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“Can we help?” Patience asked “Host a dinner or so?”

Isabel nodded “Ford is afamily and we can all be buffers Just say the word”

Noelle nodded, not wanting to say anything in case she sounded too eager Because where there were Felicia’s soon-to-be in-laws, there was also likely to be a certain handsoaze adoringly into his eyes She was up for either Or so more adult

Which only went to show she had been

“Thank you,” Felicia said “I appreciate the show of friendship” She pressed her lips together “Enough about me We wanted to talk to Noelle for a reason and she has to be at her store soon”

The three women turned to her Noelle had a sudden need to worry about having so stuck in her teeth “What? Don’t freak me out This is my busy period I couldn’t take the pressure”

Patience reached for her hand “We have so to tell you”

“It’s a good thing,” Isabel added quickly, then sighed “The best”

“We’re getting married,” Felicia added

Noelle exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding She squeezed Patience’s fingers, then picked up her latte “Duh You’re all wearing engageular basis”

It was true Each of the of ie to cover her face and moan, “My eyes, et the humor

“You know I’ht?” She sipped “Do you worry I’m upset?”

“No,” Isabel told her “It’s not that at all”

“Then?”

“We’re getting married at Christmas,” Patience said in a rush “Christ”

“Oh,That’s great”

Noelle had never seen the Dance of the Winter King, but she’d heard all about it Fool’s Gold did Christan with a live nativity and ended with the production, put on by the local ballet school Afterward those attending went to ht services at the various churches around town

“We haven’t told anyone,” Felicia added “Our fiancés know, of course, and Dellina She’s assisting us in planning the weddings We thought with having everyone already at the convention center, it would be convenient”

Isabel rolled her eyes “And romantic It will be a surprise”

“But anted you to know,” Patience added

“Thanks for telling ht twinge and knew that was about wanting to be in love herself While she was totally happy for her friends, she wanted a little of that love ic, too

It would happen, she told herself firmly She only had to believe She knew that life was a precious gift She was going to enjoy all of it, including her friends’ triple wedding

“We want you to be our attendant,” Felicia told her

Isabel grinned “Look at it this way You only have to buy one hideous dress” She held up her hands “And it won’t be hideous, I proreat”

“I’ ofto be such a surprise for everyone Let ”

“You’re extremely busy with your store,” Felicia pointed out “But your offer of assistance is very supportive Thank you” She smiled “Consuelo also offered to help, but I knew she didn’tout of the door as she said it” The smile broadened “Maybe I’ll invite her to be a bridesmaid”

Patience’s eyes widened “Are they to that point?”

Isabel shook her head “I’m sure Kent would propose in a heartbeat, but Consuelo needs a littlenormal”

Noelle chuckled “That sounds like her” She glanced at the tiet the store open Thanks for telling me your secret I’ll keep it tomy first ever Fool’s Gold Christmas even more special”

Noelle waved as she dashed out and headed for her store

She was pleased to find she really was genuinely happy for her friends They were all in love with terrific men Men she had absolutely no interest in She told herself that what she would take fro was that love was in the air and if she was lucky, she would catch a little for herself

She turned on 4th Street and raced toward her store She still had to restock the stack of throws she kept by the stuffed animals They had been a last-e sellers Apparently, Christmas hen everyone wanted an extra blanket or two to toss on the sofa

She was reaching for her keys when she saw so outside of her store A tall, handso blue eyes and a smile that made her stomach start the Macarena

“What are you doing here?” she asked Gabriel as she approached “Did you decide you really need a nativity ourds?”

Gabriel stared at her “You have one of those?”

“Of course I pridethe unusual”

“Or the extree”

“It’s Christmas,” she pointed out “Or it will be in six weeks When else would soourd-based nativity?”

As she spoke, she opened the front door and flipped on the lights He followed her inside She turned on the trains, then started theher scarf when she shifted back to find hi in the middle of the store

He looked better than he had More rested, less gray Although he still seemed tired The shadows remained in residence beneath his eyes

“What’s up?” she asked, shrugging out of her coat

“I want to talk to you about a job”

She laughed “Right If you’re looking for a present for your estions We have soht like”

She disappeared into the back roo into her desk’s botto close enough that she could see the various colors of blue that made up his irises She could inhale the clean scent of hienerated

“I want to come work for you,” he said

“That’s insane You’re a doctor This is retail I sell Christmas stuff”

“I knohat you do You need help and I need”

She waited, confident this had to be a joke When he didn’t speak, she shook her head “I’m sure they would be thrilled to have you volunteer your services at the local hospital”