The Doctor's Christmas Wish. Renee Ryan

giving you a pass because you’re new to this parenting thing.” His eyes sparked with genuine compassion.

      No fair. The man had amazing eyes, long-lashed and full of secrets. She saw sorrow there as well, more prominent than usual.

      It wasn’t the first time she’d noticed that look in Ethan’s eyes. Their paths crossed a lot, primarily because he often came into her restaurant, Senor O’Toole’s, on his lunch break.

      He might be the big, bad, frustrating bane of her existence. But the lone wolf image didn’t ring true, not tonight. Hardly ever, if she was being honest with herself. The raw vulnerability simmering under that tough exterior made Keely want to reach up and smooth away his pain.

      She resisted. “Felicity’s really going to be all right?”

      “For now.” He looked about to say more. He even opened his mouth, but then closed it and headed down the stairs.

      Keely hurried after him, catching up just as he was shoving his arms through the sleeves of his coat.

      He reached for the doorknob, then paused. “Call me,” he said. “Anytime, for any reason.”

      There were so many ways to take that suggestion, even more ways to respond. She chose the most sincere. “I will, and thank you for coming over so quickly. I really appreciate your help tonight.”

      “You’re welcome.” He gave her a warm smile.

      Her heart stuttered. It actually stuttered.

      “Good night, Keely.”

      “Night, Ethan.”

      Still smiling, he swung open the door. And disappeared into the night.

Chapter Two

      Keely waited until Ethan was out of sight before she shut her back door. The rhythmic sound of the dishwasher sloshing through the rinse cycle accompanied her return journey through the kitchen and then into the living room.

      Now that her initial fear for Felicity’s well-being was put to rest, Keely’s mind wanted to linger on the man who’d eased her worries. She’d hardly recognized her neighbor.

      Ethan had instilled a sense of calm. He’d been unspeakably gentle with Felicity and Keely was grateful for that. But now she was left feeling confused and edgy and not quite herself.

      With his quicksilver smile and excellent bedside manner, Ethan had prodded awake the loneliness she kept stuffed behind a healthy dose of busyness. She’d always thrived on filling her days with activity, to the point of barely having a free moment to herself. Better to be busy than to open herself to ridicule or, even worse, another heartbreak.

      At some point in the past year since her broken engagement to William Cutter Sloan III, Keely had convinced herself that activity helped heal her pain, making her feel vital, needed, wanted even. In reality, she’d been sleepwalking through life, burying her pain and humiliation in work, work and more work.

      Well, she was wide-awake now, thanks to the seven-year-old little girl she’d taken into her home.

      A sense of purpose swelled as Keely mounted the stairs. She was determined to raise the child to the best of her ability. The days ahead would require faith, hope and love.

      It all started with love, as her pastor often said. Keely now understood exactly what he meant.

      She paused outside Felicity’s bedroom and drew in several tight breaths. Ethan claimed the little girl’s stomachache wasn’t serious. Keely hoped his diagnosis proved accurate.

      She’d never forgive herself if something happened to her cousin’s daughter. Keely had promised Juliette she’d take care of Felicity until she was once again free to do so herself.

      Who knew when that would be? Six years, nine, the full twelve? It was up to the Colorado Department of Corrections and contingent on Juliette’s good behavior.

      For a brief second, Keely stood rooted to the spot by a deep, painful ache in her chest. Her cousin had made a terrible mistake. She deserved forgiveness. Yet Keely couldn’t help wondering why Juliette hadn’t come to her for help, or gone to any of their other family members. Including Keely’s twin brother, Beau, who was dripping in money from his days as a world-class professional skier.

      By letting pride rule her actions, her cousin had not only lost her freedom. She’d lost the chance to raise her daughter. As a result, Keely would be responsible for Felicity during the child’s most formative years.

      Lord, help me to be a good influence. Give me the wisdom to guide Felicity from child to young adult.

      Releasing a sigh, Keely took one last deep breath and entered the bedroom.

      Felicity lay resting on her side, eyes shut, her hands clasped together beneath her chin. She looked so sweet, so innocent. Keely had to swallow several times to release the lump lodged in her throat.

      Nothing had prepared her for this melting of her heart, this wondrous, piercing mix of fear, resolve and deep devotion for a child she’d only met three times before Saturday. She hadn’t expected to care this much, this fast. Maybe she was capable of loving again after all. For the past year, she’d wondered.

      As if Felicity sensed her presence, her eyes slowly blinked open.

      “Hey, kiddo.” Pasting on a smile, Keely moved deeper in the room. “How are you feeling?”

      “Better, I guess.” The words came out raspy. “I’m thirsty.”

      “I bet you are.” Keely sat on the edge of the bed and retrieved the cup of water she’d brought to her little cousin earlier. With her free hand she helped the girl sit up and take a few sips.

      When she’d had enough, Felicity collapsed back on the bed with a sigh.

      Letting out her own whoosh of air, Keely set the cup aside and brushed back a tangle of blond hair from the pretty face that was a tiny copy of her mother’s. “Here’s hoping by tomorrow you’ll be good as new.”

      “I don’t think I’ll be better by morning.” Felicity stared at Keely in open terror. “I mean, you know, not completely. Not good enough to go to school.”

      Keely bit her lower lip. Ethan had been right. Felicity’s stomachache had been brought on by stress or, more specifically, by worry over starting another school, her third in the same number of months.

      Poor kid. She’d experienced a lot of upheaval since her mother was caught embezzling money from her employer. Sent to live with her grandmother during the trial, then with Keely once the verdict was carried out and the paperwork for legal guardianship was complete, Felicity had undergone too much inconsistency in her young life. A little coddling was in order.

      “I’ve been thinking about that.” Keely cleared her suddenly thick throat. “It’s late and you haven’t had much sleep. Let’s push your start date back a few days.”

      “You really mean it? I don’t have to go to school tomorrow?”

      “No school tomorrow.”

      Felicity’s entire face lit up, her O’Toole heritage already evident in her pretty, petite features. According to family lore, their ancestors had been world-famous Shakespearean actors known for their extraordinary beauty and charm as much as their talent.

      Keely hadn’t caught the acting bug, but she’d traded on her looks for about a second and a half when she first arrived in New York City right out of high school. It had taken all of three weeks to realize her talents were better suited for the business office of the modeling agency, rather than the runway.

      She’d really loved her job as a booking agent but was happy to be home after a ten-year absence. She had her brother here in Village Green. Her lifelong best friend Olivia Scott, now Olivia Mitchell, also lived in town, and