The sweet smile on her face only intensified the massive crush he had on her. He wanted to vault across the counter, pull her into his arms, and kiss her breathless. Kiss her until she whispered his name in undying pleasure and begged him to take her away.

Away from this dumb town.

Away from all his problems.

Her brows started to wrinkle with a frown, which made him realize he was staring at her like a lovesick fool.

“It’s not coming down too bad.” He shrugged, hoping it would help shake off the nervousness he experienced any time he talked to her. Then he took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. “But if it keeps it up, we’ll get a huge dumping of snow. Christmas isn’t too far away. Only four days.”

Something he hated to think about. Christmas wasn’t a joyous time of year for him.

“Well, I didn’t want the snow just yet.” Her smile deepened. “I do love how pretty it looks, though.” Her brows pleated. “What are you doing here so early? You usually don’t start until ten.”

His heart started to pound, even knowing it was ridiculous to think she knew his schedule because she secretly crushed on him—like he did with her. But he couldn’t control how his heart reacted to the simple things she said. In all likelihood, she knew his schedule because it was a small town. He wouldn’t be surprised if the entire town knew his damn schedule. They knew everything else about his messed up life.

Judgmental busybodies. Every single person.

Nobody knew how to stay out of your business.

That was one reason he wanted to ditch this town and run away from it all.

Except he couldn’t.

He couldn’t leave his sister, Theresa. Some days, she was the only one keeping him on the straight and narrow. The only one keeping him strong and resisting the temptation to have a drink.

Well, her and his sponsor, Terry. He couldn’t leave either one of them.

Refusing to let any wallowing pity touch him, at least when talking to Erin, he smiled. “Dr. Pearson wanted to see me. He called and asked me to come in early.” His lips twisted into a sardonic gesture. “I’m surprised the whole damn hospital doesn’t know already.”

Sweet laughter, like the first taste of a delicious bowl of chocolate ice cream, floated his way. “It’s the first I heard about it. Maybe you’re getting a raise. You’ve been here for almost a year. It’s about time.”

He didn’t want to hurt her feelings, it was the last thing he would ever do. The smile on his face stayed firm, even though he suddenly wanted to punch something. Or find a drink. A delicious, strong drink would be nice.

“Not quite a year. I still have three more months until my anniversary. Who knows why he wants to see me.” James tapped the counter, the urge to flee strong. “I better go. Drive safe when you leave.”

“Of course. Always.”

He turned around and headed toward the hallway that would lead him to Dr. Pearson’s office, the head doctor of the hospital. His wife was the administrator. They married two years ago in the summer. That had been a dark time for him, trying to stay away from alcohol, getting his life back on track. He didn’t know Dr. Pearson and his wife that well, not like some of the other townsfolk, but they were easy to work for.

They were the first people to give him a chance when most other people refused.

He had a record.

He once had a drinking problem.

He was now trying to straighten his life and live like an abiding citizen. One that Theresa could be proud of. He hated when he saw the disappointment in her eyes.

It also grated on his nerves that Theresa suspected he liked Erin more than he should. She was always nagging him to ask her out.

Yeah, right. Like Erin would ever say yes to him.

But it wouldn’t hurt to offer her a ride home after work. His car might not look like a winner, but it ran like a newborn kitten. He made sure his car was always in working order. Erin’s car, on the other hand, didn’t always run so smoothly. It got stuck in the snow so much, he forgot how many times he helped her out of a jam last winter.

Yeah, he would at least offer to make sure she got out of the parking lot okay.

He almost turned the corner, then swiveled back around and decided to let Erin know he could give her a ride home. Frozen in his spot, he hesitated to make a move when he saw Marybeth at the counter.

She was just one of the many people he couldn’t stand.

She didn’t care what people thought about her. Or talking quietly, apparently.

“What did James want? How can you stand talking to him?”

Erin frowned. “He’s very nice.”

“He also has a record.” Marybeth leaned forward, resting an arm on the counter. “He’s bad news, Erin. I hope you’re not getting any ideas.”

“Any ideas?”

“Like dating him or something weird like that.” Marybeth laughed haughtily. “Watch out. I swear there’s something in the water around here. Someone is always getting engaged or married around Christmastime. You don’t want to be next. And you certainly don’t want it to be with James.”

“I would never…”

He whipped around and stalked away, refusing to hear Erin finish her sentence. He knew exactly what she was going to say. She would never date him. Of course not. He knew this.

Yet, a small part of him thought maybe she might consider it. One date. Dinner somewhere nice.

Whatever. Nothing new in his shamble of a life.

Stopping outside of Dr. Pearson’s office, he knocked on the doorframe, then entered when Dr. Pearson waved him in.

“Have a seat, James.”

Sitting in the chair, he tried to keep still and not bounce his knee or fidget or give away how anxious he was to be called into work early. It was odd. Tension filled him up instantly when he received the call not more than an hour ago to come in two hours before his shift started.

He didn’t do anything special around the hospital. Simple janitorial work. Mundane tasks, like empty the trash cans, sweep the hallway floors. He didn’t venture into patients’ rooms often, and when he did, they were empty. He didn’t have much contact with others unless it was passing them in the hallway with a broom in his hand.

Dr. Pearson looked stern and serious. It didn’t bode well. His fingers started to twitch. He could really use a drink right about now.

“Some concerning things have come to my attention.” His eyes narrowed.

James nodded, unsure what he was supposed to say. He had no clue what Dr. Pearson was talking about.

“We’ve had some prescription drugs go missing.”

He tensed.

Shit never changed.

“A few pills here and there. Nothing too obvious. At least not to where we’d notice at first.”

That drink he wanted, he desperately needed it right now. It wasn’t a want anymore. It was a damn necessity.

“After a thorough investigation, we’ve found the culprit.”

A thorough investigation? Yeah, right. More like they found drugs missing and immediately assumed the guy with the prior record and drinking problem liked to do drugs as well. They figured he had to be the culprit.

Dr. Pearson frowned. “Do you have anything to say, James?”

He shrugged, knowing whatever he said wouldn’t make a difference. Everyone always thought the worst of him.

Dr. Pearson averted his gaze as he rearranged a few papers on his desk. “We’ve decided not to press charges against you.” He looked up. “You honestly have nothing to say?”

“It’s snowing out. Might turn into a blizzard.”

Dr. Pearson’s brows burrowed into a severe frown, then he clasped his hands together on the desk and leaned forward. “I hate to have to do this, James, especially so close to Christmas, but you’re fired.”

Well, that was that.

James stood up and smiled a cheesy ass grin because what did he care what these people thought. “Merry Christmas, Dr. Pearson.”

Then he walked out of the office with his middle finger in the air.

Copyright © 2019 Amanda Siegrist.

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