Sweet Christmas Kisses (169 page)

Noelle’s only comfort, the one bright spot in her life, was that her father seemed to be making a full recovery. Nicholas Robinson’s color looked better, and his energy had started to return. He could sit up in his easy chair most of the day and had started taking short walks outside. She coaxed him out for one right after breakfast, mostly to give her mom a break.

Unfortunately, her dad’s improved condition meant he noticed more of the world around him. Like the fact that Noelle hadn’t slept a wink and looked as though someone had blackened
her
eyes.

“Honey, is running the store and the Christmas Village too much for you?” her father asked as they made their way along the sidewalk.

“No,” she said. St. Nick’s Closet and dealing with the million-and-one things related to saving Christmas had become the simplest thing in her life to handle. Much easier than dealing with the Campbell brothers.

“We’ve put too much of a burden on you,” Nicholas Robinson said, eyes reflecting concern. “I knew we should have hired more help. It’s unfair to make you do everything.”

She took his hand. “Dad, it’s not a burden. Everything is going very smoothly.”

“Then why do you look so miserable?”

Because everything she’d believed about Michael Campbell had been turned on its head, and she didn’t know what to think or believe now.

“I’m just tired,” Noelle said, taking his hand. “Please don’t worry. You need to concentrate on your health.”

“I’ve done nothing but concentrate on my health for the last few weeks,” her father said in a low grumble. “I’ve concentrated until I feel like I’ll go mad. No one will tell me anything for fear of raising my blood pressure. Like I’m a delicate infant.”

“No one thinks you’re a baby,” she said, rubbing his arm in an attempt to calm him down. “Please don’t get yourself so worked up.”

With a scowl, he pulled away. “You see? You’re doing it right now. You think I don’t know when something is wrong with my daughter? Those circles under your eyes are not due to exhaustion.”

“Dad—”

“Is it Doug?”

“What?”

How did her father know already? Surely Doug wouldn’t have gone around town announcing his brother had strong-armed him into running away on his wedding day?

“We had two dozen calls yesterday morning announcing he and Alicia were in town. Then a hundred more to report on your confrontation with Alicia at the fellowship hall, not to mention a fight at Good Sport, and Michael running across the street after you.”

“Please don’t—”

“Don’t tell me not to worry,” her father said, his firm tone belying any illness. “The man who broke your heart is staying twenty feet away from our house, and his brother apparently did something to upset you, too.”

“I can handle Doug,” she said.

“What about the fact that the party the other night was supposed to be some sort of public announcement about you dating his brother?”

Noelle couldn’t contain the wince at the mention of Michael. “That may have been premature.”

His eyes widened in surprise, and he leaned forward. “What do you mean? I thought you liked him?” He huffed in reluctant amusement. “I liked him, despite my initial reservations. He’s been faithful in helping you run the Christmas Village and all the activities, and I doubt he did it out of the kindness of his heart.”

No, more like guilt and shame.

“Going out with Michael was a mistake,” she said. “I was fooling myself to think we could have a future.”

“Honey, are you sure?”

“Yes, and I really don’t want to talk about him anymore. Besides, I’m moving to Atlanta right after Christmas.”

“I thought…” His voice trailed off, and he swallowed, turning his face away.

“You thought I’d changed my mind,” she said, her heart aching again at knowing she’d disappointed him.

“I’d hoped,” he said on a long sigh. “You know I only want my children to be happy and safe, so if you have to go, I understand.”

“I do.”

“Well, then…” He stopped speaking again.

“Dad? Are you all right?”

He didn’t answer, his gaze trained on something up the street. Noelle looked as well, in time to see a taxi stop in front of their house. The cab driver got out and then opened the back door with a flourish.

Noelle’s breath caught as a leg clad in army fatigues emerged. A tall figure unfolded from the back, and then as if he’d sensed their presence, he turned.

“Nicky…” Noelle whispered, unable to trust her own eyes.

Then she was running, tearing down the sidewalk in a mad dash. He caught her in midair.

“Oh, thank you, God. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Hey, sis,” he said.

“Hey, sis?” She pulled back enough to whack her twin in the arm. “Why didn’t you tell us you were coming home?”

“Would have ruined the surprise.”

She cradled his face, looking into eyes that matched her own. His were wet, despite the teasing. Lines fanned out around the corners, and there was even a touch of gray in his shaved, dark-blond locks.

“I’m so glad you’re home,” she said.

He hugged her close again. “Me too.”

“Son?”

Noelle made room as her father approached. Nicholas Robinson took in his son and then wrapped his arms around him.

Nicky held on. “I had to make sure you were all right, Pops.”

“I’m fine now,” their father said. “Perfect, now that you’re here.”

The front door opened, and their mother emerged. A hand went to her heart, and then she flew across the lawn.

“My baby boy,” she cried. “My baby is home.”

“I’ve missed you, Mom.”

Eyes still wet, she patted his cheeks. “Come inside. You must be starving. Have they been feeding you? Oh, and I have to call Holly. Your sister will hate that she wasn’t here.”

She dragged him up the walk, leaving Noelle to take her father’s arm.

“Merry Christmas, Dad.”

“Merry Christmas, baby.” He faced her. “We’ll talk about
him
later.”

Yes, later. Later she would face a future without Michael. Right now she only wanted to rejoice in her twin’s safe return.

Christmas Eve brought the promised snowfall. Noelle spent the day wrapping presents for her family and working at St. Nick’s Closet, waiting on last minute shoppers who were still on the hunt for gifts. Nicky went with her, and, truthfully, most of the customers came in to see him. They treated him like a celebrity, which Noelle figured he totally deserved.

She concentrated on
not
thinking about Michael. His betrayal sat like a giant weight on her heart. Her other worry was facing him at the Christmas Eve service tonight. No doubt he’d be there, along with Doug, Alicia, and the rest of the Campbells. 

Aside from Nicky, she’d sorta-kinda been avoiding the Robinson clan as well. Holly wanted the scoop on everything that had gone down — as if she didn’t know most of it already. The weather hadn’t stopped the Covington Falls gossip mill. Along with greeting the local returning hero and buying presents, a large portion of the store’s customers had taken time to commiserate with her about Doug, Alicia, the baby, the fight at Good Sport, and the later one at St. Nick’s Closet. Soon Nicky had been fully briefed on everything that had gone on in the last few weeks, although he’d absorbed the information without comment, bless him.

Noelle was packaging up a nutcracker figurine when the bell above the door sounded.

Her brother’s voice cut across the store, low but edged with the threat of violence. “You must have a death wish.”

Startled at the vehemence of his tone, Noelle glanced up. Doug stood by the display window, hands raised in an I-come-in-peace gesture. The harsh light of day illuminated his bruised and battered face. Noelle took in her former fiancé and waited for the swift jab of pain. Amazingly, she felt nothing. Not even pleasure at the sight of his obvious wounds.

Could she finally be free of the suffocating anguish over Doug?

“What are you doing here?” Noelle asked.

“I’m here to throw myself at your feet and beg for your forgiveness.”

Her gaze flicked toward Nicky. His eyes widened in a silent question. ‘Do I finish him or leave you two alone?’

Perhaps it was time to face her past. “Nicky, can you grab that box of ornaments from the back?”

Her twin hesitated a moment and then nodded. He spared another glare at Doug before slipping out of the room. She had no doubt he stayed close enough to listen.

Once more, she turned her attention to the man she’d almost married. “All right,” she said, one brow arched.

“What?” Doug asked, frowning at her.

“You said something about groveling at my feet.”

“You want the whole pound of flesh?”

Folding her arms over her chest, she nodded. “I think I do.”

A reluctant chuckle rumbled past his lips. “I guess you deserve it.” Any amusement disappeared as he took a deep breath, seeming to gather himself. “I’m sorry.”

“There’s a lot of that going on lately. Can you at least tell me one thing?”

“Anything.”

“Did you ever love me, or were you only using me to win Alicia back?”

“Yes… I mean no… I mean—” He groaned, pinching the bride of his nose. Then he winced and muffled a curse.

All right, a part of her did get some small satisfaction out of every pain-filled groan. “Did I confuse you with my question?”

“Sorry. I can’t even apologize right.” Doug cleared his throat. “Yes, I loved you, and no, I wasn’t using you to get her back. Alicia and I… we fell in love in ninth grade. We were so young, and neither of us was ready for anything permanent. So we went our separate ways. Both of us dated other people, and I thought I’d gotten over her. Then I met you.”

“We’ve known each other our whole lives,” Noelle pointed out.

“I know, but never in a romantic way. First we were neighbors, and then you were Alicia’s best friend. I didn’t really know you as a person. Once I realized how great you were, I fell in love.”

“And when Alicia came home?”

“I…” He blew out a breath and stared at the floor.

“You realized the moment you saw her,” Noelle said.

He nodded. “I convinced myself it was nostalgia or even cold feet.”

“And when it became obvious it wasn’t fond memories of a first love?”

“I tried so hard to want a life with you,” Doug said. “I’d committed to you, and there were all those wedding preparations going on, like a snowball careening down a mountain. Out of desperation, I told Michael about my doubts, but I took his advice and made the most selfish decision possible.”

”To run.” Once more, that fateful scrap of paper filled her mind. Dressed in crinoline and lace. The joy she’d felt as her mother had laced up the bodice. After the letter, she’d left the gown in a heap on the floor as if she’d shed a second skin. The girl who’d grown up imagining a happily-ever-after had been left behind, too.

“You can’t know how much I regret taking the coward’s way out.” He reached for her hand. “When I think about how you must have reacted when you read my note, I feel sick.”

“Then we’re even,” Noelle said as she looked down at their linked hands. “I might have gotten over the hurt of being dumped, but the way you did it nearly destroyed me. I had to live here and endure pity from the entire town.”

“I know there is nothing I can do to make up for the damage I did, but I hope you believe me when I say you were never a substitute for anyone. We weren’t right for each other in the end. I was meant to be with Alicia.” He hesitated as if trying to gather himself and come up with the right words. “I hope you’ve found the same thing with my brother. He’s the best man I’ve ever known, and you deserve the best, after everything I’ve put you through.”

Mention of Michael brought tension back to her shoulders. She’d almost forgotten his role in her botched wedding.

“I don’t know if we have a chance. I’m not sure we ever did. It’s too complicated, too hard.”

“Noelle, don’t be like me,” Doug said. “Don’t get scared and run. If you love my brother then give him a chance. Give yourself a chance at the future you’ve always wanted. I’m begging you.”

“Now you’re begging?” she asked.

“Yes. For my sake and yours. If I’ve ruined your chance at happiness a second time, I’ll never be able to forgive myself… and neither will Alicia.”

A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. “So this is really all about you?”

He let out a chuckle but then sobered. “No, it’s all you. Noelle, please say you forgive me.”

She gazed up at him and then amazingly, almost miraculously, the tightness in her chest loosened as if a vise had been unclamped. All the anger and devastation released on a deep sigh.

“I do.” Then she laughed at herself. “Never thought I’d get to say those words to you, but I do forgive you.”

“Thank you.” Doug laughed again. “Now maybe you’ll give my brother the same chance?”

Her good mood slipped.

Doug’s happiness seemed to dim. “I hope you will because you both deserve a happy ending.”

He left then. Nicky returned the moment the bell sounded. He didn’t say anything, seeming to know she needed to be alone with her thoughts.

As she prepared for the service at church that evening, Noelle mentally prepared to see Michael again. She slipped into a red sweater dress and styled her hair in loose waves, taking care with her makeup.

Not that she was dressing to catch a certain man’s eyes.

The church was crowded when Noelle and her family arrived. Holly, bless her perfect heart, had already claimed an aisle. Her two cousins and their spouses, along with Aunt Violet and Uncle Irving were also in the row.

As Noelle took her seat amongst the Robinson clan she looked around… and no, she was
not
looking for anyone in particular.

“Ten ‘o clock,” Nicky whispered under his breath.

She swung toward him. “What?”

“Campbell brigade, over there.” He cocked his head down and to the left.

Despite herself, Noelle peeked around his shoulder. Of course, she looked right into Michael’s eyes. In his dark suit, white shirt, and red tie, he was devastating. Her breath caught. He held her gaze, and she couldn’t seem to break the spell. A corner of his mouth lifted, and happy chills raced down her spine.