Kate woke to a strange noise. Stretching, she glanced toward the window. The blizzard that had kicked up late last evening was now howling with even greater ferocity. She rolled onto her other side, pulling the warm quilt over her head, and squeezed her eyes shut.
Suddenly, a loud knock rattled the front door.
"What now? Someone must be sick," she muttered, stepping out onto the freezing floor.
"Who is it?" she called through the door.
"Kate! It's me, Miller!" shouted the mayor.
She threw on a shawl and unbolted the door.
"Forgive me for waking you in the middle of the night, Katie," the gray-haired man said, breathless. "I just got a call from the next town over. There's a child in a bad way. They need your help!"
"Alright. Let me get dressed and I'll be right out."
"That's not all! My Ford won't start—typical luck. What are we going to do? How are you going to get there?"
Kate thought for a moment, then waved a hand dismissively.
"Fine, I'll take Willow. Go on home, I'll make it there myself."
"Aren't you scared, out alone with a horse in the dark? What if there are coyotes?" the mayor asked anxiously.
"When was the last time you saw a coyote around here?" Kate laughed. "Go on now, you're just slowing me down!"
"Well, alright. There's no arguing with you. Anyway, once you get into the village, it's the third house on the left. Look for the lights. They're expecting you!"
***
Kate led the bay mare out of the stable, locked up, and set off. Willow snorted in protest, but she wouldn't dream of disobeying her favorite person and began trotting obediently down the snow-covered road.
"Don't be grumpy, girl. There's a little boy sick, and Mr. Miller's car broke down," Kate explained.
Willow seemed to understand that her mistress hadn't dragged her from a warm stall out of spite. The horse tossed her mane and picked up the pace.
Kate worked as the local nurse practitioner. She loved her job and never turned anyone down, ready to help at any hour of the day or night.
Five years ago, she had been forced to leave her hometown. At the time, she was nursing a broken heart. The man she loved had jilted her just days before their wedding. Two months later, she learned that Andrew had married someone else and moved up north.
After finishing her medical training, Kate returned to the countryside where she grew up. Her friends and family were here; in the city, she had felt like a total stranger.
As she entered the small hamlet, she immediately spotted the little house with the lights burning. Pulling into the yard, Kate tied the horse to a tree, grabbed her medical bag, and knocked. A frantic man appeared at the door instantly.
"Good evening! Are you the medic? Please, come in, we've been waiting for you!"
Kate quickly shed her coat in the entryway and stepped into the room. When she saw the master of the house in the light, she went pale, losing her voice entirely.
"Andrew? What are you doing here?" she gasped.
"Kate? Where did you come from?" Andrew replied, stunned.
"Where is the patient? Or did you make this all up?" she asked sharply, regaining her composure.
"In the bedroom," he said quietly.
Kate entered the small room and saw a boy of about five on the bed. The child was burning up, mumbling restlessly in his sleep. After examining the boy, Kate set out some medicine and headed for the exit.
"It's just a common flu. I've given him a shot, and the fever should break soon. I've left instructions and the rest of the meds on the table. Make sure he stays hydrated and use a cool compress in the morning," Kate said, keeping her head down.
"Unfortunately, Joey doesn't have a mother here to do that..." Andrew said.
"Then you do it!" she snapped.
"Kate, will you ever forgive me? I was so young and stupid back then. I don't even know how I could have treated you like that," Andrew began to plead.
"I forgave and forgot a long time ago," she said with a forced smile. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I don't have time for small talk. My horse is standing out in the freezing cold."
"I'll walk you out!" Andrew rushed to the door.
"No need! Stay with your son. I can find my own way," Kate said, slipping out the door.
Only once she was back in the yard did she let the tears fall. As it turned out, the old wound hadn't healed at all; she loved him as much as ever. Willow saw her mistress's distress and began pawing at the snow.
"Oh, honey, can you feel it too? Don't take it to heart, we'll be just fine," Kate whispered, climbing into the saddle.
***
Willow had been a gift from her father. Kate had been obsessed with horses since childhood, spending all her free time at the stables. She was drawn to their independent spirit and gentle nature. Kate was certain that Willow understood everything and shared in her owner's joys and sorrows.
A few days later, it was Christmas Eve. Kate had finished dinner and was staring out at the snowy landscape through the window. A sudden knock at the door startled her from her melancholy thoughts.
"Probably kids out caroling," she smiled, opening the door. But standing on the porch was Andrew, holding the boy.
"What are you doing here with a sick child in this weather?" she asked, surprised.
"Kate, I'm sorry for barging in on you at home. We went to the clinic, but it was already closed... so I decided to bother you here."
"Of course it's closed! It's late evening. Didn't you notice? Anyway, what happened? Is Joey feeling worse?"
"Knock on wood, he seems fine," Andrew said, tapping the doorframe. "We just came for a check-up. You know, just in case he isn't fully recovered... Sorry, we can come back tomorrow."
"Wait! Come inside. There's no point dragging the boy back and forth in the cold. I'll take a look at him."
Kate listened to the boy's chest and checked his throat.
"How are you feeling? Are you eating well?" she smiled at the little guy.
"I feel good, and I'm really hungry. Do you have any bread?" Joey asked.
"Of course I do! Andrew, aren't you feeding your son?"
"I am. We just worked up an appetite getting here. Joey! Stop begging. We'll have dinner when we get home," Andrew scolded gently.
"Come to the table. We'll eat together. It is Christmas Eve, after all," Kate invited.
Andrew and his son didn't need to be asked twice. The boy devoured the rolls, washing them down with warm tea.
"Thank you! That was great! My dad can't cook like that," the boy chirped. "Can I go look at the Christmas tree?"
"Sure, Joey. There are some candy canes hanging on it; help yourself," she smiled.
As the boy ran to the tree, silence fell over the table. Kate and Andrew ate in quiet, afraid to meet each other's eyes. In those six years, Andrew had changed for the better. He had filled out and grown even more handsome.
"You haven't changed a bit, Katie. Still so graceful and beautiful," Andrew said in a low, velvet voice.
"Maybe... but my heart has hardened. I'm not that naive girl you used to know." Kate looked him squarely in the eye.
"So you haven't forgiven me... Kate, I know I've wronged you. Just let me explain, even if it's late."
"How do you explain away a betrayal?" she smirked.
"My mistake was that I cheated on you back then. A month later, Sarah started blackmailing me, saying she was pregnant. She threatened to go to the police, to cause a massive scandal. I was a coward and I gave in. I tried to tell you the truth even then, but I couldn't find the courage. I never had feelings for her. Her father had a lot of influence back then—he could have easily made my life a living hell. I was young, and I was just plain scared," he said sincerely.
"And where is Sarah now? Why are you alone with the boy?" Kate asked softly.
"She's gone. It's a long story, but... I'm a widower," Andrew whispered.
A heavy silence hung in the house once more. Kate didn't know what to say. Or rather, she wanted to say so much; she wanted to shout to the whole world that she loved him—loved him even more than before. But the bitter sting of the past choked her, keeping the words at bay.
"Kate, please, forgive me if you can. I'll get on my knees if that's what it takes. I'm not living without you, I'm just existing. Not a day went by that I didn't think of you, regretting that terrible mistake. If you tell me to leave now, I'll go and I won't bother you again. Please, think about it before you answer."
At that moment, two feelings battled in Kate's soul. An inner voice was screaming for her to say, "Stay, don't go, I can't live without you either," but pride and hurt wouldn't let the words out.
"Leave," Kate whispered. Andrew's face fell, and he went into the other room for Joey. Kate followed him and saw the boy curled up in a ball, fast asleep on the bed.
"Joey! Are you asleep?" the man whispered.
"Shh. Don't wake him. You should stay here tonight," Kate gave in.
She looked at the man she loved and finally laughed. After tucking the little one in with a warm blanket, she stepped out of the room. Andrew walked up to her and pulled her into his arms.
"Thank you, sweetheart. I was so afraid you'd throw me out without listening."
"You should thank Joey!" Kate smiled.
She was happy. Regardless of what had happened on her journey, she had managed to step over her pride for the sake of a love that makes life worth living.
0 comments