemed genuine—and somehow personal. Which was silly, of course. She was just another case to him. But she appreciated his kindness nonetheless.
    â€œYou have a great bedside manner, Doctor. Even if I’m not the patient,” she told him with a tremulous smile. “I feel much better.”
    He returned the smile, and she liked the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’m glad. And let me know if Sarah is still having problems in a week or so. But I think she’ll adjust, given time.”
    â€œI just wish there was another option,” Kate said with a sigh.
    Eric didn’t comment as he stood and ushered her to the door. But he had a plan. And if everything went as he hoped, Kate’s wish just might come true.
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    Anna Carlson’s hand froze, the glass of orange juice halfway to her mouth, as she stared at her son over the plate of scrambled eggs.
    â€œYou want me to do what?”
    Eric had known it wasn’t going to be an easy sell. Ever since his father had died six months before, his mother had shut herself off from the world, struggling not only with grief over the passing of her lifelong companion but also with a sense of uselessness. A nurturer by disposition, she had found her meaning in life by caring for the men she loved—Eric when he wasyounger, and in recent years her husband, as failing health made him increasingly dependent. In fact, their already