Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Sitting across from Noelle in the little diner in Holiday Hills was a far cry from the fancy restaurants Brady used to take his ex-girlfriend to in the big city. Charlotte would’ve never thought this place was good enough for her. Not only was Noelle perfectly content to eat at such an establishment, she hadn’t ordered a salad and a glass of water, opting for chicken and dumplings, one of Brady’s favorites, instead.

“So… what made you decide to become a city planner?” Noelle asked as she took a drink of soda.

“Well, it’s always been a dream of mine,” Brady admitted. “I love architecture and engineering, but I also like finance and accounting. I figured this would be a good way to use all of those interests.” He smiled at her and then took another bite of his beef stroganoff. This diner had a wide variety of dishes to keep a person warm on a cold night, and he’d found it hard to choose but was happy with his decision now.

“That makes sense. So far, are you enjoying it?” She set her glass down and picked her fork back up.

Brady contemplated the question. “I am. Except… I’m not sure how I feel about the mayor.” He kept his voice down, not sure who else might be listening.

Noelle nodded in agreement. “He’s shady, that’s true. I seriously doubt he’s going to want to do any of the Christmas events we’ve been discussing. But if you can convince the city council, that’s all that matters.”

“I talked to Martha about the possibility of trading him the Christmas fair for the parking garage he wants. But I don’t like the idea of just giving the bid over to his father’s company.”

She frowned. “I don’t either. It’s crooked small town politics. Not that there’s no such thing as crooked big city politics. Do you think he’ll go along with it without making a fuss if he knows the parking lot is an option without knowing for sure his dad will get the bid?”

“Well, I wasn’t planning on broadcasting that,” Brady said with a shrug. “I thought I’d give him the impression that Jenkins would be the only one to bid but then invite some other companies. Are there others who will want the work, you think?”

Noelle nodded. “I think so. There are other towns not so far away, and for all I know, there are some other construction companies trying to get their foot in the door here. It’s just hard to know for sure when the Jenkins family intimidate everyone out of existence or unfairly snatch up all the city jobs.”

“What do you think our next steps are in making sure we get all of the events on our agenda approved?” Brady asked, just about too full to eat anymore. He took another bite and then set his fork aside, picking up his glass and taking a sip through the straw.

“Mom will definitely talk to Martha, so she’ll be on your side. You just need to speak to a few other council members, I guess.”

“Do you think it will be easier to get backing from the council if we had the support of the townsfolk?”

“Yes,” Noelle said quickly. “Do you think we have time for that, though? It might take a while to trump up a movement.”

Brady shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve never organized a grassroots movement before.”

Giggling, Noelle set her fork down and pushed her plate back. “I’m sure Mom will be helpful in spreading the word, but if you can speak to the other council members before much longer, I think that would be helpful. Are we leaving the fine details of getting everything on the calendar to Mom?”

“I assumed so,” Brady said. “When I spoke to her--before she surprised you by inviting me to your house--I told her we hoped she’d organize all of it. We being me and Martha.” When he’d mentioned showing up at her house, her cheeks flushed a little. She definitely hadn’t been expecting him. It wasn’t like her house was messy, though.

“Then, I say we wait and see what she needs help with,” Noelle said with a shrug. “I can work on getting the volunteers at the shelter to help organize the craft fair to show up the animals and see if they’ll tell their friends at church.”

“That reminds me!” Brady said, snapping his fingers. “Did you know that Martha knits animals?”

Noelle’s forehead creased. “What do you mean?”

“Like… toys, I guess. But knitted. I suggested she make them for the cats and dogs you’ll be trying to rehome.”

“Aw! That’s so cute!” Noelle cooed, folding her hands beneath her chin. “I would love that!”

“Extra incentive to get people to take them home, I was thinking.”

“Perfect!” Noelle beamed at him, and Brady felt warmth radiate through his face and down his spine. She really had a way of making people--and animals--feel special. “I can get her a list and pictures of some of the animals I’ll take.”

“What about Pooch?” Brady asked, thinking it wouldn’t be necessary for there to be a replica of the dog for him to be taken by the first family looking for a dog that wandered by.

At the mention of the little dog, Noelle blew out a deep breath. “If I still have him then, and that’s a big if, I don’t know if I’d bring him or not. While he’s adorable, obviously, and would draw a lot of attention, he also doesn’t need to be highlighted in order to find a family.”

Brady hadn’t thought of it like that. He had, however, thought he would hate to see someone adopt the little fellow. Not that he didn’t want to see Pooch get a new home. He simply wanted to keep him for himself. It was a selfish idea, since he hadn’t even asked if the dog would be welcome at his friends’ house, nor had he gotten a chance to talk to the realtor yet. He’d meant to do both that afternoon but hadn’t had the chance. “That makes sense,” he said. He tried to imagine a little boy and a little girl waking up Christmas morning to see Pooch under the tree, and it made him feel slightly better about not taking the dog, but only just slightly. It had only been a few days, but he already felt like the little guy belonged to him.

The waitress came over with the check and set it on the table. “Can I get you anything else?”

The pie he saw on other people’s plates looked delicious, but he was full. Still, he looked at Noelle, and she shook her head. “No, thank you.”

“All right. I’ll be back.” She smiled and left the table.

Noelle reached for the check, but Brady was faster. “I’ve got it.”

“You bought lunch!” she reminded him.

“So?”

“So… it was my mother who suggested this.”

“You’re right….” He watched a question mark form over her head as she was trying to decipher where he was going with this. “I should’ve gotten her some pie.”

Noelle giggled, but she was persistent. “Seriously, give me the check.”

“Seriously, no,” he insisted. “Don’t try to turn me into anything less than the gentleman I am.”

That made her laugh aloud. Once she’d recovered, she asked, “Can I split it with you?”

He reached for his wallet. ”No! Listen, Noelle, you’re just going to have to accept the fact that I’m buying your dinner, all right?”

“Fine.” She blew out a deep breath. “Tip?”

“Never eat yellow snow?” He set the bill and enough cash to cover it and leave a tip on the edge of the table.

Again, Noelle laughed. Shaking her head, she said, “Can I get the tip?”

“Have I given you some sort of indication that I am a vagabond? That I am staying with my friends because I am a mooch?” He loved the sound of her laughter, so he kept going. “Perhaps my modest clothing and lack of designer brands has given you this impression?”

“No, not at all,” Noelle said, catching her breath.

“Well then, Noelle Snow, why don’t you let me buy you dinner?”

“Okay,” she agreed again. This time, he hoped she’d give up the fight.

She did. The waitress came and took the check and cash, and he told her to keep the change, wishing her a merry Christmas. She said the same, and they slid out of the booth.

Noelle went to put her coat on but had a little trouble with the sleeve, so Brady held it for her. She smelled like vanilla and peppermint, two of his favorite holiday smells.

“Thank you,” she said, turning to look at him, her face so very close to his.

Brady smiled, but he didn’t have enough breath in his lungs to say more. She was definitely the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

After a moment, she stepped away, temporarily releasing him from her spell. Brady grabbed his coat and slid it on, and they headed to the door. As soon as they were outside, he offered her his hand. “It might be slick out here,” he said.

He hadn’t put his gloves on, so when she slid her warm fingers into his, the feel of her skin had enough heat radiating up his arm to keep him blazing hot in a snowstorm.

They didn’t have to go far, but the snow coming down was wet and sticky, and it made Brady consider her last name. “You know, I should’ve realized your mother had to love Christmas. She did name her daughter Noelle Snow, after all.”

Noelle laughed, tossing her head back. “Actually, when I was born, my name was Noelle Burke. My stepdad adopted me when I was eight. But yes, my mom definitely loves Christmas. And I do, too. It’s just been hard to get too excited about it around here recently. It’s like the whole town has lost its Christmas spirit.”

“Well,” Brady said, pausing next to the passenger door of his truck. “It’s time we changed that.”