Page 62 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
“Professor Jackson?” Zac asked, and she nodded. “Yes, he does, and he wants my sister to stay and work with him there.”
“Well, if she takes it,” Barb said, “I think she and Doctor Reece would make a perfect pair.”
“You don’t mind?” Zac looked at her curiously.
“Why would I?” Barb asked.
“I just thought that…” Zac cleared his throat. “That you and he were dating.”
“No!” Barb spluttered. “I’ve only just met the man, and he’s Charlotte’s pediatrician. As I plan on staying here and going back to work for Giles, I want to keep him as hers and Oscar's doctor.”
“Phew, that's a relief,” Zac told her. “I was worried as he asked Paige out for dinner as soon as you’re out of the hospital.”
“Why wait for me to get out of here?” Barb asked, confused.
“As I said before,” Zac said with a snort, “my sister is rather possessive over her niece and nephew.”
“Oh!” Barb nodded, a warm feeling growing in her heart. She was glad Oscar and Charlotte would grow up knowing Zac’s side of the family. “Tell Paige I said thank you for looking after them.”
“I will,” Zac said. “But don’t worry, Jackie is there keeping an eye on Paige to make sure she doesn’t just feed them candy or ice cream,” he teased.
“Oh no!” Barb thought of the bungalow. “I haven’t had a chance to decorate the bungalow for the competition in two days.”
“Don’t worry,” Zac said. “Jackie, Paige, and Doctor Reece have done it under the strict supervision of Oscar, who told themexactlyhow his mother would want it done.”
Barb laughed, picturing her son taking charge. He could be rather bossy when he wanted to. Her eyes met Zac’s, and her heart skipped a beat—he was just like his father.
“That’s a relief,” Barb said. “And what about the fair and all the Countdown to Christmas fun.” She glanced out the window. “The doctor said she’d tell me this afternoon when she was releasing me.”
“I know you don’t want to hear this,” Zac told her, taking Barb’s hand, “but Paige hasn’t let Oscarmiss one competition, and the only time she lets Jackie anywhere near Charlotte is when she’s helping Oscar with one of the challenges.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Do you remember I told you how much Charlotte reminded me of Paige?”
“Yes,” Barb nodded.
“Well, Oscar is exactly like her,” Zac told Barb. “They are so competitive that, teamed together, they’re basically unstoppable.”
“Yes, Oscar can be very competitive,” Barb said, grinning. “I always wondered where he got that from. I’m glad he has your sister to help him. I frustrate him in those competitions. I always feel sorry for the child who is about to lose, so I hold back.”
“Yes, he told Paige that you throw the competition.” Zac laughed.
“Traitor!” Barb feigned being hurt. “I’m glad he’s having fun.” She smiled. “How is Charlotte? What did the doctor say when she went for her check-up?”
“Paige told me that Doctor Reece is pleased and that your daughter is doing a whole lot better than you are,” Zac teased her again.
“I’m so glad,” Barb told Zac. “I was worried that the kids would get the virus from her, and I didn’t want their Christmas festivities ruined.”
“Instead, you got it,” Zac replied. “The one good thing to come from it is that you got some much-needed rest.”
“Yes, and now I’m ready to go home and help finish setting up the festival,” Barb stated.
“You won’t be setting up any festival for a while,” the doctor said walking into the room with her tablet in hand. “I’m going to be signing your release. But you have to take it easy for a few days, and I want you back in two days for a check-up.”
“Really?” Barb said excitedly. “I can go home?”
“Yes, but not if you’re just going to go and build a festival,” the doctor told her. “You need to go home and take it easy for at least two more days.”
“But it’s the Countdown to Christmas, the tree lighting, going to the town festival, the start of the Mistletoe one,” Barb told the doctor. “How can I take it easy?”
“You can go to them; just don’t over-exert yourself, or you’ll land up back here,” the doctor warned her, jotting something on her tablet. “You can get dressed, and the nurse will have all your paperwork and medication and make you a follow-up appointment.”
