A Christmas Star

by Judith Keim

  Noelle nodded. “All right. Thank you very much. But I must warn you, I’m ready to try anything new.”

  He chuckled. “Me too. My partner, Chase Naughton, is a great cook, and he’s teaching me how to cook a lot of different things.”

  “Perfect. You can tell me all about it, because I’m learning to cook too.”

  ###

  Gavin’s was a fairly new restaurant that had gained a lot of notoriety for its pleasant setting and excellent food.

  When they entered the restaurant, Noelle took a moment to look around. The wood-paneled dark walls were brightened by Oriental rugs, wall sconces, and candles flickering on the crowded tables.

  They were seated at a table in a private nook that overlooked a small, tropical garden. Noelle let out a sigh of contentment. It was going to be a pleasant evening. On the way to the restaurant, she and Martin had chatted like old friends. And now, the delicious aromas wafting in the air made her mouth water in anticipation of a fabulous meal.

  While they waited for the wine steward to take their order, Noelle took a moment to get a second look around. The dark, paneled walls were in contrast to the light, bright colors of the outdoors. The white-linen-covered tables held flickering candles in cut-glass votive holders and a hibiscus-shaped, white-porcelain container for a single, bright blossom. The main dining room was packed. At one side, a staircase led to the second floor, and she saw a number of people dressed for the holidays climb the stairs to one of the private rooms advertised as being upstairs.

  “How about sharing a bottle of wine?” Martin asked. His hazel eyes twinkled. “Chase gave me some ideas for a bottle of red. I like pinot noir wines from Oregon. Do you have any other preferences?”

  “A pinot sounds delightful,” Noelle said. “I’m hungry for seafood, and that will go nicely.”

  The steward came to their table, and after discussing it with him, Martin placed an order for a pinot noir from the Willamette Valley, Oregon.

  As Noelle perused the menu, she kept returning to an Alaskan salmon entrée that caught her eye.

  Marvin announced he was going for the grilled chicken Mandarin style.

  They placed their orders and sipped their wine, talking easily.

  “Tell me about Hazel’s family,” she said to Martin. “I don’t pry into any patient’s personal lives but I’m willing to listen if they want to share. She has your photograph on her bureau, one of a young soldier in uniform, and a few of her little white dog. She must have siblings if she’s an aunt.”

  “My mother and Hazel are the only two siblings. There’s a big age difference between them. They grew up not knowing each other that well. As for being single, she was expecting to marry a young man who was killed early on in the Vietnam war. Nothing formal, just a promise.”

  “Thanks for telling me. Hazel is especially friendly with three other women in the New Life Assisted-Living Community, and they’ve become fast friends. They call themselves The Three Musketeers Plus One. It’s really nice to see.”

  Martin gave her a smile that warmed her heart. “That’s where Plan B came in, I guess. Aunt Hazel made it very clear that I had no choice in the matter, that I was going to show you a wonderful evening. I wasn’t sure what kind of person she had in mind for me, but she couldn’t have chosen better. Too bad I’m already taken.”

  “That’s what’s made this so pleasant,” said Noelle, beaming at him. “I hope I get to meet Chase sometime.”

  “He’s a wonderful person. I’m lucky to have found him,” said Martin, his eyes shining. “So, what are we going to tell Aunt Hazel?”

  “I’m going to tell her I had a very pleasant evening, but like I’ve said all along, I’m not ready for a relationship with anyone just yet.”

  Martin thought a moment, then nodded. “That’s fair. I’ll have to handle my end differently, of course, but I do want her to know I did as she asked.”

  Noelle was surprised by how quickly the time had passed as they’d worked their way through the dessert course. She’d chosen a lemon souffle that was light and tasty.

  After the bill had been paid, Martin helped her with her shawl and they walked out to his car.

  On the way home, Noelle reviewed out loud one of the recipes Martin had told her about. “So, I make a honey and ginger marinade for the shrimp, and then after the shrimp is grilled, I ladle the sauce over the shrimp, which I place on a bed of brown rice.”

  “Yes, but don’t forget the grilled pineapple. You can use that to garnish the plate, or simply place a few small slices on top of the shrimp. It looks like something hard to make, but it isn’t.”

  “Thanks. I know exactly who I’m going to cook it for.”

  “Guy or gal?” Martin said.

  “A man I’ve met here who loves to cook.”

  Martin quirked an eyebrow at her. “Are we talking about Plan A?”

  Noelle laughed. “Close, but not exactly. We’re just friends.”

  “Uh-huh,” countered Martin. “You’re blushing.”

  Noelle shook a playful finger at him. “Don’t you dare mention this to Hazel. She and her friends think it’s going to work, but it isn’t. Jake and I have agreed that’s how it is because there’s so much more to the story.”

  “My lips are sealed. I promise,” Martin said seriously, though a smile creased his face.

  When they reached the cottage, Noelle turned to him. “Would you like to come in?”

  “Thanks,” said Martin, “but I need to get back to Sarasota. Chase and I are getting up early tomorrow to go fishing.” He held up a finger. “Stay right there.”

  Martin got out of the car and hurried over to the passenger side to open the door for her.

  She stepped out of the car onto the driveway and allowed him to walk her to the front door.

  “Thanks again for a lovely evening,” she said. Then, on tiptoes, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Keep in touch.”

  He smiled. “Let me know how it goes with Aunt Hazel.”

  “Will do.” Noelle watched him walk away and then opened the door to the cottage. It had been a wonderful date—one she’d talk about happily.

  ###

  The next morning Noelle awoke and stretched lazily. She’d slept better than she had in some time. Her thoughts flew to the previous evening. Martin Vogel had turned out to be a delightful date. And today would be pleasant too. It was Silas’s tree-trimming party.

  She wrapped her robe around her and padded into the kitchen to fix herself a cup of coffee.

  Above the sound of the coffee dripping into a pot, she heard the doorbell ring.

  Puzzled, she went to answer it. Peering through the peephole in the door, she saw Jake. He was wearing jogging pants and a sweatshirt, and moving from one sneakered foot to the other.

  She opened the door and waved him inside. “Cold morning, huh?”

  He nodded. “Cold for Florida. Going to stay that way for a day or two.”

  “How about a hot cup of coffee?”

  “Sounds great.” Jake followed her into the kitchen and watched as she filled two cups.

  She handed him a cup and indicated a place for him at the table. Lowering herself into a chair opposite him, she said, “What’s up?”

  “I thought I’d better talk to you about Silas. He’s really excited about the tree-trimming party tonight. Dora is going to be there, along with Brett and his date, and I understand Gracie and her family are coming too.”

  “Yes, I’m proud of him for wanting to include her. They’ve been scouting for seashells together and have become new friends. We didn’t think you’d mind.”

  “It’s great. This is a way for Silas to connect to this area. I’ve been mulling things over, and I’m going to make some changes. I’m placing him in school here rather than having him return to his old school in New York. Dr. Heard and I agree it’s a wise choice.”

  “So, you’d work from here?” Noelle couldn’t hide her surprise. She took a sip of coffee and waited
for him to answer.

  “Here and South Beach. Brett will handle New York, and we’ll both keep an eye on London. We have a very trustworthy partner in the London operation.”

  “Is Silas okay with this?” She imagined he’d be thrilled with it, but wanted to make sure.

  “Yes. Apparently, he holds a lot of bad memories about New York. Florida is a healthy place for him. He loves the outdoors, and he and Duke can be much freer here.”

  “Will you live at Althea’s?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “I’m buying a place a little farther down the beach. It’s a house similar to hers, but with a pool so Silas can swim.”

  Noelle put a hand to her chest. “This is happening so quickly. But I can see by your smile how excited you are. I’m happy for you, Jake. I really am.”

  “Me, too.” He took a sip of coffee and gazed out the kitchen window. “I’ve wanted to make a change, and I think this is the right one at the perfect time.”

  “More coffee? Cinnamon toast?”

  Jake’s eyes lit up. “Thanks. I’ll have both. I can’t remember the last time I had cinnamon toast. By the way, I was thinking that later this week we can do our first cooking lesson. I have to be here for an appointment with my parents.”

  “How are they doing?” Noelle asked, rising to put a couple of slices of bread into the toaster oven. “Are they happy with the rehab center?” She poured more coffee into his cup.

  Jake made a face. “Dad isn’t an easy patient. He’s fighting to leave the rehabilitation center and come to Nana’s house where extra private nursing can be made available, if necessary. In fact, both he and my mother are planning to make it to Silas’s party.”

  Noelle caught her lip. Jake and Brett had accepted her bossiness, but what would his parents think of how she’d disrupted things?

  Jake caught hold of her free hand and gave it a squeeze. “Don’t worry. They already know how you’ve helped Silas and every one of us.”

  She nodded but couldn’t help the thread of worry weaving through her. The toaster oven buzzed and she turned away to fix their toast. She’d have no choice but to be herself. Besides, she’d be leaving soon, and what they thought of her shouldn’t be more important than taking care of Silas.

  Noelle’s cell sounded. She knew who it was and let it keep chiming.

  Jake frowned at her. “Need to get that?”

  “No. I’ll call her back.”

  Her cell stopped chiming, and then started up again.

  “You’d better get that,” Jake said.

  Sighing, she lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello, Hazel. How are you?”

  “Good,” said Hazel. “Edith, Rose and Dorothy are here with me. I’m putting you on speaker phone. We want to know how your date with Martin went.”

  “My date with Martin was wonderful. He’s a great guy and we had a lot of fun. He’s learning to cook like me, and we have some great recipes to share.”

  “And?” said Edith.

  “And he’s happy with his life right now and isn’t interested in doing anything different. We’ve agreed to be friends, but that’s as far as it’s going.”

  “Oh, I see,” said Rose.

  “Back to Plan A,” someone whispered in the background.

  “Don’t worry about Plan A,” Noelle said. “I’m here for just a few more weeks. I’ll see you in the middle of next month.”

  “But he’s perfect for you,” said Edith.

  “I know he’s perfect, but it’s not going anywhere. Trust me.”

  Noelle’s cheeks flamed with heat when she realized Jake was listening closely to every word at her end of the conversation.

  “Look, I’d better go,” she said. “I have company.”

  “Is it Plan A?” Dorothy asked.

  “Goodbye,” Noelle said, and clicked off the call before she got into further trouble.

  Jake’s soft-gray gaze rested on her. “I take it your date went well last night.”

  “Yes. Martin is a great guy, everything I’d want in a man with just one problem.”

  Jake shot her a worried look. “Is he married?”

  “No, he’s about to be engaged to his lover, Chase, who, I’m told, is another great guy.”

  “He’s gay?”

  Noelle nodded. “Hazel doesn’t realize it’s more than a phase. Martin’s family situation is not that great. He’s more or less stepped away from them, except for his Aunt Hazel.”

  “So, then what is this Plan A?” Jake’s eyes filled with amusement.

  “That, my friend, is something I’m not even going to get into with you.” To avoid any further questions, she said. “How about making a shrimp dish for our first cooking session? Martin gave me a wonderful recipe idea.”

  Jake chuckled softly. “It sounds perfect. Give me a list of the ingredients to bring and we’ll cook together. Right now, I’d better get back to a very excited little boy. He’s going to help Dora bake some cookies. I’ll take care of the rest of the food.”

  “Should I bring something to the party?”

  He shook his head. “Just your unique self.” The look he gave her was more than friendly. It was as sexy as she’d seen.

  Noelle’s breath caught as he leaned toward her and then, at the last minute, he pulled away.

  “See you tonight. Six o’clock.” He gave her a little salute and headed for the front door.

  She followed behind, showed him out, and leaned back against the door wondering if he was actually about to kiss her.

  Noelle straightened and told herself she’d imagined it. But thinking of that moment, desire swept through her.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Noelle looked in the mirror wondering what Jake’s parents would see. Both Brett and Jake knew she was not interested in their money, their name, or the privileges that came from owning hotels. She was attractive but not glamorous, eager to learn new things but not worldly.

  She imagined Jake’s parents were all of those things.

  For the party she’d chosen to wear her winter-white slacks, a black sweater and the red Gucci scarf she’d worn the night before. The red in the scarf always made her feel festive.

  She decided to take a box of special, imported chocolates to the party. She’d recently discovered them in Boston and had found the same brand at the local gourmet store.

  Armed with the candy, two boxes of the shell ornaments, and her determination to relax and let the evening unfold, she got into her car and drove to Althea’s.

  As she walked into Althea’s kitchen, Silas ran over to her. “Do you have the shells?” He clapped a hand over his mouth. “I mean the decorations, Noelle?”

  “Yes, they’re here just like we packed them. Do you want to carry the one with the notes to the tree in the living room?”

  He held out his arms, and Noelle placed the smaller box in them. The shells represented so much more than Christmas decorations. The hours spent together building a strong friendship were precious to each of them.

  Dora came over to her. “Guess you missed all the excitement. Willis and Stephanie Bellingham moved in this morning. We have two new nurses, and I’ve become the temporary housekeeper.”

  “I’m glad Jake’s parents were well enough to leave the rehabilitation center. But how do you feel about your new position?”

  Dora’s smile brightened her face. “I’m delighted! It’s just temporary because Jake has already spoken to me about being the housekeeper at his new home.”

  “Oh, how wonderful! I bet Silas is happy about that.”

  “Can’t say anything about it yet. The sale of the house doesn’t go through for another week or so. It’s going to be a Christmas surprise for Silas.”

  “Okay. Glad to know that,” said Noelle, impressed by how fast things were happening. When Jake made up his mind about something, he moved quickly. “Where are Jake’s parents now?”

  “In the living room,” said Dora. “This sure is a nice party for Silas. He has you to
thank for most of it.” Dora gave her a quick hug. “Now, go say hello to everyone.”

  Carrying the large box of shells, Noelle walked into the living room. All eyes turned to her. She fought the urge to run, and, instead, smiled. “Happy Tree Trimming, everyone!”

  “To those who haven’t already met her, this is Noelle North,” Jake announced, smiling at her.

  Silas ran over to her and took her hand. “Noelle is my friend. Decorating the tree is our secret,” he said to the others proudly. Noelle smiled at him and glanced at the people in the room. Brett was standing next to a tall blonde who was clinging to his arm possessively. Next to her parents, Gracie waved at her. Seated next to Jake on the couch were two people who had to be Willis and Stephanie Bellingham. Her gaze swung back to Jake before facing the whole group.

  Noelle placed the box she was carrying on the carpet by the tree and straightened. “Silas and I decided to do this together to make his Christmas tree very special this year, something he could always remember.”

  “It’s seashells!” cried Silas, jumping up and down in his excitement. He ran over to the smaller box and lifted the lid. Inside, the shells were piled in a mixture of shapes with various markings.

  “What a lovely idea,” Stephanie said.

  “And I have secret messages for you!” Silas picked up one of the labeled shells and handed it to his grandmother. “It’s a moon shell.”

  “Shall I read the message now?” she asked Silas.

  He shook his head. “Not until Christmas. It’s my secret present.”

  “Okay, then, I’ll keep it in a special place until then,” she replied, her eyes glistening with tears. “This is going to be the best Christmas ever—a holiday I thought I’d never see.”

  Silas quickly handed out his notes to everyone else and then turned to her. “I don’t have one for Gracie,” he whispered loudly.

  “Why don’t you give her the pretty red scallop shell? That looks most like Christmas.”

  Silas turned to Gracie. “I have a special Christmas shell for you. It’s the one you wanted when I found it. Remember?”