Noelle's Golden Christmas Read online

  “I know you don’t have the money to pay for that surgery, Garrett. You and your wife have taken home four injured dogs in the past year.”

  “Five.” His mouth twisted in a sheepish grin. “But it’s not my fault. My Lucy’s as much of a sucker as I am. I guess we’re a perfect match.”

  “There won’t even be room in your house for the baby when she comes in January,” Noelle teased, though she actually envied the happy couple. I’ll never find someone who loves dogs as much as me.

  “We’ll make room.” He lifted his chin. “Every one of those dogs was worth the sacrifice.”

  “And no one ever came to the shelter to claim them?”

  “Ha! One guy answered an ad, but when he heard about the medical costs incurred, he decided Schlotsky wasn’t his dog after all.”

  “So if I did take Abby…”

  “Yes! That’s so great! I really didn’t want to put her down.”

  “Hold on. I haven’t said I’d take her yet.”

  “Look, if you’ll just agree to take her home after she recoups at the vet—probably Sunday afternoon—we’ll keep trying to find the owner. She’s obviously well-loved, and the owner will probably show up this weekend looking for her. You may not have to take her to your apartment or pay a dime for her surgery.”

  “Stop using that sad puppy-dog expression on me, Garrett. It’s totally unfair.”

  A warm tongue caressed Noelle’s hand, and she glanced down. Abby’s big brown eyes stared barbed arrows straight into her heart. She found herself secretly hoping the owner was never found. Maybe, if I have a dog, I won’t feel so lonely.

  Garrett handed her a pen and a form, already filled out with her name and information.

  “Awfully sure of your powers of persuasion, aren’t you?” Noelle raised a warning eyebrow.

  “No.” He shrugged, grinning. “But I know a fellow softy when I see one.”

  ∞ 2 ∞

  NOELLE TAPPED HER PHONE, watching the enticing scenes scroll across the screen. “There. That’s it. That’s where I’m going to spend Christmas this year. It’s sunny and warm, with a beautiful secluded beach. And best of all, no one will know me.” Soft sweet strains of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons wafted through the air. As she relaxed in the vibrating pedicure chair with her feet soaking in the scented water, she could almost imagine she was already on vacation. Alone. Just what her introverted personality craved… an escape from the drain of interacting with her vivacious family.

  “I admit it’s beautiful.” Lisa leaned across from the adjacent chair, frowning at the cell phone screen. “But Sis, you’re not actually going on vacation alone at Christmas time, are you? What about the stockings and presents? What about Christmas dinner?”

  “Do you really think I’ll miss listening to Dad make snide comments about how I’m never going to get married and produce grandchildren? Or be subjected to another of Dad’s potential boyfriends for me, who go running as fast as they can after they meet me?”

  “Dad only teases you a little. At least he cares enough to not want you to be alone for the rest of your life. Besides, the guys he tries to set you up with aren’t that bad, are they?” Lisa waved a flippant hand in the air, dismissing her objections as she always did.

  “Not that bad? It’s only been two weeks since Thanksgiving. I know you haven’t forgotten the horrible dinner with our surprise guest, Bill Brownnose.”

  “He was okay. I thought he was cute… in a skinny, nerdy kind of way,” Lisa argued. “And his name was Bill Brannon.”

  “Brownnose fits better. He spent the entire dinner sucking up to Dad. Probably thought he’d get a promotion out of it. But once he figured out Dad was trying to set him up with me, he developed a sudden case of oh I forgot I’m supposed to be somewhere else.”

  “I’m not surprised. You ignored him the entire time, while you slipped pieces of turkey to Buster under the table.”

  “Buster’s the only person in the family who really loves me.”

  Lisa’s lips pursed together as she retorted in an irritated tone. “Buster is not a person, and I resent the implication that I don’t love you.”

  Noelle groaned on the inside, trying to keep her patience. Lisa had a habit of making every situation about her. “I know you love me, Lisa, but you have Reece. You don’t have time for me any more.”

  “I’m sure you’ll find someone eventually. It’s only been a few months since you and Carl broke up.”

  “A few months! It’s been almost two years since Carl dumped me. A week before the wedding, in case you forgot. He’s already been married to Brandy for over a year.”

  “Oh, that’s right,” Lisa admitted, chewing on her lip. “If it makes you feel better, I heard Carl and Brandy are having marital problems already.”

  “Lisa!” Noelle’s eyes flew open wide. “That doesn’t make me feel better. I don’t want Carl’s marriage to fail.” I hope she can’t tell I’m lying.

  “Noelle, you’re such a good person. I’d be bitter and vengeful if I were in your shoes, betrayed by a man you gave six years of your life.”

  Though she felt guilty at the pretense, Noelle wasn’t about to admit her true feelings. Swallowing a huge lump in her throat, she resolved once again to forget the traumatic Christmas Eve party when Carl revealed he was calling off the marriage. Although, forgetting was difficult when her Dad constantly dropped reminders about how much money he wasted on the wedding that never happened. Unbeknownst to him, Noelle was saving the money to pay him back for the exorbitant affair she’d never really wanted. As a consequence, she couldn’t afford to buy a new car, and her old one was currently held together with prayers and duct tape. Even her tropical vacation was only a pipe dream.

  “I’m the oldest child, and I’m going to be the last one to get married,” Noelle lamented. “I can’t believe Gavin’s engaged—he’s just a kid.” Pinching her eyebrows together, Noelle tried to look angry rather than reveal her self-pity. Gavin’s engagement announcement had been the icing on the cake of a very disappointing Thanksgiving.

  “He’s twenty-five—two years older than I was when I got married.” Lisa’s perfect eyebrows popped up like a light bulb had gone off in her head. “You could still beat Gavin to the punch, if you hurry.”

  “Yeah, right! Let’s see… Gavin’s getting married March third. All I have to do is meet a guy, get him to fall in love with me and propose, and talk him into tying the knot in February. It’s December first, so that gives me approximately… three months?”

  Lisa giggled. “Okay, maybe it’s too late to get married before Gavin does. Maybe that patient you just told me about—the one from the office, yesterday. What was his name? David?”

  Noelle felt the blood rushing to her face as she recalled the embarrassing incident. “Yeah, his name was David. I don’t even know his last name, and I’m sure I’ll never see him again. I barely met the guy. Plus, Shara’s already staked her claim on him.”

  “All’s fair in love and war. Just elbow that skinny witch out of the way and take your man.” Lisa demonstrated, jamming her elbow onto the arm of the chair, accidentally striking her funny bone, the resulting flinch lifting both feet from the basin of water, only to plunge back in and splash floral scented liquid all over the floor.

  Noelle laughed until tears came from her eyes. “Lisa, you’re so not coordinated.”

  “I’m no worse than you,” Lisa countered, adopting an injured expression, despite her giggles. “Anyway, as I was saying… I think you can find someone if you’ll just open your eyes and look around. Someone besides Buster.”

  “Yeah, especially since Buster belongs to Dad.” As the nail techs returned, lifting their feet from the water and patting them dry with warm fluffy towels, Noelle decided to share her news about Abby. “I’m bringing home a dog of my own tomorrow. She’s the sweetest thing ever.”

  “Have you not listened to anything I said? You don’t need a dog of your own. You need a person of your own
.”

  I should have known Lisa wouldn’t care about Abby. She’s never been a dog person. Groaning acceptance, Noelle queried, “How do you suggest I go about acquiring a person of my own?”

  “We’re starting that today. Once you have on a bit of makeup, wear something more fitted, do something with your hair.” Lisa reached across to finger a strand of Noelle’s disheveled hair.

  “I can’t help it that I have unruly, dishwater-blond hair instead of gorgeous, brunette curls, like yours. Let’s face it, I don’t have much to work with.” As the girl sitting at the base of the chair began to dig both thumbs into the sole of her foot, Noelle’s tight muscles relaxed, her body melting into an amorphous blob.

  “That’s not true. You have a cute figure, but you hide it inside oversized sweaters and sweatpants.” Lisa seemed unaffected by the same type of foot treatment that was turning Noelle into jelly. “Just wait until Marco does his thing with your hair. He’s the best in Denver. You have gorgeous green eyes and really long eyelashes, and with a bit of mascara your eyes are going to pop. I’m taking you to my favorite shop this afternoon. By tonight, you won’t even recognize yourself.”

  “Do you really think so?” asked Noelle, with a tiny surge of hope. Good grief, I sound so needy.

  “Absolutely.” Lisa clapped her hands. “Ooo! Tonight is going to be so much fun!”

  The owner of the spa interrupted Lisa. “Is everything satisfactory, Mrs. Starkey? Can I bring you anything? A glass of wine perhaps? Or some hot tea?”

  “Black tea sounds great, Sophia,” Lisa responded. “And I’m certain my sister would like some as well.”

  “Of course. Right away.” Sophia shot Noelle a dark look that told her she wasn’t nearly as welcome in the swanky spa as her well-heeled sister.

  Noelle was already beginning to regret her decision. She’d forgotten how it felt to watch people pandering to her sister’s every wish. Lisa has all the luck. She’s charming, vivacious and gorgeous. Plus she’s got a sweet husband who happens to be both handsome and filthy rich. Noelle didn’t fit in with Lisa’s ritzy friends and lifestyle, no matter how hard her sister tried to force Noelle’s square self into that round hole.

  “What exactly do you have on the agenda for tonight?” Noelle peered at her sister, trying to guess what schemes she might have concocted.

  “You’ll see. It’s nothing bad, I promise.”

  “Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”

  “Don’t even think about backing out,” said Lisa, an adept mind reader where Noelle was concerned.

  “Honestly, Lisa, I can’t really afford to go shopping, and you’re already paying for all this.” She gestured at the expansive spa, decorated in rich wood and polished granite.

  “Call it an early birthday present. Anyway, I’m just trying to help you with your Rolex problem.”

  “Rolex problem? I don’t have a Rolex problem. I don’t even wear a watch, and I’ve never even dreamed of owning a Rolex.”

  “Yes, but you’re twenty-nine, almost thirty. Your biological clock is ticking.”

  “Lisa Elaine Holiday! I can’t believe you just said that!”

  “It’s Lisa Elaine Starkey. I’ve been married for four years now.”

  “How could I forget? You don’t need to join Dad and rub my face in it.”

  “You can just tuck that pouting lower lip back in,” said Lisa. “I’m not rubbing your face in it. I love you, Noelle—you know that. I’m sorry to be blunt, but if you ever want to stop being Noelle Holiday, you’ve got to stop hiding your most attractive features. You promised me the whole day, and I claim no take-backs.”

  “Argh! Fine, I’ll do it. You can be my fairy godmother and fix me up. But I don’t have a ball to attend, so I doubt I’ll meet my Prince Charming before I turn back into a pumpkin.”

  “Hmmm…” Lisa tapped a perfectly manicured fingernail on her leg, wearing a look that usually preceded some diabolical plan.

  “Hmmm? What does that mean?” Noelle’s armpits were suddenly damp.

  “Nothing.” Smiling with wide, innocent eyes, Lisa stood up, crooking her finger. “Come on. It’s time to move to the other room so they can paint our nails.”

  Grasping her sister’s arm before she could step away, Noelle pinned her with a stern gaze. “I don’t trust you, Lisa. What are you hmmm-ing about?”

  “Oh… I was thinking about Christmas again. You have to be here for family Christmas.”

  Noelle didn’t believe Lisa for an instant. “I still don’t trust you, my sneaky little sister. And I’m not making any promises about Christmas.”

  “What about your birthday? You have to be with your family on your birthday.”

  “We never really celebrate my birthday anyway. That’s what you get when your birthday’s on Christmas Eve.”

  Noelle immediately regretted her whiny tone as Lisa’s stricken expression heaped on the guilt.

  “Please, Noelle… please don’t go away for Christmas. I want you to be there when… Oh, I’m just going to tell you, but you have to keep it secret. Don’t tell Dad or Gavin.”

  “Don’t tell them what?”

  “I’m… we’re… Reece and I are going to have a baby!” Lisa bounced on the balls of her bare feet. “Can you believe it? You’re going to be an aunt.”

  “Oh, Lisa!” Noelle threw her arms around Lisa’s neck, as envious tears stung the back of her eyes. What kind of a sister am I? I can’t believe I’m jealous of Lisa’s happiness.

  Lisa pulled away, dabbing at her eyes. “You’re crying, too.” She laughed. “I’ve been so emotional.”

  “Even more emotional than you usually are?” Noelle teased, grateful her sister had misunderstood the reason for her tears. “I don’t know if I can stand to be around you.”

  “Now you understand, don’t you? I can’t be the only woman around the house at Christmas when my hormones are skyrocketing like this. And I want you to be there when I tell Dad and Gavin. Please tell me you’ll come.”

  Noelle groaned, imagining how it would be. Just one more way Lisa had shown her up, producing a grandchild before Noelle had even managed to get married. I should tell Dad I don’t ever intend to marry. Maybe that will get him off my back.

  A sniff drew Noelle out of her reverie. She looked up to find a huge tear tracking down her sister’s cheek. With a heavy sigh, she surrendered to the inevitable.

  “Fine. I’ll be there.”

  A rapturous grin bloomed on Lisa’s face. “Yay! I love you, Sis. You won’t regret it. I’ll make sure it’s the best Christmas you’ve ever had. Now let’s go make you beautiful.” Lisa stretched out her fingers in invitation.

  Once again a victim of her sister’s charms, Noelle clasped the proffered hand, allowing her sister to tug her toward the next leg of her so-called beauty treatment. Me being beautiful is about as likely as me having a good Christmas.

  *****

  “You have to admit, you look awesome, right? I love the way your hair falls around your face now. It really brings out your cheekbones. But that mouth—hanging open in shock—that’s not a good look for you, Sis. I mean, I can practically see your tonsils.”

  “I had my tonsils out at the same time you did, Lisa.” Noelle tried to act irritated, but she couldn’t stop gawking at her own image in the mirror.

  “Très magnifique!” Marco declared in a heavy French accent.

  Scrunching up her nose, Lisa asked, “Why do you always talk like that, Marco? You’re not really French are you?”

  “Busted!” He laughed out loud, dropping into a heavy speech pattern. “Actually, I’m from the Bronx, but I get a lot better tips with the French thing.”

  Noelle giggled, touching her gleaming gold locks with ginger fingers. “I can’t believe this is really my hair. You made it look so shiny and healthy. And I love the color.”

  “That’s barely lighter than your natural color,” Marco explained. “I only added a few highlights. Mostly, I just cut off the dead
ends and gave you a deep conditioning. Your hair seems to have been neglected for a while.”

  Noelle felt the same guilt her patients must feel when she asked them how often they floss their teeth. “I’ve been really busy.”

  Marco rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah… I’ve heard that before.” He handed her a black plastic bottle with gold lettering. “I want you to use this conditioner every time you shampoo. And give your hair a break from blow-drying for a while. Be sure to come back in six weeks to trim the ends.”

  “Right. Of course.” There was no way she could afford to come back in six weeks. She couldn’t even afford to come back in six months. She made a casual attempt to put the bottle back on the counter.

  “Nope. I saw that. You’re getting that conditioner, Noelle. It’s all part of your birthday, and you know we can afford it.”

  “Your birthday?” Marco lifted his brows. “How old are you?”

  “Marco!” Lisa scolded. “Don’t you know you never ask a woman her age?”

  “Then let me guess…Twenty-three? Twenty-four?”

  Noelle chuckled. Of course, he’s just being polite. “I’m going to be twenty-nine on December twenty-fourth. And I’m proud of it.”

  His eyes raked her up and down in a studious appraisal that sent a little thrill up her spine. “You should be proud, Noelle. Your hair may be my masterpiece, but I had a great pallet to work on.”

  “Now let’s see what happens when Frieda gets her hands on you.” Lisa moved behind Noelle and pushed her away from her reflection toward the doorway.

  “I don’t want to look like a clown.” Noelle chewed on her lip, regretting her own snide comments about Shara’s caked-on base and heavy rouge.

  “None of my clients ever leave here looking like clowns,” objected a girl with curly red hair and freckles, having heard the remark from across the quiet room. The woman, who had to be Frieda, reminded Noelle so much of Annie she almost broke out in strains of Tomorrow.

  Somehow restraining herself, Noelle managed not to verbally compare her new makeup artist to the famous orphan. “I’m sorry.”