Page 60 of Because You Loved Me

“Whatever happens, Noa, I want you to know that these last few days have been?—”

“Merry Christmas, Mr. Carlson.” The bellboy at the top of the stairs spotted him.

Reluctantly, Asher pulled back, the moment over, and together they walked up the steps.

The bellboy pulled the door open for them, and they walked into the warmth of the bustling lobby.

Maybe it was because he’d spent more holidays at the lodge than anywhere else, but as far as Asher was concerned, there was nowhere else quite as festive as Trickle Creek Lodge. His staff outdid themselves every year, and as he stepped into the middle of the room, a sense of pride filled him.

“Oh. There they are.”

Next to him, Noa had frozen in place. Asher followed her gaze to the family who sat in the couches and wingback chairs next to the huge fireplace in the center of the room. He squeezed her hand and made a decision. “I’ll be in the lounge whenever you’re ready.”

She looked at him, and her expression was impossible to read.

“If you decide you want to stay, Noa, it’s okay. You don’t owe me?—”

“I owe you a lot, Asher. But that has nothing to do with why I plan on leaving with you later.”

“Noa? Is that you?”

She glanced over her shoulder and then back to him.

“Go,” he urged. “I’ll be in the lounge.”

She mouthed the wordsthank you, and without another look back, pulled away from his hand and ran across the lobby. “Grandma. Merry Christmas.”

Asher hesitated for a moment, curious about the reunion, but ultimately the last thing he wanted was to get caught up in it in any way. Noa had a lot to discuss with her family.A lot.She really didn’t need to attempt to explain their relationship to them on top of it all. Especially when neither of them were able to explain it to the other.

Or themselves.

* * *

Noa ignored her mom and dad for the moment and went straight for Grandma Rose. “Merry Christmas, Grandma. You look fabulous.”

Her grandmother was dressed in her traditional holiday vest, white blouse, and matching red slacks. Her hair had been freshly done and little jeweled Christmas trees dangled from her earrings.

Warmth flooded her. She’d made the right choice by returning.

“I missed you, Noa.” Grandma squeezed her tight, with remarkable strength. “And I think it’s you who looks fabulous. You’re glowing,” she whispered so only Noa would hear. “Being on the lam looks good on you.”

“The lam?” She pulled away and stared at her grandma with wide eyes, but Grandma Rose only laughed. “I’ve been?—”

“Yes, Noa.”

The sharp judgment in her mother’s voice grabbed her attention. Noa swallowed hard and turned to face her parents and the inevitable questions they had for her.

“Where exactlyhaveyou been?”

“Hi, Mom. I’m fine. Thank you. Merry Christmas.”

“Is it a Merry Christmas, Noa? Are we having a happy holiday right now?”

She’d expected to be challenged. How could she not be? After what she’d put her family through, she expected nothing less. Noa swallowed hard and looked to her dad, who rose from his seat and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“Merry Christmas, Noa. It’s good to see you, kiddo. We’ve been worried.”

“We haven’t been worried.” Her mother shot her dad a look. “We’ve been pissed off is what we’ve been.”

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