The Doctor's Christmas Wish. Renee Ryan

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      Ethan wasn’t especially looking forward to going home to an empty house. At least Baloo would be there waiting for him. Man’s best friend.

      Fifteen minutes after pulling out of the office parking lot, Ethan swung his car onto his street. His neighbors had begun decorating their houses. Lights blinked from roofs. Man-made snowmen, plastic reindeer and Santa sleighs adorned the snow-coated lawns. He’d been dropped in the middle of Christmas Town, USA.

      Instead of soothing his dark mood, the decorations reminded him of the family he’d lost, the plans he’d had for the future.

      Once he was safely inside his garage, he told himself for the third time—or was it the fourth?—that he was perfectly fine with Baloo’s company for the evening. He actually preferred to be home alone with his dog most nights. He couldn’t experience any more grief if he didn’t let any more people into his heart. He had his siblings. They were enough.

      He could practically hear his mother sighing in disappointment, and Tracy telling him that was no way to live. Yeah, well, they’d both left him. Not by choice, but he felt the hole in his heart, and his life, anyway.

      Baloo greeted him with a series of exuberant barks.

      Ethan scratched the animal behind the ears. “Bet you’re ready to go outside.”

      Rising to his full height, Ethan glanced briefly out the window and noticed Keely’s house ablaze in light.

      His throat cinched up tight. Since when did his neighbor turn on all her lights? Maybe Flicka was sick again. Or was she afraid of the dark? The thought tugged at the part of him that had nearly become a father.

      There was something about the kid, something in her eyes, a lost look that reflected his own pain. He’d sleep easier knowing she was all right.

      And while he was checking on the child, he’d point out to Keely—with extreme patience, of course—that she’d forgotten to make the appointment for Flicka’s wellness visit. It was the responsible thing to do.

      Ethan was nothing if not responsible.

      * * *

      Because Keely was standing at her kitchen sink, looking out the window while she washed vegetables, she noticed the exact moment Ethan exited his house with a rambunctious Baloo.

      Against her better judgment, she allowed herself to observe man and dog. Halfway between their yards, Baloo bounded into a snowdrift, then popped up with a ball in his mouth and white flakes clinging to his black fur. Keely could hear Ethan’s uninhibited laughter as he brushed off his snow-covered dog.

      She never saw this side of him. She couldn’t help wondering why. She sensed something tragic had happened to him before he returned to Village Green. There were times when they weren’t sniping at each other that she saw the grief in his eyes. Thanks to Cutter, she knew that look of loss well.

      Though Keely didn’t know any details, she sensed Ethan’s heart had been shattered by the loss of a woman.

      Had it been a death or a bad breakup?

      Either scenario indicated a man unwilling to let go of something, possibly someone, from his past. A good reminder, she told herself, that Ethan wasn’t the man for her.

      That didn’t mean Keely couldn’t enjoy watching him now. Riveted by the sight of all that masculine energy unleashed in a game of fetch, she continued to stare.

      As if sensing her eyes on him, Ethan paused in the middle of his windup. The smile he shot in her direction reached deep inside her heart and squeezed.

      Gasping softly, she moved away from the window and that heart-tugging grin. No doubt about it, she was in serious trouble.

      What was it about the man? He was good-looking, and sure, she liked good-looking men. What woman didn’t? He was also single, financially stable and a successful doctor.

      But she also knew he could be arrogant, bossy and treat a woman—Keely—like a twelve-year-old girl instead of the adult she’d become. Added to her suspicions as to why he didn’t date, she knew to keep up her guard.

      Minutes later, even prepared for the resounding knock, Keely still had to lock her knees and gulp for air.

      Felicity rushed into the kitchen. “I heard a knock at the back door. Do you think it’s Dr. Ethan?”

      The kid had excellent hearing. Keely filed away that piece of information with everything else she’d discovered about the little girl today. Turned out, Felicity enjoyed dance classes and ice-skating as much as Keely had at her age.

      She also disliked playing soccer, tennis and other organized sports. Again, just like Keely.

      There was still so much to discover about her cousin. At least she’d made considerable headway today. Unfortunately, whenever the subject of school came up, or Keely broached the possibility of meeting new friends, Felicity’s face turned gray and the complaints of not feeling well began.

      Keely was concerned there might be a larger problem brewing than the child’s simple reluctance to attend a new school and meet other girls her age. Please, Lord, let this be a normal part of the transition into my home and not a symptom of something bigger.

      A second knock sounded. Felicity gave Keely a look of impatience. “Can I see if it’s Dr. Ethan at the door?”

      “Go ahead.”

      The door squeaked on its hinges mere seconds before Ethan’s low chuckle rumbled in response to the child’s excited hello. Clearly, Felicity wasn’t shy around their handsome neighbor. The thought gave Keely hope for the girl’s future.

      “I brought my dog over to meet you,” she heard Ethan say to Felicity. “His name is Baloo.”

      A series of happy barks mingled with delighted little-girl squeals. “He’s so pretty.”

      “Don’t let him hear you say that.” Ethan spoke the words in an amused stage whisper. “Baloo’s sensitive about his gender.”

      “Oh, sorry. He’s so handsome,” Felicity cooed. “You’re a handsome boy, aren’t you?”

      It wasn’t long before the child invited their visitors to come inside the house.

      Baloo bounded into the kitchen first, tail wagging fast as a whip. Keely smiled at the handsome black Lab. “Hey, big boy.”

      All but quivering with excitement, the dog leaped at her. Ethan caught hold of his collar just in time.

      “Sit,” he ordered.

      Baloo whined pitifully but immediately obeyed, then politely offered a paw to Keely.

      Charmed, she obliged the dog by giving him a hearty handshake.

      “That’s so cool,” Felicity announced, moving in for a better look. “Can I try?”

      “Go for it.” Keely stepped aside so the little girl could take her place in front of Baloo.

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