Page 44 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

Chapter Twenty-One

NASH

December 23

Blitzen Bay, California

“Jim told me someone paid for all of this. Do you have any idea who might have done that?”

Elle walks out of the store—wrapped up warmly in all her new clothes. She has the blue hat pulled down to her eyes with a long braid coming out of the side of it.

“No idea. It was probably Santa.”

I grab her bags and hang them on one arm and guide her toward Izzy’s with the other.

“I’m going to pay you back and I’m really annoyed with you right now.” She looks up at me, shaking her head.

“Yeah, yeah. Just keep walking.”

When we walk in the door, she stops so suddenly that I crash into her. I wrap my free arm around her to keep her from falling over.

“Oh my God!” she says, staring straight ahead. She leans her body back against mine.

“Are you okay?” I direct my eyes to her line of sight. She’s looking at my neighbor Sam.

“It’s Santa,” she whispers, pressing her back further into me.

“It’s not Santa. Do you think every old guy with a white beard is Santa?”

She’s leaning against me like she can’t be trusted to stand on her own. If I’ve ever met a more dramatic person, I certainly don’t remember it.

“Nash, he looks exactly like Santa,” she says, tilting her head up to look at me.

“Yeah, and he’s wearing a red sweater. It must be him.”

“Exactly!” She puts her arms on top of mine and presses them more tightly to her. “Please tell me his name is Nick.”

“His name is Sam. Sorry to disappoint you.”

Sam looks up from his newspaper and sees us staring. A big grin fills his face as he motions us over to his table. Elle busts out of my arms and runs over to him.

“Sorry to disturb your breakfast, Sam,” I say, catching up to her. “This is my friend Elle. Elle, this is Sam.”

She reaches out and holds his outstretched hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

He squeezes her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Noelle.”

She takes a quick breath. “How did you know my real name is Noelle? Are you—”

I swat her leg. “I’m sure Gabi or Izzy told him.”

“It’s a pretty name,” Sam says, still holding her hand. “Those of us with Christmas names are lucky. My middle name is Nicholas.”

She squeals. “Oh my gosh! That’s just the perfect name for you.”

“Okay, we should sit down.” I start bumping her away from Sam’s table with my body. “Enjoy your breakfast, Sam.”

“It was my pleasure to meet you, Noelle,” Sam says not taking his eyes off her. “I’m here every morning if Nash isn’t available for breakfast.”

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