Emma twisted until she faced him. “Noah?” She slipped her hand from the blanket and brushed it across his stubbled cheek. “I think I love this memory already.”
He lowered his head, let his lips hover over hers. “This is probably not a good idea.”
There was too much space between them. Emma pulled his head to hers. “Let me know when you get a better one.” She kissed him with all the Thankful-Damsel-in-a-Ditch energy that pulsed through her veins. It had been ten years since they’d been together. Too long to go without this man’s hands on her. He rolled her beneath him and took control. His lips teased and soothed, reminding her of what it felt like to be his, to be cherished, adored. Her fingers threaded through his hair, as Noah changed the angle and intensity, using lips, teeth, and tongue.
Noah raised his head just enough to look at Emma, stroking her face. His eyes held the same tenderness she had seen so many years before.
And Emma knew she was utterly lost.
She knew the feeling the second it pinged in her heart—that lonely spot only he’d ever reached. That heart spiraled and tilted like a snowflake in a storm, unable to do anything but fall. She had loved Noah once. It was right there again, tapping at the frosty window-pane, begging her to let it in.
Emma drifted her hands down Noah’s strong back, needing to draw closer as he lowered his lips once more. He rained feathery kisses across her cheek, taking a little detour to the sensitive flesh of her neck, only to slide back up to match his lips to hers again.
“Still cold?” With a smile, he pressed his forehead to hers, his breathing ragged, his heart beating steadily against her palm.
“Definitely warming up.” Her hand traced the contour of his cheek. “You run a full-service rescue operation.”
Turning on his side, Noah pulled her to him. The two watched the flames shimmy in the fireplace, his hand making lazy strokes down her arm. A million thoughts flitted through Emma’s mind. Was tonight just an anomaly? Would she return to work in city hall, only to find her cold, aloof boss had returned? What if this was nothing more than a moment of weakness for him? A trip back in time?
“I can hear the gears turning in your head.” His voice rumbled against her. “Whatever it is you’re worrying over, don’t.”
“Are we going to talk about what just happened?”
He kissed the top of her head. “Not tonight.”
She didn’t know why she was disappointed. It wasn’t like she had any idea what to say.
They’d kissed.
It probably meant nothing to him. He probably kissed women all the time.
Now that was just a depressing thought.
Emma squeezed her eyes shut against the image in her head. She didn’t want to think of Noah with anyone else.
Which bothered her even more.
He wasn’t hers. And she’d be leaving next month.
Emma didn’t know how long she lay there brooding, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep until she gave Noah the words on her heart. She whispered his name and gave his arm a small shake.
“What?” He tightened his hold and breathed deeply.
“I’m sorry.”
He softly squeezed her hand. “I know.”
“I’m not talking about driving into a ditch.”
Noah ran his hand over her hair. “I know, Em.”
Somehow it was easier to get it all out with him holding her close—yet not looking into his face. “I . . . I was afraid of the life you wanted.”
Her words went without comment long enough that she thought maybe he had fallen asleep.
Until finally she heard his voice.
“I guess I was afraid of your dream too,” Noah said.
“I shouldn’t have just walked out.” Emma hated the way the day replayed in her mind. “I handled it so badly, and if I could go back, I would. I’d change it. I’m sorry I hurt you.” The fire snapped and popped, and she imagined her old wounds going up in the smoke that filled the chimney and escaped into the night sky. “I need you to forgive me, Noah. I can’t keep going on like this. Maybe God led me to Sugar Creek just to tell you one last time how sorry I am.”
His voice whispered near her ear. “I forgive you.”
A weight of a hundred Christmas trees lifted from Emma’s heart. She’d been carrying that guilt for so long. Parts of it would always stay with her, tucked in her mind like a splinter she couldn’t see. Maybe one day she’d be able to forgive herself and let it completely go. For now, she had the most important thing. Noah’s absolution.
“Thank you.” She nestled into the crook of his arm, placed a reverent kiss against his skin, and breathed him in. “Thank you.”
Emma fell asleep in Noah’s arms.
She was warm. She was safe.
She was still in love.
Chapter Fourteen
Two nights later, nearly all traces of snow had disappeared, as if the wintery precipitation had packed up its every belonging and left in a snit, offended at the arrival of the sun.
Standing before the bathroom mirror, Emma applied Vixen Violet lipstick to her lips and blotted them with a tissue. Her stomach was full of a protein bar and butterflies, neither one particularly satisfying. In just a few hours, the town would put on their coats and gloves and pile onto the lawn of the square for the tree lighting ceremony. Emma had reviewed every single detail at least a dozen times, but she still felt as nervous as the time she’d interviewed her first royal. Tonight’s event was the bow on top of a very big, strategically planned package.
Her doorbell rang, and Emma frowned. She did not have time for visitors.
In her camel-colored dress pants, white cashmere sweater, and leather stiletto boots, Emma made her way downstairs and opened the door.
She smiled at the sight of her guest. “Noah.”
He stood on her front porch, a bouquet of hot pink roses in his hand. “I was in the neighborhood.” He leaned in for a long, lingering kiss. “Thought you might want a ride.”
Emma held the flowers between them and sniffed. “You’re such a gentleman to come all this way.”
“Anything for you.” He nudged her inside and shut the door behind them.
“Thank you for the roses. They’re—”
Noah pulled her to him and silenced her with another kiss, tossing the flowers in a nearby camping chair.
“I should put those in water.”
Though Emma was struggling to recall where her kitchen even was.
“It can wait.” His lips settled on the soft spot beneath her ear as he pressed her back to the door.
“They might wilt.”
“I’ll buy you more.”
Emma wanted to stay like this forever—in Noah’s arms, his lips on hers, his body close. With just one touch from him, she felt safe, cherished, even loved.
But what did he feel about her? Besides the obvious attraction, did Noah think about Emma as much as she did of him? Did thoughts of her interrupt his workday and dominate his nights? She wondered if Noah could he falling for her or if she were merely a holiday fling.
“We could stay here.” Noah’s soft lips whispered against hers. He tasted like heaven and temptation, but inside her head Emma heard the ticking of the clock, counting down her days left in Sugar Creek.
“I kind of think the mayor has to be at the city tree lighting.” Emma rested her head against Noah’s chest, loving the sound of his racing heart against her ear.
“So I need a date for the Christmas gala,” Noah said.
“Oh.” Emma smiled. “Got anyone in mind?”
“Delores has been dropping hints.”
She laughed. “I’m willing to fight her for you.” Emma pressed a quick kiss to Noah’s chin. “I just confirmed the band’s airfare yesterday.”
Noah hugged her closely. “I think this will be our best gala yet.”
It as also the last event of the holiday season, just a few days before Christmas.
Then Emma would be
gone.
***
Noah and Emma walked around the square, putting the final touches on each aspect of the event. The weather had come through, thankfully. It was a chilly forty-five degrees, but the sky was clear and there wouldn’t be precip for days.
“Everything looks great,” Emma said as Noah walked with her across the crispy, dried lawn. “You’ve done a fabulous job.”
He trailed a knuckle down her cheek. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Emma laughed. “I’m sure you would’ve found a way.”
“Let me rephrase that, I wouldn’t have wanted to have done this without you.”
Her heart soared like the fireworks that would later fly over the creek. “I didn’t expect to enjoy all this Christmas planning,” Emma admitted. “But I have. I’ve loved my time here.”
Noah reached for Emma’s hand, meshing their fingers. “Then don’t go back.”
“I . . .it’s tempting. What I do is interesting, but it’s not the fulfilling career I thought it would be.”
“Even meeting all those famous people. You’ve become a celebrity yourself.”
But it wasn’t enough. “Maybe I’m just burned out. It could pass.”
“And what if it doesn’t?” Noah frowned. “Do you really want to spend a few more decades in a job that makes you miserable?”
Like it was that easy—to just quit and leave a lucrative television career behind. “What else would I do? My resume is just a series of news jobs.”
“And now you can add marketing director—city event planner.”
Emma smiled at a passerby. “Sometimes I imagine myself quitting my job and trying something new. But that fantasy never ends well.”
“Melissa put in her notice today.” Noah’s eyes were steady on Emma’s. “It seems I have a job opening.”
“Mayor Kincaid!” The man who had the honor of turning on the Christmas tree lights waved from across the lawn, saving her from a response.
“I need to take care of some things and go meet everyone on stage.” Noah waved and returned his attention back to Emma. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into joining me up there? I’d like the town to see the woman behind so much of our Christmas success.”
“That’s really sweet, but my answer is still no. I’m enjoying being out of the spotlight.”
Noah led Emma to an empty seat on the front row, right next to Delores.
“I’m proud of you,” he said to Emma. “Sugar Creek is better with you here.” Then in front of God, country, and one giant Christmas tree, Noah kissed her. With a playful wink, he walked away.
And Emma all but collapsed into her chair.
Beside her, Delores gave a disdainful snort. “Is that in your job description? He’s never kissed me like that.”
Emma watched Noah approach the stage as she leaned toward his receptionist. “It was in my contract.”
Half an hour later, the moon shone on Sugar Creek and the thousands of folks who had gathered for the celebration. Noah welcomed everyone, giving props to all who had been involved in bringing Christmas to the town, from various civic organizations to individuals. When he thanked Emma, the entire crowd had clapped and cheered. It would be another memory to pull out on the hard days back in Manhattan.
As Noah continued to speak eloquently about the community of Sugar Creek and the joy of the season, Emma joined the volunteers to pass out candles to everyone there.
After Noah stepped down, accompanied by a standing ovation, the Sugar Creek children’s choir assembled on stage.
“They were specifically asked not to sing any songs by your father,” Noah whispered as he returned to Emma’s side.
She cuddled into the arm he offered and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
As the children sang, many of the onlookers joined in while they began the chain of lighting their candles.
Next, a city council member introduced their honorary tree-lighter, a twenty six-year old Army veteran who had returned from Afghanistan only months ago with new medals on his uniform, but without his right leg and two of his closest friends.
The soldier didn’t leave a dry eye as he thanked the community for their support and expressed gratitude for being home—alive—with his young wife.
“Three . . . two. . . one. . . Merry Christmas!” the soldier flipped a large switch, and the tree that stood so regally in the heart of the town transformed before them.
A giant star decorated the top, while red and green lights flickered and flashed. Animated elves skittered around the green branches, and brightly-colored packages danced in a circle below.
Amidst gasps and cries of delight, the crowd cheered again before joining in with the choir to sing “Silent Night.”
“Look,” said Emma breathlessly. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
Noah pressed a kiss to her hair. “It is.” He watched his town in all its merriment. “What’s your favorite part?”
Like she could pick just one thing. The way harmonies always rose above the melody, even in large crowds. The families bundled together, sipping hot chocolate and grinning from ear to ear. The way the world slowed during moments like these, and for just a few moments, they all shared the same desire to be still, to be quiet, and to leave the ugliness behind. There was the tree that pointed to heaven like a holy evergreen and the stars twinkling down in the clear night sky. As far as the eye could see, candles glowed in the hands of friends, neighbors, and those who had stopped by in search of that elusive Christmas spirit.
“You are my favorite part of tonight, Noah,” Emma finally decided. “Seeing you so happy here. The expression on your face as you look at the culmination of all your vision and hard work.” She blinked back tears. Sugar Creek had made her a veritable bawl baby. “I can’t believe I’m standing here with you seeing all of this. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. It’s so easy to just go through the motions of the holiday, to not even notice what’s around you. But not here in Sugar Creek. You’ve made us all stop and. . . . just stop.” She knew she was barely making sense. “I can feel it—Christmas. The people, the magic, this town. And that’s a gift you’ve given to us all.”
Noah might’ve been there as the Sugar Creek mayor, but he was her mayor tonight. She stood on tiptoe and gave him a soft, lingering kiss. She wanted Noah to know how much this night had affected her, how many hearts he had stirred.
Emma knew her own heart would never be the same.
“I love you, Noah Kincaid,” she whispered.
Noah lifted his head, and his serious eyes pinned her in place. “Emma—”
“You don’t have to say anything.” Good heavens, Emma had not meant to say that. It was the lights, the singing, the nostalgia. “I. . . . .I. . . .” She frantically scanned her brain for something eloquent, something more controlled.
Noah stepped closer, shielding Emma’s body from the biting wind. “Emma Sutton, I’ve loved you since our third date, sharing a bowl of greasy nachos in the student union. I knew I still had it bad the day you showed up back in town.” He held her gloved hand in his. “I’ve just been waiting for you to catch up.”
When Noah kissed her, Emma felt like her heart was at rest for the first time in her life. All the anger she’d lived with for so long, the bitterness, the guilt she’d dragged behind her like a two-ton anvil had vanished. None of that seemed to matter right now.
“I have to go talk to some folks.” Noah pressed a soft kiss to Emma’s temple. “We have some pretty big media outlets here that I need to touch base with.”
She wanted to stay right where they were and not let reality intrude, but work called. “And I need to check on the ice rink.”
The wind ruffled Noah’s dark hair. “You and me—we’re talking when we get home.”
Emma nodded. That seemed to always be where she messed things up. “Right.”
After one more swoon-worthy kiss, Noah was gone.
Emma followed the chiming Christmas music and wal
ked down the street that ran in front of the city courthouse. This year Sugar Creek had transformed its splash park into an ice skating rink. It would be open all winter, and judging by ticket sales and the crowds, it was a huge hit.
“How’s it going, Bob?” Emma asked the man in an elf hat taking money.
“Hey, Miss Sutton. Man, we’re busy. Good idea having Santa skate with the kids tonight.” Bob chuckled. “Santa’s only fallen ten times. He’s gonna need to move some of that padding from his belly to his back side.”
“Everything looks great.” Emma spied her grandmother and Frannie wobbling on skates, holding one another’s arms, and giggling like school girls. Sylvie had one of those laughs that made you smile, even when you had no idea what the punch line was. Emma bought three hot coffees from the teenager in the concession booth, then waved at her grandmother and friend.
“Is that for me?” Sylvie swished past and reached for the railing. She and Frannie unlaced their skates and swapped them for shoes.
Emma handed them their steaming coffees. “You didn’t need to quit yet. I was enjoying the show.”
Frannie took her first sip. “Just like watching the Ice Capades, eh?”
Emma hid her smiling lips behind her cup. “Just like it.”
The three of them leaned on a low wall surrounding the rink and watched the skaters.
“You’ve done a wonderful job here, Shug,” Sylvie said. “This place has been turned into a winter wonderland.”
“Noah’s done most of the work. I just followed through on the plans already in motion.” Emma watched a mother try to coax her young daughter to the ice. “He thinks we’ve had over ten thousand visitors in the last few weeks.”
“I’d call that a success.” Sylvie patted Emma’s back.
“You gonna marry that mayor of ours?” Frannie asked.
The question spun Emma like a triple lutz. “It’s much too soon to be talking about that.”
“Honey,” Frannie said. “You can’t let the good ones get away. You’ve been sweet on each other since college. It’s not like you just started dating.”
But they really had. They were two different people now. Or at least Emma was.
Sugar Creek Christmas Nook Page 10
