Page 35 of A Not So Merry Ex-Mas

“We were supposed to be havinglotsof girl time, but someone’s wife decided to have a baby.” I scoff, heading over to the pile of wood.

I put Mel on speaker so I can easily pick up a few logs and add them to the fire.

“I know, I know. But you can’t stop babies from being born when they’re ready.” I hear the smirk in her voice.

I grab the bellows, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, and give it a few pumps. The flames lick at the new wood, and I watch as the tiny blaze starts to dance.

“What are you doing?” Mel shouts over the sound.

“I put some logs in the fireplace and was using the bellows to boost the fire for the new logs,” I answered her like I do this every day. “Hey, do you know where the candles are?”

“So now we need candles?” Mel singsongs.

And again, that silly blush creeps up my face. “If we want to see, I do.”

“Is that all you want the candles for?” She snickers.

“Well, seeing while I’m in the bathroom would be nice.” I quip, trying to bring this conversation awayfrom Cole. But Mel is like a dog on a scent and isn’t ready to let it go yet.

“I know what I’d do if I was in a house with no power and—”

“Your husband?” I shake my head at her audacity. “Hey Mike, how are you?”

“How did you know I was on speaker?” Mel asks, just as Mike says, “Hey Noelle! You haven’t killed my best friend, have you?”

“Nope. He’s still alive and well,” I ignore Mel and look out the kitchen window. “Unless he’s outside freezing. I can’t see him in this storm, and I’m unsure how long he’s been out there.”

I bite my lower lip, and my stomach swirls. “How long would it take him to get to the generator and back?”

“It will take a few minutes there and back, but it could take longer depending on the snow and wind. Then he has to try and figure out what’s wrong with the generator,” Mike says calmly.

“Has this ever happened before?” I ask. “The generator not working, I mean.”

“We only put it in a few years ago, and we haven’t really had to use it, so no,” Mike responds. “It hasn’t happenedbefore.”

The door opens with a gust of wind and snow, followed by Cole stepping in and shaking the snow off him. I blow out a breath at the sight of him. Then giggle.

His hair is completely white, and at least an inch of snow covers him.

“Did you find the candles?” Cole asks, unaware that I have eavesdroppers listening in.

“I think the candles are out in the shed,” Mel answers. “Right, Mike?”

Cole looks around to see where the voice comes from, just as Mike responds to his wife.

“Either that or in with the ornaments.”

I let out a laugh at Cole’s grimace.

“They’re on the phone,” I lift my hand to him, and his face relaxes.

“Alright you two, I’m gonna hang up so I can help Cole find the candles. Mel, I’ll call you tomorrow. Bye.”

“Bye, call me—” I hang up before Mel can say anything that will make the butterflies flitting in my stomach worse.

“Please tell me the candles are with the ornaments.” Cole drops his head in his hand, and I can’t stop thecackle that comes from out of me. He narrows his eyes at me, and I cover my mouth and snort.

He grabs snow from his coat, rolls it into a ball, and throws it at me.

---