Chapter Fifteen
L ater that week, on Christmas Eve, Jordyn carried an ornate silver tray full of red velvet cupcakes baked fresh by Kringle’s Café across the kitchen of her cabin and set it on her newly purchased dining table.
All four Nanas, each decked out in her Christmas best and seated around the beautiful dining table they’d helped Jordyn pick out, clapped their hands together and squealed with delight.
“Oh, what a wonderful Christmas treat!” Eve said, smiling up at Jordyn. “What made you think of ordering these for tonight??”
“It wasn’t my doing,” Jordyn said. “The owner of Kringle’s Café—er, Max Reynolds was his name, I think—dropped them off earlier this afternoon. He said Kandy had mentioned I liked them and that I should consider them a housewarming gift for our Christmas Eve dinner tonight.”
Carol Belle, seated at the end of the table, narrowed her eyes at Kandy. “And how did he know we were having Christmas Eve dinner with Jordyn?”
Kandy shrugged, her cheeks flushing. “I might’ve mentioned it when I stopped by the café for a hot cocoa. I also mentioned how fond we all were of Jordyn and how much she liked his cupcakes, and I suppose he decided to take it upon himself to formally welcome her to Noel.” When Carol Belle continued staring at her, Kandy continued, “I do stop by the café on my own from time to time, and Max’s red velvet cupcakes are the most delicious Christmas treat Noel has to offer.”
“I don’t know about that,” Holly said, shimmying her shoulders and smiling slyly. “Have you ladies gotten a glimpse of the handsome man that just moved into the house two doors down from me?” She leaned forward, glancing at each of the other women, an excited gleam in her eyes. “Every woman on my block has knocked on his door and tried to get the inside scoop on him. But from what I’ve been told, he’s very private and very mysterious.”
Kandy ran a hand through her pink curls and grinned. “He sounds intriguing. Do you know his name? Names can tell you a lot about a person, you know.”
Holly shook her head. “I know nothing, except for the fact that he’s very easy on the eyes.”
Eve shook her head. “Y’all are the absolute worst. Can’t you let people have their privacy? Not everyone is looking for a romantic entanglement.”
And just like that, the tone in the room shifted.
All four Nanas, avoiding Jordyn’s eyes, lowered their gaze and fidgeted with the Christmas tablecloth Jordyn had spread over the new dining table just hours before.
Jordyn turned away and returned to the other side of the kitchen, then busied herself with carefully placing five Christmas mugs on another decorative tray along with a carafe of freshly brewed coffee. Hands trembling, she slowed her movements, taking care not to damage the delicate Christmas mugs she’d purchased two days ago just for tonight’s occasion.
Hold it together, girl. Just get through tonight.
And tomorrow. And the next day . . .
When she allowed herself to think about it, the future seemed long and lonely without Nate and Roxie in her life on a regular basis. But, hopefully, with time the pain of having to walk away from them would recede and she’d be able to do as she’d promised and form a new relationship with Nate. One that consisted solely of friendship and neighborly concern.
In the future, whenever he drove his truck past her house, she’d wave, and when they bumped into each other in the town square, she would casually say hello, smile politely and asked how Roxie was doing.
That would be the extent of their friendship, and it was for the best. Really. She’d made the right decision.
She took a deep breath, picked up the tray of mugs and coffee and carried it carefully across the room to the dining table, then set it down and took her seat at the head of the table.
The Nanas stared at her now, scrutinizing her expression.
“It’s okay,” Jordyn said, forcing a smile. “I know what all of you are thinking and I promise you, it’s okay.”
The Nanas continued staring and remained silent.
“I mean it.” Jordyn tried to inject a bit of cheer into her voice and expression, but it was more difficult than she’d expected. “I told you that Nate and I have decided to remain friends and neighbors—nothing more. And I’m okay with that. Really.”
“Oh, but Jordyn.” Kandy was the first to break her silent scrutiny. “I thought for sure that the two of you could work things out and that Nate would come around. I’ve never seen him have as much fun in the Christmas competition as he did this year.”
“Me either,” Eve said softly. “After all, he even dressed up for the Sexy Santa contest and drank himself under the table in the Eggnog Nod.”
Holly smiled, her tone bittersweet. “And wasn’t that just a wonderful sight? Not the part where he passed out,” she hastened, “but the part where he strutted across the stage and danced with Jordyn. He was so happy that night and seemed to have such a wonderful time. It was so refreshing to see him enjoy himself for once. I just thought for sure he’d changed his mind.”
“It’s my fault,” Carol Belle said, looking down and picking at the Christmas tablecloth with a fingernail. “I shouldn’t have dragged you into this to begin with, Jordyn. I knew Nate hadn’t gotten over Macy, and even though my intentions were good, I shouldn’t have stuck my nose in, much less dragged you into the middle of everything.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Jordyn said quietly. “If anything, you helped me enjoy Christmas all the more by participating in the competition and meeting new people. And Nate did have fun during the contests he participated in, too. So, you see, it was the right thing to do in the end.”
“But it wasn’t.” Carol Belle’s normally stiff demeanor crumbled, and her chin quivered as tears filled her eyes. “You’ve had your heart broken and that was the very thing we were trying to avoid.”
At that, Jordyn did smile. “No, I didn’t. As a matter of fact,” she said, “I found one of the best loves a girl can find.”
Carol Belle looked up, her tearful eyes meeting Jordyn’s in question.
Smiling wider, Jordyn reached out, curling her hands around one of Kandy’s and one of Holly’s. “I fell head over heels for four of the most wonderful women I’ve ever met. And now I have the great fortune of calling them my friends.”
Holly and Kandy, tears in their eyes, too, squeezed Jordyn’s hands in return.
“And,” Jordyn continued gently, “I’m the luckiest woman in the world because my wonderful friends have joined me on Christmas Eve to celebrate the holiday. I can’t think of anything better than spending Christmas Eve with the four of you, and my heart isn’t broken at all. How could it be when I have you here with me?”
A broken sob burst from Carol Belle’s lips and she straightened in her chair, dragged her hand across her wet cheeks, then reached out, covering Eve and Holly’s hands with her own as she smiled back at Jordyn. “Friends?” she asked in a gruff voice. “We are not friends, ladies.” She smiled at Jordyn. “We’re family!”
“And that’s the best gift the four of you could have ever given me!” Heart overflowing, Jordyn exchanged smiles with the other women, then burst out laughing. “So, seeing as how we’re now family and all, I don’t have to be on my best behavior tonight, do I?” She looked down at the silver tray full of red velvet cupcakes and lifted one eyebrow, asking in a teasing tone, “The four of you won’t mind if I stuff my face full of cupcakes tonight, will you?”
Kandy laughed. “Not at all! As a matter of fact, I plan on doing exactly the same.”
On that note, they all shared a good laugh, grabbed a cupcake from the tray, placed it on their plates, then passed around the carafe of hot coffee, filling their Christmas mugs to the brim, then dug into their sweet Christmas treats.
As the delicious taste of cream cheese icing melted on her tongue, Jordyn eased back into her chair and savored the moment. She glanced slowly around the table, listening to the Nanas chatter cheerfully and smile as they ate, then looked toward the living room, where a warm fire popped and crackled in the newly repaired fireplace, lending a comforting glow to the hardwood floor, walls and ceiling of her cabin. Then, her gaze drifted to the window at the front of her cabin, where, beyond the glass pane, something small and white drifted on the wind.
“Oh, how wonderful!” Jordyn pushed her chair back and stood, smiling down at the four other women. “It’s snowing. It’s Christmas Eve and it’s snowing!”
Carol Belle chuckled. “Well, my dear Jordyn, that does happen from time to time around here.”
“But it’s a first for me,” Jordyn said, rushing over to the coatrack by the front door, grabbing her coat and shrugging it on. “So? Are y’all going to join me or what? I thought family was supposed to stay together.”
Kandy shot to her feet and hurried over, grabbing her coat, too. “Of course, we are! How can anyone not dance in the snow on Christmas Eve? Ladies, it’s time for celebration.”
Carol Belle stood, too. “Who needs a Christmas tree in the town square when we’ve got Fabio Fraser and snow on Christmas Eve right in Jordyn’s backyard?” She tapped the table with her knuckles, grabbed her coat from where it hung on the back of her chair, and shrugged it on. “Come on, Eve and Holly. Let’s show Jordyn what a real Noel Christmas looks like!”
After everyone had bundled up warmly in their jackets, scarves, and hats, they walked out onto the front porch and leaned on the porch railing, tipping their heads back and smiling as big snowflakes drifted softly to the ground.
“It’s more beautiful than I imagined,” Jordyn said quietly. “It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
Except for one thing.
Her smile dimmed as her eyes traced the path of the snowflakes dancing and twirling their way to the ground. If only she were able to share this moment with Nate and Roxie. If only Nate had truly been ready to move on and embrace something new. What a wonderful night this would’ve been and what a wonderful future they might have had!
But then she glanced at the Nanas, who stood huddled together beside her, smiling, laughing, and chattering cheerfully as they watched the snow fall, and her heart warmed again with gratitude for having found these new friends, her beautiful home at Chestnut Ridge, and the nostalgic charm of Noel.
This Christmas, even though she might not have the love she wanted most, she still had so very much to be thankful for.
“Jordyn,” Carol Belle said. “Are you expecting more company?”
Jordyn frowned and shook her head. “No. Why?”
Carol Belle pointed at something in the distance. “Because you have a stream of lanterns approaching Fabio in the back lot.”
“Say what?” Clutching her coat tighter around her chest to ward off the cold, Jordyn eased past the Nanas and walked to the other end of the porch for a better look.
Sure enough, there were dozens upon dozens of lanterns glowing in the distance, each bobbing slightly in the snowy dark as the procession made its way toward the brightly lit tree.
“What in heaven’s name?” Eve’s voice trailed away as she scooted closer to Jordyn, narrowing her eyes at the sight before them. “Carol Belle, did you have a hand in this?”
Carol Belle scoffed. “Absolutely not. I have no clue what’s going on here, but we’re about to find out.”
With that, Carol Belle tugged her hat lower on her head, walked across the porch and down the front steps, then charged across the grounds, following the procession of lanterns as they surrounded the festively decorated tree.
Jordyn and the other Nanas followed her, jogging to catch up, then jerking to a stop as they reached the crowd of people who’d encircled the tree.
The crowd parted as they approached, and Noel’s residents lifted the lanterns they held higher in the air, smiling at Jordyn and the Nanas as they called out in a cheery chorus, “Merry Christmas!”
Kandy, walking beside Jordyn as they made their way through the crowd toward the tree, squeezed Jordyn’s hand. “What in the world is going on?”
Jordyn shook her head, her eyes roving over the familiar faces surrounding them. “I have no idea,” she whispered.
But then, as they reached a small clearing in front of the tree, Jordyn noticed Nate and Roxie standing in front of her perfect Fraser fir, broad smiles on their faces and an elegant silver crown cradled in Roxie’s hands.
“Seeing as how Noel’s winning Christmas tree isn’t in the town square this year,” Nate said, smiling, “we, as a community, discussed it and decided we would bring the party to Chestnut Ridge instead.”
Heart pounding, Jordyn drank in the sight of him. He looked as handsome and dashing as ever, dressed in a stylish pair of jeans, long-sleeved, white dress shirt and sherpa-lined jacket. But it was the look in his blue eyes that captured her attention as he strode across the distance separating them, lowered his head and whispered in her ear, “Merry Christmas, Jordyn with a y .”
She placed her hands on his arms to steady herself, then looked up at him, searching his expression. “What are you doing here?” She glanced around, her gaze roving over the dozens and dozens of people who smiled back at her expectantly. “What is everyone doing here?”
Nate smiled down at her. “We have discussed it and decided that we are going to refuse to accept your withdrawal from the Christmas tree contest.”
Jordyn, confused, shook her head. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” he said, a teasing note in his voice, “we’ve decided to officially designate Fabio as Noel’s permanent town Christmas tree.” At her stunned silence, he continued, “You were right about one thing. This tree should remain exactly where it is and be allowed to grow. And every year, instead of cutting a tree down and bringing it to the town square, we’re going to undertake the trip to this tree at Chestnut Ridge and celebrate its beauty right where it grows.”
Excited murmurs arose from the Nanas, who stood several feet behind Jordyn, tears in their eyes as they smiled at the townsfolk and issued words of thanks.
Nate glanced past Jordyn to the Nanas and asked softly, “That is, if it’s okay with you, Nanas?”
Carol Belle shook her head, a smile brightening her expression. “It’s not okay. It’s absolutely wonderful!”
Nate chuckled. “And seeing as how I’ve brought you just about the whole town to celebrate this year’s Christmas competition, Ms. Carol Belle, does that mean you forgive me for hogging the Christmas Crown all these years?”
Carol Belle laughed, too. “I suppose so. You are officially forgiven, Nate Reed.”
“Then there’s just one thing left to do,” Nate said, glancing over his shoulder and smiling at Roxie.
Roxie, wearing a beautiful white Christmas dress and elegant red coat with her long blond curls flowing loosely around her shoulders, walked over and smiled as she lifted the crown in her hands toward Jordyn. “Congratulations on winning the Christmas Crown this year, Ms. Jordyn!”
Jordyn placed a hand on her chest, right over her heart, trying to calm its frantic beating. She sank to her knees in front of Roxie and smiled hesitantly. “But . . . this was supposed to be your tenth crown, Roxie.”
Roxie, smiling, shook her head. “No, ma’am. This is our first crown.” She glanced up at Nate and winked. “Yours, mine, and Daddy’s.”
Jordyn’s eyes shot to Nate’s, the tenderness in his expression bringing fresh tears of joy to her eyes.
“The first crown of many,” he whispered softly. He reached out, lifted the crown from Roxie’s hands and placed it on Jordyn’s head. Then he took Jordyn’s hand in his, tugged her gently to her feet and pulled her close, wrapping his arms tightly around her.
She looked up at him, barely able to catch her breath as she struggled to focus on his handsome face.
He lowered his forehead against hers and whispered tenderly, “I love you, Jordyn. Almost from the moment we first met. I’m just sorry it took so long for me to take the chance and reach out.”
She traced the curve of his strong jaw with her fingertip. “What made you change your mind?”
“The sacrifice you made for Roxie and for me.” He smiled gently. “It takes someone in love to be willing to walk away from what they want, to serve the needs of someone else. And when we spoke the other night in the town square parking lot, you mentioned that you were worried Roxie’s heart might break if I changed my mind about our relationship down the road, but you never mentioned anything about changing yours.” He cradled her face with his palms, his skin warm against her cheeks. “It occurred to me then that you might already love me, too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so certain that your feelings for me wouldn’t change later on.”
She grinned, her heart overflowing. “And you’re quite certain that I love you?”
He grinned back. “Yes, that’s one thing I’m absolutely sure of. And that’s all that matters because my love for you will never change either. No matter what challenge we might face in the future, we’ll work our way through it together.” He pulled her closer, his chest pressing against hers, their hearts beating in tandem. “There’s nothing I want more than to spend this Christmas—and every one that comes after—with you.”
Heart full to bursting, Jordyn smiled and cupped his face in her hands. “I really do love you, Neighbor Nate.”
“Is it okay if I kiss you?” he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Jordyn glanced around, then leaned closer and whispered, “I don’t know. That would stir up a bit of trouble in little Noel, wouldn’t it? I’ve heard people like to talk around here.”
Nate grinned, a roguish look in his eyes as he cupped the back of her head with one hand, slid his free arm around her waist and whispered, “Then let’s give them something to talk about, shall we?”
With that, he dipped her over his arm, covered her mouth with his and kissed her properly and tenderly right there in front of the most perfect Christmas tree Noel had ever seen.
The Nanas, standing nearby in the crowd among the falling snowflakes, sighed wistfully as they watched Nate cradle Jordyn in his arms and kiss her soundly.
“Oh, how wonderful!” Kandy, smiling, dabbed a tear from the corner of her eye. “Could you ever, in a million years, have imagined that our Christmas ceremony would have such a beautiful ending this year?”
Eve removed her glasses and dabbed at her own eyes, smiling through her tears. “No. After the past few weeks, I definitely didn’t see this coming.”
“And they make a stunning couple,” Holly said, excitement in her voice. “Can you imagine how beautiful their wedding will be?”
Eve paused in the midst of dabbing her tears but continued smiling as she looked at Holly and said, “I’d say that’s jumping the gun a bit, don’t you think? I haven’t heard a proposal yet.”
Kandy smoothed one hand over her pink curls and grinned. “Oh, but do you see the way they’re kissing? There most certainly will be a wedding—without a doubt!”
Carol Belle, glancing at Jordyn and Nate as they continued kissing in front of the tree, turned this over in her mind, already making plans for next year. “Kandy’s right,” she said softly, her mouth lifting in a broad smile. “There most definitely will be a wedding. A Christmas wedding, if I have anything to do with it! A beautiful Christmas wedding. I wonder if there’s some way we can incorporate it into our next Christmas competition and make everyone in Noel a part of the celebration.”
Clapping her hands together, Carol Belle admired Nate and Jordyn as they embraced once more, and she giggled with excitement. “Ladies, we have one year to put together the most romantic Christmas celebration Noel has ever seen! And with all the single men and women in town, we have plenty of options for matchmaking.”
The Nanas’ eyes roved over the large crowd of townsfolk who milled around the Christmas tree, then narrowed on Tucker Reed, who was smiling at his brother and Jordyn as they embraced Roxie. He stood alone, just waiting for the right woman to steal his wild heart and give him a taste of his own medicine.
A slow smile curved all four of the women’s mouths as Carol Belle whispered, “Just imagine the possibilities . . .”