Christmas on 4th Street (Fool's Gold #12.5)

He rose and crossed to the door. She handed him his jacket. As he slipped it on, she pressed her hands against his chest.

“What if I change my mind?” she asked.

“Get the big box of condoms.”

She grinned. “Extra large?”

“You know it.”

* * *

Gabriel had been to some of the largest cities in the Middle East. He’d haggled for food, for rugs and even, when he’d been engaged, for jewelry. He knew how to deal with the crowds, the heat, the bugs. What he wasn’t prepared for was the women of Fool’s Gold.

The morning had started out innocently enough. He’d gotten an extra shot of espresso in his usual black drip because despite being exhausted, he’d spent the night tossing and turning. Kissing Noelle had left him restless. He wanted her and he knew he shouldn’t have her. Not a comfortable combination. The good news was his hand had stopped hurting and he would be visiting a local doctor to get the stitches out in a couple of days. The bad news was without his hand to distract him, he’d had more time to think about Noelle.

He’d arrived at the store on time, had found Noelle already there and sorting through boxes that had arrived the day before. Conversation had been easy and all about business, including the fact that she’d hired some extra help. As if the kiss from the previous night had never happened. Only it had happened, as his dick kept reminding him. He’d felt her body against his and now he wanted more.

He’d thought the arrival of the customers would be a distraction, and in a way it was. Only customers in Fool’s Gold were different. For one thing, they got personal. An attractive woman in her fifties stopped by to look over the display of bears.

“I have new grandbabies,” she said with a smile. “I knew having six kids would eventually pay off. So, you’re Gideon’s brother, right?”

“Yes,” he mumbled, wishing someone else would come up and claim his time. Maybe he could excuse himself to put away something. Or make a coffee run.

“Max and I listen to his show most nights. The music is a little before my time, but still fun. You’re a doctor?”

Gabriel wondered if this would be where she mentioned one or all of her daughters weren’t married, and if so how to gracefully duck out of the conversation. But before he could figure anything out, a pretty teen with red hair and green eyes walked over.

“Gabriel, right?” she asked, then turned to Denise. “Hey, Grandma.”

“Melissa.” The older woman hugged the teen. “What are you doing here?”

“I got a job.”

“Then I should leave you to it.” The older woman hugged her again, waved at Gabriel and walked away.

“I’m Melissa Sutton,” the teen said, holding out her hand to shake. “Noelle just hired me to help for the holidays. I’m working this weekend, then I have another week at UC San Diego before I take finals and then I’m home through the first of the year. She said you guys were really swamped.”

As she spoke, she moved through the store, straightening as she went. She fluffed the fur on a stuffed bear, then turned back to him.

“What?” she asked at his pointed stare.

“Are you old enough to be in college?”

She laughed. “I’m eighteen. Don’t worry. I’m not like her other temporary employees. I’m not coming home to play. I want to earn money.” Her expression turned impish. “My folks are paying for college, but I’m responsible for providing for my own fun. And I have a latte habit that chews up cash. I blame Patience. She’s the owner of Brew-haha. I worked there when the store opened last spring and got totally hooked. Of course the caffeine helps on those long nights of studying. Mom says you’re a doctor.”

He had no idea who her mother was so didn’t know if they’d met. “Yes,” he said, wondering why everyone found his occupation so fascinating and how it was they all knew what he did.

“In, like, the army, right?”

He nodded.

“I want to be a lawyer. Noelle used to be one, but she doesn’t talk about it much. She swears she’ll give me some inside info on my shifts and I’m going to make sure she does.”

A few more customers came in, and Melissa took care of them quickly and efficiently. Gabriel was able to return to keeping the shelves stocked, which was his preference. Noelle manned the cash register when she wasn’t helping customers. The store was crowded and busy, just the way it should be.

Sometime close to noon a blond woman with a couple of toddlers stopped by. The older child—a little girl—had a small stuffed giraffe clutched in her hands.

“Hey, you,” the woman said, stopping to hug Melissa. “I heard you were back.”

“Just for the long weekend. Then I have finals. I’ll be home for the winter break by the seventh.” Melissa turned to Gabriel. “This is my aunt. Dakota Andersson, this is Gabriel Boylan.”

“Nice to meet you,” Dakota said, shaking his hand. “Gideon’s brother, right? You’re twins?”