Page 22 of Saved By Noel
Emily gives a hearty guffaw. The other woman regards me with compassion as she says, “Oh goodness, I’m afraid Clark doesn’t always make the best first impression.”
I don’t bother to explain that this wasn’t my first impression of Clark. That myfirstimpression of him was rather captivating. That the dissonance between my first impression and most recent impression is what caused these puffy eyes.
“I’m Sydney, by the way, but everyone calls me Syd,” she offers. “My husband is best friends with Clark, and I’ve known him my whole life too. Sometimes you have to take Clark with a grain of sugar to counterbalance the gruff exterior.”
“Gruff is one word for it,” I mutter under my breath.
The two women exchange a look before Sydney speaks up again. “I’m not making excuses for him by any means. He’s always come off a bit rough around the edges. But he’s . . . well, he’s been through the wringer in a lot of ways. He lost his parents and older brother a while back. Plus, he carriesthe weight of his family’s legacy in the town in ways he maybe shouldn’t. With so many people moving away from Noel lately . . . let’s just say Clark’s gruff exterior has beenextragruff.”
Sydney’s words poke holes in my Madison-inspired resolve to write Clark’s name in a metaphorical burn book. Knowing he has a tragic backstory behind his behavior would normally make me want to do whatever I could to help him heal and be happy. Ilovehelping people get better. But there are still yellow “slow down” lights going off internally regarding Clark. I decide not to delve into those emotions yet, refocusing on my original mission coming in today.
“Emily, do you sell any Christmas lights? Or is there another store in town that does?” I ask.
“We’re the only store in town, aside from the small hardware and auto parts store. We don’t carry an abundance of Christmas stock, but I’ll show you what we do have,” Emily offers, coming out from behind the register.
“Thanks for the groceries and the adult conversation, Emily,” Syd says. “I’d better get back home before Addie wakes up from her nap. She’ll throw a fit if Davis is the first one she sees upon waking.” Syd smirks at Emily and turns to me. “It was nice to meet you, Clara. I hope I’ll get to see you again soon.”
“Oh, thank you,” I respond. “I live in Kansas City, but I got a cabin here to come stay a couple of times a month. Or at least that was the original plan.”
Syd smiles warmly, “Well, feel free to get my phone number from Emily—I’d love to hang out whenever you’re here. I’m always looking for more friends my own age.”
“And what am I, missy—geriatric?!” Emily mock-scolds Sydney.
“You are like my wise older sister, Em,” Sydney replies, a twinkle in her eye. “Mymucholder sister.”
Emily laughs as Sydney leaves, then leads me to the back corner of the store. She wasn’t kidding about the minimal Christmas stock.Did some Ghost of Christmas Past cast an anti-holiday curse on this town?!I silently wonder, gritting my teeth.
“I’ll take all the lights you have,” I tell Emily, who raises her eyebrows in surprise. “Do you sell any extension cords?”
As Emily scans my purchases, she prods me. “I didn’t want to say much in front of Syd, seeing as how you hadn’t met her before. But since you and I go way back, you care to tell me more about your unpleasant conversations with Mayor Noel? Have anything to do with the town not being No-el?”
I blow a breath out the side of my mouth, fluffing the curls on my cheek. “Something like that.”
Emily continues scanning silently, a quirked eyebrow the only sign she expects more of a response.
“I might have expressed my displeasure at the lack of Christmas spirit in town,” I begin.Beep, beepgoes the register. “And I might have offered some suggestions to, you know, imbue a dose of Yuletide cheer into the city.”
“Ah,” Emily responds. “Say no more; I can imagine how the rest of the conversation went. And why the splotchy eyes.”
I avoid eye contact as images of my morning conversation with Clark play on the IMAX screen of my mind against my will. Emily takes my credit card and swipes it through the register. She taps my card as she waits for the receipt to print, then hands both to me.
She traps my hand in both of hers, forcing me to meet her gaze. “I hope you’ll keep your original plan to come to Noel regularly. And that will mean interacting with Clark. It’s a small town—there’s no way around it. Just . . . don’t write him off, okay? Or, at least, don’t write the town off.”
Something about the way Emily says it makes me think that maybe this whole community, not only Clark, might be hurting in ways I don’t understand yet. Emily’s kindness makes me want to understand.
Three cups of hot cocoa, two bowls of Cocoa Puffs, and countless frustrated outbursts later, I plug in the chain of extension cords, illuminating my backyard with bright, multicolored light. A satisfied grin spreads across my face at the glow. The three pine trees are wrapped with strand after strand of Christmas lights, throwing a beacon of holiday joy into the dismal atmosphere of Noel.
A beacon of joy. Maybe that’s exactly what they need. Whatheneeds.
“All right, Clara. We’re playing the long game,” I tell myself out loud, rubbing my hands together.
No-el to the rescue.
Chapter sixteen
Clark
“You wanna know where being your best friend gets me? Sleeping on the couch, that’s where.” Davis’ grouchy voice pierces my ear.
