A female voice, high and excited, spilled out. “It’s Carley Sue. Remember me? I’m Noelle’s sister. Anyway, Noelle asked me to call you. She’d call you herself, but I asked if I could do it, ’cause it was my bedroom window you knocked on. And my computer Noelle used.”
Thom laughed out loud, almost missing the second half of the message.
“Anyway, Noelle wanted to know if you could meet her at the park tomorrow morning. She said you should be there early. She said six o’clock ’cause you have to drive all the way to Portland. She said you’d know why, but she wouldn’t tell me. When you see Noelle, please tell her it’s not nice to keep secrets from her sister, will you?” She giggled. “Never mind, I could get it out of her if I really wanted to. Bye.”
Thom smiled, feeling a surge of energy. Obviously Noelle had had better luck than he did.
A second message followed the first.
“Thom, it’s me. I wasn’t sure Carley got the entire message to you. When we meet at the park, come with a full tank of gas. If this conflicts with your Christmas Eve plans, call me on my cell phone.” There was a short pause. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up. I found a tea service that’s not exactly like your grandmother’s, but I’m looking for a Christmas miracle. We’ll need to compare it to the picture. The dealer’s only keeping his store open until noon, which is why we need to leave here so early. I’m sorry I can’t see you tonight. I wish I could, but I’ve got family obligations. I know you understand.”
He did understand—all too well. A third message started; he was certainly popular today. It was his mother and she sounded worried.
“It’s Mom…I ran into a friend from the newspaper this morning and she mentioned seeing you at Mendleson Jewelers. Were you…buying an engagement ring? Thom, it isn’t that McDowell girl, is it? Call me, will you? I need reassurance that you’re not about to make a big mistake.”
This was what happened when you lived in a small town. Everyone knew your business. So, his mother had heard, and even with the wrong facts, she’d put together the right answer. Yes, he’d been at Mendleson’s. And yes, it was “that McDowell girl.”
Thom decided he had to talk about all of this with someone who understood the situation and knew all the people involved. Someone discreet, who had his best interests at heart. Someone with no agenda, hidden or otherwise.
The one person he could trust was his older sister. Suzanne was three years his senior, married and living ten miles outside of town; she and her husband, Rob, owned a hazelnut orchard. Thom didn’t see Suzanne often, but he was godfather to his five-year-old nephew, Cameron.
A brief phone call assured him that his sister was available and eager to see him. Off he went, grabbing a chunk of cheese and an apple to eat on the way. Maybe his sister would have some wisdom to share with him…. How quickly life can change, he mused, and never more so than at Christmas.
Suzanne had a mug of hot cider waiting when he arrived. Rob was out, dealing with some late deliveries. His family owned the orchard and leased it to him. Rob worked long hours making a success of their business, and so did Suzanne. Both his sister and brother-in-law were honest, hardworking people, and he trusted their advice.
“This is a surprise,” Suzanne said, pulling out a chair at the large oak table in the center of her country kitchen.
“Cameron’s in bed already?” Thom asked, disappointed to miss seeing his nephew.
“He thinks if he goes to bed early Santa will come sooner.” She gave a shrug. “Never mind that this is only the twenty-third. I guess he’s hoping he can make time speed up,” she said with a smile. “By the way, he had a ridiculous tale about you and some woman at the movies the other day. Throwing popcorn was a big theme in this story.”
“I don’t know what he told you, but more than likely it’s true. We bumped into Noelle McDowell and her little sister at the theater.”
“Noelle. Oh, no.” Suzanne was instantly sympathetic. “That must’ve been uncomfortable.”
“Yes and no.” He hesitated, wondering to what extent his sister’s attitude was a reflection of their parents’. “It was difficult at first, because we didn’t exactly part on the best of terms.”
“At first?”
His sister had picked up on that fast enough. “We’ve talked since and resolved our difficulties.”
“Resolved them, did you?” Suzanne raised her eyebrows.
“I love Noelle.” There, he’d said it.
“Who’s Noelle?” Rob asked as he walked in through the kitchen door, shedding hat, scarf and gloves.
“I’ll explain later,” Suzanne promised, ladling a cup of cider from the pot on the stove. “Here, honey.”
“Our families don’t get along,” Thom explained.
“Do Mom and Dad know?” his sister asked.
“Not yet, but Mom got wind of me going to Mendleson’s. She must have her suspicions, since she left a message on my machine practically begging me to tell her I’m not seeing Noelle.”
“Did you buy a ring?”
“That’s not the point.”
“Okay,” his sister said slowly. “What do you plan to tell Mom and Dad?”
“I don’t know.”
Suzanne sipped her cider, then put down the mug to focus on him. “You’re going to wait until Christmas’s over before you say anything, right?”
Thom didn’t know if he could. His mother was already besieging him with questions and she’d keep at him until she got answers—preferably the answers she wanted. He needed an ally and he hoped he could count on Suzanne.
“Let me play devil’s advocate here a moment,” his sister suggested.
“Please.”
“Put yourself in Mom’s place. Noelle’s family has hurt our family. And now you’re asking Mom to welcome Noelle into our lives and our hearts.”
“Noelle is already in my heart.”
“I know,” Suzanne told him, “but there’s more than one person involved in this. How does her family feel about you, for instance?”
That was a question Thom didn’t want to consider. This wouldn’t be easy for Noelle, either. Kristen and Carley were obviously supportive, but Sarah McDowell—well, she was another matter.
“We were ready to defy everyone as teenagers,” he said, reminding his sister of the difficult stand he’d taken at eighteen.
“You were a kid.”
“I was in love with her then, and I’m still in love with her.”
“Yes,” Suzanne said, “but you’re more responsible now.”
“I can’t live my life to suit everyone else,” he said, frustrated by her response.
“He’s got a point,” Rob said. “I don’t understand the family dynamics here, but I have a fairly good idea what you’re talking about. I say if Thom feels this strongly about Noelle after all these years, he should go for it. He should live his own life.”
Thom felt a rush of gratitude for his brother-in-law’s enouragement.
“That’s what you wanted to hear, isn’t it?” Suzanne said, smiling. “For what it’s worth, I agree with my husband.”
“Thanks,” Thom said. “That means a lot, you guys.” He shook his head. “Noelle and I are well aware of the problems we face as a couple. We’d hoped to come to our parents with a solution.”
“What kind of solution?”
“I’ve been pounding the pavement all day, checking out antique stores and jewelry stores for a replacement tea service. Noelle’s been doing an Internet search.”
His sister frowned. “I don’t want to discourage you, but you’re not going to find one.”
She certainly had a way of cutting to the chase. “Thank you for that note of optimism. Anyway, how can you be so sure? Noelle thinks she might have a lead.”
“Hey, that’s good,” Rob said. “It’s worth trying to find…whatever this thing is that you’re looking for.”
“An antique silver tea service—I’ll fill you in later, Rob.” She turne
d to her brother. “I don’t want to be pessimistic. It’s just that Mom and Dad looked for years. They’ve given up now, but for a long time they left no stone unturned.”
“If we find one, we’ll consider it a Christmas miracle.”
“Definitely,” Suzanne agreed. “And I’d consider it a lucky omen, too.”
“But you don’t think we’ll succeed.”
“No,” his sister told him. “I don’t think so, but who knows?”
“If I ask Noelle to be part of my life, will you accept her?”
“Of course.” Suzanne didn’t hesitate. “But I’m not the one whose opinion matters. However, Rob’s right, you’ve got to live your own life, and we’ll support you in whatever choice you make.”
He visited with his sister a while longer and assured her that no matter what he decided, he’d meet the family for the annual Christmas Eve dinner, followed by church services.
The next morning Noelle was waiting in the park at the appointed time and place when he got there. His heart reacted instantly to the sight of her. She looked like an angel in her long white wool coat and cashmere scarf. A Christmas angel. He smiled at the thought—even if he was getting sentimental in his old age.
“Merry Christmas,” he said.
“Merry Christmas, Thom.” Her eyes brightened as he approached.
Thom folded her in his arms and their kisses were deep and urgent. His mouth lingered on hers, gradually easing into gentler kisses. Finally he whispered, “Ready to go?”
“I hope this isn’t a wild-goose chase,” Noelle told him as she leaned her head against his shoulder.
“I do, too.” But if it was, at least he’d be spending the day with her.
If they couldn’t carry out their quest, they’d simply have to find some other way to persuade both mothers to accept the truth—that Thomas Sutton and Noelle McDowell were in love.
It was Christmas Eve, nine in the morning, and Sarah McDowell was eager to finish with the Christmas baskets. She’d skillfully wrapped each gift to transport to the Salvation Army.
“You’re coming with me, aren’t you?” she asked her husband.
Jake glanced up from the morning paper, frowning. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” Sarah didn’t know if she could face Mary alone—not again. She’d assumed Jake would drive with her.
“I’ve got errands of my own. It’s Christmas Eve.”
“What about you, Carley?” she said, looking hopefully toward her daughter.
“Can’t, Mom, sorry.”
But not nearly sorry enough, Sarah thought. Her family was abandoning her in this hour of need. “Where’s Noelle?” she asked. Surely she could count on Noelle.
“Out,” Carley informed her.
“She’s left already?”
Carley nodded.
Sarah thought she saw Jake wink at Carley. Apparently those two were involved in some sort of conspiracy against her.
At least Jake helped her load up the car, shifting his golf clubs to the back seat, but he disappeared soon afterward. Grumbling under her breath, Sarah drove out to the Women’s Century Club.
Mary’s car was already in the lot when she arrived. So, Mary Sutton was breaking a lifelong habit of tardiness in her eagerness to finish this charity project. For that, Sarah couldn’t blame her. She, too, had reached her limit.
The cold air cut through her winter coat the instant she climbed out of the car. The radio station had mentioned the possibility of an ice storm later in the day. Sarah only hoped it wouldn’t materialize.
“Merry Christmas,” Melody called out as Sarah struggled through the front door, carrying the largest and most awkward of the boxes.
Sarah muttered a reply. Her Christmas Eve was not getting off to a good start.
“Mary’s waiting for you,” Melody told her. “I understand there was a mix-up with the lists. I’m so sorry. It was crazy that morning, wasn’t it?”
Sarah wasn’t fooled by the other woman’s cheerful attitude. Melody Darrington had done her utmost to manipulate the two of them into working on this project together, and Sarah, for one, didn’t take kindly to the interference. It was clear that Mary hadn’t realized anything was amiss, but then Mary Sutton wasn’t the most perceptive person in the world. Still, Sarah wasn’t going to make a federal case of it, on the off-chance that it had all been an innocent mistake as Melody was implying.
Sarah made her way into the meeting room, where Mary had the six baskets set up on a long table, as well as six large boxes, already filled with the makings for Christmas dinner.
“Is that everything you’ve got?” Mary asked, peering into Sarah’s carton. Her tone insinuated that Sarah had contributed less than required.
“Of course not,” she snapped. “I have two more boxes in the car.”
Neither woman leaped up to help her carry them inside, although Melody did make a halfhearted offer when Sarah headed out the front door.
“No thanks—you’ve already done enough,” she said pointedly.
“You’re sure you don’t need the help?” Melody asked.
Shaking her head, Sarah brought in the second of the boxes and set it on the table.
“I thought you’d bring one of the girls with you,” Mary said in that stiff way of hers.
“They’re busy.” She started back for the last of the cartons.
“Noelle isn’t with Thom, is she?”
The question caught her off guard. No one had said where Noelle had gone, but it couldn’t be to meet Thom Sutton. Could it? No, she wouldn’t do that. Not her daughter.
“Absolutely not,” Sarah insisted. Noelle had already learned her lesson when it came to the Suttons.
“Good,” Mary said.
“Noelle’s with friends,” Sarah returned and then, because she had to know, she asked a question of her own. “What makes you ask?”
“Oh—no reason.”
Sarah didn’t believe that for a moment. “You tell your son Noelle’s under no illusions about him. She won’t be so easily fooled a second time.”
“Now just one minute—”
“We both know what he did.”
“You’re wrong, Sarah—but then you often are.”
Melody stepped into the meeting room and stopped abruptly. With a shocked look, she regarded both women. “Come on, you two! It’s Christmas.”
“And your point is?” Sarah asked.
“My point is that the least you can do is work together on this. These baskets need to get to the Salvation Army right away. They’re late already, and my husband just phoned and said there’s definitely an ice storm coming, so you shouldn’t delay.”
“I’ll get them there in time,” Mary promised. “If we could get the baskets filled…”
“Fine,” Sarah said. “I’ll bring in the last box.”
“We wouldn’t be this late if you’d—”
Sarah ignored her and hurried out the door, only to hear Melody mutter something about an ice storm developing right in this room.
She knew that the minute she left, Melody and Mary would talk about her. However, she didn’t care. Right after Kristen’s wedding, she was letting her membership in the Women’s Century Club lapse.
Once the third box was safely inside, Sarah placed the gifts in the correct baskets. Then both women sorted through the family names by checking the tag on each present. Sarah had spent a lot of time wrapping her gifts, wanting to please the recipients…and, to be honest, impress Mary and Melody with her talents. Given the opportunity, she could have decorated the club house to match Mary’s efforts. No, to exceed them.
“You did get that Firefighter Barbie doll, didn’t you?” Mary asked.
“Of course I did,” she answered scornfully.
They attached ribbons to each basket, then prepared everything—gifts and groceries—for transport.
“Would you like help loading up your car?” Sarah asked. Since Mary was driving and this was a joint project, she felt
constrained to offer.
Mary seemed surprised, then shook her head. “I can manage. But…thanks.”
Sarah had wanted to make a quick getaway, but Melody stopped her at the door, appointment book in hand.
“I have a few questions about Kristen’s wedding.”
“What do you need to know?”
Melody flipped open the book. “Will you require the use of our kitchen?”
“I’m not sure because we haven’t picked the caterer yet, but we’ll do that right after the first of the year.”
“I have a list, if you’d like to look at it.”
“I would.” Sarah wanted to make her daughter’s day as special as she could. But as she answered Melody’s questions, her mind drifted to Noelle. Mary had brought up a frightening possibility. Noelle had been absent from the house quite a bit since the dance on Saturday night. She was at the mall on Sunday, and then on Monday—oh, yes, she’d worked on Carley’s computer most of the day. Reassured now, Sarah relaxed. Mary’s fears about her son and Noelle were unfounded.
She glanced around the lot; Mary’s car was gone. She’d apparently left for the Salvation Army already. She must have moved her vehicle to the side entrance in order to load up the baskets and boxes more easily and Sarah hadn’t seen her drive off. That was just fine. Maybe this was the last she needed to see of Mary Sutton.
Now she could enjoy Christmas.
“Merry Christmas, Melody,” she said. “I’m sorry for the way I snapped at you earlier.”
Melody accepted her apology. “I realize this was hard on both of you but what’s important are the Christmas baskets.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more.”
Sarah’s spirits lifted considerably as she walked to her car or rather, Jake’s. He’d insisted she take his SUV, and she was glad of it. If possible, it seemed even colder out; she drew her coat more closely around her and bent her head as she trudged toward the car.
As she turned out of the parking lot, she saw that the roads were icing over. The warning of an ice storm had become a reality, and even earlier than expected. This weather made her nervous, and Sarah drove carefully, hoping she wouldn’t run into any problem.
On a Snowy Night: The Christmas BasketThe Snow Bride Page 12