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

She’d nearly called Gabriel a dozen times, only to realize she didn’t know what to say. She’d wondered if he’d been thinking about her at all, only to discover he’d done this for her.

“We had a great time,” Felicia admitted, hugging her. “The whole family worked together. It was an excellent bonding experience. I must remember this for the future. If any situation starts to get too uncomfortable, a shared task will bring people together.”

She pointed to different elements of their design and then explained how to work the various remotes that controlled everything.

“I know the judging is this morning,” Felicia said, “but it would be very gratifying if you would keep the decorations up for a few days.”

Noelle leaned against her friend. “I’ll keep them up forever.”

“That’s excessive,” Felicia told her. “However I appreciate the spirit of your words.” She studied the window. “The craft element was very satisfying. Perhaps I should take a class and learn to knit.”

Noelle grinned, thinking her friend would probably come up with a more efficient way to create wool in the process. Or maybe invent a new fabric.

“I can’t believe you did this for me.”

“Of course we did,” Felicia told her. “We love you. Well, I love you and Carter and Gideon like you very much. Gideon’s parents don’t know you very well and I can’t speak to Gabriel’s feelings, but he seemed very determined.”

He wanted to help, Noelle thought. The foolish, how-he-makes-me-quiver part of her wanted to believe that this meant something. The pragmatic side of her brain warned her that one window display did not a relationship make.

“You must be exhausted,” Noelle said. “Are you going to go home and get some sleep?”

“No, I want to stay awake and experiment with the deterioration of my cognitive functions due to sleep deprivation. It should be interesting.”

Noelle patted her back. “You really do need to take up a hobby.”

Chapter 12

Noelle clutched the second place ribbon in her hand. She knew she was grinning foolishly, but she couldn’t help herself. Second place! And it was her first contest. She couldn’t take the credit—Gabriel and his family had done all the work, but she was still thrilled to be with the other business owners, by the big Christmas tree, hearing words of praise from Mayor Marsha.

Josh Golden, the owner of the winning window, took his small trophy and winked at her. “I think I’m going to be in trouble next year. Noelle is going to figure out what this is all about.”

“Bribing the judges with donuts,” someone in the back of the crowd yelled. Josh grinned.

Noelle leaned against Patience. “This is the best,” she said. “I’m so happy. Next year, I’ll start early with the planning. I love the animation. Felicia already said she and Carter would help me with that. I am so going to crush Josh like a bug.”

Patience patted her on the back. “That’s the competitive spirit we celebrate most at Christmas.”

Noelle laughed. “I can’t help it. I came in second!”

Melissa joined them. “I love that it all worked out in the end.”

They all made their way back to their stores. Patience ducked into Brew-haha while Noelle and Melissa turned on 4th and headed for The Christmas Attic.

Gabriel was helping a customer with a Christmas clock. He looked up as she entered. His blue eyes were unreadable, his expression pleasant, but distant.

He was back, she thought with both surprise and pleasure. She still didn’t know what had happened or how to fix it. She genuinely believed she had nothing to apologize for, but that didn’t mean there weren’t questions. She supposed she could demand an explanation, but to what end? Letting him be seemed the wisest course of action. If he needed to disconnect, nothing she could say would stop him. If he figured it out and wanted to be close to her again, she was open to that as long as she got a reasonable explanation for his behavior. But that didn’t mean she was going to ignore what he’d done for her.

She walked over to him. “Thank you,” she said quietly, as his customer examined the clock. “The window is so wonderful.”

“You’re welcome.” His gaze lingered for a second, giving her foolish hope.

She gave him a quick smile and hung the ribbon on the back of the cash register, then went to take off her coat so she could return to work.

The morning was busy. Her friend Charlie came in to look at ornaments for her mother. They settled on a delicate ballerina made of blown glass. Isabel called to say another bridesmaid gown had come in.

“I know we picked one,” Isabel said over the phone. “But this one is great, too, and would so suit your skinny ass, about which I’m bitter.”

“You’re incredibly beautiful and Ford loves you.”

“Yeah, well, I’d love me better if I could lose ten pounds. But just saying that makes me want to eat a cookie.” She sighed. “My life is complicated. Anyway, come by when you can and you can try them on at the same time and make a decision.”