Noelle's Christmas Wedding: Christian Contemporary Christmas Romance (The Candy Cane Girls Book 1)

by Bonnie Engstrom

  Noelle finally found her sleep deprived breath. “What happened? Where? How?” She waited for Cindy to fill her in, tell her what to do, how to help.

  “Bad accident on PCH. Maybe you didn’t hear the sirens. Just a mile south of you.”

  “No, I had an exhausting day, fell asleep early. Poor Doreen. How bad is it? Tell me what happened exactly. And, what I can do.” Noelle realized she was babbling, but she still wasn’t one hundred percent awake. She needed coffee, and her Bible. Doreen needed prayer.

  ~

  It wasn’t clear to him why she called him.

  Still, he picked her up at four a.m. without a word.

  She slid into the passenger seat of his Mercedes and cried. He reached across the console and squeezed her hand. In haste, he hadn’t opened the car door for her, thought it more important to get to the hospital. To Doreen.

  He didn’t know the woman, but he had heard of all the Candy Cane legends – swim team records, mostly. Although he had been two years ahead of Noelle and the Candy Canes, he remembered the girls in the red and white striped swim suits and the whole school cheering them on, even as sophomores. They had almost become legends; cute, even sexy, legends. For some reason he couldn’t imagine, he had taken a special shine to the anchor of the relay team, Doreen. Was it because she had an exceptional spirit? Seemed more determined? Of course the anchor on any team had to be the most determined. That person made all the difference, winning or losing.

  Braydon pulled into the Hoag Hospital parking lot and this time ran around to help Noelle out of her door. Instinctively, he held her close, briefly. He knew she was sleep deprived, but she smelled so good. Being tuned into the scents of flowers, he thought she smelled like lavender. Not a rose smell, but the scent of some of the trimmings he added to bouquets.

  Cindy was curled up in a chair near the now closed hospital gift shop. Her knees were pulled up to her chin and her arms clasped around her shins. Wads of tissues were crumpled in her clamped hands. She jerked her head up when she heard Noelle call her name. Braydon noticed streaks of mascara on Cindy’s cheeks. Must be bad for Cindy, the strong one, to be so upset. That’s what Noelle had called her, the strong one. Apparently, she had been the team captain, the one who set the tone and style of the legendary races. Noelle had shared that much on their way to the hospital. It helped him understand more about the chemistry between the girls. Six girls, now women, who still had a special bond after five, or was it six, years? He tried to think about his old surfing friends, his high school buddies and the times they went to Huntington and Trails and even the tip of Balboa. He was still in minimal contact with a few, mainly Gaby, but few others. Maybe guys didn’t bond as much. He missed that. At least he had Rob, his brother, even though their interests were vastly different. They kept in touch like the friends they had become.

  She jumped up and wrapped her arms around Noelle, held her close and sobbed. Braydon stepped back to investigate the children’s artwork hung on the lobby walls. He caught snatches of words between sobs. “Tibia. Might lose leg.” That made his forehead wrinkle. Maybe he should learn more, so he could help more. He walked back to the two girls to offer to … what? Do anything that would help.

  Noelle’s swollen eyes looked forlornly at him. She pulled at his elbow and introduced him to Cindy. Cindy studied his face, then nodded her head. “I remember you. Class clown and debate team. Right?”

  Why did everyone remember the class clown part? It was really only that one incident. The one with Coach Wilson. Cindy touched his shoulder and started to laugh.

  “Mooning Wilson! That was your defining moment.” She swiped at the tears running from her eyes. “I needed that laugh. Thanks, Braydon.”

  He felt his face color. “I’m glad that memory broke the tension, Cindy.” He managed to smile. “Now, tell us what happened and how Noelle and I can help. And, where are the other girls?”

  “They will be here eventually, just live further away. I called Noelle first,” she explained, “because she lives closest to the hospital.”

  “Makes sense.” He nodded. “I couldn’t help overhear the word ‘tibia.’ Isn’t that the bone in the lower part of the leg?”

  “Yes. Doreen’s is shattered. Might not be reparable, even with surgery. A sliver was sticking out through her skin.” She shivered. “She has no family. At least not here in California. After graduation, her parents moved back to their hometown in Wisconsin. Sheboygan.”

  “What exactly happened? And how, why, were you the one contacted?” Noelle asked in a shaky voice.

  “I guess when Doreen filled out an emergency contact card for her wallet, she listed all of us. Since my last name begins with A, I was called first. You would have been next since you are a D.”

  “Oh. Go on.”

  “Well, you know Doreen was always a bit of a dare devil. Not that what she was doing was dare devilish, but if she hadn’t been riding her Yamaha scooter, and at night, well …” Her voice trailed off. Composing herself she continued. “She apparently was making a legal right turn onto Superior when a pickup ran the red light. Knocked her off her scooter and across the street. Head hit the sidewalk curb. Thank goodness she was wearing her helmet.”

  “And, thank heavens the hospital was so close,” Braydon added. “Do you know when they will do surgery? Have you met any of the doctors?”

  Cindy shook her head. “No, just nurses and the paramedics who brought her in. She was in horrible pain, as you can imagine. But, was lucid enough to sign a permission form for me to make decisions until her parents arrive.” She shook her head again, and tears threatened to spill from her eyes some more. “Poor people. There’s not even a major airport near them.”

  “You talked with them?” Braydon asked.

  “Yes. I even managed to hold it together explaining to her dad what happened.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “At least with the time difference, it was a decent hour of the morning there.” She glanced at Noelle who grinned slightly.

  Cindy collapsed again in tears. “I mopped up her blood, the blood dripping constantly from her wound. I had to ask the nurses for extra towels. It was awful.”

  Braydon couldn’t imagine. When he looked at Noelle she was about to collapse. He gripped her arm tight and steered her to a chair. This was horrible news. “You okay? Not good news, but we need to focus on the positive.” Was he making any sense, giving the women any hope?

  Braydon splashed water on his face in the hospital’s lobby restroom. What he thought would be a simple stand by me situation had become a lifeline for Doreen. He knew what he needed to do.

  He would have done it for anyone in need, but for Doreen, his lovely Noelle’s special friend, it was vital. Not used to demonstrating his faith beyond loved ones, he took a step of faith.

  Please, God, use me. He felt like Moses, maybe even Aaron. He had never before been so bold asking the Creator to designate him to an assignment. It was scary. It was heavy. It meant he had opened himself to God, completely.

  He returned to the hospital lobby and stood before the two girls. Actually women. He had to get that straight in his head. Girls became women, Braydon. Duh. He needed that bit of levity to encourage him.

  “Well, Ladies.” He hesitated until he got the attention of both. “I have made a decision.”

  Both looked at him like he was an alien. He laughed and took a hand of each in his.

  ~

  The surgery for Doreen had taken more than the predicted five hours. It actually lasted almost seven grueling hours.

  Noelle, Cindy and Braydon knelt in the hospital’s small chapel. They had clasped sweaty hands for hours.

  A nurse came in and said, “It is over. You can go see her in recovery.” Then she left.

  Stiffly they all sat up. It was almost surreal. They looked at each other in confusion. What would they find, what would they learn? Why hadn’t the nurse told them more?

  “She came through the surgery very well,” the doctor
wearing the surgical mask now under his chin said. “By the way, I am Doctor Melborn. Sorry, I hadn’t met with you before. Long, busy night,” he gave as an explanation.

  “What do you mean very well?” Braydon asked.

  “I think I can predict she will keep her leg. It was a touch and go situation.”

  Braydon frowned. “What does ‘that’ mean?”

  “It means if she is strong and heals well, she will be fine. But,” he added, “after a lot of physical therapy. Months.” He tilted his head, then added. “We had to put a rod in her leg to stabilize it. That leg will be slightly shorter than the other. A few pins, too.”

  “Doc. Do you know she is a swimmer, an almost Olympic swimmer? Her legs mean everything to her future. She is also a swim coach.”

  Doc Melborn shook his head. He didn’t know. “No one told me. Sorry.”

  None of them could fault the guy. He had done the best he knew how to do. A wonderful surgeon. God had blessed them with him, and Braydon told him so.

  ~

  Doreen’s parents arrived.

  They had taken a cab from John Wayne Orange County Airport straight to Hoag Hospital. Braydon and the girls surrounded the weary couple with hugs and love. The other Candy Canes had arrived a few hours ago, right after Noelle, Cindy and Braydon had visited a groggy Doreen in recovery. Fortunately, she still wasn’t totally cognizant which helped them avoid her hard questions. Cindy was relieved to pass the baton, so to speak, to Doreen’s parents about health decisions. Although she consulted with Noelle and Braydon, whom she trusted now, she felt a bit inadequate in the role Doreen had assigned her.

  All the girls heard that Doreen would need intense physical therapy for a long time. They had mulled it over and discussed how they could help. Maybe driving her to it, providing meals, even having her stay temporarily with one of them.

  Natalie spoke up first during their discussion. “When the physical therapists pronounce her able, she can work out at my gym – free … forever.” The other four girls stared at her.

  “And, because my schedule is flexible, I will drive her,” Connie said. The girls all grinned and high-fived each other. They still honored their bond.

  When Doreen’s parents heard about the arrangements her mother started to weep, and her dad wiped at his eyes with his knuckle. “You girls are so sweet,” Mrs. Zimmer said. “We plan on taking her back home with us.”

  “NO!” They all shouted at once. “She belongs here,” Connie said a bit too loudly. “I already have an idea for her, for employment.” The parents and the Candy Canes all gazed at Connie with questioning eyes.

  “I work for a huge design firm, even design some of its specialty lines.” She stopped to focus on the faces before her. “We have been seeking a new angle for a new line. She can be our model.”

  Six pairs of eyes looked at her questioningly. Doreen model with a gimp leg? How was that possible. Her mother asked that question.

  “The fashion line I’m planning is for women with disabilities.” She looked around at all those faces, but continued. “No, Doreen’s is not, will not be, a huge disability. Not like a woman with an amputated leg. But, it’s a start.” She chuckled. “Always start small.”

  Mrs. Zimmer clasped her hands and grinned. “What a great solution!” She hugged Connie, then held her at arm length. “Would that make her feel inadequate, less?”

  “Not at all, Mrs. Zimmer. It will make her a star for every young girl or woman who is dealing with a physical disability. She will look elegant in every gown, in every outfit. She will be a great poster girl.”

  “Now,” Cindy said, “we just have to convince Doreen.”

  “Let’s go to the chapel and pray about it.” Noelle said. She led the way.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “I don’t know what to do,” the charge nurse approached the little group with her hands wringing.

  Braydon was the first to reach for her shaking hands and clasped them. “What is wrong? Is Doreen all right?”

  She nodded. “Her vital signs seem okay, but she is semi-awake now, and she keeps asking for Candy Canes. But, I know she is not allowed to have any candy or sweets.”

  Eight people burst into laughter. The poor nurse was more confused than ever. “Why are you all laughing?”

  “I think, I believe,” Braydon said, “she is asking for her friends. The Candy Canes.”

  He bit his lip when he realized the nurse didn’t understand. Then, he started to explain.

  Noelle stepped forward. “She is asking for her friends, her special friends. We are a group called the Candy Canes.”

  “Oh.” The nurse still seemed confused. Cindy stepped forward next and attempted to explain the old swim team and its camaraderie.

  “Swimming … candy canes?” Nurse shook her head. “Did you eat them before a swim meet? Or celebrate with them after?”

  Even Doreen’s mother giggled at that image. “No, dear,” she said to the nurse and touched her arm. “Their swim suits had red and white stripes like candy canes. Their coach named them the Candy Canes. And, the whole school picked up on the moniker.”

  The nurse nodded and grinned, blushing a little. Poor thing is embarrassed Noelle thought. Not her fault.

  “I understand now.” She said. “Oh, she is asking for all of you. But, we aren’t supposed to allow more than two visitors at a time.” She looked perplexed again.

  “We can go in two by two,” Cindy said. “We sometimes swam that way. In practice,” she added.

  Cindy and Noelle went in first. The others followed. After everyone, including Braydon and Doreen’s mother went in as team, things settled down. It was then they realized Doreen’s father had been left out of the loop since he had been getting coffee in the hospital cafeteria during all the decisions about visiting Doreen.

  Noelle felt terrible. If it had been her dad in her compromised health situation, she would have been devastated. She grabbed Mr. Zimmer’s hand and pulled him forward.

  After explaining to the charge nurse, the woman made an exception, “But, just for a few minutes.”

  The tall, gray haired man stepped forward and released Noelle’s hand. “I want to do this alone,” he said. Noelle nodded.

  ~

  It was getting late, and everyone was exhausted. Doreen’s parents showed signs of wilting after their long trip and their concern for her. Braydon offered to drive them to the hotel they had made reservations at. Fortunately, it was just a few miles from Hoag Hospital and on the way to Noelle’s.

  Noelle climbed in back with Doreen’s mother, and her dad sat up front with Braydon. Mrs. Zimmer gave Noelle’s hand a squeeze. “I like your young man,” she said. “He’s not the one …?” She stumbled over her question, but Noelle knew what she was asking.

  “No, not that one.” She smiled at the older woman to reassure her.

  “I … I didn’t know how to ask. Sorry.”

  “It’s really okay, Mrs. Zimmer. A blessing,” she said. “One of those ‘in disguise’ ones.” She actually found herself giggling a bit and laid her hand on the woman’s arm.

  “So glad. I was afraid I’d offend you.” She hesitated. “I understand from Doreen you did a brave thing cancelling the wedding.”

  “Yes, it was difficult.” She leaned close to Mrs. Zimmer and whispered, filling her in about how she’d met Braydon, how he’d been the chosen florist for her cancelled nuptials. “We just started to see each other, no official dates. But, he does seem to be a special man. Christian, too,” she added with a grin.

  They pulled into the long drive of the Hyatt, and Noelle’s hands started to sweat. It was the hotel where she and Clay were supposed to get married.

  Braydon sensed her discomfort. After all, he had spent hours at the hotel with its onsite wedding coordinator making floral decisions for the wedding. He turned his head to glance at the back seat and winked and received a weak smile from the girl he was sure he was falling in love with.

  Chapt
er Sixteen

  Noelle kicked off her boots, flinging them under the coat rack. She wiggled her toes in relief, then pulled off the socks sending them to land on the tips of the leather toes. Collapsing on the sofa, she placed her bare heels on the edge of the coffee table just as her cell phone rang. Who on earth? Not Braydon. He had just left, and his name didn’t come up. Maybe Doreen’s parents? But, it was a local number. She decided not to answer. If the caller wanted to leave a message, she would pick it up later. Much later.

  It had been so nice to connect with Doreen’s mother, even in tragedy. She remembered they had met before, a few times during swim competitions and before her parents had moved back to their hometown in Montana. But, they had never been close, never bonded like so many of the girls had done with her parents. Maybe because her family was local and Mom had often invited the girls for meals. Mom had this thing about wanting to make sure all the girls ate well, especially since after graduation so many of their parents had moved away to retire in Arizona, Colorado and some in Florida.

  She closed her eyes and drifted back in time. She saw the lineup, the six girls in striped suits wiggling and rubbing their hands together and slapping their knees and pulling at their swim caps. Those were exciting moments. Teen moments. But, because of the bond they held, because of Coach Douglas’s faith in them, those moments had become forever moments.

  Just as she was drifting off to a much needed nap, her land line rang. This time she couldn’t ignore it when the tinny voice said “Carson, Melanie.” Bruce’s stepdaughter. Noelle remembered her from high school, actually before her mother married the principal. Melanie had always seemed a bit sad, not very social. Of course, since she didn’t swim, they only saw each other in a few classes. Why was she calling? Hopefully, Bruce hadn’t put her up to it.