One Silent Night (Romeo Family Romance #9) - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,38

Noelle before winking.

Noelle and Holden were seated together. Aiden was on the other side of Noelle. As the adults lay back, Aiden scrambled over Noelle to get in between them. The gesture tugged at Noelle’s heartstrings. Aiden was craving the connection of having both a mother and a father.

“Look up,” Holden instructed.

Aiden giggled. “Snowflakes are falling in my mouth.” He spit them out with a sputtering cough.

“What do you see?” Holden prompted.

“Snowflakes!” Aiden said loudly, giggling.

“They’re like swarming bees or meteors,” Noelle observed, letting her mind get lost in the swirling activity.

“It’s like we’re living in our own snow globe,” Holden said.

A reminiscent smile touched Noelle’s lips. She knew where Holden was going with this.

“Aiden,” he continued, “did you know that your mom loves snow globes? She used to collect them.”

A chuckle rose in her throat. “What Holden meant to say is that he loves snow globes, so he used to buy them for me to collect. He didn’t want to lose face with his buddies on the football team.” Holden’s easy laughter sank deep into Noelle’s heart causing her to smile.

“Yep, that’s what I meant to say.”

“What’s a snow globe?” Aiden asked.

Holden’s voice shot up in disbelief. “What?” He sat up and looked at Noelle. “You’ve never given Aiden a snow globe?”

“I don’t guess I have.” She also sat up, as did Aiden. Noelle brushed the snow and leaves from Aiden’s coat and hood before doing the same on herself.

Holden shook his head. “I’m dumbfounded. Little man, you haven’t lived until you’ve gotten a snow globe. We’ll have to fix that.”

“What is it?”

“A magical globe that you can shake and have snow anytime you want.” Holden held up his hands, snowflakes landing on his black leather gloves.

“Cool,” Aiden said.

Noelle suppressed a shiver. “It is cool out here … frigid, actually.” The cold from the ground was seeping into her bones.

“We’d better go back inside,” Holden said.

“I don’t wanna go back inside,” Aiden countered, his lower lip forming a pout. “I wanna stay out here and look at the snow.” He laid back down, peering up into the air, his little face set in rigid determination.

Noelle let out a breath. “Time to go in, Aiden,” she said in a crisp authoritative tone, hoping Aiden wouldn’t cause a scene in front of Holden.

“Hey,” Holden said as if he’d suddenly had an idea.

“What?” Curiosity sounded in Aiden’s voice.

“Let’s go get some hot chocolate.” Holden jumped up. “Last one inside is a rotten egg,” he taunted.

Aiden got up, his little legs scrambling after Holden as fast as he could go. “You’re the rotten egg,” Aiden jeered as Noelle stepped through the door behind Aiden.

“Yep, that’s me, as rotten as they come.” She gave Holden an appreciative smile. He knew exactly how to navigate Aiden. Maybe Noelle should take a few lessons. “Take your boots off,” she admonished Aiden. “We don’t want to track snow onto Birdie’s floor.”

Aiden threw off his hat, gloves, boots and coat, leaving them in a heap beside the door as he bounded into the kitchen.

“Thank you,” Noelle smiled at Holden. “He’s a bundle of energy.” She removed her coat, gloves, and shoes before picking up Aiden’s things and placing them on the bench beside the front door.

Holden removed his coat, gloves, and shoes. Noelle grinned at his superman socks. “Nice socks,” she said with a hint of sarcasm. “Aiden would love those. They look like they’d be more appropriate for his age.” Holden had always been a big kid at heart. It was impressive how he still enjoyed doing simple things, like looking up into the sky at the snowflakes.

He didn’t skip a beat. “Nice shoes,” Holden remarked. “I’ve never seen Converse tennis shoes with heels before.” His head swung back and forth. “Only you,” he said admiringly.

A warm connection glowed between them as a smile tugged at her lips. “I couldn’t let you have all the fun. I had to get in on the deal.” She’d purchased the shoes on a whim last year. They were actually very comfortable.

“You moved pretty fast out there with those heels.”

She laughed. “What can I say? I’ve got skills.”

“I’ll second that,” he murmured.

Her cells did a wild spin when he stepped close to her. She wondered for one crazy second if he’d kiss her, but he lowered his voice instead, the edges of his eyes tightening in concern. “What was that about outside? You were glancing around like you were worried.”

It had been so nice to enjoy the snow and forget about