“Here’s the key. Make yourself at home and I’ll prepare some tea for us and bring it over.”

Vera handed Nick the key to Bernie’s apartment then headed off to her own. He opened the door and stepped through, his gaze sweeping the area before allowing Bayley entrance.

She laughed, “I don’t think the boogie-man will be here.”

Swatting her ass lightly, he said, “Force of habit.” As she moved into the kitchen to see if there was food that needed to be discarded, Nick stood in the living room and looked around. It had been two years since he had been back to visit Bernie. The neat home appeared very much as had Nick expected—no clutter, no mess, very functional. And yet, with photographs displayed on the walls and end tables, Nick was reminded that Bernie had never had mementoes out before. Stalking over to the wall, he viewed framed photographs of Bernie in uniform over the decades, all with different friends depending on the warzone he was stationed. Having just seen Bernie lying in a hospital bed, he was struck with the difference he found in him in the various photographs.

“He looks the same, doesn’t he?” Bayley asked, coming up by his shoulder.

“Huh? The same?”

“Look at his eyes…the determination. That’s the same look that he has now. Determined to get better and get back on his feet.”

Staring at the pictures with renewed interest, he realized Bayley was right. The same eyes stared back at him from over the years and he knew then that Bernie was going to be coming home from the hospital. Smiling down at her, he placed his arm over her shoulders, pulling her in slightly.

Moving toward the sofa, he bent to see the framed pictures crowding the surface. Startled, he viewed ones of him and his parents when he was a child and pictures of Bernie and his dad when they were little. There was even a picture of Nick in high school wearing a baseball uniform.

He picked up the frame, saying, “I had no idea he’d taken this picture. He came to my games, but I never saw him with a camera.”

Just then, a knock sounded at the door and Bayley opened it, seeing Vera on the stoop with a tray in her hands. “Oh goodness, let me take that.” Relieving the tray from Vera, she invited her in and set it down on the coffee table.

“Here we are, making ourselves at home in Bernard’s apartment. Wouldn’t he just fuss?” Vera giggled, pouring the tea into mugs.

Nick, glad for the sturdy mug instead of a delicate teacup, smiled. “We never had much company when I was living with Bernie. I take it he’s the same now?”

“Oh, he likes to grumble whenever there’s some kind of party or little to-do in the clubhouse, but I’ve gotten him to go out. He says it’s just to keep the old geezers around here from trying any funny business with me, but I think he secretly likes it.”

Bayley snorted at the description of Bernie. “I just met him and yet I can see him dragging his feet and then glaring at the other men looking at you.”

Vera met her smile before shifting her gaze to Nick. “It is true, that I do like your uncle a great deal. I was married to a wonderful man for almost fifty years, until he died five years ago. I moved in here about year before Bernard did and we became friends. I think he knew I wasn’t at a retirement home looking for another husband and our friendship seemed to keep the other women at bay.” Leaning forward, she whispered loudly, “Some of these women can really work to get their claws into a man, since they are so few and far between!”

“I’m glad for your friendship with him, Vera,” Nick assured, setting his mug down. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“These pictures,” Nick indicated with his hand, “how long has he had them out?”

Surprise crossed her features. “As long as I’ve been coming over. He was…is…so proud of you.”

Thinking for a moment, Nick offered, “He was a good man to take me in—”

“He may have taken you in out of a sense of responsibility, but I assure you that Bernard thought you were the greatest thing in his life. Even more than the Marines.”

Shocked silent, Nick’s mouth hung open. Bernie had mentioned regretting not taking him in right away, that they had needed each other, but he thought maybe the trauma of the heart attack had made Bernie more sentimental.

Bayley leaned over, her fingers linking with his, a smile offered in comfort. Recognizing the need to move the conversation to a less emotional one, she said, “His refrigerator is good. I bagged up the spoiled veggies and poured the milk down the sink. I placed the garbage bag in his container.”

“Oh, good,” Vera said. “I hadn’t even thought about that.” She turned back toward Nick. “Does he know what his rehab will look like?”

“He and I talked to the doctor this morning. He will spend at least three more nights in the hospital, leaving ICU and being in a regular room starting tomorrow if he continues to progress so well. The hospital will work with the facility’s nursing coordinator here and a home health nurse. If his needs can be met, he’ll come back here, with nursing assistance as needed.”

“Good, good,” Vera nodded, a small smile playing about her lips.

Bayley glanced at Nick, her grin indicting what she thought of Bernie’s attentive neighbor. With tea finished, Vera stood and placed the empty mugs on the tray. Refusing Bayley’s offer of help, she said goodbye, leaving the couple standing in the living room.

“Was there anything else you needed to get?” Bayley asked.

Jarred back to the moment, Nick dragged his gaze from the family pictures lining the walls, and said, “I need to get some clothes for him to put on when he leaves the hospital. I’ll get sweatpants and some t-shirts.”

Bayley admired the view of Nick’s backside as he walked down the hall toward Bernie’s bedroom. “Don’t forget underwear,” she called after him. “Everyone wants clean underwear when they leave the hospital.”

Hearing Nick chuckle from the bedroom, she sighed, waiting patiently until he returned, a small travel-bag in his hand. After returning the key to Vera, he linked hands with Bayley and they climbed back into his vehicle. Back at the hospital, they headed up the elevator to Bernie’s floor.

“I figure, once things are settled tomorrow, you and I can start the trip back.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind staying longer. Daphne says the shop is fine.”

“I appreciate it, but I’ve got to get back—as long as Bernie is doing well.”

“Are you worried about the case?”

Nodding, he admitted, “Not really worried, but I’ve got some decisions to make.” Stepping off the elevator, Nick said, “Come on into the room with me. I’d like you to meet Bernie.”

“Oh, I don’t want to take up your time with him—”

“He’s been asking about you…he saw you passing the door yesterday and noticed you kept looking in.”

It did not take long for the couple to reach Bernie’s room, Nick pleased to see him sitting up in bed, his color still pale but less white than the previous days. Bernie’s eyes landed on Bayley and he smiled.

“Well, I see my nephew has decided that I’m not too old of a coot to be introduced to his pretty girl.”

Laughing, Bayley unlinked fingers with Nick and walked to Bernie’s bedside, leaning over to kiss his cheek. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Stone. I’m Bayley.”

“Bah, with that Mr. Stone stuff. Call me Bernie…or Uncle Bernie, if you’re so inclined.”

Cutting her eyes over to Nick, who had moved beside her, she said, “All right, Bernie it is.”

“I brought you some clothes, Uncle Bernie,” Nick said as he opened the bag. “When do you think they’ll let you put them on?”

“Hell, right now, if they know what’s good for them. I’m tired of my wanker being out for anyone to see!”

“Bernie!” Nick scolded, his lips curving as he observed Bayley’s giggling.

Bernie shot a look toward Bayley. “Miss Bayley, I do apologize for my crudeness…I seem to have forgotten my manners since being here.”

“It’s perfectly fine,” she smiled. “I’ll step outside and let Nick assist you with whatever clothes they’ll let you put on.”

Just then the nurse entered the room, eying the sweatpants in Bernie’s hands. “Oh, no, Mr. Stone. No pants for you until you are ready to be discharged and that won’t be for a few days.”

Bernie aimed a narrow-eyed look at her, muttering under his breath. “Shoulda known, you’d be wanting to peek at my—”

“Bernie!” Nick interrupted again, glaring at both his uncle and Bayley, whose giggles rang out once more.

Kissing Bernie’s cheek again, she patted Nick’s arm. “I’ll go back to the waiting area while you and Bernie talk a bit.”

Nick watched her delectable ass as it moved away from him before turning back to his uncle, seeing his eyes on Bayley’s backside as well. Shaking his head, he decided not to chastise Bernie, sitting down near his bed instead. Nick felt like a bug under a glass as Bernie faced him, his intelligent eyes pinning him to his chair.

“So, talk to me, boy. What have you decided?”

“Decided?”

Nodding, he said, “Uh huh. You know what I mean. That morose expression that’s been on your face is gone. I take it good things are happenin’ with that pretty Bayley?”

Grinning, Nick met his uncle’s blue-eyed gaze. “Yeah, good things are happening.” As his smile dropped slightly, he added, “But I’ve got to decide about work.”

“You thinking about leaving the Bureau?”

Nick searched Bernie’s face for signs of disapproval, but found only curiosity. “We’ll see. I never thought I’d leave. Never thought I’d feel like I needed to. But, I’ve been offered a lucrative positon with a private investigative firm. I’ve coordinated with them for a year and have to admit I’m impressed. They get assignments that are right up my alley and aren’t…uh…limited by political posturing. And the opportunity to work with a team that I respect. I think I’d like to do something different...more challenging.”

“Boy, it sounds like you already have your answer,” Bernie pronounced. “Just listening to you and the look on your face…sounds like a good deal.”

Shrugging, Nick said, “We’ll see. A lot will depend on how things go when I get back.” Holding Bernie’s gaze, he added, “And speaking of that, I thought I’d head home tomorrow and then come back when you’re out of rehab and make sure you’re good in your apartment.”

“Nope, you and Bayley head on back to Virginia as soon as you can. I’m good here…sure as hell don’t need no coddling. Lord knows, Vera’ll do enough of that when I get back to my apartment.”

Nick nodded slowly, smiling at the thought of his uncle finally succumbing to the ministrations of a good woman. “I’ll say goodbye now and then plan on coming in tomorrow morning before we leave. The hospital is on the way out of town anyway.”

With heartfelt goodbyes, Nick wrapped his arms gently around Bernie’s body, offering what he hoped was his thanks as well as his love. As he pulled back, he noted the tears that had gathered in the older man’s eyes, then realized they were in his as well.

Bayley sat quietly, watching Nick’s chest rise and fall. She had insisted he lie down after they ate, knowing he needed rest. His lashes were thick against his cheeks, which now held a slight scruff, giving him a dangerously debonair look. His lips were full and, now that she knew how they felt, she longed to taste them again. Wearing only a white t-shirt after shucking his button-up, his muscles were showcased to perfection.

Tiptoeing out of the room, she headed down to the lobby after deciding to buy some snacks for tomorrow’s road trip back to Virginia. Stepping out of the elevator, wearing black yoga pants and an old t-shirt, she observed the crowd. Mr. and Mrs. Claus were going to make an appearance in the lobby and the children crowded near the large tree, hoping to have their picture taken. Slipping through the closest doors, she came face to face with Mr. and Mrs. Claus preparing for the afternoon’s activities.

Grinning, she greeted, “Hello!”

Santa chuckled as he winked at Bayley. “How lovely to see you again.” Nodding toward Mrs. Claus, he said, “We have something for you. Just for you.” Mrs. Claus reached her hand into the large bag of presents and pulled out a small box. Stepping up, she smiled, her rosy cheeks shining.

“We thought you would like this,” she said, handing it to Bayley.

Taking the red box, wrapped with a silver bow, Bayley smiled. “Oh, my goodness, thank you.”

Patting her hand as they prepared to step into the lobby, Santa turned back to Bayley and whispered, “My dear, I think you should go out the door to the side. Avoid the main lobby and I will do what I can to help.”

“Wha—what? I don’t understand,” she protested, but the iconic pair stepped into the lobby to the loud cheers of the children.

Standing for a moment, she looked down at the box in her hand, unwrapping the bow. Opening the gift, she stared in dumb silence as a beautiful silver chain and pendant was revealed. A Saint Nicholas. So much like the one Nick wore. Clutching it in her hand, she held it to her heart before slipping it over her neck.

Turning, she walked to the side door and slipped into the back of the lobby, avoiding the crowd. Walking briskly, with her back toward the gathering around one of the trees, her spidey senses engaged, sending alarm tingles down her spine. Sliding discreetly behind one of the large, snowman decorations, she peeked around the edge of the top hat, spying across the lobby. Carefully moving her gaze slowly from one side to the other, her eyes landed on a man standing near the entrance door leading to the Holiday Garden, leaning casually against a pillar. Shit! Recognizing the man who had accosted her, she jerked back behind the snowman.

Heart pounding, she stood in indecision for a moment. Ever so slowly, she squatted before peeking back around the snowman’s midsection. At this angle, she could observe him without him seeing her. She noted he was also shifting his view around as though searching. Good, he hasn’t seen me yet!

Putting her hand in her pocket only to discover she did not have her cell phone, she wasted another moment in indecision. Just then, Mr. and Mrs. Claus called for the children to head out to the Holiday Garden for more games. As the mass of people rushed toward the doors, Bayley looked over the snowman’s shoulder to see the man’s attention diverted as he attempted to move away from the crush of children. Taking her opportunity, she headed to the stair doorway. Glancing back, her gaze caught Santa’s—and with a nod, he winked.