Christmas on 4th Street

“I’d like that,” he said.

She returned her attention to him, trying to judge what he was thinking. But his dark blue eyes gave nothing away. He smiled and gave a wave, then turned and started in the direction she’d told him.

Noelle watched him go. When he turned the corner, she hurried toward her store, only to come to a stop when she saw the sign on the door.

Gone skiing. Come back later.

Chapter 2

The town of Fool’s Gold was like something out of a cheesy made-for-TV movie, Gabriel thought as he followed Noelle’s directions. There were plenty of people on the streets and every single one he passed greeted him in some way. Women walked arm in arm, the sidewalks were shoveled and sanded and all the storefronts were decorated with turkeys or leaves or painted with some Thanksgiving tableau. Talk about surreal. He half expected dancing lampposts or singing forest creatures to escort him.

The last time he’d seen his brother, Gideon had been malnourished, bruised and mentally shattered. His brother had been taken prisoner by the Taliban and kept for nearly two years. He’d been in a cell with several other Americans, all of whom had been tortured regularly. Gideon had been the only one to survive.

Gabriel had visited him in the military hospital where he’d recuperated before being discharged. From there Gideon had gone to Bali, where he’d worked on getting himself back to whatever his degree of normal was going to be. Gabriel couldn’t reconcile the soldier his brother had been, or the broken prisoner, with anyone who would live in a town like this. What the hell had happened?

He knew he wouldn’t get an answer until he got the chance to talk to his brother himself. In the meantime, he kept moving until he found the office he was looking for. He ignored the jabbing pain in his hand and how tired he was.

He went inside and walked down the hall to the office marked Fool’s Gold Department of Festivals. He knocked once and entered.

The room itself was large, with a big desk, chairs for visitors and color posters of more fantasy events in the freakish town. But what really caught his attention was the tall redhead who stood when she saw him.

She was beautiful. No, that wasn’t the right word. She was stunning, with green eyes and pale skin. A sweater showed off perfect curves. Her eyes widened as she hurried around the desk.

“Gabriel! You’re here. Noelle just called and told me you had brought her into town. I appreciate you helping my friend. She’s not a very good driver in the snow. I’ve done my best to explain the theory of staying in control on a slick road, but she seems to learn best by doing. I suppose winter driving is a skill more easily mastered through practice.”

She paused and put her hands on his upper arms. “I see so much of your brother in you. There are variations, as well. How interesting. I have no siblings, so all my observations about the subtle differences and similarities within a biological unit have been with friends or people I work with.”

Noelle had warned him Felicia was intelligent. She obviously hadn’t been kidding. Smart and beautiful, he thought as she stared at him. Funny how despite that, the smile that had most affected him today had been Noelle’s.

Her mouth trembled slightly as that smile faded. “I feel compelled to hug you,” she admitted. “Is it too soon?”

“Go for it,” he said, holding open his arms.

Felicia stepped into his embrace. She hung on with more strength than he would have guessed. He hugged her back, thinking Gideon would have his hands full with this one.

She stepped back and motioned toward one of the chairs by her desk. “How was your trip? Are you tired?” She sat back down.

“I’m okay.”

She stared at his hand. “That’s the injury Gideon told me about? I understand there’s no tendon or nerve damage.”

“I was lucky.”

“You were. Based on placement you could have easily severed...” She paused, then sighed. “You would know that better than me.”

“Maybe not.”

She grinned. “I’m sorry. When I get nervous I talk too much.” She bounced back to her feet and crossed to a table by the window. Once there she picked up a box and brought it to him. Inside were rows of crisp, red apples.

“They’re grown locally,” she said. “The last of the season. Delicious.”

He took one, but didn’t bite into it.

She took her seat again. “Carter is very excited to meet you. He and Gideon are in Sacramento, doing some shopping.” She paused. “You know about Carter, right?”

“Gideon’s son. Yes, he told me.”

“Good. He’s so interesting to have around. He does have occasional emotional outbursts, but I’m sure they’re the result of hormones. For the most part, he’s fun and enjoyable. He’s responsible, too. He takes good care of Webster.” She bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry. You’ve never met him and my observations have no value at this point. It’s just...your approval would mean so much.”

He frowned. “My approval about what?” The dog? The kid?

“I’m marrying your brother.”

Her voice was soft, tentative. Gabriel wanted to bolt for the door. She wanted his approval because she was joining the family? Was she kidding? Didn’t she know he hadn’t seen his parents in over a year and barely had any contact with his brother? They’d spoken more arranging his visit than they had in the past decade.

“I’m sure you two will be very happy,” he said, hoping he sounded friendly instead of trapped.

“We will,” she assured him. “Gideon and I are well suited. We have a shared love of the town and Carter, of course. I was in the military, so I have a basic understanding of what he went through while he was abroad. We’re both committed to our relationship and the family unit and there is excellent sexual chemistry.”

She paused, her eyebrows drawing together. “I shouldn’t have mentioned the latter. That’s more of a girlfriend topic.”

Despite the throbbing in his hand, the exhaustion clawing at him, he laughed. “I can handle it,” he told her. “Just don’t give me details. We’re talking about my brother.”

She smiled. “Yes, of course. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” The smile faded as she paused. “Your parents will be arriving soon.”

“I’d heard. It’s going to be one big family Christmas.” He glanced down at his hand. A tiny spot of blood had seeped through the white gauze. No doubt what had caused Noelle to nearly faint. She was a lightweight, he thought humorously. She wouldn’t last thirty seconds of his workday. Not that he would want her to see what he’d been dealing with on a daily basis for the past decade.

“Do you think you could tell me what they’re like?”

It took him a second to realize Felicia meant his parents and not his life as a trauma specialist in the army.

“I’m not sure what you want to know,” he admitted, returning his attention to his future sister-in-law. “My parents were very traditional. Mom took care of business and Dad told us all what to do.”

Felicia frowned. “There’s information in your statement, but I don’t understand it.” She waved her right hand. “While I’m exceptionally well-schooled, my social cues aren’t perfected. I’m mostly concerned that they bond with Carter and that they not tell Gideon he shouldn’t marry me.”

“Grandparents are hardwired to love their grandkids,” he said, impressed with her bluntness. “As for you, what’s not to like?”

“Thank you for the compliment. I could compile a list of my flaws, but I know that’s not what you’re asking.” She drew in a breath. “I’m very nervous. Gideon always speaks of his mother fondly but he has more ambivalence about his father.”

“And he was the good son,” Gabriel said drily.

“You weren’t?”

Gabriel didn’t believe in dwelling on the past and he wasn’t going to start now. “My father was a drill sergeant. Great for the military but hell on the kids.” At least Gideon had always wanted to serve. “Just don’t let him boss Carter around.”

Felicia nodded. “We have a routine that is beneficial to all of us. I’ll be sure to protect that.”

He made the mistake of flexing his injured hand, then had to hold in a curse. “I should let you get back to work. What time do you head home?”

“Five.” She looked at him. “You must be tired. I can drive you up the mountain now, if you’d like.”

“I’ll be fine,” he told her. “I’ll wander around town until you’re ready.”

He gave her his cell number, then stood. “It’s nice to meet you, Felicia. My brother is a lucky man.”

Her expression softened and what could only be described as love filled her eyes. “I’m the lucky one. I’m glad to finally meet you.” Her mouth curved. “Whenever Gideon’s in a bad mood, I remind him that he once shared a womb with you. He finds the image so uncomfortable, he’s usually distracted from whatever is bothering him.”

Gabriel was a doctor and even he didn’t like to think about being in his mother’s belly or sharing the space with his brother. “You’re a twisted woman. Like I said, Gideon chose well.”

She came around the desk and hugged him again. “I’m so happy to have an extended family,” she said. “Even if it is by marriage.”

This time he was more comfortable hugging her back. She wasn’t anyone’s definition of normal, but to his mind, that concept was highly overrated. He had a feeling that she and his brother fit the way a couple was supposed to. He told himself to let his usual cynicism go and simply be happy for them. After all, it was that time of year.

He left her office and started walking through town. While the sky was clear, the temperature was cold enough to make him grateful for his bulky coat. He ignored the steady pain in his hand and occasional stumble. He could make a couple of hours. Once he was back at Gideon’s he would crash for a couple of days and wake up healed. At least that was the plan.

The small downtown was bustling. Even on a weekday afternoon. There were lots of stores, including a coffee place called Brew-haha. He stopped in for a drip to go and got a cupcake while he was at it. He wandered by the park, then saw Noelle’s store across the street. Not sure of his purpose, he crossed at the corner and walked toward the building.

She was in the window, putting a Help Wanted sign in front of the decorated Christmas tree. When she saw him, she smiled and waved, then motioned for him to come in.

The store was big and well-lit. There was more Christmas paraphernalia than any one person could want. Overhead beams simulated an actual attic and two or three train sets ran around the perimeter of the store. The air smelled of apples and cinnamon, and holiday music played in the background. A couple of women browsed what looked like the world’s largest teddy bear display.

“You found Felicia?” Noelle asked.

“I did.” He chuckled. “You were right. She’s smart.”

“And beautiful. It’s an annoying combination, but she’s my friend and I love her. Which I think makes me a superior person.”

Noelle laughed as she spoke. Her blue eyes were bright and happy. Everyone had secrets, he thought, but he would guess hers were the garden variety. No dangerous ghosts, no great loss. This was what home was like. Regular people living their lives. Like nearly every soldier, he’d enjoyed knowing that ordinary life had existed somewhere. The difference was he didn’t know if he could return to it or not.

“What’s with the sign?” he asked. “The college help let you down?”

“You have no idea. When we got back, the store was closed. Both my salespeople had taken off to experience the fresh powder up on the mountain. I’m trying not to hope they fall and break an arm.”

* * *

Noelle studied the tall man in front of her. He’d been pale the last time she’d seen him, but now she would swear there was a gray cast to his skin. The shadows under his eyes seemed darker and his mouth was pulled in what she would guess was pain.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“I’m fine. Jet-lagged. Felicia is going to take me back up the mountain when she gets off at five.”

Noelle winced. That was three hours away. “It’s my fault,” she told him. “I shouldn’t have let you drive me back to town.”

“I wasn’t going to have you drive yourself and crash.”

“I might have made it.”

“Might being the operative word. I’ll be fine.”

“No offense, but you don’t look fine. Are you sure I can’t drive you back?” She held up her hand. “Never mind. I already know what you’re going to say.”

The worst part was, he was right. Until she got some more practice, she shouldn’t be doing any winter driving outside of the plowed streets of town. But she couldn’t leave the poor man swaying from exhaustion.

“Come on,” she said, motioning for him to follow her.

She led the way to the back room, where she kept extra inventory and had a small break area with a table and four chairs.

The table was actually salvaged from an estate sale in town. Noelle loved the deep mahogany finish and the graceful legs, but what had most appealed to her was the writing etched into the top. As if the previous owner had spent long hours writing letters.

Now she pulled a blanket from the pile on one of the chairs and folded it into the shape of a pillow, then pointed to the sofa. “It’s more comfortable than it looks.”