“I will,” she promised. “I’m only going to the hospital and then to Liz’s place.”
He nodded. “Will I see you later?”
She thought about it and nodded. “I can come over again later tonight. You should just keep Ollie here.”
He smiled. “Does that mean you’ll spend Christmas with me?”
She wanted to tell him yes, but something had her shrugging instead. She had all his gifts over at her place.
“I’d better go.” She got up, gathered her bag and coat, and left through the snow.
A few hours later, Liz was sitting against her headboard in her old bedroom in the main house as Kara sat at the foot of the bed reading the local newspaper to her. Christmas Eve was the following day, and the entire town continued to fixate on the shooting, even during all of the holiday celebrations.
“Does it really say that?” Liz asked.
Her friend’s coloring was back to normal and, if Kara was honest, she looked perfect. Except for the white bandage on her upper arm, Liz was in perfect health. Thank god.
“It does.” Kara showed Liz the newspaper.
Liz took it from her and laughed. “They’re actually calling him a local hero?”
“Nick did rip the tablecloth in half and put a torniquet on you,” Kara pointed out.
“I know, I’ve watched the video like a million times,” Liz said with a smile. “A very sexy move. Who knew he had it in him?”
Kara wanted to say that she did but bit her lip instead.
“Gosh, you’ve got it bad for the guy.” Liz laid the paper down in her lap.
“What?” Kara frowned.
Liz rolled her eyes and nudged her hip with her foot. “You’re in love with Nick. If it’s not obvious to you, it is to everyone else in town.”
Kara swallowed and avoided her friend’s eyes. “I…” She shook her head.
“Gosh, don’t you dare cry on me,” Liz warned. “It’s not like you just got shot. You’re in love. You should be happy.”
“I…” She shook her head again, then sighed and rolled her shoulders. Feeling the tension build, she stood up and walked over to the window and looked out at Liz’s small snow-covered yard.
This was how she knew she belonged on a ranch and not in town. She needed the vastness and space. She hated seeing neighboring homes, even with all of their cheerful Christmas decorations and lights. The street out front was busy as three cars drove by. She wanted the hills. The fields of cattle. The open sky.
Closing her eyes, she finally admitted to her friend her fears.
“What if it doesn’t work out?” she said, not turning around.
“Then it doesn’t,” Liz said casually. “Not everything does. But it’s obvious to everyone else that he feels the same way about you.”
Kara turned back around. “He’s told me a couple times.”
Liz smiled. “Then what’s wrong?”
“I… I’ve never told anyone, any man, before,” she admitted.
“There’s always a first time,” Liz said, shifting slightly.
“Have you told someone before?” she asked her friend.
“No, but someday when I do fall in love, I won’t hold back. When you feel it, and know it’s right, there’s no use in wasting any time.”