Page 20 of Saved By Noel
“It’s not gonna happen,” Clark cuts me off. “I already told you that.”
I swallow back the lump in my throat, willing myself to keep my composure.Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.
“But if you’d just consider some of the ideas,” I try again, motioning toward the paper in his hands.
The paper that he crumples and throws in the trash can behind him. “I appreciate that you want to help, but we don’t need your help. We don’t want a Christmas festival here.”
Get out, get out, get out!my mind yells. My feet listen and slowly back away from Clark. There’s no chance of hiding the tears in my eyes or the shock on my face. Trembling that startedin my hands spreads throughout my body as I whisper, “I was so wrong about you.”
And then I flee.
Chapter fourteen
Clark
Clara’s face haunts my thoughts for the rest of the day.
She’d come into the office filled with spunk, sparks of hope in her eyes. But she’d fled with devastation, tears in her eyes.
Because I’d been a jerk.
I didn’twantto hurt her, to crush her like that. But I didn’t know how to get through to her, to stop her from chasing this fool’s errand. Noel is never going to be a Christmas town. It’s just not.
And I didn’t know what to do about thatfeelingshe kept stirring up in my heart. When she’d answered the door last night, she was wearing the same robe from the first time I saw her. One look brought the warmth of our first encounter crashing like a tidal wave over my internal walls. That yearning to be closer pulled at me. To learn everything there is to know about her, to spill all of who I am out to her. I didn’t know how to cut that sensation off. I was unprepared to deal with it because I’ve never experienced that draw to a person before now.
So I crumpled the paper. And regretted it the instant I saw the trust in her eyes splinter.
But I couldn’t take it back, couldn’t take the risk.
“I was so wrong about you.”
Clara whispered the words so quietly, she may have thought I couldn’t hear. But I heard. And I still hear them, words playing on a loop through my mind, no matter what task I distract myself with.
As I install a new storm door for Davis’ parents, I swing between berating myself for being so cruel to Clara and exhorting myself to keep forcing distance between us. For his part, Chase is giving me the dog equivalent of the silent treatment. He nearly lost his mind this morning when Clara left, whining and barking and pacing and scratching up my door. He’s been aloof today, punishing me for being a bad dog.
I’ve finished up the storm door when I receive a text from Rhonda.
Rhonda: Don and Kate are moving to Bentonville and putting their house on the market. Can you meet me there today or tomorrow to make a punch list of repairs to make before listing?
My fist involuntarily clenches around my phone.Not another one.
I rub my temples with my free hand, eyes closed. Chase nudges against me, and I open my eyes to see him staring up at me. “Oh, you’ve decided you love me again?” His tail gives a small wag, so I reach down to scratch his ears before responding to Rhonda to set a time.
While my text messages are open, my thumb hovers over Clara’s name.Maybe I should text her and apologize for being rude?
The tug I feel to reach out to her is enough to make me lock my phone instead.
Chapter fifteen
Clara
Ishut myself in my cabin and ugly cry until every trace of moisture has left my body.
Maybe I should pack up and go home. Forget the week here. Retreat from my retreat.
My cheeks are blazing, so I step onto the back porch. The chill in the air calms the flush. Although trees have lost their leaves, there are enough evergreens to provide privacy around the lot.
I still don’t have any porch furniture, so I sit down on the edge of the small deck. Even though it’s the middle of the work day, I decide to call Madison. My solo brainpower isn’t enough to compute this situation.
