Daddy by Christmas / Christmas Magic on the Mountain. Patricia Thayer

her. “Is that what caused the contractions?”

      “We all have to agree that a lot has happened to Mia in the past few months,” the doctor echoed. “Losing her brother and sister-in-law was traumatic for her.”

      Nola spoke up. “We’ve all been trying to help her through it.”

      Dr. Drake nodded. “I hope that can continue, because she’s going to need someone to be around more, or at least within shouting distance to check on her.”

      “We can be there as much as she needs us,” Nola said and turned to him. “Right, Jarrett?”

      Great, he was the last person Mia wanted around. “Of course. I live across the hall. I guess I could keep an eye on her.”

      Thanks to the medication, Mia was feeling groggy. She didn’t like that. For years, she’d avoided any and all drugs. But if it kept the baby safe, she’d do whatever it took.

      Closing her eyes, she wondered how she was going to manage over the next few weeks. She had deadlines to make, and she needed the money.

      Stop! Worrying wasn’t good for the baby. She rubbed her stomach, knowing how close she’d come to delivering early. She wasn’t ready for the baby. She didn’t even have any diapers and very few clothes. The baby bed wasn’t set up, either. She sighed. How was she going to do everything? How could she do everything and be a good mother, too? A tear slid down her cheek.

      She thought back to her childhood. She’d always messed up. How many times had her father told her that? She couldn’t please him no matter how hard she tried. He’d been too busy for her, but the one way she got his attention was being bad. Until he finally gave up on her altogether. No she couldn’t let Brad down. She was going to be a good mother to his baby.

      Mia glanced toward the door and saw Nola and Jarrett standing there. She quickly wiped away any more tears and put on a smile.

      “Hi.”

      Nola rushed in. “Oh, sweetheart,” she cried. “How are you?” Nola hugged her.

      Mia relished the feeling, the love and compassion. “I’m doing better now.”

      The older woman pulled back. “We were so worried about you.”

      Mia looked at Jarrett. “I didn’t want you to worry.”

      Nola frowned. “Of course we’d worry. You are special to us. We love you.” She fussed with the blanket, smoothing out the wrinkles. “And we’re going to take good care of you. Aren’t we, Jarrett?”

      “Looks that way,” he said, feeling awkward standing in the room.

      “I can’t impose on either of you.”

      “You’re not imposing on any of us. We’re happy to do it. You need someone around to help you. Jarrett and I volunteered.” She clutched her hands together. “Oh, I need to go and call the others. I’ll be right back.”

      “Here, use my phone,” Jarrett said, handing it over to her. They both watched the woman walk out of the room.

      Jarrett turned back to Mia. “So how do you really feel?”

      “Scared, but good.”

      “You need to stop that. Your doctor said you need to relax and avoid stress.”

      “Did you tell her that you lived across the hall?”

      He fought a smile, but lost. “Yes. Did you tell her that you and your friends brought me there?”

      She met Jarrett’s gaze. Her heart sped up and the monitor showed it. “So, I guess we’re stuck with each other for a while.”

      Chapter Four

      THE next day, Mia arrived home the same way she’d left. In Jarrett’s car. He pulled into a parking spot at the front of the building. There were two heating-and-air-condi-tioning-repair trucks there, along with several uniformed workers.

      “Looks like we’ll have heat soon,” she said.

      Jarrett turned off the engine and glanced out the windshield. “It’s just in time. There’s a snowstorm coming in tonight.” He looked at her. “Soon you’ll be tucked into your warm bed. But be warned, Nola is heading a welcome-home committee.”

      “Oh, I don’t want them to go to any trouble.”

      “I doubt they think you’re any trouble. Too bad she and her group don’t run this town. A lot more would get done.” He climbed out of the SUV and walked around to her side.

      He pulled open the door and the cold air hit her. She shivered as she tried to climb out, but he wouldn’t let her.

      “Remember what the doctor said? Bed rest.”

      “I will as soon as I get to my apartment.”

      “No, as soon as I get you to your apartment.” He scooped her up into his arms.

      “Please, you can’t carry me all the way upstairs.”

      “Of course not. Once I get you inside, Joe’s going to take over.”

      She made a face at him. “Very funny.”

      Mia refused to admit she liked being taken care of by a big, strong man whose mere presence made her aware she was a woman. The way he smelled, his rock-solid chest and arms. She bit back a groan. Hormones. It was all just hormones.

      She had to think of Jarrett McKane as the man who would be kicking them all out of their homes in a few months. Nothing more.

      Sylvia held open the door to the building so they could come in. “Welcome home, Mia.”

      She got more greetings from a group of tenants waiting in the lobby.

      “Thank you everyone. It’s good to be home.”

      “Okay, let’s get you upstairs.” Jarrett continued to the stairway to her apartment.

      Nola was waiting there and motioned him toward the bedroom. “Bring her in here.”

      “No, I can stay out here on the sofa for now.”

      Jarrett stopped, then said, “Doctor’s orders are to put you to bed.” He continued through the short hallway and into her room.

      Mia blinked as they entered the bedroom. It didn’t look like the same room she’d left yesterday. The dingy walls had been painted a soft buttery yellow. The furniture was rearranged and her bed was adorned with a pastel-patterned quilt.

      She turned around and saw the white baby bed that had been Brad and Karen’s last purchase for the baby assembled. It was decorated with yellow-and-green sheets and an animal mobile hung overhead.

      Tears flooded her eyes. “Oh, my.”

      “Do you like it?” Nola asked. We were going to give you the quilt for Christmas but since you’re going to be spending so much time in bed now, we decided not to wait.” The older woman pulled back the covers so Jarrett could set her down on the snowy-white sheets.

      “Oh, it’s beautiful.” She examined the intricate work. “How could you get all this done? I’ve only been gone overnight.”

      Nola exchanged a look with Jarrett. “We knew we had to. The scare yesterday made us realize that you’ve been working so hard for us, you put off getting ready for the baby.” She helped Mia take off her shoes and put her feet under the blanket. “So we hope this helps you to stop worrying so much.” She stood back. “And when you’ve rested I’ll show you all the baby clothes we’ve collected.”

      Nola walked to a small white dresser. “Joe found this for you. He sanded and painted it last week and Jarrett helped bring it up. Sylvia and I washed all the baby things and put them inside. If you don’t like how we arranged them, you can change it.”

      “I’m