by Judith Keim
A Christmas Star
Judith Keim
Table of Contents
Title Page
BOOKS BY JUDITH KEIM
CHILDREN’S BOOKS BY J. S. KEIM
PRAISE FOR JUDITH KEIM’S NOVELS
A Christmas Star | A Seashell Cottage Book - 1 | Judith Keim | Wild Quail Publishing
Dedication
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
SNOW PUDDING
CUSTARD SAUCE
CHAPTER ONE
About the Author
Acknowledgements
BOOKS BY JUDITH KEIM
The Talking Tree (The Hartwell Women –1)
Sweet Talk (The Hartwell Women – 2)
Straight Talk (The Hartwell Women – 3)
Baby Talk (The Hartwell Women – 4)
The Hartwell Women Series – (Boxed Set)
Breakfast at The Beach House Hotel –1
Lunch at The Beach House Hotel – 2
Dinner at The Beach House Hotel – 3
Christmas at The Beach House Hotel – 4
Fat Fridays (Fat Fridays Group – 1)
Sassy Saturdays (Fat Fridays Group – 2)
Secret Sundays (Fat Fridays Group – 3)
Finding Me – A Salty Key Inn Book – 1
Finding My Way – A Salty Key Inn Book – 2
Finding Love – A Salty Key Inn Book – 3
Finding Family – A Salty Key Inn Book – 4
A Christmas Star – A Seashell Cottage Book – 1
Going Home – A Chandler Hill Book – 1 (Early 2019)
Coming Home – A Chandler Hill Book – (Late 2019)
Home at Last – A Chandler Hill Book – (Early 2020)
Winning BIG – a little love story for all ages
CHILDREN’S BOOKS BY J. S. KEIM
The Hidden Moon (The Hidden Moon Series – 1)
Return to the Hidden Moon (The Hidden Moon Series – 2)
Trouble on the Hidden Moon (The Hidden Moon Series – 3)
Kermit Greene’s World
PRAISE FOR JUDITH KEIM’S NOVELS
THE BEACH HOUSE HOTEL SERIES
“Love the characters in this series. This series was my first introduction to Judith Keim. She is now one of my favorites. Looking forward to reading more of her books.”
BREAKFAST AT THE BEACH HOUSE HOTEL is an easy, delightful read that offers romance, family relationships, and strong women learning to be stronger. Real life situations filter through the pages. Enjoy!”
LUNCH AT THE BEACH HOUSE HOTEL – “This series is such a joy to read. You feel you are actually living with them. Can’t wait to read the latest one.”
DINNER AT THE BEACH HOUSE HOTEL – “A Terrific Read! As usual, Judith Keim did it again. Enjoyed immensely. Continue writing such pleasantly reading books for all of us readers.”
CHRISTMAS AT THE BEACH HOUSE HOTEL – “Not Just Another Christmas Novel. This is book number four in the series and my introduction to Judith Keim’s writing. I wasn’t disappointed. The characters are dimensional and engaging. The plot is well crafted and advances at a pleasing pace. The Florida location is interesting and warming. It was a delight to read a romance novel with mature female protagonists. Ann and Rhoda have life experiences that enrich the story. It’s a clever book about friends and extended family. Buy copies for your book group pals and enjoy this seasonal read.”
THE HARTWELL WOMEN
“This was an EXCELLENT series. When I discovered Judith Keim, I read all of her books back to back. I thoroughly enjoyed the women Keim has written about. They are believable and you want to just jump into their lives and be their friends! I can't wait for any upcoming books!”
“I fell into Judith Keim's Hartwell Women series and have read & enjoyed all of her books in every series. Each centers around a strong & interesting woman character and their family interaction. Good reads that leave you wanting more.”
THE FAT FRIDAYS GROUP
“Excellent story line for each character, and an insightful representation of situations which deal with some of the contemporary issues women are faced with today.”
“I love this author's books. Her characters and their lives are realistic. The power of women's friendships is a common and beautiful theme that is threaded throughout this story.”
THE SALTY KEY INN SERIES
FINDING ME – “I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and cannot wait for the others! The characters are endearing with the same struggles we all encounter. The setting makes me feel like I am a guest at The Salty Key Inn...relaxed, happy & light-hearted! The men are yummy and the women strong. You can't get better than that! Happy Reading!”
FINDING MY WAY- “Loved the family dynamics as well as uncertain emotions of dating and falling in love. Appreciated the morals and strength of parenting throughout. Just couldn't put this book down.”
FINDING LOVE – “I waited for this book because the first two was such good reads. This one didn't disappoint.... Judith Keim always puts substance into her books. This book was no different, I learned about PTSD, accepting oneself, there is always going to be problems but stick it out and make it work. Just the way life is. In some ways a lot like my life. Judith is right, it needs another book and I will definitely be reading it. Hope you choose to read this series, you will get so much out of it.”
OTHER COMMENTS
“Always love books written by Judith Keim. From these strong women who go through lots of difficulties and adventure to the Florida beach hotel books. Every book is entertaining and fun to read with plenty of excitement and surprises.
“I was first introduced to Judith Keim’s books with her Beach House series and since then look forward to each new book from this author. Her stories draw you in so you become invested in the lives of her characters and want to know what comes next.”
A Christmas Star
A Seashell Cottage Book - 1
Judith Keim
Wild Quail Publishing
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, public or private institutions, corporations, towns, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. This book may not be resold or uploaded for distribution to others.
Wild Quail Publishing
PO Box 171332
Boise, ID 83717-1332
ISBN# 978-0-9992448-3-8
Copyright ©2018 Judith Keim
All rights reserved
Dedication
In loving memory of Marie Louise “Weezie” Williams, my great-aunt, who always believed the real spirit of Christmas was in people sharing and making the wishes of others come true.
I still believe it.
CHAPTER ONE
On the Gulf Coast of Florida, Noelle North walked along the white, sandy beach that lined the shore li
ke the fur on her slippers back home. The sun’s heat washed over her, hugging her with its warmth on this early December morning. She unzipped her light jacket and lifted her arms to the blue sky, welcoming the day with an embrace. She had a whole six weeks of freedom from work and her dismal life back home. It was worth every penny of her savings.
Her family had wanted her to stay in Boston with them for the holidays, but Noelle knew she couldn’t endure another Christmas of everyone feeling sorry for her. Two years ago on Christmas Day, her ex-fiancé, Alexander Cabot, had left her waiting at the church on her wedding day, while he’d taken off with another woman, his best friend’s wife. She’d wanted to die of embarrassment. Even now, thinking of that humiliation, a shudder shook her shoulders, and her stomach filled with acid.
The one thing that had helped her keep going throughout the healing process was the conviction she’d never fall for a rich guy again. Besides, at thirty-two and with her unfortunate track record with men, she was pretty sure she was destined to be single for the rest of her life. The thought didn’t bother her as much as it used to. Why should it? She had the freedom to come and go as she pleased, nobody was around to tell her what she could or couldn’t do, and evenings after a hard day of work at the New Life Assisted-Living Community were blissfully quiet.
Noelle stopped walking and gazed out over the water. Waves rolled toward her in a steady pattern, greeting the shore with a kiss and pulling away like a shy child. Above her, seagulls wheeled in circles, their cries shrill in the stillness of the early morning. She watched as a group of sandpipers darted toward the water’s edge, dipped their beaks into the sand for whatever little morsel they could catch, and continued on their way, leaving tiny footprints behind.
A flash of black caught her attention. She turned to see a big dog galloping toward her, yellow tennis ball in his mouth. She braced herself to greet him and then chuckled as the dog circled and ran right by her toward a small figure farther down the beach.
She walked on, watching with interest as the dog ran into the water and came out again carrying the wet ball in his mouth. As she came closer, she saw that the person throwing the ball was a boy whom she guessed was seven or eight.
The boy smiled at her as she approached.
“Your dog is a very good catcher,” Noelle said. “What’s his name?”
“Duke,” the boy said. The dog, hearing his name, came and sat by him.
“And what’s your name?” Noelle asked, thinking the boy with dark red hair, bright green eyes, and freckles was one of the cutest kids she’d ever seen.
“Silas. Silas Bellingham.” He studied her. “Who are you? And why aren’t you working?”
She grinned. “I’m Noelle North, and I’m not working because I’m on vacation for the next month or so.” She glanced around. “Are you here by the water on your own?”
“Naw. My great-grandmother’s over there. See?” He pointed to a woman sitting in a wheelchair on the porch of a sizeable house overlooking the beach.
Noelle smiled and lifted a hand in greeting, but the woman didn’t wave back.
“See you later,” the boy said, and ran toward his great-grandmother.
Noelle watched him go, thinking of all her friends’ children back home. Of the women who had stuck together through everything since college, she was the only one who was unmarried and without children. She’d always wanted a large family, but that didn’t seem possible now. With no prospects of a husband in sight, she would be lucky to have even one baby.
Trying to fight off depression, Noelle resumed walking. It was bad enough to have been dumped at the altar on Christmas, but that day was also her birthday. With a name like Noelle, she’d always felt the holiday season was something extra special, almost magical, in her life. Until two years ago, that is. Now, Christmas trees, Christmas decorations, and especially Christmas music were nauseating to her.
She walked on wishing her grandmother were alive. From an early age, she and Gran had had a special relationship. In fact, Gran was the reason why, as a graduate of Boston College’s nursing program, Noelle decided to specialize in caring for the elderly. She now headed the health program at an exclusive, assisted-living community outside of Boston. Over the past several years, some of the more active residents had become dear friends. Without them, she would not be in Florida.
Noelle smiled at the memory of Edith Greenbaum confronting her with three of her closest friends at the New Life Assisted-Living Community. “Now you listen here, young lady,” Edith had said with great earnestness, “it’s time for you to go somewhere, kick up your heels, and have a little fun. I was doing some research on the internet, and I’ve come up with the right place for you.”
Shocked and pleased, Noelle had played along. “And where might that be, boss?”
Edith and the other three women had tittered happily.
“I’ve printed it out for you.” Edith handed her a sheet of information on the Seashell Cottage just south of Clearwater Beach in Florida.
The minute Noelle saw the picture, she knew it was the perfect idea, the perfect place. Sitting on the edge of a broad expanse of white beach, a small, pink cottage beckoned to her.
With its painted clapboards, wide front porch, and two palm trees spreading shade nearby, it was everything she’d imagined in a beach getaway.
“Thank you, Edith,” she’d said with meaning. “I’ll see if it’s at all possible.”
“You know we’re right, Noelle,” Edith replied kindly. “It’s time for you to move on with your life. If you don’t do it for yourself, at least do it for us. We’re stuck here. But you’re not.”
Tears stung Noelle’s eyes as she’d embraced each one. It was the best time of year for her to do as they suggested.
Thinking of those dear women, Noelle’s spirits lifted and she began to run.
###
For the second morning in a row, Noelle awoke and stretched, relieved to be away from home. She’d wanted to come to Florida in time for Thanksgiving, but her mother had put her foot down and insisted she spend Thanksgiving at home with her family. Noelle loved her parents and her three older brothers and their families. But being with them for Thanksgiving had convinced her it was right to come to Florida for the Christmas holidays. Chaos reigned when the whole family was together. Eight nieces and nephews between the ages of one and fourteen were enough to rattle anyone. Even her mother, Jen, went to bed as soon as she could after everyone else had gone, leaving Noelle to do the final cleanup at the end of the evening.
Noelle put on her fuzzy pink robe, padded into the kitchen, and turned on the coffee maker. Through the kitchen window she saw the clouds the weatherman had predicted were marring the blue sky and sometimes hiding the sun. Still, with ice and snow back home, the day seemed full of promise.
She took her cup of coffee out to the front porch and gazed out at the water. A sense of peace washed over her. Edith had told her life was full of challenges, forcing people to grow and change. Thinking of the past two years, she realized she’d been stuck in a pattern of self-doubt and hurt. No man, she vowed, would ever put her through such a humiliating time again. Edith was right. It was time for a change.
With fresh resolve to enjoy each day free from the past, she went inside, changed into shorts and a T-shirt, and headed out to the beach. Though the air was cool, the sun peeked from behind the clouds and felt warm on her face as she headed down the sand at a brisk pace.
Along the shore, snowy egrets were dipping their beaks into the shallow water, retrieving small, silvery fish. Noelle loved their long legs and the dark beaks that accented their white feathers. How long has it been, she wondered, since she’d taken the time to stop and study the beauty around her.
A number of people, children included, were searching the sand at the water’s edge for seashells. Some of the more experienced searchers held net bags that sagged with the weight of their treasures. She understood how hooked some people could be on searching fo
r the best and the most unusual shells they could find. Each shell was truly a gift from the sea.
As she got closer to the part of the beach where she’d met Silas, she slowed. But neither Silas nor the dog named Duke were in sight. Sorry to have missed them, she walked on.
When she reached the long, wooden pier that reached out into the water like a finger testing for coldness, she sat down on one of the benches at the end of it. For a while, she watched fishermen patiently waiting for a strike. She especially liked to watch the young boys and girls fishing. The hope on their faces was priceless.
Yawning softly, Noelle headed back to the cottage. The sea air, sun, and freedom from home were working their magic on her body, relaxing muscles that had been tight too long.
In the distance, she could see Silas and his dog playing on the sand. Picking up her speed, she headed toward them.
Duke bounded toward her. His black paws pounded the sand in steady, eager beats. Wagging his tail, he stopped in front of her, tongue hanging out. Laughing, she patted him on the head. “Hello, Duke.”
She looked up to see Silas running toward her, waving.
Her heart filled at the sight of him. She’d hoped to have a little boy just like him one day.
“Hi,” said Silas, beaming at her. “You’re early today.”
“Yes, it was such a beautiful morning I decided not to stay in bed. How are you?”
He looked down, kicked at the sand, and looked up at her with a sour expression. “Mrs. Wicked is back.”
“Mrs. Wicked?”
He nodded. “She’s my Nana’s nurse. I don’t like her. She’s mean. She was on her break. And now the good nurse is gone and Mrs. Wicked is back.”
“I see. Well, nursing can be difficult,” Noelle ventured to say, unsure what the real problem was in the house.
Silas took hold of her hand. “C’mon! I’ve got to hurry back. I’m supposed to stay right in front of Nana’s house. If I don’t, Mrs. Wicked will be mad.”