A Very Beary Christmas (The Ornamental Match Maker Book 22) Read online

  “You got it,” Pablo grinned jerking his chin toward Nita. “Right Sis?”

  “You know it,” she affirmed. “I’ll do whatever I can. Where is Jamie anyway?” she added.

  “Her grandmother insisted they take a little walk and get out of this room,” Carlos said. “She has definite ideas about how to do things after you have a baby.”

  “And Jamie’s feeling all right?” Nita asked.

  “Yes, she said now that she has slept she feels pretty good. Still, I don’t want her doing too much.”

  Both Pablo and Anita laughed at that. They didn’t know anyone who could keep Jamie from doing whatever she felt needed done. Hopefully though, she and baby Christian could have a little time at home before stepping back into the hospitality realm and the running of the Old Inn, one of the local area’s iconic treasures.

  “I can cover the front desk for the next few days,” Anita offered handing her nephew back to Carlos who placed him in his tiny bed. “I have nearly three weeks before I start back to school.”

  “Don’t let your studies slip though,” Carlos chided, his dark brown eyes serious.

  “I can take a couple of days off if needed,” Pablo offered as well. We have three days for Christmas plus New Years.”

  “Thanks,” Carlos said. “I’ll take you two up on it. I also have a feeling Grandma Walton will have plenty to say about what happens next.”

  Together the Jimenez family laughed in understanding. Everything had changed when Carlos married Jamie six years ago, and they were glad it had.

  “Did Jamie’s parents get in as well?” Anita asked. She liked Jamie’s parents, but was much closer to Grandma Walton than the younger Mr. and Mrs. Walton.

  “They’ll be here tonight,” Carlos nodded. “They are very excited and agreed to help around the hotel for a while. I know Bill doesn’t really like the work, but for the moment, he’s willing to help out anyway he can. I think they’ll stay for Christmas as well.”

  Watching the light of love dancing in her big brother’s eyes, Anita’s mind turned back to the little teddy bear ornament in her bag. Did it mean anything? Who sent it? When she got home tonight, she would look in the box one more time and see if she could find a clue.

  Chapter 7

  “What’s this?” Jamie asked as she walked into the house the next day carrying tiny Christian in her arms. “It looks like an ornament.”

  “It is,” Anita said hurrying to help her sister-in-law. “Someone left it for me at the resort,” she smiled at her nephew. “I don’t know who it’s from through. I thought the resort must have left it as a thank you or something.”

  “What’s that?” Carlos asked walking through the door on a blast of cold air as he carried all of the items from the hospital inside in one trip.

  Anita laughed rushing to her brother and taking the giant polar bear she had bequeathed to the baby, her mind flashing on her encounter with Dr. Devon only a day before.

  “An ornament,” Anita shrugged.

  “I got an ornament right before I met your brother,” Jamie said slipping into a rocking chair. “It was a shimmering blue paint brush.”

  “Didn’t Mrs. Claus send that to you?” Carlos asked dumping everything on the couch and walking over to kiss his wife on the top of the head. “You got it the same day you crashed into my ladder and turned your hair red, white and blue.” he chuckled.

  Jamie laughed looking up and meeting his dark eyes with her pale ones. “Yes, and it was love at first sight,” she teased.

  “I don’t know about that, but I wouldn’t give up that spill for anything.”

  Anita rolled her eyes at her brother’s sappy emotions. She loved how happy Carlos and Jamie were and never tired of seeing them working and doing things together. It was remarkable how well the two very different people functioned together.

  “Wasn’t there a card?” Jamie finally asked reaching out for the ornament as her son slept in her arms. “It’s beautifully made.”

  “I know,” Anita nodded. “For such a cute cuddly looking little bear it is also a work of art.”

  “Is that what prompted you to get the bear?” Carlos asked nodding toward the plush polar bear taking up one end of the sofa.

  “Partially,” Anita said. “What’s hilarious is that on the way to your room at the hospital, I ran into an intern hurrying the other way who was carrying a giant bear that looked just like this one.” Anita flicked the pretty ornament with one finger making it spin, and smiling as a glint of light sparkled from the hand painted eyes.

  “Why don’t you put it on the Christmas tree?” Jamie suggested yawning. “I’m going to see if I can get this little man settled in his bassinet and take a nap.”

  Carlos helped Jamie from her chair fussing over her as she headed toward their quarters at the other end of the house.

  “There’s my girl!” Ann Walton gushed as Carlos steered them down the hall and into the waiting arms of the new grandparents.

  Anita moved to the large tree in the corner of the living room. It was only two weeks until Christmas, but already the Old Inn sparkled like a multi-colored jewel along the icy shore.

  Anita loved the old Victorian house and how beautifully Carlos and Jamie decorated it. In the main hall, a twelve-foot tall fake fir tree graced the parquet floors, and as always, an electric candle graced each window, while garland, ribbons, and tinsel decked the wrap around porches.

  “Isn’t that pretty?” Mrs. Walton, the original owner of the Old Inn said, stepping up to the Christmas tree. “A new ornament is just what we need.” The spritely older woman leaned in placing a kiss on Anita’s cheek. “I’m so glad you got home in time,” she added.

  “Me too,” Anita smiled at the woman who had filled her life with such joy, adventure, and challenge. Grandma Walton was one of those energetic older people who never seemed to stop and always had room for one more soul in her heart.

  “Now who’s this dreamy doctor you mentioned,” Grandma asked with a cheeky grin. “Did he really have a big bear like this?”

  Anita laughed shaking her head. “I did not say he was dreamy,” she said looking at the little old woman at her side as they moved to the family Christmas tree.

  “You might not have said the words, but your eyes spoke volumes,” Mrs. Walton laughed. “Are you going to see him again?”

  “I don’t know,” Anita blushed. “It was just one of those things that happen,” she hedged. “Of course Pablo doesn’t want me to have anything to do with Dr. Devon.”

  “What better reason to see him again then,” Grandma Walton laughed taking Anita by the hand and heading for the kitchen for tea, cookies, and a good chat.

  Chapter 8

  Devon ran a hand over his face feeling the two days worth of stubble on his chin. He’d been splitting his time between work and his sister’s place helping her adjust to being a mom.

  For some reason little Emma was being a pill, and his sister’s stress levels were through the roof as she fussed and fretted that something was wrong with her baby.

  Their mother had been able to stay with them for the first week, but with Christmas around the corner and Jennie’s husband on the long haul truck run, his little sister was freaking out.

  Add to the mix his new clinic hours, and life was exciting to say the least, and the snow falling thick would only add to the mayhem.

  His little niece was a week old already, and Devon was starting to suspect that her biggest issue was his sister’s own nervousness translating into a restless baby.

  “Devon,” a plump nurse with a kind smile stuck her head in to the office door. “I’ve got a patient for you,” she smiled. “It should be right up your alley with your family situation right now.”

  Devon cocked his head to one side and sighed. “Send them in,” he said plastering a smile on his face and checking the clock. He had fifteen more minutes and then he was done with his last shift for two days.

  The door opened and Devon stoo
d smiling as the lovely Anita stepped through the door pushing a lock of raven wing black hair behind her ear.

  “Oh, hello,” she smiled opening the door and letting who could only be her sister-in-law through the door. “I didn’t know it would be you.”

  “It’s my clinic day,” Devon said the muscles in his face locking into a brilliant smile. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  “Are you sure you’re old enough to see us?” the other woman said holding her baby protectively to her chest.

  “I’m Devon, Devon Willshire,” he said turning his electric smile on the new mother. “I promise I’m up for anything baby,” he winked. “My sister is a nervous wreck with my niece, and I’m reading up on everything baby.”

  Jamie looked between Anita and Devon and couldn’t help but grin as she relaxed a little.

  “What can I help you with,” Devon said pulling up the computer screen with the baby’s vitals on it. “Christian,” his eyes scanned the little boy bundled in blue and red in his mother’s arms, “doesn’t seem to be running a fever or anything.”

  “Well,” Jamie began. “It’s not anything like that, he, uhm, he…”

  “He hasn’t pooped,” Anita blurted her cheeks flaming red at the outburst. “Jamie’s worried about it.”

  Devon reached for the baby, cradling his head as he placed him on the table in the sterile room and poked at his belly. “Is he crying? Does he seem to be in pain?”

  “No, he just hasn’t gone in two days.”

  Devon nodded. “Sometimes that happens, it isn’t anything to worry about yet, but there are a few things you can do. I’d recommend a bit of corn syrup in warm water. It works wonders. You can even buy the little pods of it in the pharmacy now.”

  “Oh dear,” Anita said her large chocolate brown eyes falling on Jamie who slumped in her chair.

  “What’s wrong,” Devon asked checking the baby over carefully before handing him back to his mother.

  “Gram!” both women said at the same time. Leaving Devon confused.

  “My grandmother,” Jamie said with a shake of her brown hair. “She told us the same thing, and added that I was over reacting.”

  Devon chuckled and the sound trickled over Anita’s shoulders like a warm hug. He was so handsome she thought even as she dreaded meeting Grandma Walton at home.

  “I don’t think you were over reacting,” Devon said kindly. “You’re a new mom and you just want to be careful. I can understand that.”

  Jamie smile thankful for this young doctor’s kindness. “I guess we’d better get home before that storm gets any worse.”

  “Be careful,” Devon said turning to gaze at Anita. “Don’t forget to call if you need anything,” he added as the two women stepped back out the door.

  ***

  “So he’s cute,” Jamie teased as she strapped her son back into his car seat. It had taken her most of the week to even leave the house with Christian worried he would pick up germs or catch cold. It had been Carlos who told her that she was a mom now and that her son would grow up in Michigan, he would adapt with all of her love and attention.

  “Who?” Anita asked climbing into the passenger seat.

  “Who?” Jamie laughed thinking at the way her sister-in-law had all but ogled the doctor. “The doctor,” she giggled climbing into the car and flipping on the heat.

  “I guess,” Anita said looking out the window at the heavily falling snow. “Are you stopping at the package store?”

  Jamie’s laugh was a relief from the last few hours of tense worry. “Is that the doctor you bumped into? The one with the other big bear?”

  Anita nodded then realized that Jamie was focusing on the road and couldn’t see her. “Yes,” she finally said thinking about the man’s request that she call. Would it be worth it? She would be headed back to school after the Christmas break to finish out her final semester before coming home to reopen her tiny gallery and craft store.

  Devon Willshire was a very nice looking man, but he was also a busy medical student, and she couldn’t really believe he would have any time for her in his life.

  Anita knew what she wanted in life and it was not a quick fling with a handsome doctor.

  This time of year her mind always turned toward her parents; two people who didn’t always see eye to eye, but loved each other dearly the same way that Carlos and Jamie loved each other.

  Anita wanted that kind of love in her life when the time came. She wasn’t interested in the dating scene, the club life, or casual meet-ups. No, for years she had prayed that when the time came she would meet the man who would love her for who she was and want to spend a lifetime together.

  ***

  Jamie glanced toward Anita hiding a grin as she pulled into the parking area of the nearest pharmacy.

  Anita was attracted to the handsome doctor. She had seen how the younger man’s eyes lit up when they fell on ‘Nita and thoughts of love, marriage, and happily-ever-after fluttered through her brain.

  Perhaps it was the hormone changes after having the baby, but Jamie was sure that something was happening between Nita and the blonde doctor with the sapphire blue eyes.

  Biting her lip she thought back to the magical ornament she had received from the mysterious Mrs. Claus right before she met Carlos. Could magic be afoot again during this most magical time of the year?

  Only time would tell, but right now she wanted to get something to help her little boy and catch a nap. Carlos would be home by now and be worried.

  “I’ll run in and get what you need,” Anita said, “that way you won’t need to get out.”

  “Thanks,” Jamie said worrying her lower lip as she thought about Anita and the doctor.

  Chapter 9

  Anita climbed into her bed still laughing at the lecture Grandma Walton had given Jamie after taking her great grandson from her and fixing a bottle.

  Jamie had taken it all good naturedly, but was happy to head to her own bed when Gram told her to go sleep while she took care of Christian. “Your mother will help if I need anything,” Gram added looking along the corridor toward the front desk where her own son and daughter-in-law were busy checking in guests.

  Carlos still wasn’t home from a meeting he had in town and Anita hoped he wouldn’t have any trouble getting home in this storm. Several roads were already closed, and Pablo had mentioned how ugly it was getting out there when he had made it home from work. Whispering a prayer for her brother’s safe return home Anita gazed around her room looking at her old art. She had been sixteen when she and Gram had decorated her room, and now after so many changes, it felt like it was time to change this as well.

  Tomorrow she would think about painting her room. Perhaps blue, a nice color for a little boy if Jamie decided to repurpose the space once Anita had a place of her own.

  As she ran through the varieties of blue paint that would work in her very special space, two blue eyes seemed to swim before her, and she once again thought of Dr. Devon. His blue eyes were kind, and he had been so helpful when Jamie was overwhelmed.

  Would it be so bad to call him and find a few minutes to thank him for helping them? Digging her jeans from the clothes hamper she found the card he had given her on their first encounter.

  Shaking her head she dropped the card on her desk next to her smallest easel and switched off the light. She didn’t have time for Devon Willshire, or anyone else for that matter.

  ***

  Devon took Emma in his arms and walked the floor. When she had started to fuss in the night he had crept into the nursery determined to let the rest of the family sleep. He should have headed home to his own apartment hours ago, but had fallen asleep on the couch after his shift.

  Now as he changed a diaper and shushed Emma back to sleep he wished he’d had the nerve to ask Anita Jimenez out for coffee.

  There was something about the beautiful young woman, with the jet black hair and dark dream filled eyes.

  Turning and looking at the lar
ge stuffed bear sitting on the rocking chair in the corner of the room, Devon grinned at the happy smile on the plush toy’s face.

  “What are you looking at?” he whispered shifting from foot to foot while the little girl drifted off to sleep. “I know, I should have asked her out when I had the chance. She might never call.”

  Devon shook his head laughing silently at himself for talking to the bear, but the longer he looked at the teddy bear the more he wanted a date with Miss Jimenez.

  “What do you think Em?” he asked placing the tot in her bed and spinning the Christmas themed mobile before creeping out of the room.

  It was time to go home, get a shower and sleep. Tomorrow he would think about Anita and how to get a date with her. Maybe he had hit his head when they ran into each other, but ever since he had bounced back from her with a collision of bears, he couldn’t stop thinking of her.

  He couldn’t place it, but there was something very special about the young Hispanic woman. She had a light in her eyes that spoke of imagination, wonder, and hope.

  It was a short drive home, and Devon was thankful he had made it without having an accident on the icy roads. He thought of his brother-in-law out on the roads making Christmas deliveries and prayed he’d get home safe for the upcoming holiday.

  This was the last year that Mark intended to drive over the road. Now that he and Jennie had started a family, he intended to be home more.

  Life had changed so much over the past year that Devon wasn’t sure how he had been able to keep up. With his current training and schedule, he didn’t know how he would manage over the next few months, but he was simply thankful for the chance to help others.

  The apartment was cold and empty when Devon stepped inside. He hadn’t really noticed how barren the place he called home was until that moment when the silence hit him like a ton of brick. One day he hoped he would have someone to come home to.

  Perhaps a pretty woman with warm dark eyes and hair that looked like liquid silk.