For a moment he pondered stepping back into the cold snow-covered courtyard where his car was parked. Then he felt Mandy’s hand hook through his arm and it gave him the confidence to move further into the house.
He was introduced to Mandy’s family one by one, but there was no way he’d remember all those names – there were just too many of them.
Given time, things would be different.
“So young man, what are your intentions with my daughter?” Joseph Scott began to laugh once the words were out.
“Let go his hand, Father, and leave him alone.” Mandy looked up at him, checking out his expression. “It’s not funny.”
Helena hooked her arm into Noah’s free arm. “You are very handsome,” she told him, staring up at him. “Mandy has done well.”
Noah could barely control his laughter.
“Mother!” Mandy was as red as a beetroot.
He assured her it was okay. He was enjoying himself. He truly was.
He’d had a hunch Mandy’s family were going to be a little – eccentric – but not as much as this. He liked them and felt comfortable almost immediately.
“What did you bring for your daddy, honey?” Joseph was opening up the kitchen towel to take a peak. “My favorite! Thank you, sweetheart.” He leaned in and whispered. “Don’t tell your mommy, but your pie is much better than hers!”
“Noah likes pie too, so you might have a fight on your hands tonight.”
Her father looked him up and down. “Really? The man has good taste.”
They eventually managed to get past the entrance and into the living room. It was crowded to say the least, with few chairs left to sit on.
The noise level was beyond what Noah was used to, but Joseph managed it quite easily. “Quiet down you lot. I want to hear how these two met.” He waved his hands as he bellowed above the noise, and soon it was peaceful.
“We met at work,” Noah told them. “I was transferred here after Alfred Kingston had his heart attack.” He turned to Mandy who sat next to him. “I think it was love at first sight. At least it was for me.”
Mandy was blushing, and he lifted a hand to her cheek. He couldn’t help himself. She looked so delicious, he leaned in and stole a kiss.
Everyone clapped and whistled.
“What is wrong with you people?” Mandy scolded them, then stormed out into the kitchen. Her mother followed.
“She’s touchy tonight,” Joseph said quietly. “Is everything alright with you two?”
Noah wondered whether to tell him about Horrible Harry but decided it was Mandy’s story to tell. “Just nervous about me being here, I guess.” He smiled and gazed around the room.
It was an awful lot to take in. Mandy had such a big family. He couldn’t begin to contemplate what it must have been like growing up. Being an only child, his life was completely different.
His eyes landed on the decorated Christmas tree, lit up with hundreds of tiny fairy lights. “You like it?” Joseph asked.
“I’ve never seen one this big in a house before,” he answered, distracted by everything going on around him, and watching out for Mandy’s return.
Everyone was silent. It was so quiet he felt uncomfortable all of a sudden. “I’ve never lived where there was snow before,” he suddenly said, trying to break the silence.
“Where are you from?” It was Joseph again. He was genuinely interested in him.
“Buckeye. Lived there all my life. Until now.”
Joseph contemplated that for a moment. “This must be a huge change for you – going from a big city to a little town like this. What about your parents? Where do they live?”
Noah felt the color drain from his face. He was dreading this. He hadn’t even told Mandy yet. “They’re both dead,” he said, looking down into his hands on his lap. “Car accident.”
“I’m sorry, son. I shouldn’t have asked.” And Noah knew Joseph was genuinely sorry, but it would come out sometime.
“It’s okay. Honestly.” He looked up briefly and saw Mandy standing in the doorway. The shock on her face was plain to see. “Excuse me, Sir.” Noah stood to go to the distraught Mandy.
He wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her. “I should be comforting you,” she whispered so no one else could hear.
“It’s alright, Mandy. Don’t upset yourself.” She looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “What happened? No. It’s none of my business.” She pushed her face into his chest. If it had been under better circumstances, he would be enjoying it.
“They died in a car accident about six months ago. It was a drunk driver.” He took a deep breath. “Please don’t distress yourself over this. Although it wasn’t very long ago, I’ve learned to accept it.”
“Time for dinner!” Helena’s voice rang out across the room. “Everyone into the kitchen.”
He felt Helena pat his back, as if to say, you’re alright. I approve. It made him feel warm inside.
“We’ll just sit in the living room for a minute if that’s okay,” Noah said to her, and Helena nodded. They just needed a minute to regroup. Mandy wiped at her eyes.
“I’m fine,” she said. “This is an experience you won’t want to miss.” She grinned at him despite her tear-streaked face.
As she stood she pulled him up and toward the kitchen.
The kitchen benches were covered with a variety of foods. First courses, side dishes, and desserts. There were plates and cutlery and napkins.
The table was set for ten.
Mandy’s family hovered around the food, taking bits of this and that. Noah stood back and watched in amazement. He’d never seen the likes of it before.
“Come on, or you’ll miss out,” she said, pulling him behind her.
Noah had never seen a family like this. And for that he was truly sorry.
* * *
Mandy tied her unruly red hair back into a ponytail. Sometimes she hated her hair. Why she was the only one in the family with fluffy red hair was beyond her. And it was infuriating at the same time.
Noah said he’d enjoyed meeting her family last night. She had no idea how.
It was too much. Way too much.
At first she was angry at her mother, for it would have been all her doing. She could hear her father now; No dear, that’s not what you arranged with Mandy, and it will be far too much for Noah on his first visit.
As always, her mother would have won out. Helena could wrap her little finger around Joseph – he was putty in her hands.
It all turned out alright in the end. Little did Noah realize the Christmas party would be even bigger, with all the cousins and aunties and uncles also coming.
She covered her face with her hands. What a debacle it would be.
She sat on the side of the bed. She’d made such a mess of things. She’d dragged Noah into it all as well.
She checked her watch. He would be here any minute.
He’d insisted they have lunch today, to make up for all her upset last night. But it wasn’t necessary, and she told him so.
She heard a knock at the door and peeked through the window to check it was him. She didn’t want a repeat of yesterday.
As she opened the door, he leaned in and kissed her briefly on the cheek.
She wanted more.
She pulled him into the entrance and stood staring up at his lips. Those thick luscious lips that called to her.
She reached up, slowly putting her arms around his neck and pulled him down.
Their lips were only an angel’s breath away before he spoke. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
She pulled back. He’d broken the spell. “Well not anymore.” She turned her back to grab her scarf and coat off the rack near the door.
“I thought we’d go to one of the nearby towns and find somewhere for lunch.”
She stopped what she was doing. “We could have lunch here.”
“Or we could go to my place. Everything is packed away now, so it’s not a h
uge mess anymore.”
She stared at him for what seemed like ages. “I could make a picnic lunch.”
He stared at her. “It’s snowing,” he said blandly.
“So, we’ll have an inside picnic.” Instead of waiting for an answer, Mandy turned toward the kitchen. “Blueberry muffins?” she called over her shoulder.
“You had me at inside picnic,” he said, coming up and wrapping his arms around her. “Your place or mine?”
He leaned down and kissed the side of her neck. He’d never done that before. Not that she was complaining. It felt nice and sent warmth shooting through her body.
She reached across to the loaf of bread, pretending to ignore his advances.
“You don’t like it?” She could hear the hurt in his voice.
She laid the bread on the board, ready to butter the slices. “I didn’t say that, did I? It’s just…”
“Just what?”
“You don’t have to pretend when there’s no one else around.” The words were out before she could stop them. And she didn’t really mean them. She felt closer to Noah every time she saw him.
He suddenly stepped away from her, and Mandy felt bereft.
She turned around to face him. His face was white and tense. “I’m sorry, Noah,” she said, reaching up to cover his cheek. “I, I didn’t mean it.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled it down. “Not as sorry as I am.”
Noah headed for the front door, grabbing his scarf and coat on his way out.
“Noah?” She was genuinely surprised at his reaction. “I’m sorry if I upset you,” she said, but it made no difference. He left without another word.
* * *
He was a fool.
A total and utter fool. Why he opened his heart to another woman he’d never know. He should have learned after his break-up with Abigail.
They’d broken up more than two years ago, since then he’d protected his heart from ever being shattered again. He couldn’t endure that sort of pain again.
He’d felt hollow after their split, and the feeling didn’t leave him for a very long time.
He should have kept his distance with Mandy too.
The moment he laid eyes on her, he knew there was something between them. The moment they touched, he was gone.
He thought Mandy was different. He truly did.
Noah knew the ‘pretend boyfriend’ line was only a pretense to keep her parents happy, but somewhere along the way things became more serious.
At least it had for him. He was certain Mandy was onboard with it too, but after her cutting words, perhaps not.
She sure wasn’t acting that way today.
What was wrong with him?
Abigail cheats on him, and Mandy dumps him.
She did, right? That’s what happened?
He thought back to their conversation.
No, that’s not what she said. But their relationship was not real to her. It sure as hell was to him.
He didn’t want to be her pretend boyfriend any more. He wanted to be her real boyfriend.
He wanted to hold her, and not only when her parents were around. Not only when they were out in public.
He wanted to hold her wherever they were, whenever he wanted, and he especially wanted to hold her for eternity.
Somewhere along the line Noah had fallen in love with Mandy.
CHAPTER FIVE
“I think I just broke up with Noah.”
Tears streaming down her face, Mandy ran into Helena’s arms.
“What? No!” Helena pulled her into an embrace, and Mandy cried until there were no tears left to cry.
As they sat together in the living room, Joseph came in to find out what all the ruckus was about. “What I saw last night was not a couple about to break up,” he said quietly. “You’ve got it all wrong.”
“I agree,” Helena said. “What I witnessed was a young man very much in love. And you didn’t seem too unhappy either.”
Mandy looked from one to the other of them. “Do you think so,” she asked between sobs. “We had a fight. Today. And he walked out.” Tears began to stream down her face once more. Helena handed her a box of tissues.
“Walked out?” Joseph asked. “On my little girl? The nerve of him!”
It wasn’t his fault. Mandy knew it was all her doing. Why hadn’t she kept her mouth shut?
She knew exactly what had happened. Noah was getting under her skin and she didn’t like it. Didn’t like it one little bit.
She’d gotten scared.
Scared that maybe things had gotten serious. Had become real.
That’s not what she had planned.
Her idea was they’d pretend to be together to keep her parents off her back. When did it all go so wrong?
“Do you love him?” Helena’s voice broke through her wayward thoughts. “Mandy. Do you love him? Answer me honestly, sweetheart.”
Mandy nodded. She’d known it from the first day they’d met. From the moment they’d touched. She’d been lying to herself all this time and didn’t even realize it.
“And you’ve told him, right?” Both her parents sat on the edge of their seats waiting for her to answer.
“I, uh,”
“Mandy. Did you tell him?”
She shook her head and looked down into her lap. “No.” The words came out so quietly she barely heard them herself.
“Oh Mandy. Really?”
Without her permission, her tears began to stream down her face again.
“You may not know this,” her mother told her quietly, “But I didn’t like your father much when I first met him.”
“Hang on…” Joseph interrupted.
“Shush Joseph,” Helena told him. “But I loved him from the moment I saw him. Mandy, look at me, sweetheart.”
Mandy looked up and stared at her mother through her tears.
“Are you willing to let him go? That’s the question you have to ask yourself.”
Mandy nodded knowing Helena was right. Was she willing to let him go?
“What I saw last night was two people who cared very much for each other.” Helena patted her hand as she spoke gently. “Two people who were very much in love.”
Mandy couldn’t hold back. She had to tell them the truth. “I did it for you both.”
Helena looked confused, along with Joseph. “Did what?”
She sniffed. “Noah was to be my pretend boyfriend.” Her mother stared at her in shock. “So I could bring someone to the party,” she said quickly.
Her parents both sat in silence.
“But somehow everything changed. He is so kind and caring,” she wiped her nose with a tissue. “And I feel good when he’s around. He even,” She wasn’t sure whether she should tell them this part. “He protected me when someone broke into my cottage yesterday.”
Her father stood. “Someone broke into your cottage? Why didn’t you tell us? Is that why…”
“Yes, that’s why I was upset yesterday, but Noah made it all okay.”
Her mother smiled and nodded her head. “You are in love with him.”
“It’s all too late, Mother,” Mandy said. “I don’t think he’ll want me anymore.”
* * *
Mandy arrived at work at 9am sharp.
At the very moment Harry Simpson was walking out. “You, you…” he yelled. “This is your fault. I wouldn’t have lost my job except for you.”
She froze momentarily, then found her voice. “No, this is your fault, Harry. Your actions caused this.”
Before she knew what was happening, Harry lunged at her. He grabbed her arm and pushed her. Suddenly she was on the ground, a scuffle going on around her.
“Call the police.” It was Noah’s voice, calling to one of her colleagues. Two of the other male reporters pinned Harry down while Noah helped Mandy to her feet.
“And an ambulance.”
Mandy brushed herself off, despite the pain in her hand. “I think I’m okay,” she
said with a shaky voice. It had all happened so quickly.
A chair was pushed under her, and a glass of water forced into her hand. She went to take a sip and winced.
The glass dropped to the ground.
Noah kneeled in front of her. “Where’s that ambulance,” he shouted.
He held her other hand. “I’m sorry Mandy,” he said. “This is my fault. I should have made sure Harry was gone before you got here.”
She nodded but didn’t answer. She was in too much pain to think straight.
The police arrived, handcuffed Horrible Harry, then took statements from all the witnesses, while the paramedics checked Mandy out.
“Looks like a broken wrist, and possible shock too,” one of the paramedics told Noah. “It requires a trip to the ER.”
Mandy didn’t say a word. She was dumbfounded. She’d planned to come into work today, get on with her work, and avoid Noah at all costs.
She didn’t foresee anything like this happening. Not in a million years did she expect Harry to physically attack her.
“Can I ride with her?” It was Noah’s voice, pushing through the fog.
“Are you a relative?”
She was shocked to hear Noah’s answer. “I’m her boyfriend.”
The paramedic agreed, then put a splint on her wrist. Noah help Mandy to her feet and lead her to the ambulance.
“Where’s your cell phone?” he asked. “I need to ring your parents.”
Mandy had to think hard. Everything was happening around her, and it was all out of her control. The fog in her brain wasn’t helping one iota. “In my bag I think?”
Noah rummaged through her bag and prepared to call her parents. He wasn’t sure what kind of reception he would get after yesterday’s performance.
* * *
Noah waited in the cubicle in the ER.
Mandy was having an x-ray and they wouldn’t let him go with her.
He admonished himself for not seeing this coming. Harry had broken into her home – he should have realized he was capable of much more.
He sat with his head in his hands. His head hurt from worry. But more, he regretted his actions yesterday and should have stayed to talk to Mandy about it.
The Christmas Proposal Page 4