Page 10 of A Not So Merry Ex-Mas

Stew is the perfect meal for tonight, plus it’s one of Noelle’s favorites. I’m totally trying to get on her good side.

I pull out the beef cubes and toss them on the counter. Carrots, onions and potatoes come out next. While I’m digging through the cabinets for the Dutch oven, Mel’s words run through my head.

Follow her lead. Don’t push; just let her dictate what you do. When she talks,you talk. When she’s quiet,you be quiet. Understand? Noelle is in a fragile place and if you push she will shut you out faster than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking competition.

I chuckle,recalling the one-legged man comment. Mel is not a Southern girl, but she does have familydown south and is known to come up with some of the kookiest sayings.

The point, however, hits home.

I will let Noelle dictate how things move. I hope we won’t actually be moving at the pace of a one-legged man in a butt-kicking competition, but if she needs slow, I can do slow. I’ve waited this long; I can wait as long as she needs.

Even if what I really want to do is sit her down, tie her to a chair and make her listen to me. So I can finally kiss her senseless like I’ve been thinking about since I first laid eyes on her, looking for the hidey key.

Yes, kissing her senseless is not a good idea. It’s why I called her best friend for advice.

I pull out the cutting board and grab a knife to start prepping the vegetables when my phone buzzes in my pocket.

Mike’s name lights the screen.

“Hey,” I mumble.

“Things going that bad, huh?” He laughs, but stops suddenly to groan. “Please tell me you didn’t call my lovely wife.”

My silence is all the confirmation he needs. “No man! She is theworstat this stuff.”

“Mike, she's Noelle’s best friend, she knows her better than anyone. Plus you didn’t see the magic she worked when Noelle called her.” My voice comes out rushed. “She had her laughing and teasing.”

“Well first off…” I hear him holding back laughter. “Mel didn’t act like a complete idiot and tell her to move on.”

“Andthat’swhy you and Mel are married,” I chuckle at his words. “She saidexactlythe same thing.”

“Well then maybe I was mistaken and my wife is brilliant.” Affection laces his words. Mike adores Mel and likes to tease her about her meddling ways. “Maybe I’m rubbing off on her. What did she say?”

I give him a quick run-down of Mel’s words of wisdom and when I get to the one-legged man he cackles.

“Where the heck does she come up with these sayings? You can bet that I’ll be ribbing her about that one later.”

A wry smile crosses my lips and I lean the phone against my shoulder so I can start chopping the carrots. I realize I forgot the celery and head back to the fridge to grab it.

“Have you checked the weather?” My head snaps up at his sudden change of topic and I close the door. “It looks like you may just be getting some extra time alone with Noelle, for better or worse.”

A loud bell dings in the background signifying they have a call. “Gotta run,” Mike says before hanging up.

“Be safe,” I say to no one, then pull up the weather app on my phone. The corner of my mouth pulls up at the upcoming weather outlook.

Looks like we have a blizzard heading our way, and not because of the woman in the other room.

Chapter Five

Noelle

I’m unpacking (throwing) myclothes in some dresser drawers, mumbling to myself about Melanie and her stupid logic, when I hear the front door close.

I hold my breath and listen to hear if it opens again.

The walls in the cabin aren’t exactly thin, but you can hear if someone’s talking. There's been a lot of talking going on since I’ve been in this room. And I’m not talking about the conversations I’ve been having with myself.

Before the door closed, I heard Cole say “Be safe”. My throat constricts at the thought that something might be wrong.

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