Page 17 of A Not So Merry Ex-Mas

The cabin is quiet except for the sound of popping and crackling. I walk into the living room and add more logs to the fire. Probably the last of the night.

I slide my phone from my pocket and see Mike’s name.

“Hey, Mike. Brian’s wife have the baby yet?”

“They are the proud new parents of a beautiful baby boy! Six pounds and five ounces.” My phone vibrates, and I open the text to find the smiling faces of Brian and his wife holding their new baby.

“Brian looks terrified,” I chuckle, trying to relieve the lead in my stomach.

“Being responsible for a new life will do that to you. He’s already talking about coming back to work.” I join Mike in his laughter. “Generator all set in case you need it?”

“Everything looked good to go when I checked it today.” I sit on the couch and watch the flames flicker. “Is the tree stand still in the shed? I’d like to get the tree up before the storm hits.”

“That’s a good question. Let me check. Mel?” Mike pulls the phone away from his mouth as he shouts for his wife. A smile crosses my face as I know the real reason Mike called. Mel is on the phone with Noelle. I hear Mel yell something back before he starts talking to me again. “Mel said yes. It’s on the right as soon as you walk in.”

“Great, thanks. Where’s the flashlight?” Mike yells to Mel again. This time, I pull the phone away from my ear and scrunch my face.

“On the shelf by the door. Are you planning on getting it tonight?”

“Thinking about it. It might be smart to grab it since we don’t know exactly when the storm will hit. Noelle picked up a great tree.”

“Speaking of Noelle—” I was waiting for Mike to ask this. “How’s everythinggoing?”

“She hasn’t killed me yet, soo…”

“Better than expected then,” Mike chuckles. “Mel just hung up. Incoming.”

A blast of cold air rushes over my neck, carrying a hint of lavender. The stark contrast of hot and cold courses through my body, and I feel a chill. I hear Noelle shuffling as she sheds her outerwear.

“Copy that,” I laugh, then whisper, “The Bug has landed.”

Mike cackles on the other end of the phone, and I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face. “What are your plans for heading up?”

“It’s a wait-and-see game right now,” he responds. “If the storm finishes by mid- or end-of-day tomorrow, we will hopefully be headed up the next day or two. We'll definitely be there by Christmas Eve.”

I feel a burning sensation on the side of my face and turn to see Noelle leaning against the kitchen door frame, arms crossed and brows drawn. My mouth goes dry.

“Sounds good,” I say to Mike, my eyes still on Noelle. “I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”

“Everything okay?” I ask Noelle, my brows furrowed.

“You cooked; I should clean. Those are the rules.” My eyebrows shoot up. “At least you left something for me to do.”

“I did?” Confusion lines my face.

“The Dutch oven was still on the counter.” She gives me a small smile, and my heart just about bursts. Maybe Mel does have some magical powers over the weather. Look at what she’s done to Noelle.

“I aim to please.” I mock salute.

Her lips quirk, and she puts a hand on her belly. “Well, the stew definitely did.”

“I’m glad.” My lips pull up in a lopsided grin. “It’s still one of my favorite lessons from you.”

Both of us are lost in the past for a moment and Noelle doesn’t look away. Her eyes are like a brewing storm I don’t know how to soothe, so I just watch. My heart is racing, and my mouth is dry.

I need to tell her what happened and why I acted as I did, but the words are stuck in my throat, and nothing comes out.

“Well, I’m gonna get ready for bed and call it a night.” She points her thumb over her shoulder and turns to walk away.

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