Christmas on 4th Street

Ana Raquel tilted her head. Her long ponytail slipped across one shoulder. “If you say so,” she murmured, her voice making it clear she wasn’t convinced. She turned back to Noelle and handed over two bagged lunches. “Be careful with that one,” she said in a loud whisper. “I think he might not be right in the head.”

Noelle nodded solemnly. “Thanks for the warning.”

Ana Raquel left.

Noelle did her best not to burst into laughter as she passed over one of the bags. “I forgot to mention I provide lunch, or she does.”

Gabriel stared at the bag. “She cooks?”

“Yes, and incredibly well. She and her fiancé wrote a cookbook. A Fool’s Gold Cookbook. You can buy it anywhere in town.” She pointed to the small display in front of the cash register.

He walked over and picked up the book. “This is her?”

She waved the sack lunch. “Trust me, you’ll love it. Their sandwiches are always so interesting. And there’s yummy salad.”

“Not just any salad? Yummy salad?”

“I accept that you have to mock me to regain your sense of power because she called you old.”

“She called my brother old,” he clarified.

“You’re the same age.”

“Not the point.” He took one of the lunches. “You’re sure she’s able to do this without adult supervision?”

“Very funny. You’re going to love it.” She paused. “By the way, your mother also worries that you’re too old to never have been married.”

He groaned. “Please be kidding.”

“Sorry, no. By the way, she also asked me to join your family for Thanksgiving.”

He stared at her intently. “Please tell me you said yes.”

“I said yes.”

“You’ll come early?”

“You’re that worried about spending a day with the family?”

“Holidays are brutal.”

She smiled. “Fine. I’ll come early. Go eat your lunch. Then you need to stock shelves.”

He picked up one of the bags. “We’re having a run on gourd nativities?”

“You’d be surprised.”

He started to leave, then turned back to her. His bandaged hand came up and lightly grazed her cheek. She felt the heat of his touch all the way down to her toes. The contact was as unexpected as her visceral reaction.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

“You’re welcome.”

She thought about mentioning he could thank her in other ways. Like kissing. Or walking around shirtless. But he just headed for the back room, apparently unaffected by their brief contact.

Just what every woman needed for the holidays, she thought dreamily. A man crush.

* * *

Thanksgiving morning Gabriel sat on his brother’s front steps, sipping coffee and ignoring the cold. His mother had insisted he show up for breakfast. The request had been unexpected and he hadn’t had time to figure out a lie. So he’d been stuck arriving at eight.

It hadn’t snowed for a couple of days, so the roads were clear. A good thing considering Noelle was driving up by herself. As he watched the driveway, waiting to see her arrive, he realized they hadn’t discussed a time. Early could mean a lot of things, especially considering dinner wasn’t until five that afternoon.

He continued to hold on to his mug of rapidly cooling coffee, pleased he could almost stand the pressure of the cup against his wound. He was healing. The searing pain was just a dull ache. The stitches pulled when he moved. Good signs. His work at the store hadn’t set him back at all. Not that he cared if it did—he liked what he did at The Christmas Attic.

He’d taken the job on an impulse. Keeping busy meant less time to think—something he appreciated. In his regular job there was too much thinking. Too much worrying. Once a crisis hit, there was only reacting, then later, second-guessing. Folding throws and making sure the teddy bears were in a straight line would get old in time, but for these few weeks, the job was exactly what he needed. A place to retreat.

When he had his flashbacks—the sound of an explosion somewhere out of sight—he was able to stay calm. He kept breathing and the urgent sense of having to go help, to save, bled away with the sound. He was left back in this time and went on with his day.

Now he turned toward the driveway, but no car appeared. Damn.

He wanted to see her, he realized. Not just for the way she would be a buffer between himself and his parents, but because she would make him laugh. She would poke fun at him and breeze in and out with a graceful sway of her narrow hips. She would be endlessly patient, as she often was at the store. She didn’t care that some old lady took nearly an hour to pick out two ornaments with a combined value of less than ten dollars. She wanted every customer to be happy, whatever it took.

Integrity, he thought, finishing his coffee. She had integrity. And long legs, he mused, thinking how good they would feel wrapped around him as he—

Gabriel slammed the door on that line of thinking. No, he told himself firmly. That wasn’t going to happen. For one thing, Noelle was sweet and soft and not the kind of woman who thought sex was a game. For another, there were no secrets in Fool’s Gold. He’d figured that out the first day. If he slept with her, everyone would know. Then he would be gone and she would be left with the consequences. He liked her so he didn’t want to hurt her.

He heard footsteps on the porch behind him. He was hoping the person joining him was his brother. Or even Felicia. He could handle the company of either. He doubted Carter was up yet, otherwise he would take the kid.

But no, he thought as his father settled next to him. His luck wasn’t that good.

“Here,” his dad said, handing over a travel mug. “If you’re going to be fool enough to sit out here, you need to keep warm. Your other coffee will be cold by now.”

“Thanks.”

“You waiting on a woman?”

He was, but didn’t want to have the conversation. It would mean explaining why and that would take both of them places they didn’t want to go. His father had spent his life in the military but had seen little actual combat. It was a timing thing. While Gabriel hadn’t been under live fire, except when the field hospitals were attacked, he’d been plenty close to what went on. Gideon had lived it, of course.

Regardless, their father would feel he was one of them and want to talk about it. Gabriel had never been able to figure out what to say.

“Just enjoying the morning,” he told his father.

Norm nodded. “Beautiful country.”

“So it seems.”

“I heard you had a job in town.”

Gabriel opened the travel mug and drank the hot coffee. Warmth filled his stomach. “Just for the holidays.”

“Retail?”

From the tone it was obvious his father thought retail was as distasteful as having to clean up the local dog park.

“I like it.”

His old man turned to him. “You can’t mean that. You’re a soldier.”

“I’m a doctor and I’m not suggesting a career change. I have a lot of time on my hands. This is good, honest work. Different. Seeing people all excited about the holidays reminds me what the fight is about.”

Most of the words were true, he thought with some surprise. He didn’t have enough to fill his day and the store was unexpectedly pleasant.

“Just don’t get any ideas,” his father grumbled.

“About?”

Gabriel knew it was wrong to bait his father, but did it anyway, even as he continued to watch the driveway.

“Leaving. You’re staying in.”

“You asking or telling?”

“Leaving’s not an option,” Norm told him. “You owe them.”

“I’ve paid that debt. I gave the army what they asked in return for my education.”

“It’s not enough. This isn’t about the letter of the law, it’s about the spirit. You have to do the right thing, boy. That’s how you were raised.”

Gabriel drew in a breath, then faced his father. “You’re saying I can’t leave.”

“Yes. Stay and get your twenty. You’ll still be young enough to get some fancy hospital job and earn your millions.” Each word dripped with distaste.

“You think it’s about the money?”

“What else? It’s like those jet jockeys who take their training to some airline. Disgusting. They should stay in until they’re released. Leaving isn’t right.”

“You think service isn’t a choice? It’s indentured servitude, with pay and medical? Once you sign up, you’re in for life.”

“That’s how it should be,” his father told him. “If you’re thinking of leaving before your twenty, you’re dishonoring this family. I should have known you’d be like this. You never understood the importance of what was right. Never understood the history you’d been born into. When I was your age—”

Whichever of the stories he’d been about to launch into was cut short when Noelle drove around the corner. She managed to stay in the middle of the driveway, right until the end. Gabriel saw the triumph in her blue eyes. Then she hit the brakes a bit too hard and went sliding.

He heard her shriek and guessed she was spinning the wheel too hard. Sure enough there was a sweep to the right, then to the left, all in slow motion. Her car came to a gentle rest against a snowbank by the porch.

He stood and started toward her. Norm stayed on the porch, muttering something about female drivers.

Noelle opened her car door and stepped out.

“That is so unfair,” she yelled. “I was careful. I went slow and it was perfect right up until the end.”

“You hit the brakes too hard.”

She glared at him. “You think?” She turned and kicked her tire. “I’m not good at snow driving. Why is that?”

Instead of answering, he put his travel mug on the roof of her car, then pulled her close. She had on a thick coat and a red knit cap. Her long, blond hair spilled over her shoulders. She looked like a model for a ski ad. Ignoring her inability to travel in bad weather.

He wrapped his arms around her and was pleased when she returned the action, holding on to him.

“If you’re going to mock me, don’t,” she told him, staring into his eyes.

“I’m not.”

Behind them, the front door closed. The older Boylan had gone inside. They were alone.

“Are you going to kiss me?” she asked.

There were a dozen reasons not to kiss her and only a couple as to why he should. But the latter were more compelling. Or maybe it was just because a woman like Noelle wasn’t easy to resist. Either way, he lowered his head just enough to brush his mouth against hers.

Chapter 5

Gabriel’s kiss was sadly brief, Noelle thought as she felt the warmth of his lips on hers. There was contact, a sensation of heat, and then he raised his head. She wanted to insist on more, but perhaps the front yard of his brother’s house with both his parents in residence wasn’t the place.

“Thanks for coming early,” he said.

“You’re welcome. Felicia called me a little bit ago with a last-minute grocery list.” She smiled. “I’ve never heard her so rattled.”

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve been banned from the kitchen. All the men have. This is Felicia’s first Thanksgiving dinner.”

They were still standing very close together. If not for the layers of coats and sweaters, their pose could be considered intimate. She liked how his hands rested on her hips and the way he was looking at her—like a man looks at a woman who intrigues him.

“We should get inside,” he said. “You’re freezing.”

She could stand the cold a little longer but nodded anyway and stepped back. She got the two grocery bags out of her car. Gabriel took them from her and together they walked inside.

The house was bright and warm. So far there weren’t any smells, but it was barely eleven in the morning. If they weren’t eating until five, the turkey wouldn’t have been in the oven very long.

Karen and Felicia stood together talking in the open kitchen. Felicia glanced up and saw Noelle, then hurried toward her.

“You’re here. Thank you for stopping at the store. I don’t know how it’s possible I forgot anything. I made lists and I checked them at least twice.”

“Just like Santa,” Gabriel murmured.

Noelle took in her friend’s slightly frantic expression and did her best not to smile. “It’s okay. I’m happy to help. Where are you in the meal preparation?”

She asked the question before realizing she was hardly an expert. Her lone Thanksgiving cooking experience had been two years ago—shortly after the death of her mother and grandmother. The meal had turned out, but she hadn’t really cared either way.

This was better, she told herself as she took the grocery bags from Gabriel and put them on the counter. This time she was happy and healthy and the meal wasn’t her responsibility.

“I read an article online,” Felicia began as she emptied the bag. “About a woman who does a just-in-case turkey the night before. At the time I remember thinking she was wasting a lot of time, but now I completely understand and I think she’s brilliant. I need a just-in-case turkey.”

Noelle moved next to her friend. “While I’m enjoying the meltdown, because you’re normally so unflappable, let’s be rational for a moment. Has anything happened to make you concerned the turkey won’t turn out?”

“No. It’s only been in an hour. It’s barely started cooking. I followed the directions precisely for cleaning it and then filling it with stuffing.” She turned to Karen. “You were with me, helping. Did it appear everything was in order?”

Gabriel’s mother nodded. “You need to take a breath. There’s no crisis.”

“I forgot whipping cream! Who forgets that? What if I forgot something else?”

Gideon walked into the kitchen and took Felicia in his arms. “Hey,” he said, staring into her green eyes. “I love you. Carter loves you. We have a home and a dog and family. It’s one dinner. Get over it.”

Noelle knew about Felicia and Gideon’s relationship, but she’d never had much of an opportunity to observe it firsthand. Now, as Felicia visibly relaxed in her lover’s arms, Noelle felt a twinge of envy. While she was happy for her friend, she wanted that kind of love for herself. The safety and sense of belonging. Life was short and it was important to hang on to whatever happiness was available.

Her gaze wandered to Gabriel and she sighed. While he was nice eye candy and a surprisingly efficient stock person, he wasn’t anyone she could have a long-term relationship with. He was leaving and she was staying. She had no sense of him wanting to connect in any way. He wasn’t close to his family and according to Ana Raquel and his mother, had nearly reached the age where an explanation on the question “Why aren’t you married?” was going to get awkward.

All reasons to remind herself that he was not good boyfriend material. Not that he’d been, you know, asking.

He turned and caught her studying him. One eyebrow rose in inquiry. The movement was oddly masculine and very sexy. It made her wonder if she was worrying about the wrong thing. So she wasn’t going to marry Gabriel. Big whoop. Maybe she could simply mention they could do the wild thing while he was in town.

Before Noelle could decide if she was being incredibly contemporary in her thinking or simply delusional, Felicia stepped out of Gideon’s embrace.

“You’re right,” she said firmly. “The dinner will be fine. I understand the safest temperature for our dinner, so no one will get food poisoning. Everything after that is simply a bonus.” She glanced at the clock. “We need to get to town or we’ll miss the parade.”

“I thought you were in charge of the festivals,” Karen said as they all moved toward the front of the house.

“I am, but this isn’t technically a festival, so I don’t have to worry about it. However, I will be dealing with the Christmas tree lighting on Saturday.”

Gabriel moved next to Noelle and held out her jacket. “Not a ‘holiday tree’ lighting?” he asked.

“No. Here in Fool’s Gold we’ve decided to throw political correctness to the wind and call it a Christmas tree. I know because there was a very vigorous discussion about that exact topic at the last business association meeting. We took a vote.”

He nodded slowly. “You voted for calling it a Christmas tree.”

“I did.”

The large group was sorted into two cars. Gideon stayed behind to watch the turkey. Noelle saw Felicia whisper something into his ear before they left. She suspected it had nothing to do with cooking.

The trip down the mountain didn’t take long. Felicia directed Norm to a parking lot a few blocks away from the parade route, and they walked the rest of the way. Noelle found herself next to Gabriel, which was nice. She told herself it was because he was tall and broad, so he could block the wind, but in truth, she liked speculating about him. And if that caused a tingle or two, all the better for her.

They stopped by several street carts and bought hot chocolate and popcorn. The sidewalks were crowded with families. Because it was Thanksgiving, there were fewer tourists than usual for a parade, but plenty of residents. It was as if most of the town had turned out to watch.

“Over there,” Felicia said, leading them to a viewing area by the Fox and Hound. The corner spot allowed them to see down two streets.

“Nice,” Norm told her. “You are good at logistics.”

Carter settled on the sidewalk. Karen sat next to him. Norm and Felicia were behind them. Noelle noticed that Gabriel did his best to keep his distance from his father.

She wondered about their relationship. Gabriel hadn’t said that much, but there was obviously tension. Despite the fact that Carter had showed up in Gideon’s life over the summer, Norm and Karen hadn’t come to meet him until a few days before. Felicia had been the one to invite them to visit for the holidays. What had happened to cause both sons to become, if not estranged, then at least disconnected from their parents?

Not a question to ask minutes before the parade started.

She sipped her hot chocolate, grateful for her coat and the sweater she wore beneath. The sky was blue, but the temperature couldn’t be much above freezing. She could see her breath.

Gabriel pointed across the street. “That guy is selling chestnuts,” he said. “Are you sure this town is real?”

“Mostly. I don’t think I like chestnuts. Now, if he had fudge, that would be a different story.”

“You eat chocolate?”

She glanced up at him. “I’m a fully functioning female, so yes. Why are you surprised?” She held out her to-go cup. “Hello, hot chocolate.”

“I thought you only ate healthy stuff.”

Because she was skinny, she thought, knowing that just over three years ago, she’d been curvy and completely happy with her body. Then she’d gotten sick. Weight had seemed to melt off her. It wasn’t exactly a diet she would have recommended to anyone.

In the past year, she’d gained back about a third of what she’d lost. It was slow going, but she was determined that she would see her curves again.

“I love chocolate,” she said firmly, and swallowed the last of her drink. Again, discussing the whys of her thinness wasn’t a subject for this second.

The sound of music drifted to them.

“It’s started,” Carter said, scrambling to his feet. Norm held out his hand to Karen as she stood. They all turned and looked up 4th Street, straining to see the beginning of the parade.

“Are there floats?” Gabriel asked.

“I don’t know. I hope so.”

Felicia glanced at them. “There is the local high school marching band, some vehicles from the fire stations, a few old cars and some oversized balloons.” She shrugged. “I saw the list.”

“That’s it?” Gabriel asked.

Noelle poked him with her elbow. “Attitude, mister. It will be magical. You’ll see.”

“Oversized balloons?”

“Maybe it’s like the Macy’s parade in New York.”

He grinned at her. “I’m sure it’s exactly like that.”

The music got louder. Soon they could see two teenagers with a banner welcoming them to the annual Fool’s Gold Thanksgiving parade. An old convertible went by with Mayor Marsha perched in the back. She waved regally as she passed.

There were a few balloons, including a charming Christmas penguin with a bright red cap.

“Aren’t penguins in the South Pole?” Gabriel murmured in her ear.

“Stop talking.”

“Where it’s summer?”

She looked at him. “You’re not getting into the spirit of this.”

“It’s the best parade I’ve seen in years.”

“You’re just saying that.”

He surprised her by putting his arm around her. “No. I mean it.”

She allowed herself a moment of enjoying the warmth of him next to her, then turned her attention back to the parade. The marching band came by next, blasting a rock version of “Jingle Bells,” then a couple of police cars and a fire truck. The latter had a fireman’s hat on the hood with the number 46 on it. There were wreaths on the side of the truck and a plastic Santa sitting on the bumper.

A block or so away, people started yelling. Noelle turned but couldn’t see what was causing the fuss. The sounds were happy—mostly surprise and delight. She raised herself on tiptoe.

“Can you see what it is?” she asked.

“Not yet,” Gabriel began, then swore softly. “No way,” he said. “No way.”

Felicia glanced up the street. “Oh, that’s right. I forgot about them.”

Norm and Karen both looked at her. “How could you forget?”

Noelle shifted forward, trying to get a look. “Forget what?”

Then the crowd seemed to move back and she had a clear view of Priscilla...dressed as Santa.

“Is that an—” Gabriel began.

“Elephant?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Yes.” Noelle squeezed her hot chocolate cup and danced from foot to foot. “Do you see what she’s wearing? I know it’s just a jacket, but still.”

“How do you get a jacket on an elephant?” Gabriel asked.

“In pieces,” Felicia told him. “They’re held together with industrial-strength hook-and-loop closures.” She turned to Gideon’s parents. “There’s a ranch outside of town. Mostly they have goats, but there is also an elephant, some llamas and other animals. It’s very eclectic, which suits the town.”

Noelle didn’t care about that. She began to cheer at the sight of Priscilla the elephant strolling down the street.

Most of the Stryker family walked with her, each of them dressed for the holidays. Rafe and Shane pulled wagons with their children in them. As Priscilla got closer, Noelle saw that she was trailed by a goat and a pony, each dressed as a Christmas elf.

“I’m never moving,” she said with a sigh.

Gabriel still had his arm around her. Now he pulled her against him. “Was it ever a question?”

“No, but now I’m completely and totally sure.”

* * *

After the parade, the family drove back up the mountain. Once in the house, Felicia headed for the kitchen. Noelle and Karen went with her while the men headed downstairs to watch whatever game was on. The smell of roasting turkey filled the air and made Noelle’s stomach growl.

Felicia crossed to the oven and turned on the light. “It would make me very happy if you could cooperate,” she whispered, then glanced over her shoulder. “I do understand the foolishness of talking to my entrée. I just can’t seem to help myself.”

Karen nodded sympathetically. “I’ve had many a conversation with my meals,” she confessed. “It’s nothing to worry about.”

Carter flew into the kitchen, Webster at his heels.

“I’m going to take him out,” he said, crossing to Felicia and hugging her. “Then I’ll be back. I’m going to peel the potatoes. You remember that, right?”

“Yes. I remember,” Felicia told him.

The boy and the dog headed outside.

When he was gone, Felicia turned to them. “He wants to help. It’s so nice. We’ve been very fortunate with his personality and how he was raised. His mother did an excellent job. I hope when Gideon and I begin a family that I can be half as skilled.”

Karen moved toward her and touched her shoulder. “You’ll do great.”