Page 84 of Wild Promises

"I'm not sure how I'm going to keep up with everything."

I wondered that too because she woke up early to make donuts. Then she had her holiday decorating business and was still trying to get her interior design business going.

Santa came outside the house, and his elf told everyone he was taking a break for a few minutes. He waved us over to him.

When I got closer, I saw the dark unruly hair curling out from under Santa's hat and the white beard. He looked a lot like?—

"Killian? What are you doing here?"

"I got in this morning for Thanksgiving, and Eli said I had to be Santa because the other one was sick."

"Is that why the line's so long?" I asked with a grin.

"The ladies love me," Killian said, which I thought was all in good fun, but Noelle huffed.

"You're supposed to be working. You shouldn't be out here talking to me."

Killian sobered. "I wanted to say hello. I haven't seen you in a long time."

He hadn't seen either of us in years, but his gaze was on Noelle.

"You've been busy," Noelle said simply. She was holding herself stiffly, as if this conversation pained her. It was a little confusing because they'd always been so close when we were in high school.

"How long will you be in town?" I asked him, hoping to break the awkward tension between the two of them.

"Just until the weekend. Then I have to head back." He turned his attention to Noelle. "Eli said you made all of this and hung the decorations in the lodge."

"That's right."

"I didn't realize you owned your own business."

"There's a lot of things you don't know about me."

The kids started chanting, "Santa! Santa!," and Noelle took a step back.

"You'd better get back to work."

"I'll see you around," Killian said to us, but Noelle didn't answer. When he went inside, Noelle led the way through the end of the maze.

"What was that about?"

Noelle shrugged. "Eli must have asked him to be Santa."

"It felt awkward between you two.”

Noelle gave me a look. "We haven't been close since he left."

Xander and I lost touch, but it wasn't the same. We still texted occasionally, and I talked to him when I was back in town. Noelle seemed to want to avoid Killian entirely. "Did something happen between you two?"

"Of course not. Why would you think that?" Noelle said lightly, but I sensed she wasn't telling me the truth.

We were just getting to know each other again since I returned to town. I didn't feel comfortable pushing for more information. But I wanted to. I racked my brain trying to remember if she mentioned anything ever happening between her and Killian. But she was always private about that stuff. I didn't think she would have told me. Back then, I had been so focused on getting out of town and going to school. When Noelle said she couldn't go to college, I hadn't followed up as much as I should have. I was busy with my life, and I regret that now. "I'm sorry I haven't been a good friend to you over the years. But I'm hoping I can make that up to you."

"I could use a friend."

I hugged her, then said I was going to grab some hot chocolate. When I did, Xander was still busy at the snowball course, so I headed home. I climbed into bed, not expecting to see him tonight. I think he mentioned something about staying in the condo at the lodge, but he hadn't mentioned me staying there, so I didn't ask.

We had to talk about our relationship when things at the lodge slowed down. I couldn't go on like this, wondering what if.

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