Page 11 of A Perfect Christmas Dance (Kringle, Texas #7)

Nina wiped down the bakery counter after the lunch rush, trying to decide what to wear on her date with Ryan. Maybe something red that contrasted with her dark hair and pale skin. Mom said red was “her” color, and it fit the season.

The tree-lighting ceremony was just a few hours away, and she couldn’t wait to spend the evening with him. At long last. A date with Ryan Danvers.

A few diners lingered, finishing off their sandwiches. The bakery closed at two thirty, and it was now one forty-five.

The landline mounted on the wall next to the display case rang. Nina leaned over to snag the receiver from its cradle.

“Ellis Early Eats, Nina speaking. How may I help you?”

“Nina, this is Jenny Finley, Ryan’s sister.”

Why was Jenny calling her? Nina put a hand to her chest. Was Ryan backing out of their date? Had he put his sister up to breaking the news?

“Y-yes?” Gak! Why did she sound so shaky and unsure of herself?

“I really hate to bother you, but I was wondering if you’ve heard from Ryan today?”

“No.” Not knowing what else to say, Nina pulled her bottom lip up between her teeth. “Is there a problem?”

Jenny sighed. “I’m not sure. I’ve been trying to reach him all morning, but he’s not answering his phone. The ranch hands are off for Christmas and he’s all alone out there on the ranch, and I just can’t shake this uneasy feeling.”

Was something amiss, or was Jenny’s imagination in overdrive because of pregnancy hormones and bed rest? Nina’s pulse pumped harder. She didn’t want to be dismissive of the woman’s concerns.

“I called his neighbor to go check on him but didn’t realize the family was skiing in Aspen for the holidays. I’d send Scott over, but he’s out of town on business for a couple of days.” Anxiety tinged Jenny’s voice. “I hate to ask, but since you and Ryan have plans later today?—”

“Ryan told you about that?” Inordinately pleased that he’d discussed their date with his sister, Nina smiled.

“Oh yes. My brother came by to check on me last night, and he was singing your praises.”

Nina curled her toes inside her ankle boots and pressed her palm to her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

“Would you mind terribly going out to check on him? I know I’m probably jumping at shadows, but it’s unlike Ryan not to answer his phone. I’d go myself, but the doctor’s orders…”

“Of course,” Nina said. “I’ll head over there right away.”

“Thank you, Nina. You’re a lifesaver. Please let me know as soon as you know anything.”

“Will do.” Nina hung up the receiver and turned to find Gee watching her with a raised eyebrow.

“What’s up?” he asked.

Nina explained the situation. “I need to go check on Ryan. Can you close up?”

“Sure, sure.”

Gee nodded, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Go on, I’ve got this covered. You go make sure that boy’s alright.”

“Thanks.” She kissed her grandfather’s cheek, took off her apron, and grabbed her coat. She tried not to jump to conclusions, but she couldn’t help worrying about Ryan.

The drive to the Danvers ranch seemed an eternity, even though it was only ten miles outside of town.

Nina’s mind raced with possibilities. Maybe Ryan had just fallen asleep with his phone on silent.

Or perhaps he was out in one of the far pastures, out of cell range.

Still, as the ranch came into view, worry tightened in her chest.

She pulled up to the sprawling farmhouse and killed the engine. Ryan’s truck sat parked in the driveway. The sun was out now, the earlier ice having melted away, leaving everything slightly damp and earthy-smelling.

Nina got out and walked up the front porch, the wooden steps creaking beneath her feet. She knocked on the door, the sound echoing in the stillness.

No answer.

She rang the doorbell.

Still nothing.

“Ryan?” She moved to press her face to the window and peered inside the living room. No one around.

Nina stepped back, bit her lip, and glanced around the property. The ranch lay quiet—too quiet. Where could he be?

Maybe the barn? Perhaps that was it. He was prepping for the party. Made total sense. But why hadn’t he answered his phone?

Following her instincts, she headed for the barn. The double doors pushed apart slightly.

“Ryan?” she called again, feeling as if she were trespassing. “Are you out there?”

“Nina!” Relief flooded Ryan’s voice. “In here!”

She shoved the heavy rolling double doors all the way open and rushed inside. Her chest squeezed tight.

The scent of hay filled her nostrils, along with a sharp note of sweat that cut through the usual barn smells.

She heard a low groan.

She moved around the door and spied Ryan propped against the wall, his broad shoulders hunched, face pale, perspiration beading his brow, his body curled protectively around his right leg.

“Ryan!” She sprang to his side.

He glanced up at her, trying to smile through a grimace, his dark-brown eyes tinged with pain.

Nina knelt next to him and hovered a hand at his shoulder. “What happened?”

His jaw muscle twitched. “I slipped on the ice this morning and bunged up my knee. It was closer to drag myself into the barn than the house.”

“Oh my gosh, you’ve been here for hours!”

“Made myself useful, though.” He winced and waved a hand at the stacked cardboard boxes. “I untangled all the Christmas lights.”

Indeed, a myriad of string lights lay neatly wound into circles around him.

“Oh my stars!” She glanced down at his leg, noticing the swollen knee beneath his jeans. Loose hay clung to his coat and hair, and she resisted the urge to brush it away. Instead, she assessed the situation, her mind racing with worry and the need to help.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m not sure I can keep our date.”

“Ya think?”

He gave her such a mournful look it hurt her heart.

“How long have you been here? Why didn’t you call for help?”

Ryan sighed, wincing as he tried to shift his position. “Like a doofus, I left my phone in the house.”

“Can you stand?”

“I haven’t tried lately. My confounded knee swelled so fast I couldn’t bend it through my jeans, and every time I tried to get up, I kept falling on my backside. Finally, I just gave up.”

She clucked her tongue. “You must be freezing.”

“Thirsty, too.”

She shrugged off her coat and draped it over him. “We need to get you to a doctor. Let’s try to get you up.”

Ryan attempted to sit up but fell back with a hiss of pain.

“Scale of one to ten, how bad does it hurt?”

“When I’m just sitting here, five-ish. But when I try to move, we’re looking at eight to nine.”

Nina chewed her lower lip, thinking fast. “Okay, don’t try to move. I’ll call Gee. He’ll know what to do.”

She pulled out her phone and dialed her grandfather’s number, explaining the situation as soon as he picked up.

“Keep him still and try to elevate his leg if you can,” Gee said. “I’ll close up the bakery and be there as soon as I can. In the meantime, keep him warm and comfortable.”

Nina ended the call and turned back to Ryan. “Gee’s on his way. He says we should elevate your leg. Do you think you can scoot back a bit? There’s a hay bale we could use to prop up your foot.”

Ryan nodded, gritting his teeth, and they maneuvered him into a better position. Nina gathered some loose hay to cushion his injured knee, then carefully lifted his leg onto the hay bale.

“How’s that?”

“Better,” Ryan said, though his voice came out strained. “Thank you.”

She settled down beside him, taking his hand in hers. “Jenny was worried when she couldn’t reach you. I need to call her, by the way.”

Ryan squeezed her hand, a look of guilt crossing his face. “I didn’t mean to worry anyone. I just… I felt so stupid lying out here. I thought I could handle it on my own.”

“You don’t have to handle everything on your own, Ryan. That’s what friends are for. That’s what I’m here for.”

“Friends?” he said lightly. “Is that what we are?”

“I hope so.” She met his gaze.

“I was hoping for more.”

Her pulse skittered. “Me too,” she whispered.

He squeezed her hand.

She squeezed his right back.

Before long, a vehicle pulled into the driveway.

“That’ll be Gee,” she said and hopped up. She went to the barn door and waved to her grandfather as he got out of his truck, medical bag in hand.

Gee came into the barn, examined Ryan’s leg, and shook his head. “This is beyond what I can do here. I’m afraid it’s time to call an ambulance. You’re gonna need surgery, son.”

Ryan winced but nodded, clearly trying to brace himself for what was coming. Nina felt a surge of sympathy rise inside her. She stayed close, squeezing his hand once more as Gee made the call.

“I’ll be fine, Nina,” Ryan said.

She smiled, though her heart still thudded fast. “You’re not getting out of our date that easily.”

Ryan chuckled despite the pain. “I’ll hold you to that.”

* * *

The ambulance ride felt like a blur, a haze of concerned faces and flashing lights. Ryan’s knee throbbed with every bump in the road, each jolt sending a fresh wave of pain through his body.

Through it all, Nina stayed by his side, her hand in his, anchoring him. Her touch was warm against his clammy skin, her fingers intertwined with his, offering silent support.

Even as the paramedics wheeled him into the Fort Worth hospital, she remained a constant presence. The harsh fluorescent lights cast shadows under her eyes, highlighting the worry etched across her face. Yet her voice remained steady, a soothing balm amidst the hubbub of the emergency room.

Nina called Jenny and kept his sister updated, but Ryan barely registered it.

The surgery passed in a fog of anesthesia and discomfort. As consciousness slipped away, the last thing Ryan remembered was Nina’s voice, promising she’d be there when he woke up.

It was a promise she kept, her face the first thing he saw as he blinked back to awareness in the sterile hospital room. Her smile, tired but relieved, was like sunlight breaking through clouds.