Special Holiday Romance (Part V)

The boat pulls up to a pier in the small-craft harbor. She looks to see where they were at." My car isn't far away. I'm going to go get it. I'll be right back."

He sits and talks to her brother while he waits. He can feel the goodness in her brother, too. He knew that he loved his sister very much and was kind to others.

" I'm afraid we haven't formally met. My name is Lucas Kringle."

" Nice to meet you, Lucas. I'm Jason. Sorry about the injury. I know Noel is bummed out about it. I never saw her worry so much."

" She seems to be a very caring person."

" She is. That is why she was studying to be a doctor. She has always wanted to help others."

" I'm sorry I ruined your day."

" Think nothing of it, man. I was getting ready to leave anyways. I promised to take Jenny to a movie tonight. I had to get back in time for a bath and all."

" I would like to repay you for your kindness, if you will let me."

" You don't owe me anything. I am glad that I was there to help. We call it "Southern Hospitality."

Before Lucas could say anything, they heard a horn beeping. Jason looks out and sees his sister waving from her car. He takes the wheelchair off the boat and puts it on the pier. He and his girlfriend help him off the boat and into the chair. He pulls him up the steps of the pier and helps him get in the car. They shake hands and Noel waves at him as she pulls away.

He turns and smiles at her." You've got a nice brother." She smiles back, " Yea, I love him to death. Ever since our parents were killed a couple of years ago, we sorta take care of each other."

" I'm sorry to hear about your parents. I don't know if I could cope with that."

" It was tough on us both but we depended on each other for support. He's older and wiser than me. He is my rock. Do you have any siblings?"

" No, I'm an only child. Mom and dad waited for ages before they had me. I guess you can say I was a surprise to both of them."

" Love them while you can. Jason and I learned that the hard way."

" My parents know I love them. I make a point of telling them that I love them at least once a day."

" Is this your first time away from home?"

" Yea, it is. I felt the need to get out and spend some time by myself. Dad supported me but mom was a little upset. Dad had a special phone made so I can call her directly so she won't worry about me. I guess I'd better call when I get home."

" Sounds like your parents love you very much."

" I couldn't ask for better parents."

As he was speaking, she drove up to the emergency door of the hospital. She gets out and brings a wheelchair up to his door and helps him get in it. She pushes him inside and gets the necessary paperwork.

" Do you have a photo I.D., like a driver's license?"

" I have an I.D. card. I don't know how to drive."

" You don't?"

" Where I come from, there is nothing but snow year round. We use sleds not cars. You don't need a license for a sled."

" Are you an Eskimo?"

He laughs at her question," No, do I look like one?"

" She smiles and shakes her head," Come to think of it, no you don't."

She got carried away with her questions and got her mind back on track. " I need the information off your I.D. card."

He pulls his wallet out and gives her his card.

" This is a Mississippi I.D. Card!"

" My dad had it made for me since I will be living here for a while. My address is on the card."

" Do you have any insurance?"

" No, I never needed any. I've never been hurt till now."

" Leave it to me to break your streak!"

" All thinks come to an end. I'll just start a new streak. Don't worry about it."

" Can you afford to pay for the hospital bill? If you can't I will be happy to use my credit card. After all, it was my fault."

" I told you that it wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have been in your field of play.

I can well afford to pay any bill that comes up. Money is no problem for me."

" I hate to see you have to waste it like this. Are you sure?"

" Noel, my bank account will never run out of money, no matter how much I use it. My father told me that he would make sure it doesn't run out of funds."

" I guess the toy business is lucrative."

" In more ways than one, Noel. I couldn't think of a better business to be in."

He is finally taken in for x-rays. They sat around and wait for the results. A doctor comes into the little cubical and introduces himself.

" I'm happy to say that there is nothing broken but it is a pretty severe sprain. Looks like you will be on crutches for a couple of weeks. I'll have the nurse come in and give you an anti-inflammatory shot for the swelling." He nods at them and walks out. A few minutes later, a nurse walks in and gives him a shot. He pays for his visit and they leave.

" Where do you live, Lucas? I'll take you home and help you settle in."

" Get on the beach and head east. I live in the Chateau Rivage condos."

" That's a nice place. I pass by it all the time. It means," Castle on the Shore".It's a little too rich for my blood."

" My dad got it for me. I guess it'll do."

" It'll do?"

" It's not like home, I mean. When you are used to one thing for so long, it is hard to get used to something else."

She thought that he was flaunting his wealth but realized that he had meant that he was homesick. She was glad to see that he wasn't a braggart. She turns into the condos and asks," Which one is yours?"

He pointed and replied," The one facing the beach."

" Good choice!"

She pulls up and helps him out. He gives her the key and she unlocks the door.

She pushes him inside and looks up. It was a three- story condo. There was a kitchen and game room on the bottom floor. He looked up the stairs and laughed," Thank goodness Dad got me one with an elevator.

I don't think that we could make it up a flight of stairs."

" I don't see an elevator. Where is it?"

" He pointed at a door that looked like a closet." It's right there."

She opened it to discover a small elevator." Well, I be! It is an elevator! Talk about good luck."

" I don't think my wheelchair will fit in there. Can you hand me my crutches?"

She gets them and helps him stand up. She puts the crutches under his arms and helps him to the elevator. They both get in and he pushes the button. The second floor was a formal living room with a bar. He looks around and smiles at her," Going up!"

The door finally opens to the third floor.

It was a big master bedroom with a balcony facing the beach. She helps him sit in a chair by the bed.

" Do you mind if I look around?"

" No, be my guest. I don't know where everything is myself. I've only been here one night."

" You've got a nice place, Lucas."

" Thanks. It isn't home but I guess it will do."

" Can I get you anything before I leave?"

"No thank you. I have to learn to do things on my own. You won't be here to help me so I need to try myself."



" If you need anything at all just give me a call. I'll write my number down before I leave."
" Could I ask you what you are doing tonight?"
" Well, I was planning on curling up with a good anatomy book."
" Gee, that sounds like a lot of fun. I thought you told me you are on sabbatical.
I hope I don't sound forward but I could use some company if you would like to come over and watch a movie or something."
" It does sound better then an anatomy book. What time should I be here?"
" Whenever you are ready. I won't be going anywhere. I think I saw a library of DVDs
on the second floor. I'll let you pick something out."
" Guess I'll see you in a little bit then. You don't go and try to do too much while I'm gone. I don't want to come back and find you on the floor."
" Don't worry. The most I am going to try and do is to take a bath and change these sandy clothes. Please take one of my keys with you so I don't have to come all the way down to unlock the door."
She laughed, " I only know you for less than a day and I already got a key to your place."
He held his hand up. She took it as she looked into his eyes," I am glad that I met you, Noel." She smiled as she held his hand,
" I wish it could have been under different circumstances."
" If this is what it took to meet you then I am glad it happened."
Her heart started beating faster as she stared into his eyes. She had never met anyone quite like him. He was totally different from anyone in the past. He was handsome, kind, and a perfect gentleman.
She was lost for words so she measured them as she spoke," Fate has a funny way of putting people together. I'm glad I fell for you." She pulled her hand away; hoping that he didn't think that what she said was stupid. "I'll be back in a couple of hours."
He smiled up at her," I'll be waiting."
She turned and stepped into the elevator. They stared into each other's eyes until the elevator door closed.