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

“Go home,” she said. “You’re freezing. I’ll give up.”


His gaze settled on her face. “Why do I know you’re lying?”

“I’m not.”

She stared at him with what he would guess she thought was an open expression. But he knew what she was thinking. She wasn’t the type to give up.

“Sell it somewhere else. You’re going to keep at this until you have the perfect tree and what you think is a shot at winning some ribbon.”

“I heard it’s a trophy.”

“Well, then.”

“Are you mad?” she asked.

“No. Just wondering what you’d be like if you really wanted something. Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“I’m walking you home. On the way, we’ll come up with a plan to find the perfect tree.”

She had fallen into step with him, but now she jumped in front of him and grinned. “Really? I was wondering if maybe we could drive up the mountain and cut down a tree.”

“Is that legal? Aren’t the mountains state or federal lands?”

“I don’t know. I could find out. Anyway, it’s just one tree.”

“Great. An obsessed lawbreaker.”

They were standing by the park, across from Morgan’s Books. The sky was dark, the snow falling gently, and there were dozens of people on the sidewalks. Music was piped in from somewhere, tinny Christmas carols that reminded him of his childhood. He couldn’t feel the lower half of his body. Probably a good thing considering she was staring at him as if he’d just saved puppies from a fire.

“So you’ll really help me?” she asked.

“I’ve come too far to turn back now.”

“That is so great.” She bounced in place. “I’ll check to see if it’s legal before we head up the mountain. How’s that? We can take my car.”

“You’re going to drive?”

“It’ll be hard to walk back, dragging a tree.”

“You’re not ready for mountain driving.”

She waved away his concern. “I’ll be fine. I have righteousness on my side. What could go wrong?”

“Don’t tempt fate. I’m coming with you and I’m driving. We’ll take Gideon’s truck.”

She stared into his eyes, her expression innocent. “That would be very nice. Thank you.”

He touched his gloved fingers to her chin, forcing her to look at him. “You’re welcome.”

She grinned and grabbed his hands in hers. “It’ll be fun. We’ll find a huge tree and cut it down. Like we’re pioneers or something. Then bring it back and put it in the window. I’ll win for sure.”

He wasn’t convinced. “You’ll have to measure the window. We don’t want to bring back something that’s too big.” He drew her against him and they started walking.

“I’ll go online tonight and find out what the best trees are. We need it to last a long time and look pretty. Maybe Felicia knows. She knows everything.”

He studied her. “Is this what you were like in law school? Always trying to be the best?”

“I didn’t graduate first in my class, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Number two?”

“I was third. Besides, this isn’t like that.”

“It’s a contest. It’s pretty much like that.”

Before she could answer, a little girl ran over to them. She was adorable, maybe five with shiny black hair and big eyes. She wore a thick red coat and rain boots with red polka dots on them.

“Hey, you,” Noelle said, crouching down and smiling at her. “Are you staying warm?”

“I am,” the girl said, smiling shyly. “We bought my grandma an ornament at your store. You helped me pick it out.”

“I remember,” Noelle told her. “Did you give it to her?”

The girl nodded.

“Did she like it?”

There was another smile and a quick nod. “She cried.”

“Those are the best kind of presents.”

The girl’s mother came over and took her hand. “We were in town for the long weekend with my parents,” the woman said. “Your store was wonderful. Sophie wanted you to know.”

Noelle touched the girl’s cheek. “Thank you for telling me about your grandmother, Sophie.”

“You’re welcome.”

Noelle rose and turned back to him. “Does that make you want to give the world a hug?”

“You make people happy.”

“I try. It’s not me, it’s the store, but still.”

She flung herself at him. He caught her and held on tight.

He knew she was wrong—she was the one with the special touch. Without her, The Christmas Attic was simply a collection of things. She brought it all alive. While he didn’t remember the little girl or her mother, he didn’t doubt Noelle had taken plenty of time with them. She did that with every customer. She made shopping at her store an experience.

“We’ll go up the mountain,” he told her. “Find out where the best trees are and we’ll go.”