Dr Daddy's Perfect Christmas. Jules Bennett

constitute as a workout,” Eli told her, reaching across to squeeze her hand. “But if I know Dad, this scared him. He may not admit it, but he’ll start being more cautious.”

      A cell phone chimed and Eli jerked around to see both Cameron and Drake checking their sides. As the police captain, Cameron tended to be popular even off his shift, and as the local fire chief, Drake was always in demand, too.

      Yeah, these rebel teens did all right for themselves, despite what the townsfolk may have initially thought.

      Cameron came to his feet. “I’m the winner. Be right back.”

      He walked through the double doors and headed out, taking his cell from his pocket. Eli was a minority in that he loved being on call. He’d been home less than twenty-four hours, but he already missed being needed, missed saving people under high-pressure circumstances.

      And for the next three months, he’d be right here in Stonerock, Tennessee, treating cold and flu symptoms, random viruses and allergies, if spring hit early.

      “Sorry I’m late.”

      Eli glanced up to see Nora breezing in. She had on that happy gear again with the bright red coat, colorful scarf and hat. Juggling sacks of food and another sack full of bottles of water, she looked very rushed and worn as tendrils of wispy blond hair slid from her cap.

      Both he and Drake came to their feet to help her.

      “I had to fit in a last-minute emergency.” She handed over the drinks and food and collapsed into the nearest seat. “Have you heard anything?”

      “The doctor just came out and said he did beautifully,” Bev said, taking a bottle of water from Drake.

      Nora’s shoulders relaxed, her head tilted back against the chair and she sighed. “That’s such a relief. How are you all holding up? I saw Cameron out front on the phone.”

      “We’re doing great now that Dad is out of surgery and food arrived,” Drake told her with a slight wink.

      Eli didn’t want his youngest brother winking at Nora. The two may be old friends, but Eli was, well, he was...absolutely nothing in her life. So if Drake wanted to wink, then so be it. That didn’t mean Eli had to like it or watch.

      Nora had to be exhausted because she sat stone-still, wearing her coat and hat. Apparently she wasn’t staying.

      Eli unwrapped a burger and tore into it, focusing on his growling stomach and not the dark circles beneath Nora’s eyes or the way her face had slimmed down since he’d seen her the last time he’d visited.

      The woman looked physically drained and it would be completely rude of him to say anything. Besides, he had no place in her personal life. Perhaps working herself like mad was her only way of coping with Todd’s death.

      And even though Todd had died a hero to his country, the man didn’t deserve Nora’s tears...or Eli’s heavy dose of remorse.

      “How are you feeling?” Bev asked Nora.

      Nora lifted her lids and turned to smile at his mother. “I’m just tired. Thankfully the weekend is here and I have the next two days off. That is unless someone needs me, in which case they’ll call me at home or just come knocking on my door, pet carrier in hand.”

      “You should consider hiring someone else to help you or getting stricter on your hours,” Bev offered.

      Nora shook her head. “I’m going to have to pretty soon. I have a couple of people in mind. It will all depend on what they will accept for payment.”

      Eli listened, but refused to get involved. Over and over he kept telling himself he was only here for a short time. Whatever was going on now would still be going on long after he was gone.

      Five years ago, when he’d considered coming back, he’d discovered Nora and Todd had started dating. Eli knew then he’d blown his chance for a reunion. Now Eli needed to stay focused on his own goals of helping his father by working in his clinic and getting back to the potential new job when he returned to Atlanta. End of story. He wasn’t back here to do anything but to be a fill-in...and not for a late husband.

      “The doctor said we could go back and see Mac, but not until later,” Bev said, pushing her silver hair behind her ears. “Why don’t you guys take a break and come back this evening.”

      Cameron came striding down the hallway, sliding his cell back into the pocket of his jeans. He leaned down, placed a very innocent peck on Nora’s cheek, and Eli had to take another bite of his burger to keep from reacting.

      This was a widow, for crying out loud. Not only did his brothers have no room to wink or give kisses, he sure as hell had no business getting jealous.

      “Thanks for the food,” Cameron said, grabbing the last burger. “You’re an angel.”

      “Your standards are low if you’re that impressed over a cheeseburger.”

      The banter between his brothers and Nora took Eli back to when they were all teens, before life intervened...before he’d grown strong feelings for her and watched her marry another man.

      She’d fit into his family beautifully. Everyone had thought he and Nora would end up together. Their ultimate dreams and the bigger picture just didn’t match up. But that didn’t mean he’d ever stopped caring for her...or loving her.

      “I’m going to head to the clinic and check things out.” Eli came to his feet and tossed his trash in the wastebasket beside his chair. “I’d like to glance at the schedule for next week and look at some charts.”

      “Don’t mess too much up in the office area,” Drake warned. “If you do, Lulu will have your head.”

      Eli groaned. His father’s receptionist, real name unknown, was not a typical receptionist. In fact, she was flat-out weird and if she hadn’t been at his dad’s office for the past twenty years, he’d suggest his father hire someone else. But she knew the place inside and out and could answer any questions he had.

      Eli only hoped she’d keep the flask at home, the nail files put away and her cleavage covered while she assisted him for the next few months.

      “I promise not to bother any of Lulu’s things,” he stated.

      Bev stood, wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “You don’t know what it means that you’re here, Eli.”

      Easing back, Eli looked her in the eye and smiled. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Mom.”

      After making sure one of his brothers would be there for their mom until he returned, he said a quick goodbye to Nora, who had also come to her feet.

      “I’ll walk out with you,” she said. “If that’s okay.”

      Eli nodded. This was going to be a long three months if he didn’t get over these emotions that kept sliding up and choking him. He’d managed to dodge such strong feelings before when he’d visit because the occasional “hi” as they passed in the yard didn’t resurrect too much. The thought of spending actual time with her, probably learning more about her personal life, had Eli’s mind all in a jumbled mess.

      Nora walked by his side toward the double sliding glass doors leading outside. They’d passed the concrete fountain in the middle of the circular drive-up area and visitor benches before she finally broke the uncomfortable silence.

      “You don’t seem happy to be back.”

      Eli squinted against the afternoon sun glistening off the light dusting of snow on the grass and guided her down the sidewalk toward the visitor parking. “I’ve been nervous with Dad’s surgery. And to be honest, I’m anxious about his practice. I hope the people in town will accept me as their doctor while dad’s recovering.”

      Nora’s delicate hand came up to his forearm as she stopped walking. Eli turned to look at her. The unusually bright winter sun almost created a halo effect around her colorful hat.