One Special Christmas & Home for the Holidays Read Online Free Page A

strong mutual devotion had seemed to intensify as Walter’s physical condition weakened.
    While some women would resent the demands of living with an ill spouse, Anna had never complained. As she’d told her son on more than one occasion, “Walter took care of us for a lot of years, Eric. He worked three jobs at once when you were a baby just to make ends meet. Nothing was too much trouble if it made life easier for the people he loved. How can I do any less now, when he needs me?”
    Now, with his father gone and the demands of his practice keeping him too busy to give his mother as much time as he’d like, she was adrift. The inspired idea he’d had in the office a couple of days before had seemed like the perfect solution for everyone. His mother needed someone to take care of. Sarah needed someone to do just that. Kate needed the peace of mind that a good caregiver would provide. And he wanted to help his mother find new purpose in life. It was an ideal arrangement.
    But from the way she was staring at him, one would think he’d suggested she take up skydiving.
    â€œI’d like you to consider watching one of my patients five days a week during school hours while her mother teaches,” he repeated evenly.
    His mother set her glass down and continued to stare at him. “Why on earth would I what to do that?”
    Eric mulled over his response while the server poured him a fresh cup of coffee and decided on the direct approach.
    â€œShe needs help, Mom.”
    Anna frowned at him. “Who? The mother or the little girl?”
    â€œBoth.”
    Even if she wasn’t exactly receptive, he’d at least aroused her curiosity, Eric thought. His mother hadn’t looked this interested in anything since before his father had died. Their after-church Sunday-morning breakfasts had become a ritual during the last six months. It was a time he reserved exclusively for her, but usually she was subdued and barely picked at her food. Today he’d managed to snap her out of her apathy, if only for a few moments.
    In fact, as she studied him now, he began to grow slightly uncomfortable. He knew that look. It was one he remembered well from his growing-up years, when she was trying to figure out what was going on in his mind, what his motivation was. Her next question confirmed it.
    â€œEric, in all the years you’ve been a doctor, I’ve never seen you take such a personal interest in a patient. Is there something you’re not telling me about this situation?”
    He had to give her credit. She was as sharp and insightful as ever. He’d never told her about the accident, but he did so now, as briefly as possible and characteristically downplaying his role. She listened with interest, and when he’d finished she looked at him shrewdly.
    â€œAnd your paths just suddenly crossed again two days ago?”
    â€œYes.”
    She pondered that for a moment. “It seems odd, doesn’t it?”
    â€œVery.”
    â€œEven so, there’s really no reason for you to getinvolved in this woman’s life, is there? You must meet a lot of parents who are facing similar dilemmas.”
    He couldn’t argue with that. Broken families, single-parent households, stepchildren—and the many problems they entailed—he’d seen it all. And he’d never before been tempted to intervene personally. At least not to this extent. His mother was right. There wasn’t any reason to get involved in Kate Nolan’s life. Except maybe one: he wanted to. And at the moment he wasn’t inclined to analyze his motivation.
    â€œLet’s just say that I think it would be the Christian thing to do,” he replied noncommittally. “You have the time. She has the need. It’s the right combination of circumstances at the right time. There’s nothing more to it than that.”
    His mother looked skeptical, but she didn’t belabor the point.