“Well, Gina was obviously happy to see you and I thought—”
When her voice dwindled to nothing, he prompted, “You thought—?”
She heard amusement in his voice. “Well, it just seems to me that maybe you’d want to follow up on your friendship.”
“Tell me something, Miss Noelle, are you trying to play matchmaker for me?”
“Oh! Well, no. Not exactly.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You know, I’d much prefer to decide for myself who I’d like to spend my time with.”
“Of course.”
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. The glow from the dash offered enough light for him to see her heightened color. “How about you? Have you ever given any thought to getting married?”
“Me?” She sounded shocked. “Of course not! What I mean is, I—uh—well, have my career to think about and—” She coughed and gave up.
“Your career. I see. I certainly hope your helping us here hasn’t delayed any of your plans.”
“Oh, no,” she quickly replied. “My career is all about helping people wherever I can, so this was all part of—What I mean is, I was just glad to be able to help you,” she finished lamely.
“You know, I realize that I haven’t had much time to visit with you since you arrived. Why don’t you tell me more about yourself.”
“All right.”
When she didn’t say anything more he waited, and waited, and finally started laughing.
“Did I say something funny?”
“Not at all. What was funny was that you didn’t say anything. Most people who agree to talk about themselves don’t sit in silence.”
“Oh! I’m sorry. I was waiting to find out what you wanted to know about me.”
“Have you always lived in California?”
“No.”
“Do you visit Ida often?”
“No.”
“Come on, Noelle. I need a little help here.”
“I guess I don’t know what it is you’re interested in learning about me. I feel as though you know the truly important things about me. I enjoy children. I love to cook. Living in the country is the closest thing to heaven I know.…”
“Then you really are content at the ranch.”
She turned and looked at him, her face glowing. “Oh, yes, more than I can possibly say.”
Something deep inside him seemed to splinter, shift and break loose. Freda was right. His emotions were definitely coming out of the deep freeze…they were melting like ice in a spring thaw.
He reached over, took her hand and carefully placed it on his thigh, then rested his hand on top.
They rode that way in silence for the rest of the way home.
Chapter Six
By the time they reached the ranch the house was dark except for a muted glow coming from the living room. Bret parked the truck in the large shed beside the barn, then went around and helped Noelle down from the big vehicle.
Instead of going toward the back door, however, he led her along the driveway until they reached the front of the house where he paused. From there they could see through the living-room window into the warmth of the room beyond.
“The tree looks so festive all lit up like that, doesn’t it?” he murmured. “I’ve never really taken the time to look at it before tonight.”
She stood beside him and saw the love and attention that draped and surrounded the tree, each and every ornament carefully chosen over the years by a family’s tradition. “It’s lovely.”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, then led her up the steps to the front door, which was seldom used. They found Roy asleep on the sofa, the television flickering its late-night movie. The quiet closing of the door alerted Roy to their arrival and he sat up and yawned. “Did ya have a good time?”
“Yes,” Noelle answered softly. “You were right. The view of the river was well worth seeing.” She glanced up at Bret. “Thank you for taking me.”
Roy coughed. “Well, guess I’d better get home.”
“How was Freda?”
“Oh, she’s looking good…seemed tickled to see us. Said she’d missed all the ruckus of getting ready for the holidays and all.”
“Has the doctor told her when she could leave the hospital?”
“Well, he said it would definitely be in time for Christmas, providing she doesn’t try to get around on that leg anytime soon. He’s insisting she take it easy and get plenty of rest. Guess her sister intends to make sure she does.” Roy looked at Noelle. “You planning to be here through the holidays?”
“Well, I’ll be able to stay until—”
Bret interrupted, saying, “We haven’t had a chance to discuss it, Roy.”
Roy got the message. “Well, I’ll see you in the mornin’,” he said, picking up his hat and settling it on his head.
Bret followed him to the door and locked up after him. He returned to the living room, where Noelle stood gazing at the tree, a wistful smile on her face.
“Noelle?”
She turned and looked at him.
As though drawn by a magnet, Bret moved closer until he was close enough to touch her. He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. Her skin was so smooth, smoother than anything else he could name. Her complexion was so fair—like ivory—with just a hint of color tinting her cheekbones. However, it was her eyes—deep blue surrounded by a fringe of thick lashes—that tugged a deep response from somewhere inside of him.
He forgot what he had intended to say. Instead, he murmured, “Travis is right.”
“About what?”
“You really do look like the Christmas angel. They must have modeled her after you.”
She smiled, but didn’t say anything.
Carefully, as though she were made of porcelain and could easily break, he slipped his arms around her waist. “I know what I said earlier, and I hate to break a promise, but I don’t think I’m strong enough to leave this room without kissing you.”
She went up on tiptoe and placed her hands trustingly against his chest. “I’d like that…very much.”
A strong surge of protectiveness swept over him even while he took what she offered without hesitation. She felt so natural there, as though she’d found her home in his arms.
He brushed his lips against hers, wanting to savor each sensation, wanting to relish the moment. He could feel her quivering, causing him to stroke her spine in a soothing gesture of comfort. Then he lost all sense of thought or awareness of anything other than their blending.
Eventually he scooped her up in his arms and settled down on the sofa with her draped across his lap. He took his time exploring each tiny new discovery about her…her delicate waist, the gentle curve of her hips. Meanwhile he continued to press kisses on her face and neck and down to the opening of her blouse.
Her fluttering fingers touched his face, danced through his hair, shyly caressed his chest until he thought he might explode with desire for her.
Bret forced himself to lift his head away from her. He drew several deep breaths, still holding her close to him, before he allowed his head to lean against the sofa’s backrest.
When he opened his eyes and looked at her she was watching him with a solemn scrutiny he found captivating.
“You don’t enjoy kissing me?”
He couldn’t hide his smile. “On the contrary. I enjoy it very much.”
“Then why do you feel guilty for doing something you enjoy?”
Her discernment never ceased to amaze him. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
“You’ve done nothing that I haven’t allowed.”
He sighed. “I know this will sound crazy, but I feel as though I’m cheating on Patti.”
“I can understand that. You’ve treated Patti’s absence in your life as temporary. Somewhere you’ve harbored the feeling that she will be back.”
“I know better.”
“Your rational mind, perhaps.”
“But
you’re right. I haven’t wanted to be around another woman…until you came. I feel as though someone turned on a light for me and made me look into all the dark corners of my mind. I can see what I’ve been doing to myself by not accepting her loss.” He looked down at Noelle. “You’ve been that light for me.”
“I’m so glad, Bret. You deserve so much happiness. You’re a good man, a caring father. It’s time for you to accept all the good things that life has to offer.”
“Does that include you?”
She looked startled. Carefully she replied, “I’m not certain that I understand what you mean.”
“Then you are much too innocent and naive for your own good. Roy knows what’s been happening to me. From the way the children made themselves so willingly scarce tonight, I have a hunch they see it, too.” He placed a kiss on the tip of her nose, on each cheek, and finally gave her a lingering kiss on the mouth. “I don’t want you to disappear out of my life now that I’ve met you. I want you to stay here with me…with us.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” she began before he effectively stopped her rebuttal with another long, lingering kiss that seemed to effectively distract her. At least for the moment. Eventually she continued, but on an entirely different subject, he decided. “Christmas season is a magical time, a time when miracles can and often do occur.”
He smiled. “I suppose you’re right. I feel like I experienced a miracle when you showed up here at the ranch just when we needed you.”
“Exactly. I feel very blessed to be here.” She stroked his cheek wistfully before she continued. “However, the magic ends on Christmas Day. It reaches its peak at midnight on Christmas Eve. I’ll be gone by the next day.”
“Nonsense. There’s no reason to believe that you can’t stay as long as you wish. If you have another job, send them your resignation. Better yet, call and resign now.”
“I’m afraid it isn’t quite that simple. There are some professions that are considered lifetime callings.”
“Perhaps if you explained that—” He paused, realizing what she had just now admitted. “You don’t want to stay. That’s it, isn’t it? You knew when you arrived that you would only be here until Christmas.”
“It isn’t a question of what I want. It’s a question of what I’m allowed to do.”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you telling me that I was right? You’re really from some religious order?” Hastily lifting her off his lap he set her beside him. “Well, why in the world didn’t you say so. How could you let me be kissing and loving you when—”
Her peals of laughter effectively interrupted him. “No, no. It’s nothing like that…well, not exactly. It’s just that—” She paused, resting her head lightly in her palm, thinking. Finally she looked up at him and sighed. “I really don’t know how I can explain. You’ll just have to take my word for it that I will only be able to stay until Christmas, then I must go. But we’ll be able to enjoy each other during the time I’m here.”
“So you’re saying I should accept the miracle of your presence without wanting more.”
“Exactly.”
“Since having you here has made such a tremendous difference in all our lives, I don’t suppose I have cause for complaint.” He stood and pulled her up to stand beside him. “I’d sound terribly ungrateful not to accept what’s been so graciously offered to us.” He kissed her again before saying, “It’s late. You’d better turn in while I see to the lights and make sure everything’s locked up.”
With a slight smile she turned away and left the room. Bret stayed and stared at the tree. The little angel looked tired tonight. Her wand was drooping and her halo had a slight dip in it.
“Patti,” he whispered, “you always said I was the most stubborn cuss you’d ever known. I guess you’re right. I hung on to your memory for so long, making myself so miserable. The fact is, I almost enjoyed wallowing in my misery. If you’d been here, you would have kicked my rear for acting that way.
“Having Noelle visit has been a miracle, all right. It was like having her hand me a pair of glasses that, once I put them on, made me see what I was doing to myself and the children. You know that I’ll never forget you, Patti. I see you in our children every day. We had a wonderful life together. You were my youth.
“I have a chance now to have another life, not better, just different, because I’m different. I know that it’ll take some convincing on my part to get Noelle to consider spending her life here on the ranch with me and the children. I don’t know how much influence you have on that side, but I’d appreciate it if you’d put in a good word for me.”
He stood there for a long time lost in thought before finally turning off the lights, securing the house and quietly climbing the steps to his empty room.
He wanted to believe in miracles very badly. If this was the reason for them he’d like to apply for one.
Bret fell asleep, thinking of Noelle. Once asleep, he dreamed of her, a normal occurrence for him during the past several nights.
As soon as Noelle woke the next morning, she got up and hurried to the window, knowing that something was different. The ground was covered with a blanket of snow several inches thick. She found the view enchanting. Although it was barely daylight, she hurriedly dressed, found appropriate boots, gloves and a cap, and quietly slipped outside to marvel at the new landscape.
Curiously she touched the snow, awed by its lightness. Then she scooped some up with her hands and touched it with her tongue. She shivered at the iciness and tossed the snow back to the ground, its cold already coming through her woolen gloves.
She walked toward the barn, then turned and looked at her footprints in the snow. What fun to have experienced Mother Nature’s grand performance. The sky continued to lighten and sunlight set the snow to sparkling like the Milky Way on a moonless night…all glittery and shiny, winking and blinking with light and color. No one had ever mentioned bright specks of color in snow…all the colors of the rainbow. Fascinating, simply fascinating.
“Mornin’, Miss Noelle,” Roy said on his way to the barn from his cabin. “You’re up mighty early.”
She turned and gave him her version of a sparkling smile. “Oh, yes. When I saw that it had snowed last night, I couldn’t wait to come outside and get a closer look.”
“Guess you don’t get much snow in California.” He looked around them and said, “Even though it means extra work for us here—to make sure the livestock makes it through this cold snap—I’ve always been kinda partial to days like this. The wind is still so the snow clings to every surface.”
Noelle walked over to where he stood and saw how each ordinary ranch implement left outside was now decorated with a trim line of snow. “I imagine the sun will melt it fairly quickly.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She started to turn away, then paused. “I need to go start breakfast. You’re welcome to join us, you know.”
“Thank ya, but I already ate. I might come in for some coffee once I’ve looked after the animals, though.”
Noelle reached the porch in time to meet Bret on his way outside. “What are you doing up so early?”
She laughed. “I couldn’t resist getting a closer look at the new snow.” He looked so good, standing there in his sheepskin-lined denim jacket, with his Stetson pulled low over his eyes.
He glanced out over the ranch yard, no doubt noting the footprints she and Roy had made, then dropped his gaze down to her. “I’ll need to check the rest of the livestock and take hay to them after breakfast. Would you like to come along?”
“I’d like that.”
“Good.” He touched his forefinger to the curled brim of his hat. “I’ll be back in time for breakfast.”
When she went inside she discovered that Bret had already started the coffee. Quickly she began to find the necessary ingredients to feed the Bishop clan a warm and nutritious breakfast.
She had just taken the biscuits out of the oven when she heard someo
ne come in. She turned around and saw Travis, still in his pajamas and slippers. He shuffled into the room, still not completely awake.
“Good morning, sleepyhead. How are you this morning?”
He looked at her with wide eyes, his bottom lip quivering. “I had a bad dream,” he said in a husky voice.
Noelle immediately walked over and sat down at the table, then beckoned him to join her. When he reached her side, she hoisted him onto her lap and wrapped her arms around him.
He smelled of scented soap and floral shampoo and warm little boy. She hugged him to her and said, “Tell me about your dream, honey.”
He sighed and allowed his head to relax against her chest. “I woke up and it was Christmas and there were lots and lots of presents but nobody was there but me. I didn’t want to be by myself. It was scary.”
“Well, I don’t think anything like that will happen to you, sweetie. You’ve got your daddy, your brother, your sisters and Roy and Freda who all love you and will be around for you so you won’t ever have to be alone.”
He lifted his head and looked at her. “Will you be here?”
She smiled. “I’m always here for Christmas, remember?”
“On the tree. But I like it better when you’re grown-up size and you feed us and things.”
“I like it, too, but I won’t be able to stay this way. Remember I explained to you about the magic? I’ll still be able to talk with you and hear what you tell me each and every year, but I don’t think I’ll be able to cook for you and look after you.”
“Why?”
“Well, eventually I’ll have other work…angel kind of work.”
“Why can’t an angel work in the kitchen?”
She laughed. “Believe me, Travis, people who work in kitchens and prepare food for others are definitely angels, every one of them.” She tried to find words to explain. “You see, I’m a novice angel, which means that I’m learning how to be a full-fledged angel. There’s still a lot of things I have to learn, so it’s like I’m still going to school.”
“You know enough for me. And I want you to stay here and be my mommy.”
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