Daddy's Christmas Miracle: Santa in a Stetson

“I’ve arranged it for this afternoon.”

He nodded his approval before walking away.

Kathryn went back in the room. “Good morning.”

Allie looked happy to see her. “Hi.”

“The doctor said you’re coming right along. Let’s get you up to the bathroom, then you’ll feel even better.”

“I’ve never had to go so badly.”

“That’s what an IV does to you.” She raised the head of her bed, then helped her get up and walk to the bathroom while she rolled the IV stand. “Do you feel dizzy?”

“Not really.”

“Good, but I’m still going to stay right outside the door. If you start to feel funny, just tell me.”

“Okay.”

When Allie came out again, she said, “I feel ten pounds lighter.”

Kathryn laughed. “You probably are. Need help getting back to bed?”

“I don’t think so.”

To her relief, Allie made it without support. “Do you feel any nausea this morning?”

“No. I’m hungry.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” She helped ease her back on the bed. “Our breakfast should be here in a minute. While we wait, why don’t you call your father. I promised him you would.”

“I’m afraid to.”

Kathryn made a face. “Afraid? Of the most wonderful father in the whole world?”

“By now I’m sure he knows I asked Jen to lie for me. I think Dad hates lies more than anything else.”

“But he loves you more than anything else, Allie. Once you tell him the reason behind this incident and let him know you’re sorry for not being honest with him, he’ll understand and love you all the more.” She pulled out the phone and pressed his number. “Here. It’s ringing.”

With reluctance Allie took the phone from her. Almost immediately she said, “Hi, Dad. It’s me.” Whatever he answered in response caused the tears to roll down her cheeks. “I miss you, too. I’m so sorry for what I did.”

Kathryn slipped out in the hall to give them privacy. The trays eventually arrived. She took them in the room and put them on the table that slid over the bed. Propping herself on the stool, Kathryn reached for hers and devoured her toast and eggs. In a few minutes, she heard Allie saying goodbye.

“I love you, too. Here she is.” She extended the phone to Kathryn. “Dad wants to talk to you.”

She took it from her and put her empty tray on the side table. “Good morning, Mr. Brenner.”

“It is now.” His voice sounded deeper.

“Are you grounded yet?” she teased.

He chuckled. “Almost. Like you said, it will take hugging her to convince me completely.”

“The doctor says she can go home. If all goes well, we should be in Bozeman by two.”

“That’s even earlier than I’d hoped.”

The man couldn’t wait to get his daughter back. “She can’t get home fast enough either. We’ll be coming in on a Cessna CJ2.”

“All the comforts of home for my daughter. I’m very grateful.”

“I’m thrilled she’s doing this well. Before we hang up, there is one thing. Allie stowed her backpack in one of the lockers at the bus depot, but the receipt with the access code for the computer was stolen along with her purse. I’m afraid you’re the only person who can authorize someone to open it.”

“I’ll take care of it right now and ask them to ship it back to us.”

“Hopefully by the time she’s ready to return to school, it will have arrived. See you in about six hours.”

“I’m counting down the time.”

The comment made her smile. She hung up.

“Katy?”

Bemused by his comment, she was slow to flick her gaze to Allie. “What is it?”

“I’m glad you’re going to be taking care of me.”

“You are?”

She nodded. “People die from the H1N1 virus.”

The poor thing had been so frightened to tell her father what she’d done, she was only now realizing the state of her health.

“Well, it’s not going to happen on my watch. While you graze the TV channels, I’m going to go home and pack a few things. Then I’ll be back. I expect your breakfast to be gone.”

“I want to eat.”

“Good. You know the button to press if you need a nurse to help you to the bathroom again. Can I get you anything else before I go?”

“No. Just hurry.”

“I promise.”

Nancy had gone off shift when Kathryn approached the desk. Sue was on duty. Kathryn caught her up to speed on the Brenner case, then she left the hospital for home.

It was cold and cloudy, but no storm was pending yet. For Allie’s sake she hoped there’d be little turbulence on the flight to Montana.

Once she’d reached her condo, she packed a suitcase, then took a shower and washed her hair. After she’d blow-dried it, she slipped on fresh underwear and walked over to the closet.