Noah (Angel Institute #7)

Chapter 20

Twenty

WILL

T he cavernous warehouse buzzes with frantic energy as I weave through a maze of floats. I dodge the entire drumline of the high school marching band, wearing matching earmuffs and scarves. They look great, and I was told that their uniforms are made of wool, so they should be plenty warm as they march.

Good thing, too, because it is definitely a winter day. Though the skies are clear, the parade route has been plowed and is ready for us to march out.

Only no one is marching yet. The air is thick with the scent of fresh paint and with the nervous excitement of volunteers rushing to complete last-minute touches. It’s the afternoon of December 23, mere hours before the Christmas parade is set to begin, and the atmosphere is electric.

I dodge a group of volunteers carrying armfuls of tinsel, and I feel a surge of pride. This parade, this coming together of the community, is something I’ve helped create. The thought sends a warm feeling through my chest, a stark contrast to the anxiety that threatened to consume me when we started this whole thing. I didn’t know I could co-chair the parade and do it well. Paige did, though.

I look for her and don’t see her. I’m not sure that I could in all this. Sam and some of his buddies swarm the firetruck, polishing it for the umpteenth time. They are dedicated to keeping it as clean as possible. I don’t want to think about the work they’ll do when they get it back to the station when it has water spots from the melting snow.

I spot the Winter Wonderland float to my left, its paper-maché snowmen grinning cheerfully as Mrs. Larson fusses with their scarves. The sight of everyone working together, bringing our vision to life, fills me with a sense of accomplishment I’ve never experienced before.

“Noah!” Martha’s voice cuts through the chaos. “We need you to double-check the lineup order. Some of the drivers are confused about their positions.”

I nod, making my way toward her. “On it, Martha.” I have all the info on my phone. Everyone does since we sent it out a week ago. It’s alright. I’m sure they’re all filled with nervous energy and anxious to get this show on the road.

As I work through the lineup issues, my mind wanders to the conversation I had with my parents. Their disapproval was palpable, but for once, it didn’t crush me. I felt strong and sure of myself in a way I had never felt before. The memory brings a smile to my face even now.

I’m so lost in my thoughts that I almost miss Paige approaching me. She wraps her arms around my middle and snuggles in, a determined look on her face. “Noah,” she says, her voice tight with an emotion I can’t quite place. “Can we talk? It’s important.”

I glance around at the bustling warehouse. Now? We’re in the thick of it. But if she needs me, I’m there. “Of course.”

Before she can answer, Pastor Robert sidles up to us, his ever-present smile somewhat strained. “Noah, The church float is ready to move out, but we’re not sure if we come before the queen float or before the orthodontist.”

I glance down at Paige and see frustration on her face. “It’s fine,” she says. “We can talk later. This is more important right now.”

There’s no way I’m letting her go like that. She turns to leave, and I catch her arm, gently holding her in place. “Paige, wait. Whatever it is, it’s clearly bothering you. Let’s find a quiet spot and talk.”

I glance around, not wanting to leave the Pastor hanging. The floats are starting to pull out of the warehouse and move down to the starting line. We have so many that there will be some this far back when the parade actually starts. I spot Will helping hand out cocoa and cookies. I call him over and hand him my phone with the lineup open. “Can you handle the church float? I need to take care of something.”

Will’s eyes dart between Paige and me. He clamps his lips shut and nods. “I can and I will. You two take care of whatever you need to. I’ve got this covered. Let’s chat, Pastor Robert.” He hooks his arm around the man’s neck and hauls him away.

I guide Paige to a relatively quiet corner behind a float. Mrs. Larson gives us a knowing smile as we pass, and I feel a surge of warmth. A few weeks ago, that smile would have made me uncomfortable and self-conscious. Now, it just makes me appreciate the sense of community I’ve found here.

“What’s going on?” I ask, concern coloring my voice. I’ve never seen her so distracted and nearly upset by whatever is going on with her.

Paige takes a deep breath, her words tumbling out in a rush. “I got a call from my sponsors this morning. They’re so excited about the project that they want to move everything up. They’re asking me to leave the day after Christmas.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I thought—I thought we had time to figure this out. I thought I’d have time to get things sorted—both with my art and my business. “The 26th? That’s... that’s so soon.”

Paige nods, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I know. They said it’s either leave then or pull out of the opportunity entirely. It’s an amazing chance, Noah, but...”

“But things are just getting started between us,” I finish for her, reaching out to take her hand. I pull her to me and rest my forehead against hers.

She squeezes my fingers and sniffs. “Exactly. I’m hesitating, Noah. For the first time in my life, I’m not sure if I want to go.”

My heart swells at her words. I can’t believe she loves me enough to consider staying, even as a part of me aches at the thought of holding her back. I think about how much I’ve grown since meeting Paige, how she’s helped me rediscover my passion for art, and how she’s shown me that it’s okay to dream big. I can’t ask her to stay here.

“Paige,” I start, but I’m interrupted by Sam’s voice cutting through our moment.

“Noah! We can’t find that case of window cleaner. Can you come take a look?”

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. The old me would have panicked, torn between the urgent need for the parade and the emotional need for this conversation with Paige. But now, I feel a sense of calm. I can handle this.

“Be right there, Sam,” I call back. Turning to Paige, I say, “We’re not done with this conversation. Let’s talk more after we get the parade started, okay?”

Paige nods, a small smile playing on her lips despite the seriousness of our conversation. “Duty calls, Co-Chair Montgomery.”

As I move to help Sam find his precious window cleaner, my mind is whirling. Paige’s potential departure hangs over me like a storm cloud.

For the next couple of hours, Paige and I are swept up in the final preparations. We direct volunteers, solve last-minute crises, and somehow manage to get all the floats lined up and ready to go. Through it all, I can feel the weight of our unfinished conversation, the ticking clock of Paige’s departure.

We get a few minutes before the parade starts when the Mayor gives her speech. Instead of listening, I pull Paige aside.

“So,” I say as I put my hands on her hips and pull her close, “where were we?”

Paige leans into me. “Do you think... is there any way you could come with me?”

The hope in her voice makes my heart ache. I think about the ice rink, about Sam, about the responsibilities I have here in Benton Falls. A few weeks ago, these things would have felt like chains holding me back. Now, I see them differently. They’re a part of something I’ve built and I need to take care of it properly. I can’t walk away from it in good conscience.

I could blame my parents for making me feel this level of responsibility—or thank them, as the case may be—but I know it’s the right thing to do to take care of it.

“Paige, I... I want to. You have no idea how much I want to. But I can’t leave in the middle of the winter. Sam can’t manage the rink full time and do his other shift, and I don’t have anyone else I could trust to run things while I’m gone. Setting all that up it would take time we don’t have.”

I watch as disappointment flickers across Paige’s face, quickly replaced by understanding. “I get it, Noah. I do. It just stinks. I just really feel like you should go with me.”

“The thought of you leaving, of not seeing you for months... it’s not easy, Paige. But I can’t go when I feel tied here. It’s not right. And after everything you’ve done to help me pursue my dreams, how can I ask you to give up yours and stay? That’s not right either.” I don’t understand what’s happening here. I’m just starting to learn to trust that little voice that guides me—to listen to it over the doubt that creeps in. Why do I get a different answer than Paige?

Paige moves closer, her eyes searching mine. “Then what do we do?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I kiss her temple and breathe in her scent. I don’t know what the future will bring, and facing the unknown is harder than I thought it would be. “We have the best Christmas of our lives. And then... then we follow our hearts.

The feeling of her in my arms is both comforting and bittersweet. Part of me wants to hold on and never let go. “Who knows what God has in store for us? By the time you get back, I might be a world-famous artist,” I add with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

Paige looks up at me, a mix of love and pride in her eyes. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you were, Noah Montgomery.”

We stand there for a long moment, holding each other. The sound of cheers and the marching band warn us that the parade is about to begin.

“We should go,” I say finally, pulling back slightly. “They’ll be wondering where we are.”

Paige nods, but before she can step away, I lean in and kiss her. It’s a kiss full of promise and longing, of the bittersweet knowledge of our limited time together and the hope for what might come after. When we part, Paige’s eyes are shining.

“Come on,” I say, taking her hand. “Let’s go see this parade we’ve worked so hard on.”

Families line the sidewalks, children bouncing with anticipation. The air is filled with the scent of hot chocolate and the sound of Christmas music blaring from trumpets and trombones.

Paige and I make our way to our designated spot at the head of the parade. As we wait for the signal to start, I look at the woman beside me, her face aglow with the twinkling lights and the joy of the moment. In a few short days, she’ll be gone, off on her next big adventure. The thought sends a pang through my heart, but it’s tempered by pride and love.

“Ready?” I ask, squeezing her hand.

Paige looks up at me, her smile radiant. “Ready,” she confirms.

We lift our hands together and drop them. The first line of kids in the marching band lifts their right feet in unison and starts off.

The parade, with all its lights and music and joy, feels like a celebration not just of Christmas, but of growth, of love, of the endless possibilities that lie ahead. And as we make our way through the streets of Benton Falls, I hold on to the hope that this is just the beginning of our story, not the end.