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

“We heard,” Isabel said, walking in and hugging her. “I’m so sorry. Men can be idiots. Are we setting up in the kitchen?”


Women poured into the house. Each of them had brought chips or brownies or wine. In a matter of minutes, kittens had been picked up and were being cuddled, Jo’s blender was whirring and food was being set up in bowls and on plates.

“I don’t understand,” Noelle said. “Not that I don’t appreciate the company.”

“I told them,” Felicia admitted. “About what happened with Gabriel. Not any details, of course. Mostly because I don’t have them. He didn’t say anything before he left.”

Noelle swallowed against the sudden lump in her throat. “He l-left?” she asked, her voice cracking. “He left Fool’s Gold?”

The room went still as everyone turned to look at her. She tried to hold it together, but knowing he was gone changed everything. When he hadn’t shown up for his shift, she’d assumed he was assessing. But he wasn’t. She wasn’t going to run into him. He wouldn’t be at the live nativity or the wedding. There would be no more conversations, no more touches or kisses, no chance of him changing his mind. Until that second, she’d been holding out hope so secret, she’d kept it from herself.

“He’s gone,” she whispered, hanging on to the counter to keep from going down on her knees. “He’s really gone.”

Then the tears came. They poured down her cheeks as she held in her sobs. Arms held her tight as her friends offered comfort and understanding. She let them take over, let them guide her to the sofa, let them tell her that eventually she would be all right.

She told herself to listen. To remember that she was strong. She had conquered much more than this already. She’d survived against brutal odds. She would get over her broken heart.

Eventually.

* * *

On Christmas Eve day, Noelle closed the store early. Not only was she fighting the hangover from hell, but she also had a lot to do.

The previous night her friends had been there for her. Unfortunately, they’d invited along Jo’s very strong margaritas. After her emotional storm had passed, there had been drinking and eating and calling Gabriel names. Felicia had talked about her trials with Gideon because the man had been pigheaded. Dakota Andersson had told how she’d had to fly to Alaska to convince Finn they belonged together. Each woman had a story of love found, which Noelle appreciated, but she was less sure of her own happy ending. Gabriel had said from the beginning that he didn’t believe there was a point to love. She’d been foolish not to listen.

Three pots of tea, some crackers and two aspirin later, the worst of her hangover seemed to have improved enough for her to be functional. She walked from the store to her house, aware of the time. She had an appointment and didn’t want to be late.

She let herself inside and greeted her cat family. Then she made sure the evidence of the previous night was all put away.

Right on time, someone knocked on her door. She let in Patience and her very excited daughter. Lillie practically danced in place as she entered the house.

“We’ve already been to the pet store,” Lillie told Noelle. “We have a litter box and the food you’re using and some toys and a bed. We got a book on taking care of a kitten and I’ve read it twice. Mom warned me that she’s going to be sad for a few days, because she’ll miss her family, but then she’ll be okay and I need to be patient.”

Lillie’s expression turned hopeful. “I’ll be eleven soon and I’m very responsible.”

Noelle still felt like her heart had been ripped out, but listening to Lillie reminded her there were so many wonderful moments in her life. Friends who cared and things to look forward to. Like giving Lillie her very first kitten.

“Do you know which one you want?” she asked.

Lillie nodded, then pointed to the little black-and-white kitten crawling up the side of the sofa. “Her.”

Noelle looked at Patience, who nodded.

“Merry Christmas,” Noelle said.

Lillie grinned broadly, then hurried to pick up the kitten. The little cat relaxed into her arms and playfully batted at a lock of hair.

“Thank you,” Patience said. “She’s so excited.”

Noelle laughed. “One down, six to go. Spread the word.”

* * *

Gabriel had decided to go to Mexico. He headed south on I-5, only to change his mind when he hit San Diego. He spent the night in a cheap motel by a truck stop, then figured he would go east. Maybe Florida would be nice. Halfway across Arizona, he turned around again. By two o’clock on Christmas Eve day, he was at the Oregon border, pulling into a rest stop and wondering when he was going to admit the truth.