Noel, Alabama

by Susan Sands

  She was saved from a real response by a vehicle approaching; no, two. Then suddenly, the parking area was filled with vehicles. Work trucks. “Who are all these people?” She directed the question toward both Seth and her father.

  Seth appeared guilty, but—relieved? “I sent an email to a few folks in town who I thought might pitch in to help us today. Kind of a community service project to get things ready for the movie folks. I didn’t know if anyone, or everyone, might show. Looks like we’ve got a crew of support.”

  Bailey didn’t know whether to throw herself into his arms or tell him to mind his own business and let her handle things. She wasn’t used to a man riding in on a proverbial white horse to save the day.

  But right now, she would behave like the professional she was. “Thank you.”

  He nodded in acceptance. There was a sparkle in his blue, blue eyes. And it hit her deep. “You are most welcome.”

  As the volunteers gathered around them, she began to recognize faces from the past. Friends. Both women and men. There were friends from school, and parents of friends. Residents of Ministry who’d come to help. Their trucks and clothing identified them as an electrician and his assistant, a plumbing crew, window washers, pest control pros, and finally, cleaning crew. She grew warm inside. This was Ministry.

  There were tears in Bailey’s eyes when she realized the enormity of their hearts. “Thank you all for your willingness to juggle your busy schedules to be here, I appreciate it so much. This is what I remember about Ministry, the kindness of neighbors. Please give Alexis your invoices after we’re done today.” Bailey motioned toward Alexis as Alexis raised her hand and clipboard.

  Dave Lane, now an electrician, who Seth and she had graduated high school with, stepped forward. “Bailey, we’re not here to get paid. We’re donating our time and efforts to celebrate your homecoming, and for bringing business to our little town. We understand how this will put us on the map and improve our economy. So, thanks for that. Oh, and I think he’s promised pizza from the Pizza Pie later, so that’s good enough for me.”

  There was a cheer from the group and smiles all around.

  If Bailey thought she was near to tears before, this about did her in. Once again, Seth saved her.

  “Alright everyone, let’s work out our game plan.” And apparently he had one if his own folder and notes were anything to go by.

  Bailey mouthed a thank you and Seth winked at her. Like they’d behaved that way with each other forever. They had, back in the day. So, she would let it slide for now. Only because he’d saved her today. Had she really believed this would’ve been a manageable job for Alexis and her? They’d made lists and spreadsheets. But honestly?

  The group followed Seth to the gathering hall, and they were briefed as to how this effort would go down. She listened and added a few thoughts, as did Alexis, who was very astute with details. The building had an industrial kitchen in the back where meals had been prepared for campers and staff. There were tables with benches for up to seventy-five to sit and eat comfortably.

  The hall could be a good meeting spot for the cast and crew for initial briefing when everyone arrived. It was large enough but still had a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Right now, it was in need of a good cleaning and airing out. But it had real potential for use during the next couple weeks. There was a huge fireplace that could be lit as well.

  The only problem Bailey could foresee was transportation getting out here for that many people.

  Seth was answering a few questions members of the electrical team had while Bailey made notes about using this space as a possible film location, should any additional indoor scenes be necessary.

  “Where should I start?” Alexis asked Bailey. Since Bailey had taken point on this project, Alexis was deferring to her. But Alexis was also her junior in experience, so while they held the same title, Bailey was the senior in the position.

  Bailey looked up from her list-making. “Oh, sorry.” She glanced around and realized that only Seth, Alexis, and she were left inside. “We have twenty-five crew to house. Use your analytical brain and go through the cabins and around the camp and help me figure out what we’re missing. I know they’ll be bringing a ton of supplies with them but they didn’t figure on staying at summer camp. We have to make this place feel like home.”

  Alexis nodded. “Alright. I know what we have so far.” Then she grinned at Bailey. “I have to tell you; this might be kind of fun. And if we can get things ready in time, I think it will work to our advantage, cost wise.”

  “I’m working on transport from here to the set. We’ll need a shuttle,” Bailey said.

  Seth spoke up then. “I’m not sure about a shuttle, but how about a yellow hound?”

  Bailey knew he referred to an old-fashioned school bus. “Will it have heat?” she asked.

  “Heat, yes, but no air-conditioning.”

  “It’s the middle of winter, so that shouldn’t be a problem.” Bailey envisioned riding a school bus with Seth down these dirt roads as kids. It had been a bumpy, nauseating experience. “Can we get the county to grade the road and fill some of the worst potholes at least before everyone arrives?”

  “I might have some pull with the county. It’s been quite some time since they’ve seen to the road down here.” His mouth quirked up at the side, causing a reaction in Bailey’s insides she didn’t welcome or expect.

  “And the bus, could we request one built within the decade? I remember they used to keep them forever.” Bailey recalled the ancient buses running routes. And how they would break down repeatedly, and how the seats were torn and dirty.

  “This all sounds problematic,” Alexis said, frowning. “Can’t we figure out a shuttle instead of a school bus?” she asked.

  “There aren’t any shuttles here in town, unfortunately,” Seth said. “And if you rented one in Huntsville, this dirt road would likely be pretty hard on it.”

  “If we could get a decent bus, that would work. The road is just over a mile long.”

  “Let me see what I can do. Most of them are privately owned. The county has a few for prisoner transport and the like. We might be able to get one from the next county over if we’re short.”

  “We have money in the budget to rent it, so that’s not an issue,” Alexis said.

  “Shouldn’t be a problem,” Seth answered.

  “I’ll head over to the cabins and see what we need,” Alexis said. “Catch up later.”

  Seth and Bailey sat quietly for a moment in the mess hall of Camp Grandview, something they hadn’t done together in many years. But he was here with her again.

  “Thanks for taking the lead today,” she said.

  “I’m glad I could help.” He caught her gaze. “These people care about you, you know, Bailey. They wouldn’t have come otherwise.”

  Bailey wasn’t sure she wanted that kind of investment and connection here. “That makes me feel guilty, I think. I can pay them for their work.” In fact, she might prefer it. Keeping herself from reforming bonds with people and reattaching was best. She’d managed to do it for twelve years, why start muddying things up now? She was already starting to get used to spending time with Seth every day.

  “It would offend them. They want to welcome you home and show their appreciation for giving the town a boost.”

  “It feels a little complicated,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.

  “That’s what I always loved about you, Bailey. You’re complicated. You take nothing at face value.”

  She experienced a tug in her heart. She’d been so tight, so outwardly calm, but his words about their past pulled at her. “That doesn’t sound like a lovable quality. It sounds difficult.” Bailey shouldn’t go here. She didn’t want to discuss their past or how either felt about the other.

  “We can’t pretend there’s never been anything between us,” Seth said, his eyes warm.

  Another tug. A loosening. “It doesn’t affect anything right now. It doesn’t
change anything, Seth. That was so long ago. A lifetime. We were kids.”

  “I know. But I don’t want to pretend none of it ever happened.”

  “Okay.” She smiled at him then. “It happened.”

  Chapter Ten

  It took three days. Three days of backbreaking scrubbing, mopping, dusting, and shining to get the camp into a livable state. A workable state. There was so much wood. Wood required work. And there had been rodents. And spiderwebs.

  The clawfoot tub in her apartment had been Bailey’s saving grace. It had been put to use every night. Between Alexis and her, they’d filled and refilled it to soak away the hours of hard labor filth. Tonight, Bailey was getting ready for Ministry’s official kickoff to Christmas.

  Even though she wasn’t required to go, Bailey felt she owed all the people in town who’d helped them get Camp Grandview ready in the past days to celebrate the start of Christmas season with them. If she was a no-show, it might look as if she’d used them for their efforts and then ducked out. Alex, on the other hand, had ducked out for the evening.

  “My nails look like I’ve been scratching to get out of a cave underground someplace,” Alexis moaned.

  “There’s a nail salon in town. We can make an appointment for you tomorrow.”

  “I’m gonna binge on Christmas movies while you go and represent, okay?” she said.

  “Don’t worry, you’re off the hook. This is my jam.”

  “You’re wearing that?” Alexis clearly disapproved of her red turtleneck and jeans. She wore designer most of the time, aside from their cleaning binge of the last couple days.

  “Keeping it simple here. I can’t get too fancy or I’ll be shunned,” Bailey said.

  “Shunned?”

  “Well, yes. And I’m only slightly exaggerating. It can’t seem as if I’m trying to compete for the single men in town,” Bailey said matter-of-factly.

  “I have the feeling everybody already knows there’s only one man in town whose attention you care about, so I think you’re okay to at least wear a little bling with that sweater.”

  Bailey felt her mouth hanging open and snapped it shut. “Is it that obvious by observing us that Seth and I have a past?” She’d gone out of her way to downplay any public emotional reactions to him.

  “Um, not only a past, but an ongoing present. Y’all are smoking hot together if you’re asking my opinion.” Bailey wasn’t sure how Alexis had come to that conclusion, but the girl was pretty astute when it came to reading situations.

  “How can I make it stop?” Bailey asked, worried it might cause a problem for them both professionally. When Bailey left and went back to Hollywood, she intended to leave things as she found them. Making waves had consequences.

  “Take it easy, girl. I get the feeling neither of you could make it stop no matter how you tried. Some people spark off each other. I’m guessing if you ever gave in to it, there would be real fireworks.” Alexis made a motion with her hands that Bailey assumed meant to mimic an explosion.

  Bailey ignored the fireworks and looked down at her watch. “I gotta go.”

  “Here, wear this at least.” Alexis handed her a long shiny chain with an open gold star that hung just below her breasts.

  “It’s beautiful. Thanks.” Bailey grabbed her friend in an unexpected hug. “I think this place is softening your grinchy heart. Thanks for the bling.”

  “Never,” Alexis denied, but then she grinned. “Have fun with your people. I’ll be watching through the window if I get bored.”

  “Feel free to join us. Ministry is nothing if not welcoming, especially during the holidays.”

  *

  Because Bailey was so strategically living in the middle of Ministry, she had only to walk out onto the street facing the house to join the festivities. Alexis could see most of what was happening from their living room windows.

  Before she’d had a chance to enter the fray of folks who were gathering around the humongous Christmas tree, she was nearly waylaid. “Bailey Boone, as I live and breathe, it’s been a coon’s age since we’ve seen you. I heard you were back in town.”

  “Oh, hi, Emma. Wow, it has been a while, hasn’t it?” Bailey responded. Emma Laroux was Cammie Laroux’s next oldest sister, and a former Miss Alabama, turned town pageant coach. “I understand you married Matthew Pope; he’s helped us in getting things worked out in securing this location.”

  “Yes, that’s Matthew; always helping. Glad it worked out. You’re still as pretty as you were in school. Cammie said you were but she’s too nice to say otherwise, so one never knows.” The six-foot perfect blonde arched a brow to emphasize her point.

  Bailey did her best to keep up with Emma. “Th-thanks. Tell Matthew I said hi.”

  “You can tell him yourself. He’ll be here soon. Catch you later.”

  And she was gone. Had Bailey noticed a baby bump on Emma?

  Bailey moved with the crowd toward the center of the town square where the annual tree-lighting ceremony would take place in a few minutes. Christmas music played on a sound system and carried throughout the area. The temps had dropped and the wind picked up earlier in the day. Bailey wore a black down vest over her red sweater but nothing on her head.

  She was a little chilly. As she contemplated heading over to the table where grown elves and their smaller helpers were handing out hot chocolate, Seth appeared out of the darkness. “Hi there. I’m glad you came,” he said.

  How this man had remained unmarried in this town for the last twelve or so years was a true mystery, Bailey thought as she took him in, trying not to overtly stare. The jeans, the eyes, the body. Slightly more weathered than he’d been in high school. “Are you cold?” Those blue eyes now held hers.

  “I was considering hot chocolate,” she admitted.

  He nodded toward the table and the elves. She felt his hand at the small of her back giving her a slight nudge in their direction. Bailey didn’t have the strength or urge to move away. He was warm, after all.

  As they sipped from the cups and slowly made their way through the crowd, several people nodded and smiled or said hello to them. Many greeted them with a “Merry Christmas!” To which she returned the greeting, as did Seth. Nobody said anything or questioned them about being together, but Bailey caught a few interested looks and overt whispers.

  “Ignore that,” Seth said. “They’re going to talk either way.”

  Before she could answer, they nearly ran head-on into Joella and Daddy. “Well hi, kids. What a nice surprise. It’s almost like old times,” Daddy said, clearly pleased as punch. Everybody hugged and kissed. You could’ve seen somebody yesterday, family or not, and the greeting was the same. Hugs and kisses.

  Surprisingly, she’d found L.A. to be similarly touchy-feely within the creative community, so Bailey wasn’t put off by the affection sharing.

  Someone called out to Daddy, and he and Joella were quickly distracted by other friends.

  Seth and Bailey made their way to a spot near the massive tree, their spot, as if by muscle memory. The smell of pine filled Bailey’s senses. Memories from when they were kids, coming here together for the tree lighting every year played like an old movie in her mind. Hanging ornaments and drinking way too much hot chocolate or cider. Always together.

  But just as quickly, Bailey had a flashback of Seth kissing her high school best friend, Sissy, a few years back. When she’d wandered down here on a rare visit, secretly hoping to catch a glimpse of Seth. It had been stupid, sneaking around like that. But it had been a weak moment.

  A tear rolled down her cheek. So unexpected that Seth wiped it away before she got the chance. “You okay?” he asked.

  “Being here brings back a lot of really great memories. I hadn’t expected it to hit me like this.” She decided not to mention catching him with Sissy.

  “I have those same memories every year when they light the tree. This year I finally get to have you here with me. You weren’t just the love of my life, Bailey, you w
ere my best friend for my whole life. I’ve missed you every day.”

  His words gutted her, but not as much as the pain mixed with joy she recognized in his eyes. She’d known him so well. Bailey had heard Sissy was a short-lived thing.

  “I’m sorry I hurt you like that, Seth. I had to go and find out where I fit in the world. It wasn’t here. You remember how it was for me. I know you do,” she implored him to remember. To understand. Or, at least to tell her he did. To offer some relief from her guilt for the obvious loneliness and pain she’d caused him.

  “You did what you needed. There was a hole inside you none of us could fill. I guess I selfishly hoped you’d go off and figure out you couldn’t live without me.”

  The music suddenly stopped. Someone was making announcements over the loudspeakers. Maybe Maureen Laroux. She thanked a list of people for helping plan and coordinate things this year. There was a countdown, then the lights came on. Bright, brilliant in every color. But Bailey could only focus on what Seth had said.

  Instead of answering his last statement directly, she said, “I’ve never found anything to fill the hole. I keep trying, and some days I think I’m making progress.”

  He smoothed a hair that had blown across her face. “Keep trying. You just haven’t found the thing that brings you peace yet.”

  The crowd broke into “Silent Night” then. And they joined in. The same as they’d done all those years ago.

  *

  Seth fought the urge to touch her. To hold her hand. To pull her close. God, how he’d missed her. Standing here in a crowd beside her was torture. He’d barely laid his hand on the small of her back earlier and his fingers had felt the slight heat from her skin through two layers of clothing. He was sixteen all over again.

  For once, Bailey wasn’t prickly since arriving. She was soft and vulnerable. Honest about how being back here made her feel. She’d allowed a short discussion about their past and even apologized for hurting him. This was progress for his heart that she’d pulled, still beating, from his chest twelve years ago.