The Noel Bridge

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

B y the time they’d finished wrapping the gifts and put away the cookies, it was nearing eleven.

“Need anything else?” Leo asked. He’d rounded up a few extra toiletries and given them each a toothbrush and a bar of soap. Evelyn was planning to take the study-slash-guest-room while Alicia would sleep on the sofa downstairs.

“I’m fine, thank you,” Evelyn said with a yawn. She fluffed the sheets on the twin bed in the guest room and then climbed under them.

“All right.” Leo then addressed Alicia, “Let’s get you settled on the sofa downstairs.”

Alicia wiggled her fingers in a little wave to Evelyn. “Nighty night.”

She and Leo went back down to the living room where he’d piled a stack of folded sheets and blankets, along with a pillow. As she began to dress the sofa in bedding, he looked as if was about to speak, but then hesitated. Alicia raised an eyebrow at him to go ahead .

“There’s about enough wine left for us to have a glass each,” he said. “But if you’re tired, we can dump it.”

Even though her eyes were heavy and they’d had a long day, she didn’t want him to leave yet. “We shouldn’t let good wine go to waste,” she said.

He went into the kitchen and returned with the bottle, then poured the last bit into each of their glasses. The house was quiet, the music turned off, and the fire had dwindled. The only lights in the room were from the glittering Christmas tree and the small lamp next to Alicia’s makeshift bed. She sat on the sofa and scooted the blankets over to make room for Leo. He lowered himself next to her.

“Thank you for letting us stay,” she said.

“Of course. It’s been nice. Having you here took my mind off the panic for a while.”

“I know what you mean.”

Leo turned toward the back door. “I left the door unlocked. I keep hoping he’ll just walk in.”

“You never know.” Another thought occurred to her. “Will I startle him if he does come home? He’s not used to having a house full of people.”

“He might wonder who you are, but he loves people. He was always the more outgoing one of my parents. He can talk to anyone and carry on for hours. I don’t know how he manages to find that much to say to a stranger, but he does.”

Alicia sipped her wine, feeling completely relaxed in that moment.

“Dad could be the life of the party,” Leo continued, “making people laugh and telling stories. But he’s also a gentle soul and he likes to read and spend time in nature. I connected to that side of him, and we could spend hours fishing or hiking. I miss him.”

Alicia offered an understanding nod. Were the parallels in hers and Leo’s personalities what made her feel so comfortable with him? With Bo, she’d always let him do the talking, using his charisma to keep the conversations going. But with Leo, they could just be. They were similar in the way they managed in the world. Her grief had swallowed her for many months, but being around Evelyn and Leo had pulled her out of the grief and given her a sense of who she’d been before.

“I’m glad you’ll be in Noel a little longer,” he said. “If you need anywhere to stay…”

She tried to ignore the flutter in her chest at his suggestion. “Evelyn said I could crash at her apartment.”

“Of course,” he said with a smile. “Do you have any plans while you’re here?”

“I haven’t really thought about it. Except for volunteering at the hospital.”

He took in a tight breath. “I’ve been so busy trying to find Dad that I haven’t been able to spend as much time at the diner as I need to. I’m not sure how to keep going.”

“I’m sure the staff can manage for the time being.”

He shook his head. “Many of them are new, and there are still a ton of things to finalize and sort out with the business aspect.”

“You’re a lot stronger than you think,” she said, wondering if she was also speaking to herself. “You’ll figure it out.”

“Thanks.”

He finished his wine, then stood and set the empty glass on the table. He locked eyes with her, the soft mood of the night and the buzz of the wine making her want to stay up longer, but she also knew they should all get some sleep.

“Good night,” she said .

“Good night.” He offered her a smile before turning and walking away.

As Alicia lay on the sofa in her old home with the same view out the window that she’d had all those years ago, she decided to send a group text to her parents and sister to let them know where she was. She was surprised when her mother responded at such a late hour.

What? How in the world are you in our old house?

It’s a long story. I didn’t expect you to be awake. I’ll call you tomorrow and tell you all about it.

Okay, honey. Everyone else is out for the count, but I’ve been up reading my book. I only have two chapters to go, so I’m pushing through. I’ll regret it in the morning, but I needed something to calm my nerves after all the zip-lining.

Alicia laughed and texted her mom back.

I can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m heading to bed. Good night.

Her mom wished her good night, and Alicia put her phone on the table. So much had changed for her in the last few days. Bo had wanted her to visit Noel. He was usually right, and this instance was no different. She should have come back years ago.