One Silent Night (Romeo Family Romance #9) - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,5

on me.” He threw Noelle a cavalier wink. “For old time’s sake.” He turned to Mac. “I’ll pay for the damaged goods.”

“I can’t let you do that,” Noelle blurted. While she appreciated Holden’s gesture, she didn’t want to be in debt to him. She wanted to start her new life in Franklin fresh, with a clean slate.

“Of course you can,” Holden said smoothly, giving her a challenging look. “I won’t have it any other way. Just smile and say thank you,” he directed.

Startled laughter gurgled in Noelle’s throat as she caught the reference. On one occasion, Noelle’s mother had sat her and Holden down at the kitchen table and taught them the grace of learning how to take a compliment. Noelle could hear her mother almost as if she were speaking. “You don’t protest or deflect the comment with a self-deprecating remark. You simply smile and say thank you.”

“There’ll be no need to pay for the hams, Coach,” Mac said. “You already do so much for the town. This one’s on the store.”

“You sure about that, Mac?” Holden asked.

“Yep.”

A young girl wearing a store apron rushed up to Noelle, holding out a box of Band-Aids. “Thanks,” Noelle said. “I’ll go to the restroom and get cleaned up.” Her eyes rounded. “Shoot. I left my purse in my buggy when I went after Aiden.”

“Which aisle?” the girl asked.

“The cookie aisle.”

The girl nodded. “Aisle eight. I’ll get it for you.” She hurried off.

“Thanks for taking care of Aiden,” Noelle said to the store employee.

At that, Aiden broke his hand free and ran full speed at Noelle, throwing his arms around her waist. She hugged him with a laugh, making sure to keep her bloody hand from getting on him. “You’re a stinker,” she said affectionately.

“We should go.” Meredith stepped close to Holden and slipped her arm through his.

Noelle was taken off guard by the sharp ping of jealousy that darted through her.

Holden caught her gaze. “It’s good to see you, Noe.”

Meredith’s eyes flashed.

“Good to see you too. Thanks … for everything.” For a split second, the years fell away. Holden had been such a large part of her life. Losing him had cut Noelle to shreds. It hurt much, much more than Kyle’s infidelity or the divorce. Holden had been her soulmate. She couldn’t help but wonder how different things might have been, were it not for the accident. The emotion came on without warning, causing her eyes to mist. With a start, she averted her eyes, blinking fast to gain control of herself.

The girl returned pushing Noelle’s buggy. “Here you go,” she said cheerily.

Noelle marveled that her purse was intact, just as she left it. One of the perks of being in a small town. “Thank you.” She pressed her lips together. “Um, I’m sorry about the mess on that aisle.”

“Mess?” Mac asked, raising an eyebrow.

Heat warmed Noelle’s cheeks as a shaky laugh issued from her throat. “I’m afraid my little guy got into a box of wafers.”

Holden grinned broadly. “You always did know how to make an appearance,” he said appraisingly, catching Noelle’s gaze.

“Amen to that,” Meredith snapped, giving Noelle a look that could kill.

Of one thing Noelle was sure, she’d certainly made an enemy out of Meredith Sims. So much for her good intention to make new friends.

2

By the time Noelle got to Birdie’s house, she felt like she’d been through a war. She got Aiden situated in the living room before going out to the car to bring in groceries. Her mind kept replaying her conversation with Holden. It was so characteristic of Holden to take the blame for her fall. He always took the blame for things that weren’t his fault. It was like he felt this great responsibility to save the world. There was a time when Noelle admired that about Holden … until it nearly destroyed him. It was interesting how she’d felt an instant connection with him, even though they’d spent years apart. Of course that connection was severed the second she realized he was with Meredith Sims. She made a face. Meredith Sims? Seriously? What was Holden thinking? “It’s none of your business,” she chimed to herself as she placed a box of cereal in the cupboard.

“What’s none of your business?”

Noelle’s hand went over her chest as she whirled around to face Birdie. “You scared me,” she gulped with a halting laugh. “You know me, I was just talking to myself.” If Aunt Birdie had it her way, Noelle would marry Holden Hunt