Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Norah
A FEW WEEKS LATER
The kitchen smells like roasted garlic and butter, delectable enough to make my shoulders drop the second I pull the oven door open.
Heat spills out, fogging the air as I tug the pan of baked pasta free, the cheese bubbling and browned just right, edges crisped where the sauce kissed the ceramic.
I set it on the stovetop and reach for the towel without thinking, already imagining plates and forks and the simple comfort of everyone eating together.
Ryker comes up behind me.
I feel him before I hear him, his body a familiar presence at my back, heat and solid weight and that quiet confidence that always seems to settle me.
He dips his head and nuzzles the side of my neck, beard rough in a way that makes my breath catch before I can stop it.
“Ryker,” I warn, laughing despite myself. “Stop it.”
He doesn’t stop it.
Instead, he spins me around, hands firm at my waist, and kisses me. It’s unhurried and deep, the kind of kiss that steals your balance and gives it back different.
I make a small sound I don’t mean to make, something soft and honest that he pulls from me without effort.
I can never resist them.
The door bangs open before the moment can tip into anything more, and the sound of boots on hardwood explodes through the house.
“Norah,” a small voice yells.
Maisie comes barreling in like a force of nature, curls bouncing, cheeks pink from cold and excitement, her glasses almost sliding down her nose.
Rufus skids in behind her, nails clicking, tail wagging so hard his whole body sways. Amber follows, laughing, scarf half undone, Jude right behind her with his broken nose still faintly bruised but his smile wide and unguarded.
They spent the whole day at the town square to see the town Santa, who everyone knows is just Mayor Brighton in costume.
“Hey,” I say, dropping to my knees just in time to catch Maisie as she launches herself at me.
She shoves a paper bag into my hands. “Cookies,” she announces proudly. “For you.”
My chest tightens in the best way. “Thank you,” I tell her, kissing the top of her head. “These are perfect.”
Jude leans down and kisses my cheek, quick and familiar, and I feel my face warm in response. Amber squeezes my shoulder, eyes bright.
“Santa was very convincing,” Jude says. “I think Rufus believed him.”
Rufus huffs like he might argue the point.
“Are you ready to go?” Amber asks.
“Almost there,” I say, laughing. “Dinner’s almost done. We can all come back here and eat after.”
“Sounds wonderful.” Ryker smiles. “We need the strength. Tomorrow we’re going Christmas tree shopping.”
“Tomorrow’s already Christmas. I think you already missed out on that.” I wag a finger at him. “Lucky for us, Dorian has one, so we can all celebrate with his.”
As if summoned, Dorian walks in then, arms full of boxes, coat dusted with snow. Maisie squeals and runs straight to him, wrapping her arms around his legs.
He shifts the boxes easily and scoops her up, smiling like this is exactly where he’s meant to be.
“My mom went a little overboard,” he says to her. “So many presents.”
Her eyes go wide as she scrambles to check out the boxes.
He looks up, eyes finding mine, and beelines across the room once he sets the boxes down. He kisses me, slow and sure, one hand warm at my back.
When he pulls away, he reaches into his coat pocket. “I have something for you.”
The necklace glints softly when he opens his hand. Gold. Simple. Elegant. He fastens it around my neck, fingers brushing my skin with care.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathe.
He smiles like that was the only possible outcome. “Mom helped me pick it.”
His mother’s condition is more or less the same, but I can tell she’s glad to have her son home. Dorian officially transferred to work in Fox Hollow full-time, and he’s already talking about opening his own architectural firm.
I know he will. He always does all that he puts his mind to.
Amber has new snow boots on, sturdy and bright, and she wiggles her feet proudly. In the weeks since she moved to Fox Hollow, she has become part of my days in a way I didn’t expect.
She helps at the shop. She laughs easily. She listens.
She’s healing bit by bit.
Dorian also got Ryker a pair of really expensive gloves, which he loves. And he got Jude a Burberry coat, which I’m still not so sure Jude likes.
Dorian asks what his present is, so I lean in and give him a kiss. He smiles before deepening the kiss.
This is all a distraction. Yesterday, Ryker and Jude told me all about the land they bought together. They want Dorian to design a house for the four of us.
I know Dorian will love that present. I know he loves having these guys as his friends, especially since they spend every lunch break down at the bar playing darts.
“Ewwww!” Maisie groans. She’s carrying her brand new complete set of Harry Potter first edition books.
“What?” Jude asks, pulling me in for a longer kiss.
“Noooooo!” Maisie laughs, tipping her head. “No more kissing Auntie Norah when I’m around.”
We all laugh.
Jude takes the books from her and promises that she can come back and read them after. We pile into coats and scarves and head toward the community hall together.
The building glows against the snow, lights strung high and warm, windows bright with activity.
Inside, the space hums with voices and music and the smell of pine and cider. The roses and wreaths I worked on are covering the beams.
The hall is transformed. Clean lines. Fresh paint. Thoughtful touches everywhere.
I’m so proud it almost hurts. They did this.
They built this and gave this town the Christmas it truly deserves.
Jude nudges me. “Do you like it?”
“I love it! You guys really went all out. It looks pretty freaking amazing.”
Jude brushes his lips on my cheek. “I wish we could go somewhere before New Year’s to celebrate this. Maybe Fernbridge?”
The idea of the three men and me alone, cozying up, drunk on egg nogs and making love for days on end. My core clenches excitedly. “Let’s do it.”
“We can’t. We’re driving down to Maple on Monday,” he reminds me. “We still have to see the judge and make sure the charges were dropped.”
I nod, filing it away. I completely forgot all about that.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. Wren’s name flashes on the screen. Finally! I want her to see just how great this place turned out.
“Hey, babe. Running late?”
“Norah,” she says breathlessly, “you need to come. I’m at the hospital. I’m having my baby.”
Everything else falls away.
“I’m on my way,” I say, already turning, heart racing for a whole new reason. “Guys, we have to go.”
“What’s going on?” Dorian asks.
Everyone turns to me, including the nosy Mick, who was flirting with Amber.
“Wren. Baby!” It’s all I can manage to say before I burst into tears.
It’s only quiet for a few seconds before the room is filled with laughter and cheer.
“Let’s go!” Ryker and Dorian say in unison.
I can’t believe the year I’ve had. I can’t believe how it’s going to end. My best friend is having her baby. I’m in love. Maisie is home.
Everything is right in the world.
What a Christmas miracle!
The end.