One step, then another. Jordan’s weight seemed to double with every moment. Noel’s bad knee screamed in agony.
He kept going, his gaze focused on the arch of light beyond the rocks. The outline was a bit sharper now, the sky was growing lighter.
Step after torturous step. Jordan clung to his back, arms so tight around Noel’s neck that he could barely breathe. Each time he picked up his injured leg, there was a flash of relief, followed immediately by the dread of having to put it down again and the worry that this time, it’d give out and they’d both tumble face-first into the water.
“You’re doing great, Jordan,” he panted. “Hang on.”
Pain. Step. Pain. Step. The sand and the coral bit at his feet again but he barely registered the sting above the agony coming from his knee.
The entrance to the cave was ahead. Sweat poured from his body as he strained to stay upright, worked to keep Jordan balanced on his back.
And then they were out. The ocean roared in Noel’s ears as they emerged from their cocoon to a faintly pink sky. Noel sloshed through water, away from the cave, fighting to keep his balance. He was heaving for breath as he climbed toward dry sand and finally, finally they were safe. Noel sagged to the ground and Jordan slid off his back.
“Noel!” Jordan yelled. “Are you okay?”
He nodded, gasping in the sand. “I’m okay. How are you?”
“I’m fine. We made it!”
“Good job, buddy,” Noel smiled. “Listen, can you go down the beach and see if you can find your mom or your uncle Ben? I don’t think I can walk.”
Jordan’s face fell in confusion. “I don’t want to leave you.”
“I’m okay. But I need help to get back up. Go get help. Have them come here.”
Jordan nodded. The color had returned to his cheeks, and his lips were no longer blue. “I’ll be right back.”
Noel clenched his teeth against the pain in his knee. He watched Jordan run off with the resilience only found in the very young. He rested his head in the sand and tried to relax, but the pain burst over him in spasms. This was worse even than Thanksgiving and the pain from the accident.
He wasn’t sure how long he waited, but eventually, he heard voices calling his name.
“Noel!” Gina dropped to her knees by his side. “Thank you, thank you for finding my baby.” She leaned forward, then planted a kiss on his dry lips.
“He’s okay?” Noel asked.
“Mom and Dad are taking him home,” Gina said. Her hair was mussed, and her cheeks were pale. Her puffy red eyes told the story of her frantic night. But to Noel, she’d never looked more beautiful. The early-morning sun glinted off the lighter strands in her hair, turning it caramel.
“I called for the ambulance,” an unfamiliar voice said, breaking through Noel’s thoughts. He looked over Gina’s shoulder as her brother Ben came striding toward them. Ben was dressed in casual clothes streaked with dried salt, but he had his police radio in one hand.
“I don’t need an ambulance,” Noel protested. “It’s just a little sore.”
Gina and Ben glanced toward his knee, hidden by his ruined tuxedo pants.
“I’m going to pull your pant leg up, okay?” Gina said.
He nodded, not wanting to look. Fresh waves of pain made him gasp as she eased the fabric gently up his leg.
Gina winced. “I’m sorry.”
The morning air was cold on his skin as she peeled the fabric up.
“Oof,” Ben winced.
Noel looked down and groaned. His knee looked just as it had the night of the accident: swollen with spreading purple bruises.
“Let’s get you to the hospital and get it checked out,” Ben said.
“I’m okay,” Noel protested. “I just need a minute to rest.”
“Don’t you dare try to be stoic about this,” Gina said, a note of steel in her voice. “You’re going to the hospital, end of story.”
Ben chuckled. “Better listen to her, Noel. My big sis has a stubborn streak a mile wide.”
Noel nodded. “Yeah, so I’ve noticed.”
“Humph!” Gina scoffed. “You two can laugh all you want, but you’re both lucky to have me.”
Noel reached toward her, felt her fingers slide through his. They were both covered in sand, but the roughness didn’t bother him. It felt almost appropriate, like through the grit and the hard times, they would still be holding hands, still coming together to face life, forever.
20
The master of ceremonies at the Coconut Grove resort announced the winner of the sand sculpture contest on Christmas morning. It wasn’t famed sculptor Noel Hamilton. He wasn’t even there.
“Mom, can we come down?” Jordan bellowed from the top of the stairs.
From his seat on the couch, Noel chuckled. It was just past five in the morning, and he and Gina had gone to bed barely two hours ago. They’d been up late setting out Santa’s gifts for the boys, and then even later wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing, talking, dreaming. The sleep deprivation would hit him later, but for now, he was walking on air.
Well, not walking. The ordeal in the cave had done serious damage. He’d undergone a second surgery on Monday, and Gina had brought him home two days ago. He was on strict bed rest until he healed.
Or couch rest, as the case may be. Noel had to admit it wasn’t a bad gig, sitting here late into the night with his leg propped on a kitchen chair while Gina set up Christmas for the boys. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her, watching her graceful movements and how the excitement of the day lit up her beautiful face. The softness that came over her expression whenever their eyes met—which was often—felt like his own personal version of Christmas magic.
“Mom?” Jordan hollered again.
“Just a minute,” Gina called. “Grandma’s not out here yet.”
There was a collective groan from the top of the stairs. “Hurry!” Arthur moaned. “We can’t wait any longer.”
Peter chuckled as he added another log to the fireplace, sending a stream of sparks up the chimney, while Gina set the needle on the record player in the living room. The speakers crackled, and a moment later, an instrumental version of “Jingle Bells” filled the room.
Marjorie emerged from the master bedroom, tying her robe around her waist. Her smile was as bright as any Christmas ornament. “Are they up yet?”
“Yes, and anxious,” Gina replied. Her eyes sparkled in the lights from the Christmas tree.
From his seat on the couch, Noel took it in. Presents were stacked under the tree, and Santa had brought additional gifts for the boys, set out in piles next to stockings bulging with secrets and surprises.
“Moooooom!” the boys howled in unison.
“Okay, come down,” Gina called.
They sounded like escaped elephants as they thundered down the stairs and entered the room at a run, then skidded to a stop in front of their piles from Santa. Jordan began hollering, then Arthur, then both together as they uncovered treasure after treasure.
The next hour was pure joy as Noel sat with his arm around Gina, watching the boys unwrap presents. He’d never had a Christmas like this before. Never one filled with so much joy, or chaos. He wouldn’t trade it for anything.
“Noel?” Marjorie offered him a steaming cup of hot chocolate, topped with slowly melting whipped cream and accented with a candy cane.
“Thanks.” He took a sip. “Delicious. You sure know how to do Christmas right.”
Gina scooted closer to rest her head on his shoulder. “How’s your knee?”
“Good. Perfect.”
“The pain’s manageable?”
“What pain? You’re here, and that’s all that matters.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, inhaling the sweetness of her scent.
She lifted her head so their mouths came together, a sweet kiss full of peppermint and hot chocolate and promises.
Jordan looked up from where he was assembling Legos. “Oh, gross. I guess you two are
going to be sucking face from now on.”
“Planning on it.” Noel grinned.
His heart jumped as Gina’s laughter skated through the room. It wasn’t a stretch to imagine Christmas a year from now. They still had some bumps to work through, but they agreed any obstacles would be worth it.
More than worth it. Noel could hardly wait for a future that included being married to Gina, in their own house with the boys, and hopefully another child on the way.
He took a sip of his hot chocolate and smiled. The future had never been sweeter.
Epilogue — One Year Later
Noel stared at the familiar pattern of the hospital privacy curtain and took in the antiseptic smell, grateful that this time, he was the visitor and not the patient.
“Noel? Are you ready?” Marjorie came toward him, carrying the small bundle.
He held out his arms, and she carefully handed him the baby girl, making sure his hands were supporting the newborn’s neck. The baby’s eyes were closed and her face was still swollen from the birth, but her mouth was pursed like a little rosebud, full and soft. Beneath the knitted cap, he knew she had a head full of dark hair.
Andrews family hair. Just like her daddy.
Noel looked over to the bed, where Ben sat with his arms around Eva. “She’s gorgeous. Congratulations, guys.”
Eva beamed. “I can’t believe she’s finally here.”
“Have you picked a name yet?” Gina asked. She sat in the chair next to Noel, her hands cradling her own stomach, where their baby grew beneath her heart.
Their baby. His and Gina’s. And it was also a girl.
They’d married several months ago on the beach in Indigo Bay. It was a simple ceremony, but this time, he’d given his parents enough notice to make the trip from Singapore. They’d fallen in love with Gina, her boys, her family, and Indigo Bay—so much so that when his father retired next year, they planned to buy a house somewhere on the peninsula.
Noel supported the plan wholeheartedly. Adding another set of loving grandparents to the mix could only make life better. Even though he’d missed the New Orleans competition, Tony had gone above and beyond the call of duty, seeking out the Dragonfire reps and showing them Noel’s portfolio. They were still in talks, but the dream of a big corporate sponsor with plenty of money was quickly becoming a reality.
He still traveled for sand-sculpting contests, but not as much as in the past. He’d started entering only the elite competitions with big payoffs, and he’d won enough that he and Gina were able to afford their own home in Indigo Bay. It was smaller than those on Seaside Avenue and not so close to the beach, but it was theirs, and that was what mattered.
That and school. Gina had one more semester to go to earn her degree in architecture, and she’d finish up just before the baby was due. With a newborn, she might not start working right away, but she said her dream of becoming an architect could wait a little longer. A new baby was worth it.
“Avalon,” Ben said, bringing Noel out of his thoughts. “We decided to name her Avalon. It means paradise.”
Gina put her hand on his arm as Noel looked down at the sleeping baby girl. Nothing would ever replace Eden, but he wholly approved of the name. After all, right now they were as close to paradise as they could get. The years ahead would be good.
Ready for another fun Indigo Bay Christmas Romance?
What will Maria Wylder do when Clint Walker slowly begins to win her heart despite her best intentions not to fall in love again? Don’t miss Sweet Joymaker, coming October 1.
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More Indigo Bay
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Indigo Bay Christmas Romances
Sweet Tidings (Book 1) by Jean C. Gordon
Sweet Noel (Book 2) by Jeanette Lewis
Sweet Joymaker (Book 3) by Jean Oram
Sweet Yuletide (Book 4) by Melissa McClone
Sweet Mistletoe (Book 5) by Elizabeth Bromke
Sweet Carol (Book 6) by Shanae Johnson
* * *
Indigo Bay Second Chance Romances
Sweet Troublemaker (Book 1) by Jean Oram
Sweet Do-Over (Book 2) by Melissa McClone
Sweet Horizons (Book 3) by Jean C. Gordon
Sweet Complications (Book 4) by Stacy Claflin
Sweet Whispers (Book 5) by Jeanette Lewis
Sweet Adventure (Book 6) by Tamie Dearen
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Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series
Sweet Dreams (Book 1) by Stacy Claflin
Sweet Matchmaker (Book 2) by Jean Oram
Sweet Sunrise (Book 3) by Kay Correll
Sweet Illusions (Book 4) by Jeanette Lewis
Sweet Regrets (Book 5) by Jennifer Peel
Sweet Rendezvous (Book 6) by Danielle Stewart
Sweet Saturdays (Book 7) by Pamela Kelley
Sweet Beginnings (Book 8) by Melissa McClone
Sweet Starlight (Book 9) by Kay Correll
Sweet Forgiveness (Book 10) by Jean Oram
Sweet Reunion (Book 11) by Stacy Claflin
Sweet Entanglement (Book 12) by Jean C. Gordon
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Holiday Short Reads
Sweet Holiday Surprise by Jean Oram
Sweet Holiday Memories by Kay Correll
Sweet Holiday Wishes by Melissa McClone
Sweet Holiday Traditions by Danielle Stewart
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Old grudges and ornery cowboys are meant to be broken.
Misty Epperson has her hands full with a toddler and a full-time job helping Ty run The Epperson Foundation, the charitable organization he founded with his lottery jackpot. But all the chubby baby cheeks and conference calls in the world can’t drive away the emptiness hovering over her heart. She yearns for love, but Misty is wary. The last time she gave her heart away, it was returned to her battered and broken.
When Misty meets Clydesdale wrangler, Travis Harper, she’s drawn to his quiet strength and easy smile. But Travis quickly makes his hatred of rich people known and Misty’s brother is one of the richest men in the state. When Ty interferes with the Clydesdale’s grazing pasture in the name of environmental protection, will Travis consider it guilt by association or can Misty break this sexy cowboy with the giant chip on his shoulder?
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Books by Jeanette Lewis
Find all of Jeanette’s books on her website: JeanetteLewisBooks.com
The Billionaire Bride Pact
The Passionate One
The Rebellious One
The Adventurous One
The Glamorous One
The Ambitious One
The Hopeful One
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Tamarack Ridge Romances
Loving the Mountain Man
Charming the Mountain Man
Taming the Mountain Man
Kissing the Mountain Man (Available exclusively as part of the Sweet Kisses Box Set. Will become a standalone novella in late 2020)
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Indigo Bay Series
Sweet Illusions
Sweet Whispers
Sweet Noel
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Lincoln’s Lost Gold Adventure Series
Love in Honor Given
Love’s Shining Light
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Snow Valley Series
Feels Like Love
Tin Foil Tiaras
Love Coming L
ate
Starlight Kisses
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Epperson Family Romances
The Lucky Billionaire
Horses, Hayrides, and Husbands
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Sweet Water High - A YA Sweet Romance
Much Ado About a Boy
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YA Adventure
Skyriders
Waterriders*
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*Coming soon
About the Author
Romance with Heart! Jeanette Lewis is a USA Today Bestselling Author who specializes in writing character-driven stories with heart. Jeanette’s writing is known for her strong characters, depth, and detail, as well as plenty of sweet, swoony kissing scenes.
Dreaming up stories has always been one of Jeanette’s favorite things. Other favorites include family, friends, crisp Autumn days, having adventures, and frozen gummy bears.
Find Jeanette on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or at her website:
JeanetteLewisBooks.com
The Passionate One
“I, Erin Marie Parker, do solemnly swear, that someday I’ll marry a billionaire ...
OR I will have to sing the Camp Wallakee song (with the bird calls) at my wedding.”
Chapter One
THE CAMP WALLAKEE girls all ended up on the same row at the wedding. Erin Parker, the last to arrive, was greeted with a chorus of squeals and hugs. She took the seat at the end of the aisle and shifted to adjust the skirt of her silvery gray dress. After brushing her rose gold hair out of her eyes, she leaned forward and beamed down the row at her girls.
Sweet Noel Page 15