Page 6 of Meeting Mr. Christmas
Jed jumped to his feet, saying he’d take care of it as he rushed out to the utility room where the big chest freezer was.
He fell against the wall, taking a moment to sort through his thoughts.
Wonderful…Yes, Noel was that for sure, the best friend a guy could have.Privileged to be with him…Dougal MacDouglas had been the last in a line of losers who’dnotdeserved that privilegeat all. And hadn’t he told Noel that? Just like he’d told him about the one before, and the one beforethat?
Jed rammed the serving spoon into the ice cream and thumped it into the bowls. He’d call Noel. Find out who his date was going to be. The date he’d suggested Noel find for an event he was looking forward to with as much enthusiasm as he would a tooth extraction. Without the anesthetic.
CHAPTER FIVE
Noel placed the toy, wrapped in bright Christmas paper, in the large bin, which was already almost full of donations for the town’s less well-off kids, and was rewarded with a wide smile and words of thanks from the annual toy drive volunteer. The stuffed dachshund gave a yelping little bark when its tummy was squeezed, and had been so cute Noel had been half tempted to keep it.
Pushing through the crowds thronging the town square, Noel’s gloved fingers twitched with a mix of cold and nerves as he glanced up at Kent. The town’s excitement was almost tangible, added to this year by the appearance of the Creek’s very own homegrown talent, Kandi Kane. She was due to sing her big hit, about loving apple pie, or her mom, or dog, or something, every bit as sweet and sugary as the real candy canes on sale in all the stores.
“Wow, this place really goes all out for Christmas,” Kent said, leaning in, his breath warm against Noel’s chilled skin.
Noel looked around at the scene that was so familiar to him, through fresh eyes. Dressed up for a festive party, there was no doubting that the town looked like it belonged on a Christmas card. Against the snowy background, craft stalls linedthe square, all of them decorated with garlands and lights and selling everything from handmade wooden toys to homemade traditional baked goods. Upbeat holiday music filled the cold, crisp air. The burly DJ from the local radio station, who’d squeezed himself into an elf suit that looked at least two sizes too small, read out dedications and called for requests. Noel scanned the crowd, at last finding who he was searching for. Jed, with his relaxed smile, looked confident and at ease as he stood beside Cora. Noel’s heart gave an involuntary stutter as she cuddled up to Jed, smiling as Jed wrapped her in his arms.
“There they are.” Noel nodded towards them, trying to keep his voice even.
“He’s your best friend, right?”
“He is. We’ve known each other since before kindergarten.”
Kent laughed. “Okay. More like brothers, then.”
Noel answered with a tight smile.No, not like brothers. Not like brothersat all.
“Hey, Noel.” Jed’s clear, deep voice cut through the noise of the crowd, causing a few heads to turn. Disentangling himself from Cora, he tugged Noel towards him for a hug, pulling him out of Kent’s loose hold. “Was about to call you. Thought you were bailing on us.” Jed rubbed Noel’s shoulder.
“Sorry, that was my fault,” Kent chimed in. “We had an early dinner at my place, but went to CC’s for dessert. What did you have, hon? Brownie with caramel sauce, and a hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows? The boy has the sweetest tooth of all tooths. Teeth.” Ken shrugged as he laughed. “You know what I mean. Good to meet you. I’m Kent.”
“But it was only a small hot chocolate.” Noel smiled, but it turned to a wince as Jed’s hand on his shoulder tightened for an instant before he let go.
“Good to meet you, Ken.”
“Kent. Not Ken.” Kent grimaced.
“Oh, okay. Sorry. Must have misheard. Kent.”
Jed wasn’t looking sorry at all, and Noel glared, doing his best to senddon’t be a jerkvibes through the icy air.
“Hi.” The attractive brunette with the wide, warm smile waved.
“Hey, guys, this is Cora?—”
“Jed’s girlfriend,” she added, looping her arm through Jed’s.
Wouldn’t get too comfortable, Cora, because that role is strictly temporary.Noel winced inside. It was a mean barb, even if he did only say it to himself. But it was also true. Jed’s girlfriends came and went, as regular as sunrise and sundown.
The unacknowledged awkwardness didn’t have time to settle in and get comfortable as a murmur rippled through the crowd, picking up energy and turning it into a fast moving wave.
“Oh my gosh, there she is!” Cora squealed, joining the rest of the throng, cheering and jumping up and down, pointing to the stage set up to the side of the huge, bushy tree, where a short woman with skyscraper-high blonde hair waved at the screaming crowd.
“Who is it?” Kent looked from the stage to Noel and back again.
“Homegrown celebrity, she’s?—”
“Good people of Collier’s Creek,” the Mayor boomed, accompanied by a shriek of feedback from the microphone, “thank you all for coming. Before our very own Kandi Kane…”
