Christmas In Icicle Creek: Home For The Holidays Page 15

  Yearning filled Tristan, and yet he didn’t blame Noelle for leaving him. The more he leaned about James, the further he wanted to flee from the man he had once considered his best friend.

  Chapter 23

  Noelle savored the smell of the apple crisp in front of her and briefly wondered if the apples came from Tristan’s orchard. She looked at her mom, who was pushing around the apples with her spoon. Sampson lay on the floor, his head using Noelle’s foot as a pillow.

  Noelle bit her lip in apprehension as she set her spoon down. “I know I’ve been at loose ends lately. This thing with Tristan really threw me for a loop.”

  “I know, honey. You and Tristan shared something very sweet.”

  Noelle pushed back the tears that still prodded her whenever she talked about Tristan. “I know leaving Tristan was the right thing to do. I couldn’t have someone like James lurking around our relationship. But breaking up with Tristan is harder than when I left Kendall.”

  “Why do you think that is?”

  Noelle was thoughtful. “Kendall and I were together a long time, but Tristan and I … we shared something … intimate. I don’t mean—”

  “I know what you mean,” her mother said as she covered Noelle’s hand with her own. “It also sounds as if you’ve done some healing about Kendall.”

  “I think so too, which is good, because …” Noelle hesitated. “Mom, there’s something I need to tell you. I’ve decided to see if I can go back to the Four Seasons on the Big Island. They’re looking for a team leader for the front desk, and I think I can get the job.” There! Her plan was out on the table.

  “Your dad and brother aren’t going to like that.”

  Noelle laughed with relief over the telling. “That’s why I’m sharing it with you first.”

  Her mother smiled. “Honey, I only want your happiness, and if that’s eluding you here, then I support your decision to go back to Hawaii. But …”

  “What?” A small line of defense began to build in Noelle.

  “Have you thought about working at another resort or trying another Four Seasons property? Maybe it’d be best if you tried a new location and environment.”

  Noelle sighed. “I have thought about that possibility, but I want to go back to the Four Seasons on the Big Island because it’ll help me get into the swing of the work in a familiar environment, and, well … I miss Hawaii.”

  “Do you miss Kendall?”

  Noelle searched the depth of her heart. “Maybe. I don’t know, but I feel like I need to find out for sure. I still think about him a lot.”

  Her mother slowly nodded. “I can understand that. Are you going to check in with him to see if you can get the job?”

  “Yes. I’ll need his recommendation.” The early uncertainty was replaced with conviction.

  “What about the holidays?”

  “I’m going to try to see if they’ll let me come home for Christmas. Since I worked the holiday last year, I’m hoping they’ll be lenient.”

  Her mother gave her a doubting look. “You’ve said yourself this is the busiest time of year for the resort. And remember, you came home last year the week before Christmas.”

  Noelle gave her mother a worried expression. “I know,” she whispered.

  Sampson let out a long sigh in his sleep.

  “You’ll have to tell your brother and dad at some point, you know.”

  “That’s a conversation I’m not looking forward to having.” Noelle gazed down at the sleeping pup. She hated the thought of Sampson growing up without her. Cory would be going to his final prom, and her parents would be growing older one day at a time. Tears came to her eyes again as she looked back up at her mom. “I’m going to miss being at home.” She paused and steeled herself with resolve. “But it’s time for me quit sponging off my family and find my own way.”

  “You are never a sponge,” her mother said. “You’re our daughter, and you live here. It’s that simple. Your dad and I consider it a blessing that you love being home with your family as much as we love having you home. I hope you’ll never forget where you come from. Cory was right when he said you’re an Icicle Creek girl. But I can understand your desire to find your own way through life.”

  Cozy memories of past Christmas celebrations warmed Noelle and mingled with a touch of sadness. They pulled at her, and she despised the thought of missing the Christmas traditions and the people she so dearly loved, but she would try to carry them with her to Hawaii. Maybe Cory was right. No matter where she traveled, she would always be from Icicle Creek.

  * * *

  Later that evening, Noelle sat on her bed and looked at her phone. Kendall’s number flashed on the screen. If he was still in Hawaii, he would just be getting off work. Anxiety shot through her as her chest tightened and her breathing came in short gasps. Her stomach fluttered somewhere around her rib cage.

  Taking one deep breath, she pushed the screen with her finger. The line was picked up after one ring.

  “Noelle?”

  “Um … hi, Kendall.”

  Silence.

  “Kendall?”

  “I’m just so happy to hear your voice. I hoped this day would come.”

  Noelle was trembling with an undertow of emotions. The familiarity of Kendall’s voice flooded her with memories. Sunset walks along golden beaches. The touch of his hand and the way he would pull her close for a kiss. Watching him surf and the way his body moved with the ocean. She could almost smell him as his scent mixed with the Hawaiian blooms and sea air.

  “It’s good to hear your voice, too,” Noelle said carefully.

  “Are you here? In Hawaii?” Kendall asked.

  “No. I’m home.”

  “Oh.”

  Noelle put away the personal memories and focused on the business of her call. “I wanted to ask you about a job opening. From what I gather on the website, the Big Island resort is looking for a front-desk team leader. Is that job still available?”

  “Yeah. We just posted it a couple of days ago, and we’ve had a flood of applicants, mostly from the mainland and in-house.”

  “I’m sure that’s true.”

  “Are you interested?”

  “Yeah. I am. But I’ve got a couple of requests.”

  “Name it.”

  Noelle took a deep breath and plunged forward. “I’d like to have Christmas off.” She hurried on. “I’d be willing to come back on the following day, but I really want to be home for Christmas.”

  Noelle heard the doubt in Kendall’s voice. “I don’t know, Noelle. I can understand your desire to be home for Christmas, but that’s not within my power to grant. And if I go to upper management with that request, they’ll shoot me down in a hurry and just move on to the next résumé.”

  Noelle’s heart dropped to her stomach, but she kept her voice optimistic. “I was hoping that because I worked last year’s holiday season, that would carry some weight.”

  Kendall was thoughtful. “It’s a consideration, but last year you had a week off just prior to Christmas, remember?”

  A cold blade slipped into Noelle’s chest. That was during Kendall’s visit to Icicle Creek. She put that memory away.

  Kendall continued, “We’ve had so many qualified applicants respond, so I don’t think they’ll go for it. They’ll probably consider you a new hire. I can approach then with the request, if you want to risk being turned down.”

  Noelle let the silence hang. Kendall was gauging her. He wanted to see how important this job was to her, but his reasoning was also coming from the truth. This was the busiest time of year, and with so many applicants, there was no reason to cater to Noelle’s request. Thoughts raced through her mind. Was she willing to give up another Christmas with her family? She drooped at the thought, but she also had to admit that Icicle Creek was not offering her its usual Christmas cheer. Maybe a change of scene for the holidays was in order.

  Just as she was about to solidify her decision and ask for the job, the
memory of her and Tristan standing on the precipice of Tumbling Falls burst into her mind with such clarity and color that it took her breath away. Yearning overcame her. She longed to see him again and share some expression of their sweet intimacy. She wished for the touch of his flannel shirt against her cheek and the strength of his hands that touched her ever so gently. Was she prepared to go without seeing him again?

  Noelle closed her mind to the question and the breakthrough memories as she recalled Tristan’s friendship with James. She couldn’t dwell on things that were out of reach while trying to create a new path. Her decision was made. Leaving Icicle Creek was the right thing to do. “I’ll forgo Christmas … this year,” she said.

  “Send your résumé to my email, and I’ll talk to the powers that be tomorrow,” Kendall said.

  “Consider it done,” Noelle replied.

  “And Noelle?”

  “Yes?”

  “It’ll be good to see you.”

  Noelle heard the promise in his voice, and she opened herself to the thrill around the possibilities that were being offered. For one brief moment, the heartache of leaving Tristan dissipated. “And you,” she said softly before they said a quiet goodbye.

  Chapter 24

  Two weeks later, Noelle pulled her one suitcase from the overhead bin of Hawaiian Airlines and made her way to the curb of the small outdoor airport on the Big Island with her jitters as her only companion.

  She didn’t have to search for Kendall. Her gaze was immediately drawn to him. He was leaning against the fender of his white Toyota Corolla in shorts and a short-sleeved Hawaiian shirt. His skin was bronzed from the sun, showing every muscle. His fit surfer’s body wore clothes loose and comfortable. Noelle’s heart fluttered to a brief stop, and she was grateful she had seen him first. It gave her a moment to collect herself.

  She watched as he looked up from his phone, removed his sunglasses, and stared directly at her. His familiar deep brown eyes showed genuine delight at her arrival. Noelle swallowed hard and smiled back as Kendall pushed himself away from the car and hurried to her. There was nothing in his demeanor that gave the impression that he was the least bit nervous. Everything about him was cool and contained. Like always.

  Coming to stand in front of her, he stopped and looked into her eyes. “You’re here,” he whispered.

  The crowd dropped away and Noelle nodded, not trusting her voice. His brown eyes still had the power to hold her spellbound.

  His first touch was as light as a songbird’s. His fingers brushed against her arm before traveling to her shoulder and then her jawline, where he cupped her face in his palm. She went to him willingly, and he gathered her up in his arms. Any doubt or resistance scattered to the warm Hawaiian breeze as she pulled herself toward Kendall. “I’m here,” she whispered in his ear while enfolded in his embrace.

  Noelle settled into the seat of the Toyota but wasn’t sure if or even where to begin a conversation. There wasn’t any chatting, catching up, or reminiscing over old times as they drove over the lava fields of the Big Island. Noelle was drawn to the familiar silence, but it wasn’t comfortable. After dating Tristan, some part of her had blossomed open, and she longed for the easy conversation she and Tristan shared.

  Noelle turned to Kendall. “I have a puppy back home.”

  “Oh? What kind of pup?”

  “He’s a golden retriever. He’s quite a handful,” she continued. “He got lost one night in a snowstorm.” She shivered involuntarily. “That was the worst night of my life.”

  Kendall glanced at her before turning back to the road. “But you found him, right?”

  “Yeah. Well, I didn’t exactly find him. Tristan found him, or I guess I should say he found Tristan.”

  “Who’s Tristan?”

  Noelle hesitated. How did she get to the point of talking about Tristan when she just arrived in Hawaii? “Tristan … we dated for a while, but it didn’t work out.”

  “Is that why you came back to Hawaii?” Kendall asked.

  Noelle shrugged, trying to feel casual, but every nerve was on edge. She longed to talk about Tristan, but not with Kendall. “It’s part of the reason, I guess. But it’s not all of it. It’s time I dusted off my old dreams.”

  “I always said you were a high-end girl.” Kendall touched her thigh. “I’m glad you’re back.”

  The silence returned, leaving Noelle empty and unsure.

  Kendall turned the car in to Waikoloa and pulled up in front of a condo complex. Noelle studied the piece of paper she pulled from her pocket. “Unit B304.”

  Kendall leaned across her and pointed. “Right up there,” he said. “Good thing you didn’t bring much luggage. There isn’t any elevator, so we’ll have to work those stairs.”

  The heat of Kendall’s body navigated toward her on the familiar aroma of sea air and Hawaiian flowers. She breathed deep his scent, but the stirring in her heart didn’t carry the same vibrancy she remembered. Instead, it was a faded recollection of a former desire. “You don’t have to walk me up,” she said. “I’ve only got the one suitcase, and I’ll just check in with my roommate.”

  “You sure?” Kendall looked surprised.

  “Yeah. Thanks for picking me up at the airport,” she said. “I really do appreciate it.” She moved to get out of the car but was stopped by Kendall’s hand on her thigh. She turned and looked at him.

  “I’m happy you’re back, Noelle.”

  Noelle loved the warm and recognizable touch of Kendall’s hand. It breathed some life into her memory, making her smile. “Me too.” She opened the passenger-side door and got out of the car.

  Kendall leaned over the passenger seat. “I’ll call you later,” he said through the open window.

  “Sounds good!” Noelle said as Kendall put the car in gear and began to drive away.

  Watching him maneuver the Toyota away, she could still feel the warmth of his hand on her leg. It was good to be back, and it was good to see Kendall, even if she wasn’t feeling everything she expected. Maybe all she needed to do was unlock the vault in her heart where she kept all of their stored memories. If she could do that, maybe they could create some new remembrances and add them to the scrapbook of their relationship. The effort toward Kendall and a newfound focus on her long-held dream for the future might just be enough to put Tristan out of her thoughts for good.

  * * *

  During orientation at the Four Seasons the following morning, Noelle kept her phone in her pants pocket in case it buzzed with an incoming call or text. Sitting through her meetings, her mind kept wandering back to Kendall and his greeting at the airport. Everything about that moment was warm and even happy. There was a familiarity at being enfolded in his arms that was accompanied by a newness that carried possibilities.

  But there were other aspects of their relationship that were also old and carried a coolness. Noelle had not heard from Kendall in the evening as she’d expected, making her wonder what he’d meant when he said he would call her later. But that was typical of Kendall. She never knew what he was thinking, and it left her with the customary nip of uncertainty.

  It was one of the things she appreciated about Tristan. Though their relationship was still new, he offered her the pulse of his thoughts. Even when they had a disagreement, he told her exactly what was on his mind.

  Her warm thoughts of Tristan retracted into something aloof and cool. If he had only told her about James. What did he say? James was never on his mind when he was spending time with her, but that wasn’t any excuse. And what if he had told her? It might not have made any difference in the outcome.

  Noelle sat at up and tried to pay attention to orientation. Nothing had changed much since she had worked for the Four Seasons less than a year ago, but she was required to attend the mandatory meetings. She received her welcome packet along with her uniform, which was a black dress with cap sleeves. The colorful flowers and palm fronds of Hawaii covered the left side of the dress from shoulder to knee. It
was stunning and made of cool, light material that would allow her to work in comfort in the open-air lobby. She was already on the schedule to begin work tomorrow morning.

  She sat back in her seat just as her phone buzzed against her thigh. Pulling it out discreetly, she saw the text from Kendall. Up for some lunch?

  Finally, he had reached out to her! Noelle glanced at the clock in exasperation. Another five minutes, and she’d be finished with the morning session of orientation. She would text him back then. The clock ticked ever so slowly as the presenter wrapped up her final comments and reminding the orientees to be back in their seats in thirty minutes.

  Noelle whipped out her phone and texted Kendall back, saying she was famished. Where should they meet?

  Kendall’s text came back immediately, directing Noelle to the Beach Tree Bar and Lounge.

  It didn’t take Noelle long to find Kendall. He was sitting at their favorite table near the sand. When she sat down, she basked in his smile.

  “I took the opportunity to order for you,” he said. “I hope that’s all right. We both only have thirty minutes, and I didn’t want us to have to hurry through our meal.”

  “Thanks,” Noelle said. A shy feeling came over her, even though she didn’t understand it.

  “How is orientation?” Kendall asked.

  The earlier silence that had plagued Noelle returned. She kept her answer to a minimum. “The same. Not much has changed since I was here last year.”

  Kendall gave her a measured look. “Some things have changed.”

  Noelle wasn’t sure what Kendall meant, but before she could ask, their food arrived and Kendall changed the subject.

  “I’m going surfing after work today,” he said. “Do you want to come watch?”

  Noelle’s spirits rose at the invitation. “I’d like that.” Then she pushed past the shy feeling and changed the subject, determined to have some conversation. “I’d love to hear what you’ve been doing over the last year. Don’t you think we should do some catching up? I told you about my pup, so why don’t you tell me something new?”