Upon a Midnight Clear Read online

  "Dad," she said patiently. "It's over. Tony wasn't right for me. It didn't have anything to do with you."

  He looked at her, not believing her words.

  "Really," she said, although she wasn't convinced herself. "I need someone who's more settled. More… well, someone who doesn't work as much. Anyway," she said, smiling at him. "I don't want to discuss it anymore. I just want you to get better, so that we can go home. In time for Christmas."

  "I want you to be happy, Kim," her father said.

  She smiled. "I know you do, Dad."

  He nodded, watching her.

  "By the way," she said. "I was thinking about taking the pool cover off, turning it into an ice rink."

  Her father nodded. "Does this mean that you're thinking about staying?"

  "Yes. For a while. Maybe even… well, permanently. I mean, you're going to need some help, and I want to spend some time with you."

  His eyes welled with tears. "So what do you want for Christmas this year, Kim?"

  "I'd like to have my father home."

  A voice from behind her said, "I think we can arrange that."

  Kim turned to see Tony standing in the doorway. He gave her a weak smile as he focused his attention on Harold. "Good morning, Harold. How are you feeling today?"

  "Better," Harold managed, looking at his daughter. She had turned a shade of pink and was glancing around uncomfortably for her purse.

  "Kim, I'm glad you're here," Tony said. "Harold, I know you don't want to hear it, but you're going to need some assistance for a while after you return home. Just for a month or so. Maybe a nursing assistant. Someone to help you grocery shop, cook dinner…"

  "That won't be necessary," Kim said quickly.

  Tony shrugged. "Maybe not necessary, but it would be helpful. He's going to have to take it easy for a while…"

  "I understand. But a nurse won't be necessary," Kim said, speaking to Tony across her father's bed. "I'm staying."

  Tony was silent for a split second. "For how long?" he asked. It was clear to everyone in the room that he was not asking for professional reasons.

  Kim met his eyes directly. She was not staying because she had changed her mind about dating him, she was staying because she was trying to rebuild her relationship with her father. "I don't know. Maybe permanently." She shot her father a quick smile as she grabbed her purse. "I'll see you later, Dad."

  As Kim walked out of the room, Tony looked down at the chart, though he was too upset to focus. He had received Kim's message—loud and dear.

  Harold stared at Tony, aware of the pain the young man was suffering. "You care about her, don't you?"' he asked quietly.

  Tony shrugged as his eyes focused on his patient "Yes. Yes, I care about her. Very much." He sighed. "Anyway," he said, forcing himself to concentrate on the matter at hand, "I'm glad to see that you're stabilized."

  "It helps to have Kim here," Harold said, watching Tony carefully.

  Tony smiled sadly. "Yes, I'm sure it does."

  Harold paused, pushing himself up slightly. "I hear you've been running the department in my absence."

  Tony shifted his feet uncomfortably as he glanced toward the door. "Yes, well, not officially. Just filling in for you until you get back."

  "I've been hearing good things about you," Harold said.

  Tony glanced at him, surprised. "Well, that's nice to know."

  Harold nodded, signaling to Tony that he was dismissed. "Keep up the good work," he said.

  Tony just looked at him. It sounded like Harold Risson was giving him his blessing. But his blessing for what? "Thank you," Tony said quietly. He hung the chart back up on the wall and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

  Harold Risson closed his eyes. But he wasn't ready to go to sleep. He needed time to think. He wanted his daughter to be happy, and it was obvious to him that she cared about Tony. He needed to arrange for them to meet outside of the hospital… but how could he do that?

  He smiled as he began to formulate a plan.

  A few minutes later, he heard the door creak and opened his eyes to see Kim enter the room.

  "Kim," he said tiredly. "How do you feel about representing me at the hospital Christmas party this Saturday night?"

  "Hey, doc! Where do you want this?"

  Tony walked to the front door. On the stoop, two men were holding an overstuffed armchair. "Next to the other one," he said, glancing into the living room.

  "One more thing and you're not going to be able to move in here," the delivery man said.

  Tony nodded. The room was totally furnished, couch, chairs, end tables, lamps. His entire house, in fact, was now completely furnished.

  "What's going on?" the delivery man asked, looking at Tony. "You sure bought a lot of stuff. You getting married or something?"

  Tony shook his head. "No. Not that fortunate, I'm afraid."

  "Fortunate," the guy said, chuckling. "Take my word for it. You're fortunate right now. Big house, nice dog. No wife. Very fortunate."

  Tony smiled as he shook his head. He didn't feel fortunate. All he could think about recently was Kim. And what might have been.

  In fact, he had been struck with the sudden urge to decorate when all of his other advances toward Kim had been rejected. Since the night of their breakup, she had been pleasant and polite, but unwavering in her decision for them to stay "just friends." He had been surprised by his unwillingness to accept the end of the relationship. He knew why. For the first time in his life—he was in love.

  Kim stood next to Jason Neerbore, a radiologist who was even less exciting than his name suggested. He was talking to her about the difference between Bach and Mozart, a difference that in most situations she would have been happy to discuss. But right now, she was distracted. She had received a call from the gallery owner this morning, informing her that her show had been a success. They had sold almost all of the work she had presented and had received commissions for several more paintings. But tonight, on what should have been a night for celebration, all she could think about was Tony, and whether or not she would see him.

  Still nodding at Jason's monologue, she shifted her position. She had inadvertently bought a pair of nylons that were a size too small, and she could feel the crotch drop a little each time she moved.

  She felt a hand on her arm. It was Jason. "My partner just arrived," he said. "I'd like to introduce you to him. He did his residency in Florida."

  "Oh, great," Kim murmured, trying to sound enthusiastic. "But I have to go to the ladies' room. I'll be just a minute."

  "Okay," he said, sliding his glasses up his nose. "I’ll be right here."

  "Got it," Kim said. She made her way into the ladies' room and yanked up her nylons, causing the small run at the top to rip down the side. She shook her head as she turned before the mirror, trying to ascertain how noticeable it was. Considering they were off-black, and her dress was a snug, velvet green mini, it was just about as noticeable as it could get.

  Kim hesitated before pulling them off. She threw them in the trash and slipped her black high-heeled shoes back on her bare feet. She turned away from the mirror, not happy with the reflection. She probably should have bought a dress that was a little more conservative, but she had postponed shopping for it until just that afternoon, a time crunch that inspired impulse buys. She made a mental note to hold in her stomach as she left the ladies' room.

  As she walked by the bar, she was too busy holding her breath to notice anyone. "Kim," a voice called out. A voice so familiar it made her jump.

  She turned around and found herself staring right up into Tony's deep green eyes. He looked handsome in his suit and tie, a change from his usual wardrobe of hospital scrubs or faded jeans, She exhaled quickly, allowing herself to breathe. "Hi, Tony," she said as casually as she could manage. '

  "I'm surprised to see you here," he said, not bothering to hide his excitement.

  "Yes, well," she said, shrugging, trying to play it cool, "m