“But now you’re back in the same town. That’s got to mean something.” Madison gave me an imploring look. “Don’t you still have feelings for him? I could see the way you were looking at each other.”
“Mad, this isn’t the place to talk about this.” I had no idea how many of the townspeople around us knew Evan. “Evan and I have a long history together. Nothing will ever change that. But one day when you are older, after you’ve been in love, you’ll understand that not all love lasts forever.”
“Not true love,” she protested. “True love always lasts forever.”
It was a child’s view of love. The idea that if you were “meant to be” with someone, then somehow everything would work out. I used to believe that, too. When Evan and I were together, even in the hard times, I always believed that we would stay together. But I was wrong.
“Maddy, go get the milk. And get Tommy away from the candy aisle.” I didn’t have the energy to argue with her anymore. If she wanted to believe that Evan and I were soulmates, it was easier just to let her keep that belief.
“Fine.” She stomped away in a huff.
Alone with my thoughts for the moment, I carefully studied the fruit in front of me. To an outside observer, it might seem like I was passionate about my apple selection. Inside my head, apples were the last thing on my mind.
“You have to actually pick them up and put them in your cart,” a woman said with amusement in her eyes. “They won’t jump in there on their own.”
“Thanks for the tip.”
“Noelle?” The woman looked at me in surprise. “Is that you?”
I looked closer and realized that I knew her. “Emily!”
“I don’t believe it.” She dropped the gourd in her hand and pulled me into a hug. “I never expected to see you again, Noelle.”
“Life is full of surprises,” I said with a laugh. “How have you been, Em?”
“Busy. The kids are going crazy with Thanksgiving break so close. I’ve still got tons of shopping to do. And baking. I’m never going to finish.” She stopped and took a breath. “Oh, my goodness! You probably don’t even know. Evan is back in town.”
“I know. I saw him last night.” I tried not to react when she slapped my arm and gasped.
“How was it? Was it awkward? I can only imagine.” Emily bent down to pick up the toddler that had been tugging at her leg. “He’s still just as hot as ever.”
“You got that right,” I muttered.
While Evan and I hadn’t talked in twelve years, Emily and I had stayed in touch. First, through letters and phone calls, and later with email and social media. I knew that she had married one of the guys from her graduating class, Desmond Stiles, and they had three kids together. I also knew she kept in touch with many of the people we had been friends with as teenagers.
“Can we get ice cream?” Tommy demanded as he came down the aisle with Madison trailing slowly behind him.
“It’s freezing outside and you want ice cream?” I shook my head in disbelief. “Fine.”
“Noelle, I didn’t know you had kids!” Emily looked at both kids and then at me. “They’re a little older than I would’ve thought possible. Unless… is Evan…”
I hurried to interrupt her. “This is my niece and nephew. I’m their guardian.”
“Oh, that explains it.” She looked relieved. “You should come over for dinner sometime soon. I’d love to introduce you to the whole family.”
“That would be nice.” I had to admit that it was good to see Emily again. She had been a close friend of mine for many years. “We’re staying on the Miller Tree Farm.”
“No kidding?” Emily laughed. “I should’ve seen that one coming. Evan moves back to take care of his aunt and shortly thereafter, you move onto the farm. It’s destiny.”
Madison said, “You think so, too? I’ve been telling her all morning that she’s going to get back together with him, but she refuses to listen. You know they kissed at the Snow Ball, right? They have to end up together.”
“That’s true,” Emily agreed. “You know about the legend.”
“You are both ridiculous,” I said. “It was great running into you, Em, but we’ve really got to get going.”
“Fine. You can run away, but this isn’t over.” Emily bounced the toddler on her hip. “We can pick this up when you come over for dinner.”
“Can’t wait.” I hurried the kids away before she could dig even further into my personal life. Somehow, I had forgotten how intrusive the people of Starlight could be.
We finished our shopping in town and headed back to the farm. I had to listen to Madison whine about there not being a Starbucks or shopping mall in town. She perked up a little bit when we drove past an outdoor skating rink.
“When can I start lessons?” she asked.
I was thrilled to hear her finally sound excited about something, so I pulled into the parking lot. “Let’s go check it out.”
Within thirty minutes, both kids were signed up for skating lessons and I had somehow been convinced to pay a small fortune on skates for both kids, plus hockey gear for Tommy and a new winter wardrobe for Madison.
“Moving out of the big city should be saving us money,” I grumbled as I loaded our packages into the trunk. “Maybe you kids should consider less expensive hobbies, like sitting quietly and staring at the wall. Does that sound good?”
“Nice try, Aunt Noelle.” Madison happily added her bags to the pile. “I think you are forgetting that these outdoor hobbies also give you a break from taking care of us for a few hours. I’m sure that’s a relief for you.”
“Mad, why would you think that? I love taking care of you and Tommy.” I slammed the trunk shut and turned to her. “You’ve made my life so much better.”
She gave me her classic eye-roll. “You have to say that because our parents are dead. You feel sorry for us.”
“What happened to your parents really sucks, Maddy, but I didn’t take you in because I felt sorry for you. I did it because I love you and because I loved your parents.” I knew better than to expect my niece to back down from her defensive posture. “Now, get in the car before I have to sell it to buy you more clothes.”
We had left home in the morning just before the farm opened for business and therefore I had escaped without running into Evan. I wasn’t so fortunate when we returned home. The dirt path that led to our new home ran directly through the heart of the tree farm and Evan was right in the middle of it all, helping an older couple load a tree into the back of their truck.
“There’s Evan!” Madison said excitedly. “You should stop and talk to him.”
“We need to get the groceries in the house,” I said, even as I pulled to a stop while I waited for another truck to finish parking.
Evan was done with his work and sauntered over to my open window. “You might want to think about trading in this city car for something a little more durable. If you’re not careful, you’re going to end up stuck once we get a heavy snow.”
“Leave my car alone,” I said, patting the steering wheel gently.
“Evan, guess what?” Tommy demanded from the backseat.
“What’s that, kid?”
“I’m going to play hockey!” He was leaning so far forward that he might as well have been sharing my seat.
Evan grinned. “You’re going to love it. In fact, if you need me to teach you some moves, I’d be happy to take you out skating.”
“You play hockey?” Madison asked skeptically.
“Played hockey would be more accurate. But I think I remember how to play.” Evan continued to smile, but his eyes were a little darker. “Maybe we can even get your aunt out on the ice.”
“Really?” Tommy’s eyes lit up. “You play hockey, Aunt Noelle?”
“Better than Evan,” I said with confidence.
“Wow,” Evan said with a laugh. “You don’t really think I’m going to let that slide without making you prove it, do you?”
&nb
sp; Both kids laughed and Madison said, “I would love to see Aunt Noelle on skates.”
“What is so funny about me skating?” I said with mock indignation. “I’m actually quite coordinated.”
“Except for when you are skiing,” Tommy said, laughed harder.
“You? I expect that kind of thing from your sister, but not my little Tomcat.” I reached back and tickled him in the side and he laughed harder. “Name the time and place, Gray.”
Evan gave me his perfect, crooked smile and said, “Tomorrow morning at Starlight Community Center.”
“You don’t have to work?” I said.
“Norma gives me a day off here and there.” Evan straightened as another worker called his name. “Speaking of work, I need to get back to it. We’re still on for tonight?”
“What’s tonight?” Madison said.
“Your aunt is taking me to dinner. Apparently, she’s still not over me.” Evan winked at me. “Wear something nice, Elle.”
I shook my head and groaned. “You haven’t changed one bit, have you?”
“I did get more handsome and charming,” he said.
“I haven’t checked with Norma, yet. She might not be able to watch the kids.” I ignored the grumbling from Maddy about being too old for a babysitter.
“No worries, Sutton. I talked to Norma this morning and she’s already starting on making their dinner.” Evan took a step back. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Can’t wait,” I said, relieved that he was no longer standing close enough that I could see the gold flecks in his eyes.
Madison resumed her usual Evan-interrogation as soon as he was gone. She wanted to know specifics of our date plans, but I could only guess what Evan had in mind for the evening. She wasn’t happy with my answers.
“Why didn’t you ask?” she said as I emptied grocery bags onto the kitchen counter. “How will you know what to wear?”
“I will choose one of the handful of outfits that are in this house,” I said. “It’s Evan, Maddy. He and I have gone on dozens of dates. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Of course it is,” she said, exasperated. “This is the date where the two of you get back together.”
I opened the fridge and started tossing vegetables inside. “Don’t get your hopes up, kiddo. Evan and I are just old friends who haven’t seen each other in twelve years who are going to catch up over dinner.”
“Why did you guys break up?” Madison said, moving easily to her next line of questioning.
“It’s personal, Mad. Can you help put the groceries away?” I said.
“Why doesn’t Tommy have to help?” she grumbled.
“Because Tommy isn’t asking me annoying questions.” I handed her two boxes of cereal. “Why are you so invested in Evan?”
Madison shrugged. “Because I’ve never seen you smile the way that you smile at him. Ever since Mom and Dad died, you’ve been so focused on being there for me and Tommy. You haven’t let yourself do anything fun. It’s been nice seeing you smile again.”
I wasn’t sure what I had been expecting her to say, but that made me freeze. “I smile like that with Evan because he reminds me of the good times we had when we were younger. But that’s my past, Maddy. You and Tommy are my life now and you both make me smile every day. Raising the two of you is the best thing I will ever do.”
“You have a sad life,” Madison said with a grin.
“I do. Now, go find your brother and watch some television. I’ve got some calls to make.” Nothing could make a child less interested than the promise of boring adult phone calls. Madison gladly scampered away and I reached for my phone.
I was still tying up some loose ends back in New Orleans, including selling my condo, and I needed to check my voicemail, which I had been avoiding for too long. When I left New Orleans, I hadn’t just left my home and my job. I’d also left Chris, my boyfriend of two years.
He had been blindsided when I told him I was packing up the kids and moving hundreds of miles away. It was my fault for not being clearer about my feelings regarding our relationship. We never fought, and that gave Chris the false impression that things were fine between us. In reality, after working all day and taking care of the kids, I didn’t have the energy to fight. I didn’t have the energy to explain to Chris that my priorities had changed. I didn’t have the energy to be the kind of girlfriend he deserved.
I was surprised to find only a handful of messages from Chris. He had also sent about a dozen texts that I had been ignoring. I had been clear when I left that he hadn’t done anything wrong and that there was nothing he could do to change my mind. I had to put the kids first, and they needed a different life than what I could offer them in New Orleans. Chris had weakly offered to move with us, but we both knew that was a bad idea. He didn’t want to leave the city and if I let him, he would only grow resentful.
We needed a clean break, and I was doing my best to enforce that. Chris was putting up a slight protest, but I had a feeling that was mostly because he felt like he should, not because he couldn’t let go of us. I listened to each voicemail and then carefully deleted them. I had no idea if Chris and I would still be together if the situation with the kids had never happened, but I did know that I had made the right decision moving to Starlight.
As I washed vegetables to make the kids some lunch, I looked out the window over the sink and spotted Evan. He was driving a small tractor that was pulling a flatbed full of trees. In an instant, nostalgia washed over me and I was fifteen again, falling in love with a boy on a hayrack ride.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Eighteen Years Ago
I t was my third holiday break in Starlight since meeting Evan, and I couldn’t wait to see him. Aside from the two months I spent in town over the summer, we had to settle for long phone calls and the occasional handwritten letter to keep our relationship going. For two years we had been staying in touch long-distance, anxiously looking forward to the next time we would see each other. Now was that time.
Evan had asked me to meet him at the Winter Carnival and I hurried there on foot. My grandparents’ house wasn’t far from downtown and I had walked that route dozens of times. In another year, I’d finally be able to drive and I wouldn’t have to trudge through the snow to see Evan.
The carnival started early in the day with rides and activities for the young kids and by afternoon it was swarming with teenagers, playing games, eating junk food, and scouting the other teenagers for potential romantic opportunities.
I spotted Emily and our other friends before I could find Evan. She waved frantically when she saw me in the crowd. I smiled and hurried in her direction. Before I could even say hi, Emily threw her arms around me in a fierce hug.
“I’ve missed you so much, friend!” she squealed in my ear. “How have you been? Did you get your driver’s permit? Tell me everything.”
“Em, calm down. We’ve got lots of time to get caught up.” I laughed as I forced myself out of her arms. “Not that I’m not thrilled to see you, but–”
Emily cut me off with a laugh. “Evan is right over there.” She nodded her head toward the ticket line. “He’s getting tickets for the hayrack ride.”
I turned, already smiling even before my eyes landed on Evan’s handsome face. He had just finished paying for the tickets and turned. His eyes found mine at the same time that mine found his. I was certain that everyone at the carnival could see the electric charge passing between us.
Evan started toward me, but he wasn’t moving fast enough. I raced toward him and hit him at full-speed. He caught me in his arms, laughing. “Noelle.”
“No talking,” I said, pulling back a few inches to look him in the eyes. “Kiss me, Evan.”
He didn’t hesitate. In front of everyone, Evan kissed me like we were the only two people at the carnival. I was vaguely aware that our friends were making loud gagging noises, but I didn’t care. I’d waited months to feel Evan Gray’s lips on mine.
“My god I have missed this,” Evan said when he finally pulled away. His arms slipped into my open coat and his hands skimmed beneath my sweater. My skin burned beneath his touch. “I’ve missed you, Noelle Sutton.”
“Not as much as I’ve missed you, Evan Gray.” I tightened my arms around his neck, giving him a fierce hug. “I really need to convince my parents to move to Starlight.”
“But then we couldn’t have reunions like this,” Evan said. His hand stroked a slow circle across my lower back.
“Or we could have reunions like this all the time,” I said, pulling back to give him a flirty smile. It had been two years since we’d had our first kiss at the Snow Ball and I still couldn’t believe that Evan was mine. He’d only grown more handsome in time and my feelings for him had only grown stronger. “Maybe we should’ve picked a place less public for our reunion,” I said meaningfully.
“Why do you think I got us these tickets?” Evan said with a devilish grin. “The tractor will drop us off in the middle of the woods. We’ll have privacy and a warm fire.”
“Why are we still here?” I said.
Evan pulled his arms away to take my hand in his. “Are you sure you don’t want to spend some time with the gang first?”
“I’m sure.” I glanced at our friends and they had all turned away. None of them would be surprised or upset if we decided to slip away. “I’ll catch up with them later.”
“Not tonight,” Evan said, putting his arm around my shoulders. “Tonight, you’re all mine, Sutton.”
“Dreams really do come true,” I said with an exaggerated sigh. “Can you believe it’s been almost two whole years that we’ve been together?”
“Well, more like six months that we’ve actually been together,” Evan said.
I poked him in the side. “Whatever, Mr. Technical. I guess if we aren’t technically together when I’m not in Starlight, you won’t mind if I’m together with other guys.”
“If you can find one better than me, go for it.” He gave me a smug look.
Back to You Page 4