Christmas Cancellation

25. NOELLE

The aromas of garlic and rosemary wafted through the kitchen, mingling with the warm, homey scents of everything else I’d prepared. I hummed along to songs on my holiday playlist as I gave the prime rib one last check. It had been resting under foil for the last twenty minutes, and the smell alone was enough to make my mouth water. The butcher hadn’t let me down—this was the best cut of meat I’d ever seen, and I’d done everything right to make sure it was just the way Kol liked it. I’d seared it to a beautiful, caramel brown, then slow-roasted it at a low temperature to keep it rare and juicy.

It had been three days since Kol left on his latest scheduled trip, leaving me alone for the first time since we’d met. At first, it had felt strange to be on my own again, but those days had given me the space I needed to figure out what I really wanted to do with my life. Today he was returning. His flight had landed forty-five minutes ago, which meant he’d be walking through that door any second

As I moved around the kitchen, my mind kept wandering to everything I’d dreamed up and the plans I’d made. Mrs. Winters had been such a big help guiding me through all the logistics and making sure everything would work. What I’d be endeavoring to do was something big—something my parents and my aunt would have been proud of. My inheritance had opened up a new world of possibilities, giving me the means to do something truly significant, something that would make all the loss worthwhile.

I glanced at the clock, my stomach fluttering with excitement and nerves. I couldn’t wait to see Kol’s face when he saw the spread I’d prepared. It was our first New Year’s Eve together, and I wanted it to be perfect.

The table was set with candles and the fancy napkins I’d found in the dining room hutch, the ones with a silver monogram that matched the silverware. I’d even dug out one of Aunt Mary’s old tablecloths, the white one with embroidered holly around the edges. It was festive and elegant, the perfect backdrop for the feast I’d prepared.

As soon as the front door clicked open, I rushed through the living room, unable to contain my excitement. Kol stepped inside with a bottle of champagne in one hand, his suitcase and flight bag in the other. A massive bouquet of red roses was tucked under his arm. His eyes met mine, and a slow grin spread across his face.

“Welcome home!” I squealed, launching myself at him. He let go of the luggage handle, and I threw my arms around his neck, kissing him like we’d been apart for years instead of days. He tasted like peppermint, and I couldn’t get enough .

Kol chuckled against my lips, wrapping his free arm around my waist. “Well, that’s quite the welcome. What’s the incredible smell?” he asked, pulling back to look at me.

I beamed up at him, taking the roses and burying my nose in their soft petals. “I have a New Year’s Eve surprise for you,” I said, grabbing his hand and tugging him toward the kitchen.

He dropped his bags at the foot of the stairs, his eyebrows rising as he walked into the kitchen. Inhaling deeply, he looked around in curiosity.

The au gratin potatoes were ready to come out of the oven, and the asparagus was steaming in its dish. A decadent chocolate cake that I knew would be Kol’s undoing sat on the table, its frosting glistening in the light of the candles I’d arranged in the center. I dramatically whisked the foil off the prime rib, revealing the perfectly seared meat underneath. Kol’s eyes widened, his lips parting in awe. “Is that…?”

“Prime rib,” I confirmed. “Rare, just the way you like it.”

“You’re spoiling me,” he said, shaking his head, his eyes widening in appreciation. “I can’t believe you did all this for me.”

I nodded, biting my lip. “I wanted to surprise you. Welcome you home properly.”

Kol stepped closer, cupping my cheek with his hand. “No one’s ever done anything like this for me before,” he said as he kissed me softly, his lips lingering on mine. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

I blushed, turning away to hide my smile. He always called me sweetheart when I’d made him happy and Stinkerbelle when I’d annoyed him. “Well, don’t just stand there,” I said, placing the roses in a vase and filling it with water. “Wash up and help me plate our steaks. They won’t carve themselves. ”

Kol laughed, rolling up his sleeves and stepping up to the counter. After he washed his hands, he took the carving knife and got to work.

“I’m the luckiest man alive. I get to come home to a woman who not only looks hot as hell but also cooks my favorite food. Hmm, maybe I’ll have to reward you later,” he said, winking at me.

I laughed at his praise and his not-so-subtle promise as I removed the potatoes from the oven. While I was scooping some out onto each plate, I replied, “I know how to feed my fellow meat-asaurus.”

“Seriously, Noelle, this is amazing.” He set the plates on the table, his eyes roaming over everything again. “You really outdid yourself.” He kissed me on the cheek, and I melted into the easy warmth of his affection.

Kol popped the champagne, and I squealed in surprise when the cork bounced off the kitchen wall with a loud pop. After pouring each of us a glass, he set the bottle on the table, flashing me a grin.

“This table is so…romantic. Are you planning on seducing me later or something?”

I pursed my lips, swirling the champagne in my glass. “Oh, this isn’t the only surprise I’ve got for you tonight,” I teased, giving him a playful wink.

He wagged his brows. “Oh, really? Well, now I can’t wait to see what else you’ve got up your sleeve.” The corners of his mouth twitched into a half-smirk.

We sat down to dinner, and he started telling me about his trip.

“It’s good to be home for New Year’s Eve. You wouldn’t believe the crap we dealt with this trip. The weather was all over the place. From below freezing up in Canada to snowstorms up and down the East Coast. ”

He took his first bite of the meat and paused mid-chew, letting out a low groan. “Damn, Noelle,” he muttered. “This is so good. Better than any restaurant. How did you make it so…perfect?”

I smirked, shrugging like it was no big deal. “Just a little prime rib magic, that’s all.”

We dug into the meal and continued to chitchat about all that he’d been doing while he was gone. We both wolfed down our food, neither of us having eaten a proper meal since he’d left. After we finished the main course, I cleared our plates and brought over a couple of dessert plates while he poured us the last of the champagne. I served the cake, slicing us each a big ole piece. As soon as Kol took a bite, his eyes rolled back in his head, eliciting a pleased smile from me. When he was finished, he wiped the corners of his mouth with his napkin and sat back.

“This cake…it was delicious. You nailed it. And it pairs surprisingly well with prime rib. Reminds me of that chocolate and peanut butter fudge we had with the wine I found on our first night here.”

I laughed. “Yeah, well, who knew? I’m starting to think chocolate goes with anything.”

Kol huffed, shaking his head. “I still can’t believe you trusted me to blindfold you that night. I mean, a strange guy you just met at the airport? You’ve got some guts, woman.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “You’re the one who told me you’d been vetted and verified more times than I could imagine. ‘ I served as a Night Stalker in the Army, and pilots go through FBI background checks,’ remember? You made it sound like I was safer with you than with a Secret Service agent.”

Kol put his elbows on the table, frowning. “Yeah, but still. I could have been blowing smoke up your skirt and been the biggest perv you’ve ever met. Trust but verify, right?” Then his voice dropped a notch, turning serious. “Not that it matters now. You’re mine. No man better lay a finger on you if he wants to keep his hand attached to his arm.”

I scrunched up my nose. “Ew! I could have gone my whole life without that mental picture. Gross!”

Kol grunted. “Just don’t forget it,” he said, his tone half-joking, half-dead serious.

Together, we cleared the table. I nudged him. “How about I do the dishes and finish putting everything away while you go upstairs and change into something warm? I’ve got another surprise or two waiting for you.”

Without waiting for a response from me, he gave me a mocking salute, grabbed his bags, and went up the stairs, taking them two at a time. A little while later, he was back, fresh from a quick shower, dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt.

I was already at the front door, wearing my coat and jingling his keys in my hand.

He shrugged on his coat. “Where are we headed?”

I grinned, tossing him the keys. “The farm.”

Kol’s brow furrowed in surprise. But he didn’t question me, just followed me out of the house, climbed into the driver’s seat, and started the engine. As we pulled out of the driveway, flurries started falling. I fidgeted in my seat; I couldn’t wait to tell him about everything.

It was late when we arrived at the farm, and the headlights cast long shadows across the barn. Instead of heading to the house, I led him to the barn. Once we’d tugged open the door, I flipped on a couple of lights. He stayed close behind me as I guided him toward one of the stalls. When I slid its door open, his eyes widened, and he let out a low whistle.

“Well, well, well. Look what we have here,” he said, taking it all in .

I had turned the stall into a cozy love nest. There was a small table with a battery-powered lantern, a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a few layers of fresh hay stacked high, covered in old quilts and pillows. It was perfect for a romantic barn rendezvous.

Kol turned to me, a smirk playing on his lips. “It’s eighteen degrees outside. How exactly do you plan on us staying warm in here, Stinkerbelle?”

I pointed up. “That’s an infrared barn heater,” I said, nodding at the glowing red light overhead. “And there’s a giant heating pad under the blankets. Are you worried you won’t be able to make me hot tonight?”

He scooped me up in a big bear hug, spinning me around. “I love dating a barn girl. And don’t you worry; I can always bring the heat.” He set me back on my feet.

“You have no idea what barn girls are capable of,” I teased.

“Apparently not.” His eyes swept over the barn aisle. “I see you’ve been hard at work cleaning.” I was pleased he’d noticed how much better it looked since the last time he was here. I’d cleaned and organized all the tack, swept away all the cobwebs, and even mucked the stalls and brushed out the floors. “This place looks good.”

I shrugged, trying to play it off. “I have to admit, I’ve hardly sat still since you left.”

His eyes lit on a crop hanging by a bridle on the wall. He picked it up, examining it. “Whoa, what’s this thing doing in a barn?” he asked with a smirk.

I burst out laughing, snatching the crop from him and swatting him on the butt. “It’s not a sex toy, you dork. It’s a horse crop. For motivating horses to behave. It’s for the rider, not the stud.”

I popped him again, harder this time.

“Fuck, that hurts!” he yelped, chasing me around the barn. I darted through the wash bay, then in and out of the tack room, giggling like a maniac. I tried to escape, but Kol was faster. He cornered me by the feed bins, overpowering me with ease. Grabbing the crop from my hand, he teasingly held it out of my reach. I squealed, making a break for the door, but he wasn’t far behind.

In one swift move, he threw me up over his shoulder like he’d done before. I would never get used to him being able to do that so easily. I kicked and wiggled, but it was no use.

“By now, you should know you’re not going anywhere,” he growled. “I’ve got size, speed, and experience on my side. And when I want something, I get it. And right now, I want you.”

He whacked me on the butt with the crop, and I yelped. A peal of giggles bubbled out of me. He brought me back to the stall, tossing me onto the makeshift bed.

Kol kicked off his boots and plopped down, stretching across me for the bottle of wine. But before he could pour us a glass, he spotted the envelope propped against the bottle. His eyes flicked to mine, and I gave him a small, nervous smile.

“Open it,” I whispered, my heart racing.

Kol’s fingers worked at the envelope’s edge, tugging it open. He pulled out the papers, frowning in interest as he flipped through them. “What’s all this?” he asked, glancing up at me with a mix of curiosity and concern.

I leaned in, my pulse racing with impatience. “Do you remember the silver dollar I found on Christmas Day?” I asked.

Kol nodded, his eyes scanning the documents. “Yeah, you left it on the kitchen table.”

I bit my lip, folding my legs underneath me. “Well, as you know, after you left that morning, I freaked out. I thought you were gone for good, and I didn’t know what to do with my life. I was going back and forth about whether to return to Atlanta or stay here. ”

Kol returned his attention to me. “And?”

“And then I found a picture of me with my parents from when I was little, and right next to it was the coin. It felt like a sign. I had this wild idea to let fate decide what I should do next, so I flipped it. Heads, I’d stay in Saratoga. Tails, I’d go back to Atlanta. But just as the coin hit the highest point in the air, you came storming through the door, in full-on ‘Mr. Captain’ mode.”

He chuckled at that, shaking his head, but the corners of his eyes crinkled and his lips tensed as he looked down at the papers.

I nudged him gently. “Go ahead; read them.”

He pulled the last page closer, squinting at the detailed map. “Wait, is this a map of the farm? What does this mean?”

I laughed, swatting his arm. “No, silly! You were supposed to start with the first page.”

He flipped back to the first page and started reading through quietly. When the realization hit, he shot me a wide, boyish grin that sent warmth radiating through me.

“You’re staying?” he asked, his voice cracking slightly.

I nodded. “I’m staying in Saratoga!”

Before I could react, Kol pulled me into a tight hug, settling me on his lap. “I wanted you to stay so badly, but I didn’t want to pressure you. It had to be the right decision for you.”

He leaned in, his lips capturing mine, and the world around us blurred. His kiss was hungry, passionate, and soon his hands moved from my face to my curves, pulling me closer. His erection grew hard under my leg, his body responding to mine with a white heat.

I pulled back just enough to catch my breath, giving him a playful shove. “There’s more, Mr. Captain, so keep it in your pants long enough to finish reading the papers.”

He groaned, letting me slip from his lap, though not without swatting my behind. I shook my head, taking the papers from him and smoothing out the wrinkles.

“I worked with Mrs. Winters to set up a nonprofit organization.”

Kol’s eyebrows shot up. “A nonprofit?”

I held up one of the papers and read aloud. “Mission Statement for Shepherds of Joy Equestrian Center—Healing Through Horses: At Shepherds of Joy Equestrian Center, we are dedicated to helping individuals navigate grief and mental health challenges using the healing power of horses. Our nonprofit provides a compassionate space where people can connect with, care for, and ride horses, fostering emotional healing, resilience, and hope in the face of loss. Through this unique bond, we empower individuals to find strength, peace, and renewal.”

Kol’s expression shifted from surprise to pride as he processed the words. “Noelle, that’s…that’s huge.”

We sat there for a while, savoring the moment. I beamed as Kol scanned the map again, tracing the edge with his thumb. He seemed stunned, blown away by it all. Before he could say anything, I continued.

“There’s more,” I said, barely able to contain my excitement. “I wanted to do something in memory of my parents, so I’m naming the nonprofit after them— Shepherds for my dad, and Joy for my mom. I want this place to be more than just a farm. I want it to be a healing center. For people like us, who are recovering from trauma, dealing with grief, and vets who are coping with PTSD. It all came together so quickly in my head—and with Mrs. Winters’s guidance—as though it was meant to be.”

Kol stared at me. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”

I nodded, a grin spreading across my face. “As a heart attack. I want to turn this place into something special, a sanctuary for people who need it most. And it doesn’t stop with the farm. I’m going to turn Aunt Mary’s house into a Victorian bed and breakfast—Mary O’Malley’s Evergreen Inn. A cozy getaway for guests, connected to the healing center. People can come here, find peace through the horses, the land, and the house.”

Kol let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. “That’s…mind-blowing. You’ve really thought this through.”

“You know, once I flipped that coin, it was like the floodgates opened. The ideas just poured in. And Mrs. Winters has been amazing, offering to do all the legal work pro bono and giving me tons of ideas too. There’s a lot to do, but I’m ready.”

Kol drew me into a hug, pressing his lips to my forehead. “If anyone can pull this off, it’s you, sweetheart.”

I relaxed into his embrace and fell silent for a moment, staring at the papers. Excitement and insecurity were buzzing inside me, but there was something else I had to say. Something bigger.

I took a deep breath and hesitated, trying to choose my words wisely.

Kol’s hand came to rest on my back, his fingers grazing the fabric of my sweater. “What are you thinking about?”

Shaking off the self-doubt, I turned to face him fully. “Kol, I want you to be a part of my life. Forever.”

The corners of his mouth rose. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

I rolled my eyes. “Call it whatever you want, as long as it’s forever.”

He cupped my face in his hands, his fingers tracing the line of my jaw. “I like the sound of forever with you, Noelle.”

Without another word, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him in for a hard, hungry kiss. He responded immediately, flipping me over onto the hay and blankets, pressing his body into mine .

We lost ourselves in each other. His hands roamed my body, igniting a fire within me that only he could quell. I arched into his touch, a moan escaping my lips as he trailed kisses down my neck.

“You’re mine,” he growled, gripping my hips possessively. “Forever.”

He slipped his fingers beneath the hem of my sweater and traced my curves, dragging the fabric up my arms and over my head, revealing the pretty red lace bra I had chosen just for tonight. Between the way he looked at me and the cool air, goose bumps spread across my skin, and my nipples pebbled in anticipation.

“Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” he murmured, teasingly biting one of my nipples over my bra. “But this can’t stay.”

Kol leaned in, his lips trailing a path along my collarbone, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin of my neck. At the same time, he reached behind me, deftly unhooking my bra with a practiced ease that made me laugh.

“What’s so funny?” he asked, sounding offended.

I shrugged. “I just didn’t expect you to be so…efficient. But then again, being good at everything you do is your MO.”

He grunted, tossing my bra aside. “Sweetheart, when it comes to getting you naked, I don’t mess around.”

He cupped my breasts with his hands, brushing his thumbs over my nipples. I gasped, my head falling back as pleasure coursed through me. Heat was building between my legs, a throbbing ache that only Kol could satisfy.

I went for the placket of his shirt, my fingers fumbling with the buttons. I was desperate to feel his skin against mine. With a groan of frustration, I yanked at the fabric, sending buttons flying in all directions.

“Impatient, are we? ”

“You have no idea,” I breathed, my heart pounding. It had been a long three days without having his hands on me.

Kol’s chest was a masterpiece of hard planes, detailed tattoos, and defined muscles, and I couldn’t resist running my hands over every inch of him.

His fingers slid under the waistband of my leggings, and he roughly tugged them down. He huffed in annoyance when he got to my boots, struggling to unlace them and pull them off, flinging each one across the stall with a jerk when it finally came loose.

Now, the only thing separating me from Kol’s greedy gaze was my sexy little red lace panties.

He stared at me as if I were the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, his eyes so dark with need that there was almost no trace of his usual chocolate-brown irises. He shoved off his pants, and then his hands were on me again, working their way up my legs. His lips followed, kissing and nibbling every inch of skin like it was sacred ground. When he nipped at the sensitive flesh of my inner thighs, I let out a moan, tangling my fingers in his hair. He took his time teasing me, making me squirm.

Finally, he moved to the apex of my thighs. He used his teeth to take hold of the edge of my panties, dragging them over my mound. But they were too difficult to remove this way, and Kol was too impatient. With a growl, he gripped them in his fingers and ripped them apart.

“Hey!” I pouted. “Those were brand new, and I really liked them.”

He just grinned up at me. “I’ll buy you plenty more. Now, spread your legs for me, Noelle.”

His command sent a jolt of heat straight to my core. I did as he asked, needy and desperate for his touch. His fingers explored my wetness, his touch sending waves of pleasure crashing over me. His mouth followed, and he began to swirl his tongue around my clit in slow, torturous circles.

I was lost in a haze of pleasure, my body arching off the blankets as Kol worked his magic. His fingers slid inside me, curling in just the right way to hit that sweet spot. The pressure was now building, my orgasm hovering just out of reach.

“Stay still,” he commanded, his hands holding my hips in place. I whimpered but did as he said while my fingers twisted in the blanket beneath me.

Kol’s fingers pumped in and out, his tongue matching the rhythm. He feasted on me like a starving man, his mouth and fingers working in perfect harmony. Over and over, he sucked my clit into his mouth, his fingers thrusting in and out of me, making me see stars. My walls clenched around him, desperate for release.

I was lost in a sea of bliss. The sensation of his scruff against my inner thighs, the feel of his tongue on my clit, the way he expertly manipulated my body—it was all too much. I was teetering on the edge, so close to climax that I could taste it.

And then, just like that, he slowed down, his fingers and mouth retreating. I let out a groan of frustration. “Oh no, not this again,” I whined, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

“Patience, sweetheart,” he said with a chuckle, his breath hot against my folds. The vibration sent a shudder through me. Before I could protest further, he nipped at one of my swollen lips, grazing the sensitive flesh with his teeth. I yelped, more from surprise than pain.

He moved up my body, his lips trailing a wet path along my stomach, pausing to lavish my breasts with the kind of attention that had me arching off the blankets again. His mouth closed around a nipple, his tongue flicking over the pebbled peak while his hand kneaded my other breast. The bolt of pleasure shot straight to my core, reigniting the fire he’d so cruelly doused.

Kol kept moving but paused again, his eyes locked on the sparkling diamond necklace he’d given me, which hung between my breasts, catching the light. “You wear that well,” he growled, his voice a low rumble that I felt deep in my belly.

He positioned himself over me, reaching back to take my legs, one at a time, and drape them over his shoulders. I gasped when he slammed his cock inside me. With my knees up like this, each thrust hit deeper, the angle pure perfection. I could feel every ridge, every vein of his cock as he filled me completely. My breath came in short, ragged gasps as he set a punishing rhythm, his hips snapping against mine with a desperation that matched my own.

The pulsing ache within me coiled tighter and tighter with each stroke, the pressure building to an almost unbearable level. His eyes never left mine, so focused it was like he was seeing straight into my soul.

I was so close, and from the look of sheer concentration on his face, I could tell he was fighting his own release, wanting to make sure I tumbled over the edge first.

His movements became faster, more erratic, as he chased his own climax.

“Kol,” I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m—I’m going to—”

I didn’t get the chance to finish my sentence. With a final, powerful thrust, he sent me spiraling into oblivion. My vision whited out, every muscle in my body tensing as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over me. My walls clenched around his thick shaft, inciting him to shatter along with me. He groaned, his body trembling as he came.

Amid the aftershocks, while my heart was pounding in my chest and my breath was coming in short, sharp pants, he whispered, “I love you, Noelle.” It was so soft I wasn’t sure I had heard it.

Shock coursed through me, tears pricking at my eyes. When Kol finally came down from his high, he released my legs from his shoulders and collapsed on top of me, his body a possessive weight. We stayed like that, panting, our hearts beating in sync for a few blissful moments.

When I could speak, I asked, “Did you mean what you just said? Or was it the passion talking?”

He pushed up on his elbows, gazing down at me. That lopsided grin I loved so much spread across his face. “I think I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you—the sassiest blonde I’ve ever met, sitting alone, wiping tears from her eyes in the middle of an airport, wishing she’d never been born. You tore out my shriveled, icy heart and replaced it with one that beats only for you.”

He brushed a stray curl from my forehead, his eyes searching mine. “I never believed in love at first sight, never thought I’d find the kind of love my parents or some of my buddies have found. But then, out of nowhere, fate intertwined our destinies. And here we are.”

My heart swelled with a love so profound, it was almost painful. “It really is a wonderful life, isn’t it?” I whispered.

His grin widened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Yes, sweetheart. It is.”

“I love you, Kol.” The words escaped my lips like a secret.

He held me close, and we lay there, enjoying this perfect moment. It was just us, lost in each other, in our own little world. A world where love conquered all, where the past didn’t dictate the future, and where every day was a gift. It was a wonderful, wonderful life.

If Christmas Cancellation left you wanting more, step into Evie’s Broken Heroes world, where the Thorin brothers await with their unforgettable stories.

The Thorin brothers share more than blood—they’re all dedicated to saving lives in Tacoma, WA, working side-by-side in the medical field until their paths unexpectedly cross with the dark, dangerous world of the mafia. Having lost their parents young in traumatic events that shaped their lives, each brother believes that love is a fairytale that will never find them. Yet, one by one, they meet women who challenge their beliefs and open their hearts in ways they never expected.

Start with Night Shift , where brooding ER physician Atticus Thorin battles burnout until fiery redheaded nurse Samantha Sheridan turns his world upside down. Their sizzling age-gap romance takes a twist when her dark past catches up, igniting a heart-racing rescue that melts Atticus’s carefully constructed walls.

Then dive into Day Shift , where Constantine “Conan to his buddies” Thorin, a tattoo-covered, golden-retriever ER nurse, finds himself unexpectedly captivated by a mafia princess with amnesia. As danger closes in, Conan must navigate deadly family rivalries and protect the woman who’s stolen his heart, even if it means facing down the underworld itself.

Coming soon is Swing Shift , where Braxton Thorin, the bold paramedic, faces life-or-death stakes in war-torn Ukraine. With his courage and grit tested, Braxton’s journey alongside a Russian mafia underboss and hacker, Nikolai Volkov, pulls him deep into a world of high-stakes danger, love, and a battle for survival .

The Broken Heroes series offers standalone romances, with each book featuring a brother who finds true love and a fulfilling happily ever after. While you can enjoy any of the books on their own, following the recommended reading order will give you the fullest experience of their intertwined journeys and bonds.