Meeting Mr. Christmas (Collier’s Creek Christmas)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

Noel placed the toy, wrapped in bright Christmas paper, in the large bin, which was already almost full of donations for the town’s less well-off kids, and was rewarded with a wide smile and words of thanks from the annual toy drive volunteer. The stuffed dachshund gave a yelping little bark when its tummy was squeezed, and had been so cute Noel had been half tempted to keep it.

Pushing through the crowds thronging the town square, Noel’s gloved fingers twitched with a mix of cold and nerves as he glanced up at Kent. The town’s excitement was almost tangible, added to this year by the appearance of the Creek’s very own homegrown talent, Kandi Kane. She was due to sing her big hit, about loving apple pie, or her mom, or dog, or something, every bit as sweet and sugary as the real candy canes on sale in all the stores.

“Wow, this place really goes all out for Christmas,” Kent said, leaning in, his breath warm against Noel’s chilled skin.

Noel looked around at the scene that was so familiar to him, through fresh eyes. Dressed up for a festive party, there was no doubting that the town looked like it belonged on a Christmas card. Against the snowy background, craft stalls lined the square, all of them decorated with garlands and lights and selling everything from handmade wooden toys to homemade traditional baked goods. Upbeat holiday music filled the cold, crisp air. The burly DJ from the local radio station, who’d squeezed himself into an elf suit that looked at least two sizes too small, read out dedications and called for requests. Noel scanned the crowd, at last finding who he was searching for. Jed, with his relaxed smile, looked confident and at ease as he stood beside Cora. Noel’s heart gave an involuntary stutter as she cuddled up to Jed, smiling as Jed wrapped her in his arms.

“There they are.” Noel nodded towards them, trying to keep his voice even.

“He’s your best friend, right?”

“He is. We’ve known each other since before kindergarten.”

Kent laughed. “Okay. More like brothers, then.”

Noel answered with a tight smile. No, not like brothers. Not like brothers at all.

“Hey, Noel.” Jed’s clear, deep voice cut through the noise of the crowd, causing a few heads to turn. Disentangling himself from Cora, he tugged Noel towards him for a hug, pulling him out of Kent’s loose hold. “Was about to call you. Thought you were bailing on us.” Jed rubbed Noel’s shoulder.

“Sorry, that was my fault,” Kent chimed in. “We had an early dinner at my place, but went to CC’s for dessert. What did you have, hon? Brownie with caramel sauce, and a hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows? The boy has the sweetest tooth of all tooths. Teeth.” Ken shrugged as he laughed. “You know what I mean. Good to meet you. I’m Kent.”

“But it was only a small hot chocolate.” Noel smiled, but it turned to a wince as Jed’s hand on his shoulder tightened for an instant before he let go.

“Good to meet you, Ken.”

“Kent. Not Ken.” Kent grimaced.

“Oh, okay. Sorry. Must have misheard. Kent.”

Jed wasn’t looking sorry at all, and Noel glared, doing his best to send don’t be a jerk vibes through the icy air.

“Hi.” The attractive brunette with the wide, warm smile waved.

“Hey, guys, this is Cora?—”

“Jed’s girlfriend,” she added, looping her arm through Jed’s.

Wouldn ’ t get too comfortable, Cora, because that role is strictly temporary. Noel winced inside. It was a mean barb, even if he did only say it to himself. But it was also true. Jed’s girlfriends came and went, as regular as sunrise and sundown.

The unacknowledged awkwardness didn’t have time to settle in and get comfortable as a murmur rippled through the crowd, picking up energy and turning it into a fast moving wave.

“Oh my gosh, there she is!” Cora squealed, joining the rest of the throng, cheering and jumping up and down, pointing to the stage set up to the side of the huge, bushy tree, where a short woman with skyscraper-high blonde hair waved at the screaming crowd.

“Who is it?” Kent looked from the stage to Noel and back again.

“Homegrown celebrity, she’s?—”

“Good people of Collier’s Creek,” the Mayor boomed, accompanied by a shriek of feedback from the microphone, “thank you all for coming. Before our very own Kandi Kane…”

Noel screened out the Mayor’s words of welcome. The noise of the crowd hemming him in faded. The faces of the townsfolk became shadows, as all he could see was Jed’s arm snaking around Cora’s waist; Jed’s soft stroke, following the curve of her hip; Jed whispering something, making her laugh, a prelude to lips meeting lips. A long, slow kiss, and Jed’s eyes dropping closed… The longing of all the years weighed down on Noel, crushing him and stealing his breath, mesmerized by a kiss he would never taste and savor, eyes that would never, ever, flutter closed for him.

Arms encircled Noel’s waist.“Reckon those two need to get a room. That’s a fine show your friends are putting on.”

He and Kent weren’t the only ones to notice. A small woman wrapped in a multi-colored poncho, a matching hat pulled down low, and a baby carrier strapped to her chest prodded Jed on the back.

“Jed Mason, put that young woman down and show some respect for the Mayor. Francine and Hank brought you up to behave with some decorum in public.”

“Hey, Geraldine?—”

“Don’t you hey Geraldine me. You should know—” Geraldine’s views on public decency were drowned out by screechy yapping as the carrier writhed against her chest.

“My god,” Kent said, “what’s with her chest moving like that? It looks like the Alien’s about to burst out of?—”

“You’re right, otherwise known as Barkasaurus Rex, her flea-bitten mutt that thinks it’s a Bichon.” Noel shuddered. He loved animals, but Barky who should really have been called Bitey as the faint scar on his hand could attest to, was the devil in disguise.

A small, furry head broke free, wild-eyed, snarling, and with drool dripping from its chops. But then, it was hardly surprising if the Alien had been strapped up close and tight to Geraldine.

“Barky! Barky! Look what you’ve done, Jed Mason, you’ve upset my baby. Bichon’s are very sensitive. Come, my precious one, we’ll go to the front where Kandi can give you a little kiss…”

“And get her face chewed off,” Jed muttered as the crowds fell back for Geraldine — and away from Barky’s snapping jaws.