The man was relentless.
His schedule was a nightmare of back-to-back meetings, administrative duties, and public appearances that seemed to materialize out of thin air.
This festival, for instance—I'd found the invitation buried in his email inbox at eight o'clock this morning, marked for today at noon.
I'd had four hours to clear his afternoon, print directions, and ensure he arrived on time.
And somehow, we made it.
The crowd got more chaotic as we approached the main stage, families clustering around the central green where a massive platform had been erected and draped in red velvet and gold garland.
A banner stretched overhead,Christmas in July - Celebrating Tradition, Family, and Light.
I'd never been to the Christmas in July festival here, and back home in San Diego, we didn't have anything like this.
If I weren't so busy, I'd have enjoyed stopping by to check things out.
A woman with a clipboard spotted Dr. Bradley and waved frantically. "Dr. Bradley! Thank goodness you're here!"
She was matronly, short, curly hair and warm eyes, but she was also a type-A and I could see it immediately in the way she started manhandling us without even saying a word.
It was her posture, her facial expressions, and the hurried way she stutter-stepped.
He adjusted his stride, angling toward her, and I followed in his wake.
The woman wore a bright red blazer despite the heat, and I wondered if she was as hot as me.
Her name tag readFestival Coordinator.
"We're running behind," she said breathlessly, "but we're so honored to have you. The Lightkeeper ceremony is such a significant tradition, and your contributions to the community make you the perfect choice."
Dr. Bradley lifted his chin, the warmest smile on his face. "Thank you. I'm honored to accept."
I hung back, half-hidden behind his broad shoulder, and watched the coordinator's expression shift from frazzled to charmed in an instant.
He had that effect on people.
When he chose to turn on the warmth, even that small amount, it was devastating.
Heaven help me if he ever turned that warmth on me.
I felt the need to fan myself as my body temperature rose a few degrees just thinking about it.
A cameraman approached, trailed by a reporter with a microphone.
The large contraption on his shoulder seemed larger than him and it sent a pang of anxiety right through my belly. "Dr. Bradley! Can we get a quick word about the Lightkeeper ceremony?"
I retreated immediately, angling myself behind a nearby speaker tower where the camera couldn't catch me.
My heart rate spiked as panic clawed across my chest.
I hated being on camera and had no clue this would be publicized like this.
I pressed my back against the metal scaffolding and focused on breathing.
If I'd have known, maybe I would have insisted on staying at the hospital.
Dr. Bradley, meanwhile, stepped into the limelight like a cultured celebrity. Of course he did.
