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

Carter and Gideon went outside to watch the window display as it cycled through the five songs they’d programmed. Karen and Norm headed back for the house. Gabriel joined Felicia in the cleanup.

“Thank you for asking for our help,” his future sister-in-law said. “I like giving to my friends, and this was a unique opportunity.”

“I should be thanking you.”

Felicia smiled as she collected the leftover gift wrap. “You know, your parents are thinking of moving here permanently.”

He hadn’t known that for sure. “Okay, an interesting concept.”

“Gideon doesn’t know what to think, but I’m pleased by the news. Carter will enjoy having his grandparents around. Aside from his father, they are his only direct biological relatives. Having grandparents will add to his sense of connection and stability. When Gideon and I have a baby, your parents will be helpful.”

“Won’t that bother you? Don’t you worry they’ll get in the way?”

She shook her head. “I grew up without any family. My parents...” She drew in a breath. “I was on my own from an early age and an emancipated minor by the time I was fifteen. I welcome family, even if they are only related by marriage.” She picked up several spools of ribbon. “Gideon says I have to let you be. It’s the only reason I haven’t asked you about staying in town.”

“You listen to my brother?” he asked, mostly to distract her. “You’re ten times smarter than him.”

“I have more intellectual knowledge, but he’s much more in tune with how regular people think and feel. I depend on him.”

She was so sincere, he felt bad for teasing her. “He’s a good guy and he’s lucky to have you.”

“Thank you. I’m lucky, as well. I’m sorry you don’t have anyone special in your life. There must be a reason.”

Which sounded uncomfortably like Ana Raquel’s comment that he’d reached an age where he was going to have to explain why he was still single.

“Gideon believed love would make him weak,” she continued. “That the only way he stayed strong was to be emotionally separate.” She studied him. “I hope you don’t think that.”

“Life is short. It could all be gone tomorrow.”

Her green eyes regarded him thoughtfully. “You don’t want to take the chance.”

“Something like that.”

“I could provide some statistics on the likelihood of you losing your wife at an early age. Based on actuarial tables, of course.” Her gaze turned speculative. “If you had someone specific in mind, I could factor in any known lifestyle or health risks.”

“Asking about me and Noelle?”

“I’m curious as to the status of your relationship.”

He crossed to her and took the ribbons from her hands, then hugged her. “Like I said, Gideon is lucky.”

“You’re attempting to distract me with a show of affection. I’m not going to forget the question.”

He chuckled as she hugged him back. “And I’m not going to answer it.”

She sighed. “You can’t blame a girl for trying.”

“No, I can’t.”

“You went to a lot of trouble for someone you won’t admit you care about.”

He thought about how happy Noelle had been as she’d planned for the contest and how everything had gone wrong. He thought of how distant he’d been, for reasons he still couldn’t explain. How he’d probably hurt her.

He should have explained, he thought grimly. He should have told her...what? What would he have said? That he liked being with her more than he’d liked being with anyone else? That she was sweet and funny and with her he could almost believe in forever? But then what? He wasn’t staying and even if he was, he didn’t want to care that much. He didn’t want to take the risk. What if he loved her only to lose her?

“She deserves someone better,” he said at last. Someone who was willing to risk it all.

“That’s the thing about love,” Felicia told him. “We often get more than we deserve, and isn’t that incredibly wonderful?”

* * *

“I don’t understand,” Noelle said as she stared at the window display. Colorful lights flashed on and off in time with the music. A beautiful tree reached to the top of the window, while three robots moved back and forth, carefully wrapping presents.

She’d spent a restless night, checking on her new cat families and worrying about Gabriel. After checking in with Mayor Marsha and explaining about their time at the cabin, she’d found herself with nothing to do. She couldn’t even make replacement food for the cabin freezer. The mayor had told her there was a committee in town that handled stocking the cabin. Everything would be taken care of. Noelle had promised to drop off the laundered linens by the end of the week. Which left her with very little to do and way too much time.