A Christmas Star

by Judith Keim

  “Not many times. I always tried to be quiet around her,” he stated in a matter-of-fact way that caused Noelle’s heart to skip a beat.

  “Did you ever tell your father about any of this?”

  Silas shook his head back and forth. “No! I promised her I wouldn’t tell anybody so she wouldn’t hurt Nana.”

  Noelle caught her lip, determined not to spill out the anger that was building inside her. She forced herself to say calmly, “Thank you for telling me.”

  She was about to say more, when a deep voice came from behind her. “So, this is the busybody nurse Jake was talking about.”

  Noelle jumped to her feet and whirled around. A tall, well-built man with auburn hair faced her. His green eyes raked over her with a sign of interest. Noelle guessed he was in his late thirties, and as handsome a guy as her ex-fiancé.

  “Uncle Brett!” cried Silas. He leaped up into his uncle’s wide-spread arms. “Noelle saved us from Mrs. Wicked.”

  Brett’s expression grew serious. His eyes sought hers. “Jake called me and I came as quickly as I could. Is it true? Mrs. Wickstrom wasn’t doing a good job with Nana?”

  “Not only was she not doing a good job, she was abusing your grandmother. It was all cleverly done, hitting or pinching her where others wouldn’t see the bruising, hiding medicine in her purse to keep your grandmother sedated and quiet.”

  The color left Brett’s face. He set Silas down on the porch and faced her. “My God! Why didn’t we hear about this before now? We’ve been busy keeping the hotels going, but both Jake and I would’ve put a stop to it. In fact, if what you’re saying is true, I’m reporting her to the police.” He studied her. “What is your name again? And how did you get involved with this?”

  Noelle couldn’t help the flush of color that crept to her cheeks. Blushing had been a betrayer of her emotions all her life. She cleared her throat and stood her ground. “I’m Noelle North, here on vacation. Silas and I have become friends, and that’s how I met your grandmother. I’m a registered nurse specializing in the care of the elderly. Back home in New England I run the health program for the New Life Assisted-Living Community outside of Boston. Your brother may think I’ve intruded, but hopefully you’ll understand that once I saw what was taking place, I had to act.”

  Brett gave her a thoughtful look. He turned to Silas. “Hey, buddy! How about going inside and checking on Nana. I think I hear her voice.”

  “Okay, but I’m coming right back,” said Silas, gazing at his uncle with adoration.

  Brett waited until Silas had gone inside and then spoke quietly. “Don’t mind Jake. He and I both have a lot on our plates. Our parents’ small plane went down somewhere in the Rockies a month ago, and it still hasn’t been found.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. That’s awful!”

  Brett nodded grimly. “It’s put the whole family into a tailspin. My mother is the one who looked after Nana and made sure she was well taken care of.” He glanced toward the door. “We don’t talk about it much in front of Silas because the death of his mother a couple of years ago was so difficult for him. And for Jake, too.”

  “That’s so sad,” said Noelle. “I’m truly sorry for all your family is going through. Is Althea aware of this? She talked quite a bit about her husband, Jacob, but never mentioned anyone else.”

  “I don’t know how much Nana really knows about all that’s happened. I’m sure you realize she’s suffering from Alzheimer’s and has good days and bad. We’re trying to keep her from worrying. With leaves off the trees now, we’re hoping to find my parents’ plane. My father has always been active outdoors, but even so, it doesn’t look hopeful for them.”

  Noelle let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Like Brett said, things were a mess.

  Silas came running onto the porch. “Nana’s sleeping. Can I stay with you now, Uncle Brett?”

  He ruffled Silas’ red locks, so like his own. “Okay, buddy.”

  Silas tugged on Brett’s hand. “Can Noelle stay and be Nana’s nurse? She’s the best ever!”

  “I don’t know. That’s up to your father. But maybe she’ll stay until we get someone new, someone permanent.”

  Silas’ lower lip came out in a pout but he didn’t say anything.

  Noelle’s heart clenched with sympathy. “We can always be friends, Silas, whether I stay here or not.”

  The satisfaction that brightened his face brought a smile to her. She looked up to see Brett studying her.

  “I’ll spend the night here, but I have to go back to Miami tomorrow,” he said. “Will you stay with Nana and Silas tomorrow and until the weekend when Jake will be here?”

  “I’m not registered for nursing care in Florida, so I can’t act as Nana’s nurse,” she told him. “But I’ll act as her caretaker until Jake gets here. I’m here only on vacation, so it can’t be a long-term thing. And by the way, I took Betty’s house keys from her, but you might want to change the locks or security codes on anything else. I wouldn’t trust her to stay away.”

  Looking grim, Brett nodded. “Thanks for everything. Wait until Jake hears more details about what’s been going on. He’s going to be furious.” He gave her a sly look. “Especially when he finds out you’ve thrown him out of his favorite room here.”

  “Do you mean Nana’s new room?”

  “Uh-huh.” Brett’s smile was more a smirk that sent worry through her. Noelle remembered her brief conversation with Jake Bellingham and knew how difficult he could be.

  CHAPTER THREE

  After Noelle showed Brett where Althea’s medicines were kept, she hugged Silas goodbye and patted Duke on the head. Her thoughts were whirling as she left Althea’s house and headed to Seashell Cottage.

  Nearing the cottage she’d come to love in her short time so far in Florida, Noelle sprinted to it. Small but well-laid out, Seashell Cottage was charming on the outside and newly renovated on the inside, making it a perfect place for a beach vacation.

  Noelle climbed the stairs onto the porch, past the hammock chair hanging from a beam in the ceiling over the porch, and unlocked the front door. Stepping inside, she breathed a sigh of relief. What had started out as a peaceful day had turned into an exhausting, emotional one. Even now, she couldn’t believe how angry she’d been or how quickly she’d taken control of things without thinking of repercussions. Brett had called her a busybody. The thought of facing Jake gnawed at her insides.

  The sun was going down and the air was chilly, but she didn’t mind. Sweater weather was fine with her. She changed into warmer clothes and went into the kitchen, where she poured herself a glass of red wine.

  Gazing around the interior of the cottage, she thought of how homey it was. It was larger than the word “cottage” implied. Three bedrooms with private baths, a small office, a combined living and dining area, and the kitchen made up the interior. Outside, a screened-in splash pool and patio sat on the south side, and in front, the porch overlooked the beach and Gulf. She thought it was perfect.

  Carrying her wine, she went out to the porch and sat down in the swing. The movement of the waves against the wide beach in front of her and the silky taste of the wine slipping down her throat were soothing. She thought about Silas. She’d liked him from their first meeting. But knowing how he bravely did his best to protect his great-grandmother, she understood how very special he was. She couldn’t help wondering what his father was like.

  She thought about the things she might need at Althea’s house and realized until Jake arrived, she’d be there day and night. With her agreement, Brett had cancelled the night help so it would be less confusing for Althea and would feel safer to Silas.

  Her cell phone rang. Checking the number, Noelle hesitated. Her mother. Aware it would be better to get the call over with, she picked up the call. “Hi, Mom!”

  “Hi, darling! How are you doing down there? I must say you picked a great time to head south. The weather is quite miserable here. In fact, if you want
company I was thinking I could come down there for a couple of days.”

  Noelle’s heart pounded with dismay. “Thanks anyway. Another time, another place, we can do something together. But I really need this time for myself.” Noelle’s tongue slipped a little on the lie, but she knew if her mother was aware of what she’d done and had promised to do, she’d be upset. In her mother’s world, one would not barge into another’s home, order people out, and rearrange their furniture. And on vacation, one would not go to work for someone else, for free or otherwise.

  Thankfully, her mother took her at her word. “I understand, darling, I really do. But I miss you so much. Christmas isn’t going to be the same without you. You’re my Christmas angel.”

  “Yes, but maybe it’s time for that angel to put away her wings. You know I hate the holidays now.”

  Her mother let out a long sigh. “From the time you were little, with your blond curls and rosy cheeks, you looked like a cherub. After having three boys, I was thrilled you arrived—my darling little girl, my special Christmas gift.”

  Noelle told herself not to roll her eyes. This story came up every Christmas. But this year, with all the bad memories, it was too much. She was done with that bit of family history and the holidays. Period.

  “Well, I’ll go unpack my bags,” said her mother.

  “Mo-o-o-m!”

  “Just kidding,” said her mother. “I thought you might want to keep your privacy. Don’t worry. I’ll find some way for us to do something fun together after the holidays.”

  “Love you, Mom,” Noelle said with feeling. Not every young woman had a mother as warm and wonderful as hers.

  “Love you too, honey. Keep in touch.”

  Noelle clicked off the call and stared out at the water, black now except for the white foam on the edges of the waves striking the sand.

  Sighing, she rose and went inside. Tomorrow and for the next two days, she was going to be very busy.

  ###

  Noelle packed her suitcase and placed it and a canvas catchall bag into her rental car. Gazing at the cottage she’d already grown to love, she reluctantly pulled out of the driveway and headed down the beach to Althea’s house. Her vacation was turning into no vacation at all, but it was a situation of her own making and one she didn’t regret. Brett had called her early that morning to make sure she was coming.

  As she drove into the driveway of Althea’s house, Brett was waiting for her outside the house with Silas and Duke. Seeing her, Silas jumped up and down, looking like a kid waiting for a birthday party. Noelle wondered if she’d made a mistake to make such a large commitment to people she barely knew. Then her sense of empathy took over, and she shook off the thought. These were people who needed her.

  “Hi, glad you’re here,” said Brett, rushing over to her to handle her luggage. “I wasn’t comfortable trying to get Nana dressed, and now she’s upset.”

  “I’ll get her dressed and settled for the day. How about you, Silas? Ready for another nice beach day?”

  “Yes! I want you to come swimming with me.”

  Uncertain how to answer, Noelle glanced at Brett. “Unless I have some relief I won’t be able to leave the house.”

  “Yeah, after you left last night, I thought of that too. Jake has agreed to have me stay until he can get here this weekend and hire new help.”

  “Okay. That’s great. It’ll be good for Silas to get out of the house. Right, Silas?”

  Silas nodded happily.

  Brett ruffled the hair on Silas’s head. “I’ve already promised to take him fishing tomorrow. Today, we’ll get all the equipment. What we have here is pretty old stuff.”

  Silas beamed at them. “I’m going to catch a lot of fish.”

  Brett and Noelle laughed together.

  “I’d better go inside and check on Althea,” she said.

  Silas took hold of her hand. “I’ll help you. She likes me.”

  Touched by the sweet offer, Noelle allowed him to lead her inside. Duke followed at their heels, with Brett behind carrying her two bags.

  “I’m putting you in the master bedroom upstairs,” said Brett. “It’s more private than the other rooms.”

  Noelle’s eyebrows lifted. “Thanks. That’s nice of you.”

  When Noelle walked into Althea’s room, her eyes lit with pleasure. “Hello, Claire.”

  Silas frowned. “Claire was my mother. She’s not here anymore, Nana.”

  A cloud of confusion dimmed Althea’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I thought you were her.”

  “Noelle doesn’t look anything like my mother,” Silas said firmly. “She’s not like her at all.”

  Noelle remained quiet. Perhaps, she thought, no one will ever measure up to his mother. According to some of her friends, a son’s love was precious. His mother was a lucky woman to have brought up a son like Silas.

  For the next hour and twenty minutes, Noelle helped Althea with a shower, gently rubbed skin cream on her dry skin, put a fresh change of clothes on her, and combed her hair. Still horrified by the bruises on Althea’s body, Noelle made sure her touches were gentle.

  “Thank you, Claire,” Althea said with much dignity when they were through with the morning routine.

  “Glad to help,” said Noelle, unwilling to correct Althea. If, for the moment, she was Claire, it was fine with Noelle.

  With Althea prepared for the day, Noelle rolled her wheelchair out to the porch so she could sit in a warm spot and watch the water.

  “Wow! Nana looks nice,” said Brett. “You sure know your stuff.”

  Noelle shrugged. “As anyone ages, she should be treated with respect and dignity. And, yes, cleanliness.”

  Silas joined them. “Nana thinks Noelle is my mother, but she’s not.”

  Brett reached out a hand and patted Silas on the back. “No, she isn’t. Noelle’s a very nice person who, I bet, would like a cup of coffee and a chance to sit down.”

  Noelle smiled. “Sounds great.”

  The three of them went into the kitchen. Noelle helped herself to a cup of coffee and took a seat at the kitchen table.

  “I found cereal for breakfast and not much else,” said Brett. “Guess someone better go to the store. How are you at grocery shopping?”

  “Okay,” she said, and clucked her tongue. “It’s pretty basic. Have you started a list?”

  “No. I thought I’d leave that up to you too.”

  “Okay, no problem. But I’m curious. You do know how to feed yourself don’t you? I mean, buy food, cook it, eat it, clean up afterwards and all?”

  He gave her a sheepish grin. “I have a housekeeper who does all that stuff. Growing up, my mother didn’t have time to cook. We ate a lot of meals at the hotel.”

  “Which hotel? You have one in New York and Miami. How many others?”

  “We have just one additional hotel. In London. It’s fairly new. Jake and I agreed to stop going forward with the one we were going to build in Paris.” His face flushed with emotion. “It was a dream of Dad’s, but Jake didn’t think we should go ahead with it after all that’s happened.”

  Noelle nodded and remained quiet. She’d never met a family quite like theirs.

  “Back to grocery shopping,” said Brett. “What kind of food do you like?”

  “Most anything,” she said honestly. “Everyone in my family loves to cook except me. But I love to eat.”

  His gaze swept over her. “Doesn’t look like it.”

  She swallowed hard and fought the sensual feelings he’d aroused in her. Warning herself to snap out of it, she said, “Let’s just say I enjoy a little bit of delicious food.”

  He smiled and winked at her. “Me too. Let’s get that list going.”

  They went through cupboards and the refrigerator together, adding anything they could think of. When they were through, Brett handed her a credit card. “Better use this.”

  Noelle was about to accept the card when Silas came running into the kitchen. “Nana says she need
s you, Noelle. I think she’s hungry.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right there. Guess you’re going grocery shopping, Brett.”

  The look of surprise on his face was telling. She realized he wasn’t used to being given orders and hid a smile. “Unless you’d rather help Nana yourself.”

  “No, no! I’ll go to the store.” He turned to Silas. “Want to come with me, buddy?”

  “Yes. I’ll help you. Dad says you were spoiled as a kid, and you don’t know how to do a lot of things.”

  This time, Noelle couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Kids and the truth, huh?”

  He shrugged and grinned. “Can I help it if I was the favorite, spoiled child?”

  “No, I am,” Silas announced, tapping his chest. “Dad told me I was his favorite person in the whole wide world.”

  Noelle and Brett exchanged glances.

  “Guess you beat everyone else for the title,” said Noelle. She didn’t dare mention that all three of her brothers accused her of being spoiled. “Now, why don’t you two favorite children get going so I can work with Nana.”

  Brett took a deep breath and let it out. “Jake was right. You sure are bossy.”

  “I’ve got three older brothers. I learned early on how best to deal with them,” said Noelle, trying not to be stung by his comment.

  Brett’s eyes twinkled with humor. “See you later, boss lady.”

  Noelle grinned and shook her head. If Jake was the gruff older brother, Brett was the happy-go-lucky younger one.

  Silas surprised her by wrapping his arms around her. “See you later, Noelle.”

  She gave him a quick hug. “Later, alligator.”

  As soon as they started for the door, Noelle hurried to Nana.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  When Althea saw Noelle, she smiled. “You were here yesterday. You helped me, not that awful woman.”

  Noelle took a seat next to Althea’s wheelchair and held her hand. “My name is Noelle. Mrs. Wickstrom isn’t coming back. I’m here to help you for a few days.”

  Althea acknowledged that news with a bob of her head. “I’m hungry. Do you have any cookies like my mother used to make for me?”