Chapter 21 Noelle
Noelle
I help Shepard hold up the Santa’s Grotto sign as he attaches it to the outside of the cabin, pounding a nail into the wood.
Once again, I watch his muscles at work, and my Omega stirs, eager to run her finger over those thick biceps.
Too bad my Nana got there before me, and I distract myself as I bounce on the balls of my feet, trying to chase away the chill from my blood.
“Hold steady. The sign will be lopsided,” Shepard chuckles.
I stop bouncing then, peering at something in my peripheral vision. Oh, goodie! They’re just bringing in the reindeer, and they’re so cute.
Shepard grins when he sees me admiring them. “We’re pretty much done here. Go ahead and say hello.”
I grin awkwardly, not wanting to make a fool of myself. I’m a grown woman; I shouldn’t be smitten by the sight of Santa’s reindeer.
But when I spot their antlers, I almost burst with joy. So, I get down from my stepladder, going over to introduce myself once they’ve settled into their paddock.
“Hello,” I say as I creep up to the fence, petting the first reindeer that comes to my side. The kids will get to feed them carrots, and they’re going to have a blast at the Christmas Market.
Soon, the lodge will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland as I cast my eyes around. Fairy lights sparkle from every tree, lighting the way through the dark once the sun goes down.
They’ve set up booths with all kinds of crafts, and there are various food trucks, too.
And the best part…
There will be fairground rides. I’ve never been a fan of entrusting my life to a ride that can be packed into the back of a truck, but I won’t deny how excited I am
I hope there will be a carousel.
“Well, that ought to do it,” Shepard announces, coming down from his stepladder.
I look across at the sign. It's gorgeous. Apparently, a local sixth grader designed the font, and it's a work of art. It really adds to the whole rustic community vibe, and the kids are sure to love this place when they arrive in a few days.
Shepard joins my side, and now he pets the reindeer with me. He even watches as I brush my fingers over the reindeer’s coat.
“So soft…” I whisper.
The Alpha smiles, grabbing a bucket. “Want to feed her a carrot?”
I take a bright orange carrot from the bucket, feeding the reindeer. “Were there even female reindeer in the story?”
He shrugs. “Who knows. But we have nine each. Look.”
I start counting, and he’s right. Nine reindeer for Santa’s sleigh. The sleigh in question is parked up just outside the cabin, and it’s riddled with bells and garlands.
“Yet there’s no Rudolph… I tried, but my request was denied.”
Shepard casts his eyes over the reindeer. He points at one near the back, one with mud on its nose.
“There he is. He’s just shy, so he’s hiding his bright red nose with mud for now.”
I purse my lips. “I can work with that.”
Just then, a blast of cold air blows our way, and I shudder. Shepard guides me back to the grotto. “Come on. I have coffee inside.”
I follow him inside, and now he pours me a hot cup of coffee from his thermos as we sip in silence.
“So, when does Santa get here?”
Shepard thinks. “Tomorrow.”
I mock gasp. “Then we'd better be on our best behavior.”
“Oh, trust me. You’re on his Naughty List, Ms. Hale. He told me so himself when I spoke with him on the phone.”
I put my hand on my hip. “Oh, did he now?”
Shepard smiles, showing those bright white teeth. “That he did. Sorry. It looks like you’re getting a lump of coal this year.”
He laughs, and I whack his large arm playfully. Then I join him in finishing our coffee.
“Let’s head out. We’re all good to go in here.”
I look back at Santa’s seat. It’s right beside a fireplace, one bedecked with real holly, and it looks just like a scene from a picture book.
I follow Shepard out the door. It’s only when I glance up at the doorway that I snort. “Mistletoe?”
The Alpha stops, smiling when he spies it. “Yeah. I thought it added a nice touch.”
An awkward quiet passes between us as I bite my lip, gripping my empty coffee cup. The Alpha’s eyes enlarge as he casts his gaze over me, and I should have thought this through.
However, it couldn’t hurt to try it out. It’s a Christmas tradition, after all.
I shrug. “Well, I don’t see—”
The Alpha leans in slowly, and I don’t think. I wrap my arm around the back of his neck, and for the first time in ten years, I kiss Shepard Wynter.
Damn. He tastes just as good as I remember, and now I drop my coffee cup, curling both of my arms around his neck.
The Alpha growls when I jump up, hooking my legs around his waist. It was just supposed to be a chaste kiss, but it ended up being so much more.
When I bite his lip, he snarls, pushing me flush against the threshold of the grotto, and his scent of cedar and roasted chestnut hijacks my brain next.
Well, it looks as if Shepard was right.
I am on the Naughty List after all.