The Secret of St Claire

by Robin Alexander

  “I’ll go find her. You two carry on with the hunt.”

  Lindsay and Nicole watched as Rose, looking dapper in her pressed denim shirt and jeans, disappeared between two trees.

  “Alexis ratted you out, too, ya know,” Nicole said with a grin. “She says price doesn’t matter when it comes to Christmas trees.”

  Lindsay shook her head. “It doesn’t. Finding the perfect tree and decorating it have always been so exciting. I’ve never grown out of that, and I hope I never do. Christmas was such a magical time for me as a child, then when I had Alexis, all the magic came back. Now I relive it through her.”

  Nicole smiled at the lilt in Lindsay’s voice. When the mystery of Santa Claus was revealed, everything seemed to pale. Christmas as she now knew it was complete pandemonium with her large family, and though she enjoyed it somewhat, it always came as a relief when the holiday was over. But being with Lindsay and her family was beginning to rub off, and the magic she spoke of was filling her with the same excitement. “This Christmas will always be special to me because it’s our first.”

  Lindsay tucked the saw under her arm. “I was thinking the same thing. I wish I could take you in my arms right now and show you how happy I am to have you here. I’d throw you down and— Tiffany, hi.” Lindsay nearly tripped over her own feet when the familiar face peeked out from between the trees.

  “Hello.” Tiffany looked at Nicole oddly. A slight flush covered her cheeks as she turned to Lindsay. “I thought I recognized your voice.”

  “Have you met Dr. Allen?” Lindsay pointed to Nicole.

  “I’ve seen you around town, but we’ve never been formally introduced.” Tiffany thrust out her hand. “I’m Tiffany Stanton, pleasure to meet you, Dr. Allen.”

  Nicole smiled and took her hand. “It’s just Nicole, please.”

  An awkward silence hung in the air among them, then Tiffany started rambling. “I brought the girls out. They always look forward to getting a tree. At least the weather has cooled off, it makes it feel more like Christmas. Last year, we were out here in shorts. I saw Alexis a moment ago, her eye looks so much better. I bet she’s ready to be out of school for the holidays. I know Amanda is anxious to have her come over and play, and of course, she’ll be banging on your door every chance she gets.”

  “She’s always welcome.” Lindsay toyed with her hair.

  “I have to run now.” Tiffany glanced quickly at Nicole. “It was really nice meeting you.”

  “Nice to meet you, too,” Nicole said to the pine branches moving in her wake. She looked over at Lindsay, who’d gone pale. “She heard us talking, didn’t she?”

  “I think so, but she’s not a blabbermouth.” Lindsay inhaled a deep breath and smiled weakly as she exhaled. “I need to get better at handling situations like this. It’s bound to happen again.”

  Nicole wanted to reassure her but kept her distance in case someone else was hiding in the trees. “You did fine,” she said softly. “We’ll just make it a point to be more careful, at least until we talk to Alexis.”

  Lindsay put a hand to her chest like Rose often did. “I’m so glad she stepped out when she did. I was about to be very explicit.”

  “I look forward to hearing the rest later if we get a chance to be alone.” Nicole looked down the row of trees ahead of them. “Right now, I need the perfect tree to start chatting me up because they’re all beginning to look the same.”

  After surveying what seemed like a hundred trees, they really did look the same to Nicole. She was ready to start cutting the closest thing with a trunk regardless of what color the price tag was when Lindsay finally decided on one. Lindsay took it down like a pro, wrote “Juneau” on the tag, and dragged it to the road where it would be picked up. Next came Rose’s, and as Alexis had said, she chose one with a green tag.

  Alexis tugged on Nicole’s hand. “Your turn,” she said with a toothless smile.

  Eager not to disappoint, Nicole pointed to a large tree with full branches. “This one is telling me it can withstand anything kittens can dish out.”

  Lindsay circled it, chewing at her bottom lip. “Impressive choice.”

  Alexis plucked the saw from her mother’s grasp and handed it to Nicole. “Now you have to cut it.”

  “And so I shall.” Nicole climbed beneath the tree and under Lindsay’s direction began to saw. “This would be easier if we were on the same side of the tree. You can help,” she said to Alexis a moment later when her face appeared on the other side of the trunk. Alexis crawled around and positioned herself in front of Nicole. Together, they put their hands on the handle of the saw and resumed cutting.

  “Smile.” Lindsay held up her phone. They paused for the photo, then toppled the tree. Nicole inscribed her tag, “N. Allen,” and with Alexis’s help, she dragged it out to the road.

  “They’re gonna pick them up and put them in a net,” Alexis explained. “We can go to the Christmas store and have apple juice that’s hot.” She grabbed Nicole’s hand and led her up the road.

  As they stood in line, a few of Alexis’s friends walked up. A socialite like her grandmother, Alexis held court and told them all about their tree hunting adventure. She grinned up at Nicole. “This is my friend…” Her brow furrowed. “You are my friend, right? I can call you that?”

  Nicole smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

  Alexis looked back at the group of girls who had gathered. “This is Ms. Nicole, she’s my mom’s friend, but she’s mine, too. She comes to my house all the time, and Mom goes to her house a lot, too. Grams says she’s part of the family.”

  Nicole shot a glance at Lindsay, who shrugged slightly.

  After they’d enjoyed the cider, the Christmas store had to be explored. Since Nicole was decorating more than forty-eight inches of tree, she shopped for ornaments and lights. Her tiny shadow was more than happy to help. Alexis filled both baskets that Nicole carried. She set them on the floor and picked up a flat silver tree ornament that would be perfect for engraving. The line at that table was short, so Nicole grabbed two more as an idea formed.

  Lindsay walked up and noticed the two baskets brimming with tree accoutrements and smiled. “Aw, little Jake will have shoes this year after all.”

  “He’ll have shoes and his college fund paid up judging by the business they’re doing here.” Nicole handed her one of the engraved ornaments as she waited for the last one to be finished. “Turn it over.”

  Lindsay released a small sigh and smiled as she read the inscription. Christmas 2011, Alexis, Rose, Lindsay, and Nicole. Peepers, Bieber, and Bounce.

  “I’m having one made for you and your mom, too.”

  Lindsay gazed at her like she’d just been given a diamond ring. “This means…” She blinked as she caught herself and lowered her voice. “This will become a tradition. Hopefully, one day, our trees…tree…will be covered in nothing but these.”

  It was Nicole’s turn to melt. She truly resented not being able to pull Lindsay close, shower her with kisses, and tell her how much that simple statement meant to her. Instead, she nodded and smiled, hoping that Lindsay could read her thoughts.

  *******

  By late afternoon, they’d already decorated two trees, saving the one at Lindsay’s house for last. Nicole and Alexis sat on the floor untangling strings of lights that Lindsay wound around the spruce. The house was filled with the smell of the seafood gumbo Rose was preparing in the kitchen. Christmas music played softly in the background. The day had been perfect, and Nicole refused to believe that life could get any sweeter.

  She’d talked on the phone to her mother the night before, and Elise lamented the fact that Nicole wouldn’t be home for the holidays, but as she sat there watching Lindsay and Alexis, Nicole realized that she was home. She’d moved away from the place where she was born, left her family behind to live in a strange place, only to grasp it was exactly where she belonged.

  “What are you thinking about?” Lindsay asked as she stroked her hai
r.

  Nicole blinked. She hadn’t noticed that Alexis had scampered off or that Lindsay had taken her place. “I was just thinking about how happy I am.”

  Lindsay’s smile was huge. Her gaze flitted to the doorway of the kitchen a second before she leaned over and kissed Nicole.

  “That was daring.” Nicole ran the tip of her tongue over her bottom lip. “You took a big chance just then.”

  “Stay with me tonight. When the house is quiet and we’re alone, I want to sit here in front of this tree with you in my arms.” The lights twinkled in Lindsay’s eyes as she gazed at Nicole. “I know I want too much too fast, but I can’t seem to put on the brakes. I don’t want to.”

  “I know the feeling,” Nicole said quietly as Alexis raced back into the room.

  *******

  “Ya know…How the Grinch Stole Christmas has always been my favorite holiday show, but if I don’t see his fuzzy green ass for another year, maybe two, I won’t be sad.” Nicole loaded the last bowl into the dishwasher. “After tonight, I don’t think I even like his dog anymore, and that’s saying a lot.”

  “Why on earth a station would play one show back to back is beyond me. Alexis would’ve sat there and watched it all night if we allowed it.” Lindsay kissed Nicole on the cheek as she moved around her to put the leftovers in the fridge. “I think I’ve memorized every line. I’ll probably be reciting it in my sleep.”

  “And you’ll be sleeping alone unless you have earplugs you can loan me.” Nicole tried to keep a straight face.

  “You’re a mea—”

  “Don’t you dare sing that song.” Nicole spun around and pointed a finger at Lindsay. “I’m crazy about you, but I’ll run screaming into the night if you even so much as hum it.”

  “You’re crazy about me?” Lindsay said with a coy smile.

  Nicole walked over and draped her arms around Lindsay’s shoulders. “One hundred percent nuts.”

  Lindsay wrapped her arms around Nicole’s waist and pulled her snugly against her. “I could be considered certifiable, too.”

  The kiss they shared made them both forget all about admiring the tree. With great care, they sneaked up the stairs. Without a peep, they closed the door to the bedroom, and into bed they did creep.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Christmas was fast approaching, and Rose had given an early gift by accepting an invitation from Tiffany Stanton to spend the night in New Orleans, so they could take the children to Christmas in the Oaks. Lindsay and Nicole planned to use every minute of the uninterrupted time locked away in Nicole’s house. Six hours into their first day alone found them sweaty, entwined, and on their way to another orgasm when someone pounded loudly on the front door.

  Nicole froze. “Did you hear that?”

  “It’s the cats.” Lindsay grabbed her head and was about to reclaim Nicole’s lips when the pounding resumed.

  “Someone’s at the…front door?” Nicole said, thinking the sound was coming from somewhere far away. “Nobody ever knocks on it.” She settled back down. “Probably selling something.”

  “It could be an emergency. Maybe someone tried the clinic first.”

  “Oh!” Nicole jumped up and pulled on her robe. “I’ll be right back.” She tried to do something with her wet hair as she walked to the door. “Coming,” she shouted when the pounding resumed much louder than before. Nicole gasped as she looked through the peephole, and her face still showed shock when she opened the door to her parents. “What are you doing here?”

  Elise Allen grabbed Nicole and pulled her in for a hug. “If you think I’m going to let Christmas go by without seeing my baby, you’re crazy.”

  Nicole was still stunned as she looked over her mother’s shoulder at her father, who shrugged. “It was a whim. We just got into the car and started driving.” Fortunately, for Nicole’s sake, her mother pushed into the house, dragging Nicole behind her before her father could get his hug.

  “Why are you sweating? Were you working out?” Elise looked Nicole up and down.

  Nicole looked at them helplessly. “I—”

  Something banged in the bedroom followed by, “Ow! Bieber!”

  “Oh,” Elise said softly before pursing her lips. “Had you answered your phone earlier, we could’ve timed this better.”

  “I was busy then…too,” Nicole said as a flush covered her face.

  “Good God, that was three hours ago. What are you—part rabbit?”

  “Elise!” Darrin tried to stifle a laugh.

  “Three hours.” Elise put a hand on her hip and looked at her husband. “We’d be in traction and out of Viagra.”

  Nicole looked down at her bare feet. “I’ll go get dressed. If either of you love me, you’ll change the subject before I come back.”

  Elise grabbed the sleeve of Nicole’s robe. “Before I make any promises, I need to know if this is serious or a fling.”

  Nicole looked up at her father, then her mother. “This is the woman I plan to marry, so please have mercy.”

  “You’ve known this woman, what a month?” Elise’s brow rose. “And you’ve already proposed?”

  Nicole shook her head. “I haven’t asked her yet, but I plan to soon.”

  Elise gave Nicole a soft shove. “Get her out here.”

  When she returned to the bedroom, Lindsay was fully dressed, cradling a bleeding thumb. She looked horrified. “Who’s out there?”

  Nicole held her by the shoulders. “My parents.”

  “Oh,” Lindsay said miserably. “You…we smell like sex.”

  Nicole’s expression was just as grim. “Yeah, they’re pretty clear on what we’ve been doing.” She looked down at Lindsay’s bleeding thumb. “What happened?”

  “Bieber hasn’t mastered the soft paw. I was playing with him, and he ripped a hole in me.”

  Nicole smacked her lips. “I’ve been spraying him with water for that. He’s a little slow.” She led Lindsay into the bathroom where they washed their hands and faces before doctoring the injury.

  Lindsay paced nervously as Nicole pulled on her clothes. “I’ve been trying to imagine what it would be like to meet your folks, but this sure isn’t the way I envisioned it.”

  Nicole zipped her jeans and pulled Lindsay close. “They’re a lot like your mother, they’ll say just about anything. And, honey, they’ll ask anything. Just give me a wave if it gets too uncomfortable and I’ll jump in.”

  Lindsay inhaled sharply and let it out slowly. “Okay,” she said with a nod.

  *******

  Elise had already put a pot of coffee on to brew when Nicole and Lindsay walked into the kitchen hand in hand. “Mom, Dad, this is Lindsay Juneau.” She smiled over at Lindsay. “My parents, Darrin and Elise.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lindsay.” Darrin stood and gave Lindsay a quick hug.

  Elise held back, scrutinizing Lindsay from head to toe, and Nicole felt her own nervousness spike. The dynamic between mothers and sons had somehow begun to apply. Relationship-wise, Nicole could do no wrong in her mother’s eyes. And no woman she had ever been involved with had ever been good enough for Elise Allen’s baby.

  Elise stepped forward and offered her hand. “Nice to meet you, Lindsay.”

  “It’s wonderful to meet you both.” Lindsay stuck close to Nicole’s side.

  Elise turned to Nicole and looked closely at her face. “Have you stopped wearing those ridiculous contacts, or did you just forget to put them back in?” Elise looked over at Lindsay without awaiting a reply. “She looks just like her father, doesn’t she? No one would know she was my flesh and blood except for the color of her eyes, and she hid them.”

  Lindsay looked over at Darrin; there was no disputing Elise’s claim. The shape of their eyes, mouth, and noses were the same, even the fair skin tone. Elise, however, was olive-complexioned. Her salon-tended blond hair stood out in contrast. Her blue eyes seemed to glow against the dark skin of her face. What she did share in common with Nicole was her
style of dress, though slightly more feminine, conservative, and impeccably pressed. Her pink sweater was accented by a single strand of pearls and matching earrings. She didn’t appear to share Nicole’s love of boots, though. Instead, she wore a pair of loafers with her jeans.

  “Sit down, Lindsay, while I pour the coffee. I want to hear all about you.” Elise’s request sounded more like an order. Still holding Nicole’s hand, she took a seat and pulled Nicole into the chair beside her. “Are you originally from St. Claire?” Elise set a cup in front of Lindsay as though she were the unexpected guest.

  “Yes, ma’am, my family’s lived here since the turn of the century.”

  Darrin smiled at Lindsay as he pushed the cream and sugar her way. “So your parents still live here too then?”

  “My mother does, my dad passed away.”

  “Siblings?” Elise set the rest of the cups on the table and took a seat.

  “I’m an only child.”

  “Lindsay and her mother, Rose, own the hardware store in town. They work there together.” Nicole smiled at Lindsay. “You’ll meet her, too, I’m sure.”

  “We know all about family business.” Darrin looked at Nicole over his coffee cup before taking a sip. “Working with a parent can be rewarding and trying at the same time.”

  Lindsay picked up her own cup. “You hit the proverbial nail on the head, but I wouldn’t trade her for the world, even though she often puts her nose and two feet into my personal business.”

  Nicole clinked her cup with Lindsay’s. “I’ll drink to that.”

  “So you’ve gotten to know Lindsay’s mother quite well? Because you don’t call your own as much as you should. Ah,” Elise said when Nicole opened her mouth to protest. “Don’t make up any excuses. I know what you spend your time doing now.”

  “Mom,” Nicole said with a blushing grin.

  Elise looked over at Lindsay. “She wants me to behave.”