But Holly’d had a stalker once in Denver, some guy who’d come in for stitches and fixated on her. When she had rebuffed his advances, things turned ugly. She knew that not all packages were gifts. Just one more thing she didn’t mind leaving behind in Colorado. Please don’t let it be happening here.
“Who’s it from?” she asked, looking up. But the delivery guy was already heading outside. “Hey, wait.” Holly put the package on the counter and jogged after him.
When she called his name again, he broke into a run. “Wait!”
With his longer legs, he quickly outpaced her. Feeling foolish and cold since she was only wearing her scrubs, Holly stopped.
“Everything all right?” Dr. Miller asked, approaching her.
“It’s probably nothing.” She tried to keep the words casual, but some of her worry must have crept in because the older man frowned. Holly said, “Someone delivered a package at the hospital for me, but when I went to find out who, the guy ran away.
“Oh, my dear girl.” Dr. Miller gave her a fatherly smile. “Christmas is coming, and people like their secrets. You’ll find many of the patients who are grateful for our services will send little presents to us this time of year. Go back inside. You’re shivering.” He waved her ahead of him.
“What was that about?” Kathy asked when Holly entered.
She explained about the stalker in Colorado.
“We don’t have people like that here.”
“You didn’t have anyone shoot people in a city council meeting, either. Until you did.” Holly wished back her words at Kathy’s expression. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re right. We don’t live in Happy Valley anymore, but I have to hope that was an anomaly. People really are trying.” Kathy pointed to the package. “To be honest, this looks like one of those packages of candy or maybe hot chocolate.”
Holly picked up the parcel to examine it again. “The wrapping looks professional. We don’t have any big department stores here who normally offer gift wrapping.”
“There’s a church group doing a fundraiser,” Dr. Miller said, joining them at the desk. “I’ve seen this paper before, so it looks like they did it. Aren’t you going to open it?”
“Do you think they would tell me who sent it?” Holly asked.
The doctor shot her a flat look while Kathy covered her mouth to hide a smile.
“Fine. I know I’m ridiculously suspicious.” With a sigh, she tore open the paper to expose one of the really nice tins of gourmet hot chocolate.
“I told you,” Kathy said. “And it’s even Hazelnut, your favorite.”
“Did this come with it?” Dr. Miller asked, holding up an envelope.
“Yes.” Kathy arched her brows. “Open it. It might say who sent it.”
Holly turned it over, charmed against her will that it had a wax seal with a Christmas candle imprinted on it. “Hand me the letter opener.”
“Oh, I love this kind of thing. It’s so fun,” Kathy cried, handing it over.
“This is definitely the church group,” Dr. Miller said, leaning closer. “One of the ladies is into calligraphy.”
“Would she tell me who bought this?” Holly asked as she slowly slid the thin metal under the seal to keep it from cracking.
“No, but you can rest assured they wouldn’t do it for someone they didn’t trust.” He turned toward his office. “Let me know when we have work to do.”
“This is our break,” Kathy called after him. He merely waved his hand but didn’t look back.
Holly gave a contented smile. She was growing to love working with these people more every day. None of the doctors in Denver had been this good to work with.
“Well?” Kathy urged. “What does it say?”
Holly slid out the handmade card depicting a snowy winter scene with the Christmas star shining over a decorated Christmas tree. She flipped it open and found a sweet message.
Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. ~Janice Maeditere
