Page 6

Anna is wheeled to radiology, so I leave the exam room until she returns. The X-rays reveal a fracture. The doctor explains the plan to Julie, as I help Anna get comfortable, support her arm as the splint is applied, and make sure Julie understands the follow-up instructions.

When I finish adjusting the sling, Holt stands. “Thank you.” His eyes meet mine over Anna’s head.

“You’re welcome.” I smooth a twist out of the sling strap. “She did really well.”

Anna leans against her mother, looking worn out now that the worst is over. Julie gathers their things. For a moment, Holt and I stand there just staring at each other.

“How late are you here?” He says.

“Until seven.” I fold the spare blanket at the foot of the bed. He nods. His gaze lingers on my mouth, then flicks back to my eyes. I could say it now. I could mention the coat, the kiss, and how he left me at the Ball. But Anna needs to go home, Julie needs to settle her, and I have another patient waiting. “Take good care of Anna,” I say instead of telling him what I really want to say.

“I will.” He takes the discharge packet Julie hands him and follows them out—no confession—no explanation. He just leaves me standing there alone, like he did the night of the masked ball.

At seven, I change out of my scrubs and sit on the bench beside my locker, holding my car keys. I have spent a week waiting for a conversation that hasn’t happened. With my mind made up, I stand.

I know where he lives— Julie once described the cabin past the third bend, with the green mailbox and the porch Holt built himself. Nothing is stopping me from going to him and demanding an explanation.

seven

Holt

Icarry my phone from the kitchen to the front window and back again. Lara will be off work by now. I could ask Julie for her number, but I should have asked Lara herself. I could drive to town, but I don’t know where she lives, and wandering around looking for her is not a plan. But I put on my boots anyway.

Headlights move across the trees outside and for a second, I think Julie has forgotten something. Then an unfamiliar car stops beside my truck, and Lara steps out, a black jacket over her arm.

I open the door before she reaches the steps. She pauses at the bottom and looks up at me. Her hair is loose, and she has changed into jeans and a soft blue sweater. She looks beautiful.

“Hi, Holt.” She climbs the first step.

Hearing my name on her lips makes my fingers tighten on the doorframe. “Hi.” I move aside. “Please come in.”

She wipes her shoes on the mat and steps into the cabin. I close the door, then stay beside it because I don’t know where to go.

Lara holds out the coat. “I think this belongs to you.” She watches my face.

I take it. “I’m sorry.”

“For leaving it?”

“For leaving you.” I lay the jacket on the bench by the door. “For making you bring it here. For not talking to you today.”

“I know it was you at the ball.” She pauses. “I knew before you asked me to dance.”

I stare at her. “The mask?” My hand rises uselessly toward my face.

“You’re rather tall.” Her mouth softens. “And I’ve been looking at you for a year.”

All those times I looked for her, she might have been looking for me too. I try to accept it after a year of thinking otherwise. Then I see her standing in my kitchen and realize I can ask her how she feels instead of guessing.

“You have?” I keep my voice low, afraid of disturbing something I don’t yet grasp.

“Yes.” She steps closer. “I thought you didn’t want to talk to me. Then you came over at the ball, and I thought you were finally going to.”

“I wanted to.” I lean back against the wall. “Every time I saw you.”

“Then why did you leave?”

“I was scared you’d be disappointed when I took off the mask.” I look into her eyes. “I liked being the man you wanted to kiss. I couldn’t figure out how to be him and myself at the same time.”