Christmas In Icicle Creek: Home For The Holidays Read online

  Sitting at the computer, she heard the bell on the door that signaled Tristan’s arrival. She looked up in time to see him come to the front desk, his arms folded across the heavy wooden countertop.

  “Hey, you,” he said. “How’s the day so far?”

  Noelle plastered a smile on her face. “Good. Although the rush hasn’t started yet.”

  Tristan laughed. “Yep. The rush of all sixteen guests. That’ll keep us busy for all of twenty minutes.” He came around the desk and placed his hands on Noelle’s shoulders before turning the chair and gazing into her eyes. Then he pulled her out of the chair and raised her chin with his fingers. Her eyes met his. “Then we’ll have most of the evening to ourselves,” he whispered.

  Noelle tried to smile. Just hours ago, she’d been looking forward to this shift with Tristan. She had even joked with her mother that it felt as if she was going on a date and getting paid for it. Now, the hours stretched ahead of her like sand dunes in the middle of a desert.

  Yet some part of Noelle longed for Tristan’s touch, and she longed to feel him next to her even as she pulled away. “Do you think we could go to the Creamery after our shift?”

  Tristan gave her fingers a squeeze. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Noelle smiled in spite of herself. She reveled in the warm, comfortable intimacy Tristan was offering and she willingly shared, even if it was not going to last.

  Sian and George came out of the office. It was the first time Noelle had seen George dressed in something other than overalls. She pushed down her own heartache and gave the couple a genuine smile. “Don’t the two of you look dapper.”

  George returned Noelle’s smile. “You’re right, lassie. We look fantastic,” he said. “And I’m taking my wife out for a night on the town.”

  Sian gave Noelle a sober look. “We’ll be back at nine at the latest,” she said. “We’ll try to get home sooner.”

  Noelle noticed George giving his wife an odd look, but he said nothing.

  “Don’t hurry on our account,” Tristan said. “We’ll get everyone tucked in.”

  “I like this kid,” George said as he nodded his head toward Tristan.

  Sian gave Tristan a sweet, almost sad look before placing her arm through George’s and walking through the front door.

  Noelle let out a long sigh.

  “What is it?” Tristan asked.

  Noelle swallowed and turned her attention toward Tristan. “This is the first time I’ve been here without them,” she said. “It just feels a little weird.”

  “Maybe with both of us here, they’ll feel like they can take off more often,” Tristan said.

  Noelle shrugged. “Maybe.” She turned back to the invoices she was filing.

  Tristan held out his hand. “Here, let me help you with those invoices.”

  Noelle turned over the pile to Tristan. As their fingers touched, she once again was overcome with the heated spark of desire to pull him toward her. She wanted to blot out the news of Courtney’s phone call. If only she could turn the clock back to this morning, before she’d learned about Tristan’s time in Arizona, when she was blissfully happy to fall in love with her first crush from high school and have that love returned.

  She longed for his reassuring touch and the feel of his warm flannel shirt against her skin. She wanted to share with him Sampson’s latest antics and the funny thing her brother had said just last night. Instead, she quietly tucked all of those desires back inside her heart. This was going to be a long night, and dreaming of what couldn’t be wouldn’t help.

  The wrestle inside of Noelle reached a fever pitch when their first guests of the evening strolled through the door with their suitcases. Relief flooded through her. The more people who came through the lobby, the easier this evening would be. She turned her attention to the guests. It was a family of four.

  “Can we check in early?” the man asked.

  “Your name?” Noelle said.

  “James. Mason James.”

  A jolt of electricity spun through Noelle as she watched from the corner of her eye Tristan’s reaction to the name James. A tightening of the mouth and quick narrowing of the eyes was gone in a fleeting moment.

  Noelle tried to ignore Tristan and focus on the reservation. She looked up as she heard the sound of the Jameses’ children playing in the lobby. “Yes, it looks as if your room is ready.”

  Mrs. James came to the desk with a baby on her hip. “These Christmas decorations are lovely,” she said. “It helps us get into the spirit. We come here every year for this very reason.”

  “We’ve just gotten started,” Noelle replied. “In a couple of weeks everything will be decked out.” She pulled up an invoice. “So, you’ve stayed with us before?”

  “Every year,” Mrs. James replied before turning around. “Kids! Don’t stand on that couch!” She turned from the desk in the effort to corral her young family.

  “This is the baby’s first time here,” Mr. James said. “But the other kids are starting to remember. We love this place.”

  Noelle gave him her best professional smile. “We’re so glad you’re staying with us. “You’re in room two-oh-two.”

  Mr. James grabbed the key cards from Noelle. “Thanks,” he said as he and Mrs. James shepherded the family into the elevator with their bags.

  Tristan leaned over and whispered, “I bet they don’t say things like that about the Four Seasons,” he joked.

  Noelle laughed. “Oh yes, they do,” she replied. “But you’re right about one thing. We don’t get as many kids as some places. I mean, families do stay at the Four Seasons. It’s not unheard of, but they’re not the majority of guests. I remember one family …” She stopped. What was it about Tristan that made her spill every thought she’d ever had while stopping short of asking the meaningful questions?

  “What were you going to say?” Tristan asked.

  “Oh, it’s nothing.” Noelle waved off her own words as she bent back over the computer to complete the James family’s check-in. She straightened up just in time to see Beth, the housekeeper, coming around the front desk to join Noelle and Tristan.

  “I think that’s about it,” Beth said. “Joy is finishing up room two-fourteen. Then she’s going to stay a few extra hours tonight so George and Sian can get away.”

  Noelle felt a burden lift. She wouldn’t have to spend the whole evening alone with Tristan. “That’s right!” she said. “Joy will be here.” She turned toward Tristan. “Have you met Joy?”

  Tristan didn’t look happy. “Just briefly.”

  “Oh, you’ll love her,” Noelle gushed. “She’s great company.”

  “Can’t wait,” Tristan replied.

  Noelle followed Beth into the office as the housekeeper clocked out.

  “I don’t know him very well,” Beth said, referring to Tristan. “But it looks as if you’ve got an admirer. He wasn’t very happy with the prospect of having Joy’s company.”

  “We’ve dated a little,” Noelle said. “I think he was looking forward to an evening that would be just the two of us.”

  Beth arched an eyebrow. “And you’re not.”

  Noelle hesitated before saying, “It’s best this way.”

  “I don’t know why. He’s adorable.”

  Noelle became wistful. “Yeah. He is.”

  Beth studied her for a moment. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She gathered her things and walked out the door.

  Noelle stayed in the office while she heard the bell on the door that signaled Beth’s exit and the entrance of another guest. She walked back to the front desk and stayed in the background while Tristan checked them in. If she was going to take a few days off, it would be best if Tristan could handle the front desk on his own.

  After handing the couple their room card, Tristan turned toward her. “How did that go?”

  “You were perfect,” Noelle replied. “After tonight, you’ll be able to handle this all on your own.”

&nb
sp; “But I’m glad I won’t have to.” Tristan gave her a sly look before checking out the lobby. It was empty. He reached in for a quick kiss, and Noelle found herself responding to the touch of his lips on hers. Everything about him was inviting.

  “We can’t have any of that,” she whispered into his ear. “There’s cameras everywhere, and we have to maintain a level of professionalism. Even if this isn’t the Four Seasons.” A brief recollection of Kendall flooded Noelle’s brain. Noelle tamped it down.

  “We’ve got one thing the Four Seasons doesn’t have,” Tristan returned Noelle’s whisper.

  “Oh, and what would that be?”

  “We have you,” Tristan said as he pulled Noelle even closer. For one brief moment, she gave in to the feel of his touch and the sound of her heart matching his as they beat together, knowing that when everything was over, this would be her memory—the sweet intimacy of a warm flannel shirt against her cheek and his touch with one hand on the back of her neck and the other pulling her close. Somehow, this would symbolize everything that would be lost in just a matter of hours.

  Chapter 19

  Tristan watched as Noelle stirred her cream into her hot chocolate. He took a sip of his own cocoa as concern laced his thoughts. He put the mug of cocoa down. “What gives?”

  “What do you mean?” Noelle asked.

  “I know we haven’t been dating very long, but I can tell something is the matter. For one thing, you didn’t eat your cream. So, what is it?”

  Noelle continued to stir her cocoa. “I got a call from Courtney today.”

  Resistance rose up in Tristan as his chest tightened. He pushed his chair back and folded his arms. “Oh, I can only imagine what she had to say.”

  Noelle nodded. “Why don’t you tell me what she said?”

  Tristan held his tight posture. “Let’s see. She probably started by telling you that she and I would be married if it weren’t for the fact that I almost went to prison for fraud. Am I right so far?”

  Noelle frowned at Tristan. “Why are you so defensive?”

  Tristan scowled. “I don’t like Courtney getting in the middle of my business.”

  “Well, maybe Courtney wouldn’t have to get in the middle of your business if you would’ve told me about how you almost landed in jail. Do you have any idea what it’s like to hear from your ex-girlfriend about your so-called best friend doing time in prison and that you barely missed being his cellmate?”

  Anger snapped in Tristan like a spark on kindling. “James made a mistake, all right?”

  “And it sounds as if a lot of other people are paying for it.”

  Tristan pushed his cocoa aside and leaned over the table. “And you don’t think he’s paying? He’s sitting in jail, for heaven’s sake! Courtney had no right to tell you any of that.”

  “I don’t care about Courtney’s rights.”

  “I’m sorry I ever told her about James,” Tristan muttered.

  “Why are you making this about Courtney when it’s really about you and this guy named James?”

  Tristan gritted his teeth as his defenses flared. “Look, James was my college roommate, and then we ended up working for the same financial firm together. He started his own business, got in over his head, and made a few mistakes.”

  “To the tune of millions of dollars? Look, Tristan, I read the articles. He partied on the money of other people, and you were with him.”

  Panic pierced through his protective armor. “I’m completely innocent! I had no idea where James’s money was coming from.”

  “I believe you, Tristan. Or, I should say I want to believe you. But for reasons I don’t understand, you’re obviously invested in protecting this guy who broke the law and got what he deserves. I don’t want my family or myself involved with someone like James, not even peripherally.”

  Tristan didn’t have an argument for that. He closed his eyes as the old sense of failure washed through him. If he had tried hard enough, he could’ve saved James. He could’ve saved all of this heartache.

  He felt Noelle’s hand cover his, and he opened his eyes to see his pain mirrored in her face. Tears washed down her cheeks. Regret mingled with the sense of defeat within Tristan. He never wanted to cause her pain, and to see it in her face crushed him.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Noelle asked.

  Tristan grabbed her hand. “When I’m with you, Noelle, James is the last thing I’m thinking about.” He looked away for a moment before returning his gaze to Noelle’s eyes. “I think I’ve done my best to compartmentalize James, and apparently it’s worked.”

  Noelle removed her hand. “I’m sorry, Tristan. But I can’t do this. I can’t negotiate with my family.”

  Desperation washed through Tristan. “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t want this guy James touching my family, and I especially don’t want Cory involved in any of this.”

  Tristan’s desperation turned to distress. “That’s not fair, Noelle. You shouldn’t allow Courtney’s phone call to influence you. Don’t you see how this is exactly what she wants?”

  “I don’t care about Courtney. She’s just the messenger in all of this. What’s convincing me is the news articles I read, and now your desire to blame Courtney! I’m not risking my family by staying close to you while you’re close to James.” Tears brimmed in her eyes and she hiccupped a sob. “It’s not fair to my family, Tristan.”

  “So, is this goodbye?” Tristan asked. He could barely believe what he was hearing. Just this morning, his life was so full of promise. The brightness of his future dimmed everything he remembered from his years in Arizona.

  Noelle nodded. “I’m afraid it has to be. Do you understand?”

  Tristan let out a heavy sigh. “I’ve lived with Courtney’s drama for years. As far as James is concerned, I can’t just leave him in jail without a friend. I guess I’m just used to it.”

  Noelle gave Tristan a steady look. “I say this without any rancor, Tris, but maybe it should cause you some discomfort.” She gave his hand one last squeeze before rising to go.

  Disbelief and exasperation burned through Tristan as Noelle walked out of the Creamery toward her car, taking with her the best part of his happiness. In the month since they’d become reacquainted, he’d found seeds of hope scattered in the soil of his future. Now, everything withered under the onslaught of Courtney’s betrayal, leaving him helpless to change the events that he had not set in motion.

  Chapter 20

  By the time Tristan reached the city limits of Icicle Creek, the snow was falling in huge flakes. Its earlier laziness replaced with a driven wind. The roads were slick, and Tristan was grateful his snow tires were already mounted on the truck. Peering through the windshield, he couldn’t help but hear the echo of Noelle’s last word. Discomfort.

  Somewhere along the line, running interference for James had become a part of Tristan’s job description, and he just accommodated that. When they were both at Davis and Martin, Tristan was constantly advocating for James. He often held impromptu meetings with the both Ms. Davis and Mr. Martin to discuss James’s behavior, pointing out his friend’s superior past performance in hopes James’s present and future work would eventually measure up. James never appreciated any of Tristan’s efforts. He just expected Tristan to fix whatever he broke without a care over the price of his reckless behavior.

  Tristan didn’t blame Noelle for wanting to keep that kind of poison as far away as possible. He didn’t want James near her family, either. But he did have a few choice words for Courtney.

  Once home, Tristan shook the snow from his shoulders as he walked in the back door. His mother was sitting at the table, looking over the books on her tablet.

  “Great news!” Carolyn said. “We’ve made a little more on the apple harvest than anticipated. We’re going to be able to give Fernando and Rosina a sweet bonus.”

  Tristan tried to muster some enthusiasm over the satisfaction of their hard work paying off, but he
couldn’t pull it off. “That’s great, Mom.”

  Carolyn squinted at her son. “Tristan, are you all right? How did things go at work tonight? I know you were looking forward to seeing Noelle.”

  Tristan sat down at the table. “I won’t be seeing Noelle again.”

  “Whyever not? I thought things were going well.” She turned off the tablet and turned toward Tristan. “She’s not a drama queen in disguise, is she? You know, like Courtney?”

  Fresh and heated anger erupted in Tristan’s belly over Courtney’s betrayal. “No. She’s not like Courtney at all, but Courtney has something to do with this.”

  Carolyn shook her head in disgust. “Why am I not surprised. What happened?”

  Tristan told his mother about the conversation that had just taken place.

  Carolyn’s tight expression was replaced with a look of thoughtful concern. “Let’s forget about Courtney for a minute and concentrate on the real issue.”

  “Oh, no,” Tristan said. “Courtney is right in the middle of this.”

  Carolyn was silent for a moment before saying, “Well, in a way, I guess she is. I wouldn’t want to learn this kind of news from an ex-girlfriend.” She placed her hand over Tristan’s. “Why didn’t you tell Noelle about this? That’s how this should’ve happened.”

  Tristan glared at his mom. “Maybe, but Courtney had no business telling anyone about any of this. It’s not her story to tell!”

  “Of course it isn’t,” Carolyn replied. “So, why didn’t you tell it before Courtney had the chance? Don’t you see how this whole thing would’ve played out differently if you’d talked to Noelle before Courtney?”