Page 96 of The Blessings of Christmas
Betsy dabbed at the drops dribbling onto her cheek.
Her right eye might be out of commission but her left eye kept busy. She was drinking him in like eggnog on Christmas Eve.
“So did you get your tree up?”
Tricky question. “Ah, yes. It’s up.”And butt ugly with absolutely no yummy smell.
“Wow, you’re way ahead of me.”
While he talked, she shivered.
“Cold?” Dr. Hot Stuff asked.
Burning up.“No. I’m good.”I will not wimp out.
“We keep this place really cool.”
Suddenly his fingers were gone. “Okay, let’s get this out. Eye open, please.” Betsy handed him something that glinted in the overhead light.
Her stomach clutched. “Are you sure I shouldn’t be put out for this?”
When he shook his head, the light bounced off his dark hair. “Nope. You’ll be fine. Here’s the culprit.” He held something up.
Squinting, she struggled to see it. “That’s small.”
He tossed it in a silver tray. “A splinter can feel like a boulder in your eye.”
Dr. Darling had that right. “Will I lose my vision?”
She kept blinking. Dr. Hot Stuff shook his head. “I don’t think you have to worry. But you could follow up with your family doctor.”
Nurse Betsy squeezed Victoria’s hand reassuringly. “You’ll be fine dear.”
When he glanced down at her chart, his thick lashes feathered over his cheeks. “How are you feeling, Victoria?”
Her name on his lips? Like honey butter on her hush puppies. “Fine. I guess.”
“Your eye might feel strange for a couple of days. The nurse will give you some drops. Try not to rub it.”
“Okay. Right.”I’d do anything for you, Dr. Hot Stuff.
“I’m going to apply a pad to your eye and tape it closed, Victoria.”
Ah, there it is again. Honey butter.
Gently and carefully, he placed a pad over her eye. She felt the tape being applied.
“Your cornea needs time to heal.” He stepped back, taking his minty smell and great head of hair with him. She wanted to bask in that smile.
“Betsy will give you instructions, but here’s a quick rundown.” Dr. Darling’s full lips puckered in the cutest way as he talked.
Then it hit her. Christmas and all her holiday plans. “How long will I have this on? I always go to Palm Beach with my family for Christmas.”
Was Betsy chuckling? Dr. Hot Stuff’s warm gray eyes had turned to stone. “You should be fine. Stay away from saws. That should be easy in Palm Beach.”
She chuckled but his smile had taken off for the North Pole. “Is your husband here to take you home? You shouldn’t drive tonight.”
Never had she felt so alone. “No,” she said softly. Her mother’s training rang in her ears.A lady always keeps her feelings to herself, Victoria. “I can manage.”
