His Texas Christmas Bride

“Uncle Don, Nick was just telling me he saved a boy’s life today. He’s an ER doctor at the hospital, and he’s just coming from work.”

Becca definitely had a talent for steering an uncomfortable conversation in a different direction.

“Is that so? Well, it’ll be good to have a doctor in the family. Good job, Becs. I need to run in here for a minute.” He gestured toward a room off the hallway that led to the living room. “I’ll catch up with you lovebirds a little later.”

After Don disappeared, Becca made an exasperated face at Nick. “I warned you.”

“And that you did.” He hadn’t expected so much pressure. He hoped her family wouldn’t turn into an angry mob after they broke the news about the pregnancy.

He was about to ask her if she really thought tonight was a good night to tell them and suggest that maybe they should do it in smaller groups, when Isabel found them.

“Nick, how lovely to see you.” She leaned in and offered her cheek. “I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to join us.”

“I’m sorry I’m late, Mrs. Flannigan. I got tied up at work.”

Isabel cocked her head to the right, but her posture was still impeccable. “Nothing serious, I hope.”

As Don passed by again, he said, “He saved a kid’s life tonight.”

Isabel’s eyes flew open wide. “You did? And on Thanksgiving. Oh, Nick, I’ll bet the family is so very thankful for you today. We have a hero, right here in our midst.”

Nick waved her off and tried to tell her it was nothing, really. “It was all in a day’s work.”

But Isabel wasn’t listening. She was already leading the way into the dining room, where at least twenty people were crowded around the large formal table talking and eating. A cornucopia resided at the center of the table. Along the back wall was an ornate wooden buffet that housed a fancy silver coffee service, complete with creamer and sugar bowl situated on a large, gleaming tray. At least a half dozen pies of various types were positioned on either side.

“Please, come into the dining room and sit down. Victor, move so Nick can sit down and eat.” The skinny teenage boy cast a moody glance over his left shoulder, but he obediently got up from the table.

“Sit down right there, Nick. Becca will bring you a place setting and fix you a plate.”

“Really, I don’t want to put you out. If you’ve already put the food away, I’ll just have a beer or coffee. Or whatever you have handy.”

“Nonsense. It’s Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving you will eat turkey and all the trimmings. Now, sit down. Becca, don’t just stand there. Go get his food.”

Nick slanted Becca a glance, worried that she might be bristling over her mother’s directives. But she didn’t seem bothered. She was already on her way out of the room.

He could see others through the doorway that led to the kitchen and still more people sitting in the living room, where Nick and Becca had sat with Isabel and Patrick two nights ago.

After Nick’s mom had died, it was just him and his dad. Caiden was gone, and his dad wasn’t close with his extended family. There had been no holidays with grandparents or aunts, uncles and cousins.

A gathering of the boisterous Flannigan clan was a little overwhelming. To say the least.

Especially when Don said in his booming voice, “Hey, everyone, this is Nick, Becca’s boyfriend. He saved a kid’s life tonight. That’s why he’s late to Thanksgiving.”

Sounds of awed admiration echoed through the room. Things like this were bright spots, but they really were just part of a day’s work. He forgot how it must sound when civilians heard about lives being saved. Especially when they were young.

As he waited for Becca to return, he fielded questions about the procedure. He was careful to keep the details general enough so as not to violate the boy’s privacy. But then again, as cool as people who weren’t in the business may have thought hospital talk was, it didn’t take long before the average person’s eyes started glazing over.

Soon enough, most everyone returned to their own conversations. A few talked to Nick, asking him about himself and how he and Becca met and how long they’d been dating. Until finally Becca presented Nick with a frosty mug of beer and a heaping plate of food.

He’d barely finished his meal when Patrick entered the room. “Nick, you’re here.”

He offered his hand, and Nick stood before he shook it.

“You might as well remain standing,” Patrick instructed him. “Now is as good a time as any to share your news with the family. People are going to start leaving pretty soon, and we don’t want anyone left out.”