Sweet Christmas Kisses (155 page)

A muffled sound reached Noelle’s ears. A deep, male rumble. Even through static and the mile between them, she recognized his voice.

“He says the bandage itches like a mother—“ Whatever he’d said about the bindings was cut off, and then Noelle heard her sister’s muffled response. “Your mother would be shocked to hear you speak like that, Michael Campbell. Now smile and wave to the kiddies.”

Another dark rumble, followed by a chuckle. Noelle’s entire being clenched.

“Remember Mission Number Two,” she muttered.

“What?” Holly said.

“Nothing,” Noelle shook her head, trying to dislodge the errant response. “Everything is going well on this end, too.”

“Okay. St. Nick should reach you in about a ten minutes,” Holly said. “I’m hitching a ride with the driver of the float.”

Threading her way through the crowd, she headed back toward the Christmas Village and the end of the parade route. Deputy Gordy Howe stood guard at the entrance, where he would ensure Santa’s sleigh made it
in
while keeping the spectators
out
. Since Deputy Howe could have doubled for Paul Bunyan, she didn’t think anyone would try to get past him.

“The eagle has taken flight,” Noelle informed him. “Get ready to open the gate.”

“Can’t wait to see Mike Campbell in the suit,” Gordy said, a grin on his face. “How’d you ever talk him into playing Santa anyway?”

Noelle batted her eyelashes at him. “I have my ways.”

“I bet,” Gordy said, shoulders shaking with laughter.

Pretty soon, music reached Noelle’s ears. The marching band appeared, and then Santa’s float turned the corner onto Main Street. Cheers went up, and the children lining the parade route jumped up and down. From atop the sleigh, Kris Kringle tossed candy. Even above the cacophony of trumpets and crashing cymbals, Noelle could make out several hearty ho-ho-hos.

Santa’s conveyance passed her, and Michael caught her eye. She gave a little salute, and he winked.

“Open the gate!” Noelle shouted at Gordy over the throng.

Open gate. Insert sleigh. Close gate.

Done! With no one maimed or trampled. No traffic jams. No serious problems.

Holly hopped out of the truck that had been pulling the float and ran over. “We did it!” she said, whooping with joy as she wrapped her arms around Noelle.

Silly tears stung Noelle’s eyes as she hugged her sister back. “I know,” she said, her voice catching.

With a murmur of surprise, Holly pulled back. “Are you crying? What’s wrong? Did something happen I don’t know about?”

“No.” Noelle scrubbed her eyes, embarrassment flooding through her. “It’s just been a crazy week, you know?”

“Yeah, I know.” Big sister Holly brushed a finger along Noelle’s cheek. “You’ve been amazing, kid. Mom and Dad would be so proud.”

“Everything all right, ladies?”

Why did Michael’s voice make her shudder?

Because the voice belongs to rock-hard abs
, Adult Noelle answered.

Before she could say anything, Holly put herself directly in his path. Noelle wondered if the maneuver had been deliberate. From the set of her sister’s shoulders, she rather thought it had.

“We’re just having a sister-bonding moment,” Holly said.

If Michael noticed a human barricade had been erected, he didn’t let on. “Okay,” he said, eyeing them like he was seeking some deeper meaning. “Can I change out of the suit now?”

“Sure,” Noelle said. “Use Santa’s Workshop. Bring the suit back here, and I’ll take it to the cleaners before tonight.”

“You’re not going to help this time?” Michael asked, waggling his eyebrows.

“You’re a grown man. I think you can handle getting undressed.” Holly jumped in to answer. “Your clothes are in the truck.”

Noelle wished her sister wouldn’t use the word
undressed
in association with Michael.

Once he’d ambled off to change, Noelle confronted her sister. “You don’t have to stand guard over me. I’m not going to jump him at the first opportunity.”

“Why don’t I believe that?”

“Because you’re crazy? Because you’re seeing things? Because you’re way too interested in my supposed love life? Take your pick.”

Sleek blond hair shimmered as Holly shook her head. “Or… maybe it’s because he looks at you the same way.”

“He does?” Noelle asked before she could stop herself. She held back a wince. No way would her sister let such a slip-up go.

“I knew it,” Holly said, triumph reflected in her eyes. “You do like Michael.”

“Do we have to argue again? Of course I like him. He’s my friend, and he’s doing me a huge favor, in case you’ve forgotten. Huge favors like putting on a fat suit and yelling ho-ho-ho for two miles. He deserves a medal as far as I’m concerned.”

“Do you want to kiss all your friends? I know what I saw when I walked into that shed.”

“Stop it. You’re not my mother,” Noelle said, her voice rising along with her temper. “And if I want to kiss him it’s
my
business. Not that I do. Because I
don’t
. The idea is absurd. He’s Doug’s brother. I wouldn’t want Michael Campbell if he were the last man on earth.”

Holly’s gaze suddenly shifted to the right, and her mouth fell open. “Uh… hi, Michael.”

Every atom in Noelle’s being froze. Her head dropped back, and she let out a gust of air. Rotating on her toes, she turned.

Except for a slight tension in his jaw, Michael didn’t betray any reaction. He simply held out the suit to her. The pillow and bandage were returned to Holly.

“Thank you,” Noelle said, taking the clothes and hugging them to her chest.

“I’m heading over to Good Sport now,” he said. “I should check in before the chaos starts again.”

“Michael—”

“You know where to find me if you need anything,” he said, already moving past her. “I’ll be back tonight.”

Noelle watched him go, her heart aching. What had she done? What did he think?

“I’m sorry,” Holly said.

“Can we not talk about this anymore? We need to finish setting up. I’ll take this to the cleaners. Be back in a few.”

She walked away before Holly could say anything else. The Santa suit now carried Michael’s unique scent. Obeying a crazy impulse, she lowered her face to the red velvet and breathed in. The empty, gnawing sensation returned in her chest. Overwhelming feelings of regret and shame.

Although perhaps it was best to nip any relationship in the bud. Too much had gone on between their families.

Yes, it was for the best. She’d almost forgotten her vow to remain unaffected. Nothing good could come from giving in to impulse.

****

“I’ve got live animals here.”

Noelle and Addison lifted their heads from where they’d been spreading snow around the perimeter of Santa’s house. Well, white bunting material in the place of snow anyway. The man in front of her was over six feet and might have weighed ninety pounds soaking wet. He put her in mind of a certain cartoon sailor man’s girlfriend.

“Sorry?” she said.

“I’m Larry from Arindale Farms,” the man said. “You placed an order for sheep and a donkey. I’ve got ‘em in the trailer.”

“Oh… right! Yes, thank you.” Both she and Addison followed Larry to the street.

A well-used truck with a trailer attached was parked in front of the jailhouse. Noelle peeked inside. A head with a giant nose and huge ears appeared in front of her face, and she jerked back in surprise. From the interior came an ear-splitting honk.

“Eee-aww!”

“That would be Fred,” Larry said. “Around the farm we call him Houdini.”

Addison peered into the trailer. “Why?”

“He doesn’t much like being penned up, so you’d best watch him.”

“Great,” Noelle muttered. “Thanks for the warning.”

“Don’t worry. If he does manage to escape, Fred here is a big fan of popcorn,” George said.

Addison laughed. “Popcorn?”

George shrugged. “Not sure what it is, but even the smell stops him in his tracks.”

“Good to know,” Addison said on a laugh.

Larry unhooked the lock and lowered the door. Using one hand, he vaulted up into the trailer. A ramp appeared, and then Larry emerged with a large, gray donkey.

The infamous Fred.

Addison tilted her head, checking the beast out. “He’s pretty cute.”

Freddy-boy shook his head and let out another enormous
“Eee-aww!”

”And loud,” Noelle said.

“Hold this,” Larry said, shoving a leash into her hand before disappearing into the bowels of the trailer again.

Noelle glanced down at the donkey. He was bigger than she’d imagined, and his ears were like mini-satellite-dishes. “Hi there, buddy.”

Fred promptly stepped on her foot.

“Ow!”

“Are you okay?” Addison frowned and pointed at Fred. “Bad donkey!”

Fred rotated his head and bared his teeth, giving a donkey laugh.

“I think he did that on purpose,” Noelle said in wonder.

“He’s just playing around,” Larry announced as he appeared, this time leading two sheep.

“Baaa!”

“Please tell me they aren’t escape artists, too?” Noelle said, wondering if having live animals among the exhibits would be more than anyone could handle.

“As long as these babies have food, they won’t go anywhere,” Larry said.

One more thing to worry about. “Speaking of food…”

“Like George told you, we have someone scheduled to come out here with supplies every week, but you’re in charge of daily feedings. You’ll also have to lead them to the displays and then bring them back to the trailer at night,” Larry said.

Noelle and Larry settled the three beasts in the display. Larry added plenty of food and then took off for the safety of Arindale Farms. Leaving Noelle alone with Donkey Houdini and his wool-covered cohorts.

“All right, guys, rest up,” she told them. “You’ll be on in a few hours.”

Noelle’s walkie-talkie squawked, and her sister’s voice came over the airwaves. “North Pole to Noelle. Come in, Noelle.”

Fred had commenced chewing the fence. “I’m here,” Noelle said, eyeing the donkey with mistrust. Hopefully, he wouldn’t eat right through the wood.

“We’ve got hay arriving by the entry gate,” Holly said.

“Okay. We’ll be right there. We’ll need volunteers to transport the hay to the nativity.”

“Your guardian angel is already taking care of that.”

Her pulse kicked into overdrive. “Michael is back?” A part of her had feared she’d driven him away with her tirade.

“He hasn’t spoken to me directly, but yes, he’s here.”

Addison didn’t even try to act like she wasn’t listening. Noelle ignored the dying-to-know stare and instead headed toward the front gate. Addison followed but thankfully didn’t ask questions.

Noelle hurried toward her sister. The hay truck was parked by the entry, and already a group of people was waiting to unload. Michael had climbed up into the bed of the truck. He paused when Noelle appeared, gave a slight nod, and then went right back to his job.

Earlier in the day, he might have sent her a welcoming smile. Noelle feared the tentative connection they’d shared had been severed. She tried to tell herself they were better off staying in neutral territory. Unfortunately, her emotions didn’t believe it.

With seemingly little effort, he heaved a bale over the side, into the waiting arms of Deputy Howe. Gordy loaded it onto a handcart, which was manned by Ethan Thomas and his brothers, Jake and Matt. Nate Cooper and Seth stood by, waiting to fill a second cart.

Addison watched the proceedings with avid interest. “It’s an assembly line of gorgeous men,” she said. “Maybe we should have
them
be the main attractions of the displays.”

“I’d rather deal with those guys than smelly ole’ Fred.” Her mashed foot might never be the same again.

“Who?” Holly asked as she approached.

“Item number seventy-eight on our list,” Noelle answered. “Live animals for the nativity. They’re locked up in the display, though I’m not sure Fred is too happy about his incarceration.”

“It’s a donkey. What does he care about his surrounding as long as he gets regular meals?“ Holly said with a low chuckle. “At least we can check off one more thing. Have you heard from our Santa?”

“He should be here in about half an hour.”

“Are you Noelle Robinson?” The voice had come from behind her. She turned to see a young man and woman who barely looked old enough to vote. Both were slim and topped out at just over five feet tall.

“Yes?”

“I’m Mindy, and this is Simon. We’re from Character Central,” the girl announced, an impish grin spreading across her face. “We’re your elves.”

“Oh!” Shoot. In all her worry over a missing Santa she’d forgotten about the elves. “Thanks for coming. I have your costumes in my car. I’ll go get them, and you can—”

“You need to sign the contract,” the young man said. Simon didn’t bother with niceties but thrust a paper under her nose. “We were promised accommodations and meals. We work five-thirty to ten-thirty, with two half-hour breaks. No exceptions. We also don’t work in rain or snow.”

“Noelle… you want to direct the hay disbursement?” Ethan Thomas called as he wheeled the first load toward her.

“Be right there.” Noelle grabbed the contract and signed on the dotted line.

“Maybe you should read that,” Holly murmured.

“They’re elves at a Christmas display. How complicated can the terms be?”

Holly eyed Simon with misgivings. “I don’t trust the little guy.”

“What choice do we have?” Noelle returned. “Can you show our guests to the hotel so they can get ready?”

“Sure thing, sis.”

Holly disappeared with the elves while Noelle saw to hay placement. Which meant being in close proximity with Michael again. Only proximity didn’t seem to be a problem now, since he went out of his way to ignore her.

Three hours later, the sun had set, and the air buzzed with excitement. A low hum could be heard from outside the Christmas Village. The Holy Family waited in the nativity. Or at least Covington Falls’ version of the blessed trio, since Joseph and Mary were actually Micah and Carina Miller, and Baby Jesus was their six-week-old
daughter
, Sierra. Fred and the sheep were in place. The actual Santa had arrived on time and was awaiting throngs of children at his workshop. Same for the two elves. The miniature train that carried kids around the perimeter of the village waited by its station.