Miracles in the Making Page 4

Later that evening while Noel waited for her to finish polishing her appearance to her approval, he contemplated that same point. In less than an hour, she and I will be wandering about Navy Pier, lost amongst the enormous rides and magnificent exhibits, along with at least a hundred other people interested in experiencing the same thing.

“I promise I’m trying to hurry.” The sound rang from the top of the stairs and left Noel laughing. Always in such a rush, it was as if the girl couldn’t help it. As he rummaged inside the fridge for some sign of the Tartar Sauce, he listened with one ear. Once again there she went, carrying on to her cat. He snatched up the bottle in question and could only smile; after all, he had promised her dinner. Just as the thought passed through his mind, Candy came dashing into the room. Clad in a pair of smooth black slacks with a bright red cashmere sweater to match, she looked like a display straight from a fashion magazine. Her fiery hair was pulled neatly into place at her back, and bound with a soft and curly red ribbon. In one hand, she carried a tiny white and pink purse that added to the overall picture.

“Well now, aren’t you something to look at.” He hadn’t meant to say it. Since he already had though, there wasn’t much he could do.

Upon hearing this, Candy heated from the inside out and her cheeks deepened with color. At first, she didn’t reply—unsure whether to be more embarrassed or pleased. When she discovered her voice, all she could think to say was, “How kind.”

As far as she could recall, years had passed since last she dared to indulge in a brief flirtation. The very idea of doing so now frightened her to the bone. That any man would want to do so to begin with, was as fascinating to her as it was unnerving.

When he saw the unease building, clouding the brightness in her eyes, Noel took pity on the young woman. “Ready to be on our way?” he asked her. “Looks to me like you’re ready enough, no?”

Her head misted with emotion she didn’t entirely understand. Candy blinked twice to clear it, gripping the counter for light support. “Yes, yes I am.”

* * * *

After that, the night flew by and before either could justify what had happened they were standing at Navy Pier, at the entrance to the Winter Wonder Fest. Even from the outside, it was magnificent, with its flood of varying colors and assortment of candy canes and gingerbread houses. It was as if they had stepped from reality and landed in the midst of some wild dream. Candy paid for their tickets. “Call it your first week of pay,” she obliged.

“How very kind of you.” Noel tugged at her elbow. “Indulge in a moment of skating. Then we can take a ride on the Ferris wheel.” He sounded more like a satisfied child then he did a man well past twenty. Add to that the enchanting grin that cast across his face. This lightened his already cheerful features and the effect was irresistible. Though she never directly agreed with him, Candy followed easily in his wake. Before she knew what was happening she was holding firmly to one of his hands, whirling with him a
cross the ice, struggling to find balance in the skates he’d convinced her to try only moments before she giggled when she realized just how much she enjoyed herself. In fact, it was the most fun she’d had in years. Using the palm of her left hand, she softly massaged her forehead, fighting to keep the world in line.

Noel made a flourish sending her into another spin. The wisest choice in front of her seemed to be to follow through with the act, even if it meant allowing her hand to drop to one side. He drew her up against him. Drawn closer by the scent of his spicy cologne, she pressed herself to his well muscled-body, allowing him to guide her through each fluid step. Their bodies were perfectly in line. It was amazing to realize just how well they fit together.

Candy struggled to find some sort of ground. Her senses toppled around her, as if she’d had one too many sips of holiday wine. “I—I probably ought to give it a rest.” She pressed her palms against his chest, feeling it firm beneath her touch. Somehow, she wanted to hold on tighter.

Frustrated with herself, she forced them to halt. “I need a break. I don’t know where this is going.” She looked up, staring into his Kerry blue eyes. It was a terrible mistake. She knew it the minute their expressions met. Her heart all but melted inside her, leaving her dangerously weak, even more so then she had been before. She felt her teeth grinding as she battled the unusual emotions so ready to take control.

At some point during the interaction, her lips, anxious and uncertain, connected solidly with his. She felt the warmth of his smile, as it grew. Her blood stirred and a thrill sizzled down the length of her spine. Her nails dug into his skin, the one place she could find to reach to for balance. Noel swore under his breath, shifting his arms to assist her feeble effort. “That better?” he asked as they moved.

Candy blushed, embarrassed by her reaction. “I suppose I could have done better. Well anyway, thanks for the help.”

“No problem.” Still smiling he swept her across the smooth floor.

As the minutes continued to pass, they danced like this in flawless rhythm, unaware just how much time sped by. Lost in the touch of her partner Candy caught her toe on the ice. She toppled into him. Sucking in a deep breath, she forced herself to take a step back. The air began to clear and her thoughts fell back into line. She gazed up with some fascination at the man who was the cause of it all.

“I think I’ll just go see to a drink; all the moving about has made me thirsty.” She wanted to kick herself; she hadn’t the first notion how it had all happened.

“It’s a drink you’re wanting? If I recall correctly the stands are off this way.” Noel motioned across the pier to where a small booth, shaded by red and white striped awning, rested beside a miniature train.

The idea had been to get her space and set her head on straight. Now that wasn’t going to happen. Accepting the fact, Candy took the hand he offered and strolled with him amongst the adornments.

She ordered a hot tea just as he did a coffee. Drinks in hand, they continued to wander. She hated herself for it, but it was hard to resist. The whole idea would be much simpler to deal with if the man wasn’t so damn attractive, if he didn’t carry himself with such casual ease.

At her side, Noel cleared his throat. “Pardon me, Miss Frost, but if I didn’t know any better, I might say you look as though you’re enjoying yourself.”

Candy rolled her eyes. “Don’t go getting to sure of yourself, all because I smile over a sweet parade. Aren’t you getting the least bit hungry?”

Satisfaction sparkled in his eyes. “I can take a hint; have you had your share?”

Plopping down at the edge of the ice, Candy exchanged her skates for her shoes.

Noel understood completely even if he wasn’t nearly ready to give in. Settling down next to his date, he followed in her wake exchanging his skates for his shoes. Rather than rise and head for the gate however, he gently gripped Candy’s right arm and tugged her with him in the direction of the Ferris wheel. Her smile faded.

“I see exactly where this is headed. Did I ever say I wanted to ride that beast?”

“Not really, but you can’t go to a carnival of one sort or another and leave without attempting even one ride.” Noel rolled one shoulder and continued to move. “Come along with me, Candy Frost, and give the thing one tiny try. You’ll like it, I promise.”

“Did I happen to mention my strong distaste for heights?” Her frown darkened and she planted her feet.

Forgetting his ground, Noel burst with amused laughter. For that tiny space in time, he was surprised to discover it felt genuinely good to be human. A little confused, he gripped the miniature amulet tucked in his pocket.

Across the room, a child cried out. Obviously, the poor girl was lost. He looked towards Candy, then back to the girl. “The poor little darling,” she stated, more to himself then to anyone aloud.

“What’s that?” Candy followed his gaze to where the young girl was wandering, absently looking from one end of the room to the other.

“I think I see her mother.”

Already heading towards the child as he spoke, Noel glanced behind him. He was happy to see Candy now faced his direction and she was already heading his way…

“Looks like you’re off the hook for the moment.”

Candy’s eye shifted. “What was that?”

“You’re off the hook. You know risking your neck. There is always next time to consider.”

Before she could properly respond, they arrived at the little girl’s side and were introducing themselves and offering to help. As much as they could see the poor child’s wariness, they also saw she wished for the help. As a result, Noel and Candy spent the next forty-five minutes roving the festival until at last they happened upon her mother. They knew they had the correct woman because she carried around a wallet, barely open enough they could glimpse a card featuring the child’s face. By the time Noel and Candy went on their way, mother and daughter were hugging each other tightly, and thanking them for their assistance. Candy and Noel now exchanged an interested glance.

“You didn’t have to help.” It was the first thing that came to his mind. It seemed right somehow to say it.

Instead of raising her temper as he’d expected, the words piqued Candy’s curiosity. “How’s that for you? No, no I guess I wasn’t required to but the girl was small and you appeared to want the help, if anyone offered. Since the other alternative was a spinning wheel of sorts, I figured I’d just as well.” She winked in a way that melted him inside.

“What do you say to dinner? By now, it’s been a long night. I cook a serious meal. What do you say, Miss Frost—dinner over firelight and flowers?”

“Do you have any idea how dreamy that sounds?” Her hand planted resolutely on one hip, Candy would not move as much as a half step.

Noel’s brows arched. “I didn’t assume it was such a bad thing, delightful ideas and dreams.”

“You’re some kind of romantic. I have to admit that astounds me. From the start I had you for some sort of practical thinker.” Now she looked him over quizzically from one point to the next. Whatever he was, he was handsome—that was undeniable.

Noel watched as she lost herself more deeply in her thoughts. Taking the opportunity, he slid into the kitchen and began preparing their meal. He found the fish exactly where he expected, resting in the fridge where he left them. To one side the Tartar Sauce stood waiting, ready to accompany the elegant meal. By the time he saw Candy again, he had nearly finished frying the fish and was well on his way to their second course.

Propped against the doorway, just inside the kitchen, Candy took in the whole scene. “You said you had a way with cooking. That was certainly putting it on the dot. I’ll have you know it smells very lovely in here. Sorry about earlier; I didn’t mean to get so lost in myself.”

Noel lit at her words. A far
cry from the bitter reaction she’d anticipated. “Not so bad an occasion; as you can see, it offered me the idyllic chance to start on the meal. Come sit down. You can keep me company. You’re very good at it.”

At this, Candy shifted forward, meandering over to the counter where a stool waited for her attendance. She hopped up without thinking twice and spent the better part of the next hour chatting away while Noel watched their dinner. Before she could register what was happening, the gifted man was plopping the assorted pieces onto two separate plates. He slid one over to her, along with a shiny crystal glass, brimming with red wine. She was so taken aback, the reaction about knocked her completely off her seat. Unconsciously bracing herself on the counter, she looked at the plate as though it were some rare foreign gem—not quite sure what exactly to do about it, yet impressed by it all the same.

At the first bite, her enchantment doubled almost instantly. The Halibut all but melted in her mouth, and the light salad he chose to complement it, did exactly that in a wonderful fashion.

Noel stole a bite from his dinner, then jetted his glance across the counter. “Not enjoying yourself too much now, are you my dear?”

Candy took another sip of her wine. To respond to his question meant she would have to consider it. That in itself was a frightening prospect. It irked her to realize this was the truth. It unnerved her that meant she cared what he though. When did that happen? It snuck up on her before she ever expected it. What sane woman could possibly resist a handsome man standing in her kitchen, cooking her dinner, and sharing in friendly conversation? None, she told herself, that was the diversion of the whole scene.

Yet to answer his question, she tossed the inquiry over in her head. It took some thinking on her part but, after a bit, she settled on a solid answer. It sounded dangerous floating around in her head. What did that make it rolling off the tongue? She inhaled deeply then released the breath, letting it slide in waves out of her chest.

“No,” she admitted. “Actually I haven’t enjoyed an evening so much in quite a long time. You weren’t rambling when you spoke of your knack with a spatula. That was some fish you stirred up this evening.”

Already set to clearing the kitchen, Noel paused in the act of moving the pans. His eyes, usually an easy crystalline blue, deepened with satisfaction. They carried a sheen matching the tropical sea. That’s why Candy knew she had pleased him and was surprised find it thrilled her. So many times, since they’d met, he had added a layer of happiness to her life. A layer, she realized now, she hadn’t realized was missing.

Finishing off the last of her dinner, Candy bounced from her chair. He was so quick and precise with his movements. Dropping her plate in the sink, she shifted the angle of her stare. “Is there anything that I can do? Goodness knows you’ve done so much else.”

Noel grinned broadly at her polite offer but he shoved the prospect aside. “I’ve got it under control for the time being. Sit down and relax, will you beautiful.”

Rather than move from the room, Candy stayed rooted in place as if something had her frozen to the spot. “You really do think that don’t you?”

“Hmm? Yes, yes I do.”

“Why?” she asked it before she had time to review it and had no idea what made her want to know. “Never mind,” she added before he could respond.

* * * *

Fading from the kitchen, Candy wandered up to her room. More tired than she thought, she nearly fell as she stepped in the shower and twice more while she scrubbed away the wild events of the day. Her mind crowded with visuals of the evening. She pictured the man downstairs taking her hand and spinning her across the ice, then cooking dinner for her when they returned home. He was so good at both.

Frustrated with herself for allowing the thoughts to slip into her mind, Candy gave her head a quick shake, sending water splattering in all directions across the shower. He was attractive. She couldn’t deny that, however she’d decided long ago that men weren’t worth the pain from trusting them. Yes, if you trusted the beasts. A little fun now and then, well there was nothing wrong with that but to allow them a bite at your heart. Any girl in her right mind knew that was stupid.

The soap plopped to the floor, hitting the bath with a thud. The sound caused her to jump. “Oh, damnit!” she squealed to the empty room. As she said it, her toes hit the slippery fiberglass and her balance completely collapsed. She hit the ground with a thump. Accompanied by a few swear words, it was enough to raise the rooftops. The knob just in reach of her left palm, she slammed down on the apparatus, shutting the bath down entirely. Pressing down on the lever to open the drain.

She was just in the process of coiling a long towel about her when the door connecting bathroom to bedroom whistled open. Candy glanced up and screeched. “That was about the last thing I expected!” she pronounced with a slight whip to her voice. Towel wrapped tightly about her, she stared Noel directly in the eye.

“Is there some reason you are still standing there, or is out of pure idiocy?”

Her temper, wild and dangerous, had him glimmering with amusement but wise enough to know otherwise; he tried his best to hide the emotions. “Really, I’d only come to assure that nothing terrible had happened; when I heard the cracking and clunking, that is.”

Far from pleased, Candy impatiently tapped one finger against her towel. “As you can see, I am just fine.”

“That’s not at all the impression I gathered from the sound effects I heard while downstairs.”

Candy gritted her teeth. “Next time you’ll have a mind to listen a little closer before mindlessly barreling into the bathroom.”

“Maybe.” Noel waved the statement aside, as though he hadn’t really heard her. All the while, he remained impossibly cheerful; so much so, that it scratched at her already sore tolerance.

Deciding it best to write the man off, Candy sauntered past him into her bedroom. The towel wrapped about her at a moderately eccentric slant.

“If I may,” she alerted him over the rim of her right shoulder. “I’d like to get my clothes on now.” Seizing her yellow and pink pajamas from their place near the end of her bed, she carried the tank and pants set with her, and nearly bullied past him back into the bath. The fresh white wooden door slammed in her wake just seconds later.

Caught between scratching his head and admitting his delight, Noel opted for the former, a very rare occasion. Hand tangled in his thick waves of hair, he slowly retreated from the room, moving at a cavalier amble.

A few steps down the hall, he paused to look back. The girl was sure a puzzle of unique characteristics, whether she was aware of it or not. Picking up his pace, Noel turned his head and kept on towards the main door. An evening stroll is always good for a person, especially when it divided them from the source of their trouble.

That belief occupied his mind for the better half of two hours. For the life of him, he was at a loss to figure it out. So desperately, he wanted to stay in line, to keep out of trouble, and eventually just get on with his life. Since he crossed paths with Candy Frost, he’d had just about every experience—trouble included; but if he were to be real with himself, he’d admit he was happy. He hadn’t seen that coming when he landed here only days before.

Looking through the frosty window, around Chicago City, all he expected was a rough slide of the streets to slip by him. If he were lucky, he could eventually move on with his existence. Happiness wasn’t in the cards. Perhaps that’s why it alarmed him. It was one thing to stare at the girl from high up in the clouds, not to be required to exchange hot words and glances. Those things were distinctly human. What do I really want? Noel asked himself. Do I yearn for those advantages offered by my immortality, or is it this, even now being offered to me that I really wish to have?

Noel rubbed at his forehead. He tried to massage away the growing discontent. He ended up here for a reason; was he going to fail? Noel closed his eyes tightly, allowing his thoughts to stray. When he knew the answer, he would look at that question again; for now, he had a reason and a marked reason at that. Couldn’t he prove he was capable?

When he again opened his eyes something drew his faint attention. Off in the distance a man stood by a light pole, his body weak and tired and his eyes drooped with age. This was his purpose wasn’t it? Following the urge that pulled him, Noel followed the worn vision. His decision made, he started from the room, following in the direction of the aging man’s yawn. The sound was light and weary but just loud enough to be detectable. Within a few short minutes, he reached the corner where the pedestrian waited for the light to change, leaning drearily on his staff.

“You could use a hand there, no?” Noel asked of him.

The old man squinted to see his helper, warming when he witnessed Noel. “Sure ‘nough I could actually,” he readily admitted.

Taking the hand Noel offered, he allowed Noel to guide the way across the street. Uncertain how to begin to expression his appreciation, the man fumbled for words as they grew closer to the other side of the road.

When he saw this, Noel shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. I was around the area anyway. Have a happy holiday.”

Noel started on his way, shocked when he discovered that the direction he took, led him straight to the apartment where he stayed for the past few days. It made absolutely no sense but, then again, nothing made sense since he first found himself standing on Earth.

Aware it was pure craziness, he tossed his hands in the air. It meant risk and serious risk at that. This one time, however, he was going to set aside the chance of danger and enjoy the pleasure that waited. Every time He was around Candy Frost, he experienced pleasure, so strong it sizzled his blood, it boiled his heart—why, so strong it twisted his stomach. Yet up until now, he continued to run from it. By the time the thoughts ceased racing through h
is head, Noel had gained plenty of ground. Now rather than rambling on the fast city streets, he stood at the door leading to Candy’s living room. Is it unlocked? In no mood to take the chance, he planted his fist on its surface, sending a solid knock ringing through the front of the house. The portal came swinging open.

“Attempting to get yourself lost? It’s without question a big enough city for that.” Candy stepped to one side, leaving room for him to saunter past her.

As she waited for him to move forward, a lightning bolt of excitement slashed down through her body. It shocked her as much as it enthralled her. She expected to miss him when he wandered away, but to the point that it became an issue was a little different.

Noel dropped down on the love seat, across from her colossal pet. Defender of his ground, the cat’s claws sank into the couch while the animal scowled up at the familiar caller.

Candy’s buoyant laughter burst between the pair. The sweet sound brought a swift end to the wordless dual the two shared. Lounging in a chair near the lively fireplace opposite of the two, she resembled a gorgeous figure cut from a classic painting. The flames danced off the hair falling around her shoulders and her face glowed from the spirit of her laugh.

Noel moved across the cushion, distancing himself from his unlikely opponent and focusing the majority of his attention on the captivating scene. “Would you believe me if I told you just how engaging a sight you make?”

Candy shifted in her chair. “That depends on if you mean it.”

“I have no reason to shower you with empty compliments.”

“You could have fooled me.” She crossed her arms. Her expression spoke volumes. Bitter anger pressed her soft lips down, leaving no room for compromise, let alone delight.

Even as he started to reply, Noel wondered why he cared. Shoving off the couch, he crossed to where she sat, and plopped down on the footstool cushioning her well-shaped feet. “Would it hurt you to allow me a single legitimate chance?”

Candy pondered the question, her agitated thoughts soothed by the sensation of his fingers gliding across her bare toes. She didn’t give him a direct “yes” but neither did she tell him “no”.

As if he understood, Noel massaged her silky skin with one hand, pressing his other to her cheek. “Take all the time you need; whether it be good or bad you can consider yourself stuck with me all night.”

Candy’s cheek lay against his palm. For some reason the feeling, snapped her to awareness. Her eyes resembling two large glittering gems, she gaped up at his striking mannerism. “You have a way with words.”

“I hope that was a compliment.” His smile, light, and airy, curled across his lips. Before he knew what was happening, he inched a little closer, his hands shifting to cradle her slim figure. Pulling her against him, he pressed his mouth to hers, instantly assailed by the vigor of her feminine sweetness.

Neither one alert to the heat of their reaction, each drank in the others fire as their tongues tangled together. Trapped by the magic created by the fury of their intense emotion, they held tight together, never stopping until exhaustion hit them like a wave. Even then, each slack with weariness, they lay nearly bound as one. Caught by the grip of sleep, they remained like this for some hours after, one cradling the other.

* * * *

By the time Candy awakened, darkness had long since cast across the sky, leaving millions of stars glistening high above as the one real source of light. Forcing herself forward, she struggled to her feet. Completely at a loss as to exactly what had taken place, she strolled into the kitchen, her mind working at an unnatural pace. With no better place to start, she plucked a cup from the cupboard and prepared coffee.

The pot halfway full beside her, she felt Noel’s arms coil about her waist, drawing her against him. His face buried in her muddled hair, he noted the small project. “A little early for the coffee, wouldn’t you say, darling?”

“I missed what?” Nowhere near entirely awake, Candy’s jumbled thoughts stumbled into place. “What—oh that. You have any better notion on what we ought to do?”

“I don’t doubt I could think of one or two.” Noel sent her a clever grin. His amused expression reflected in the mirror just above the pot. As he pulled her closer to him, he spread his hands across her sides, massaging the smooth surface with tender care. The fresh coffee, for the moment, forgotten, Candy fell against him, hungry for his touch.

Even as he stood furious with his lack of control over his raging emotions, Noel couldn’t seem to stop, his heart nearly torn by the opposing vibes that assailed him. Relieved when Candy leaned a step a way, he lessened his hands, allowing her to move.

“Sorry, but call me crazy, I’d still like that cup of coffee.” Already reaching for the steaming pot, she impulsively stopped, switching her direction. Reaching up, she placed a kiss flatly on his lips before whirling about to finish pouring the coffee.

Her spontaneous kiss lingered on his skin, sending a sharp sting darting down his spine. More at a loss than ever for the emotions rushing around inside him, he took in the girl who moved about before him. Her actions so precise, he pondered, each feature so gracious, how can I ever win such a rash battle? Again, he considered, what do I really want, do I even legitimately know?

For the time, he gave up trying, no longer concerned. Even if it only lasted for a few days—for that time, it would be perfect and exactly what he’d wished. Noel stepped up to the counter. “Any chance I could entice you in to sharing that there cup?”

Her eyes fell to her coffee and Candy lifted up her hands. “ I’d think you would rather have your own?”

“So, that is possible; certainly.” Accepting the cup she had drawn from the cupboard, he released the handle he’d been holding on his thoughts. A short time or not, for once it would be worth it.

To his right Candy propped one elbow on the counter. “What do you know? It’s getting pretty close to Christmas. Do you, perhaps, have a knack for dancing?”

Noel stumbled, his cup fumbling in his grasp. The burning liquid sloshed around in his cup, licking at the smooth round edges. Rescuing the piece with two fingers and the help of a little luck, he changed the direction of his gaze. “I don’t see why it matters. If you’re intent on knowing, I’d recommend a different partner for you.” Before he finished speaking, Noel twisted to one side in a diminutive attempt to mask his discomfiture.

One hand placed on his left shoulder, Candy cheerfully enlightened him. “I would love to teach you.”

Noel’s absently sipped his coffee. The balmy mixture throbbed in his throat. A cough rasped out of his mouth and nose.

Snatching up a washcloth, Candy set aside her cup, and bending lightly mopped up the floor where a damp spray of fluid had landed. Chuckling as she worked, she quickly finished her task and returned to her drink. “You were interested in a morning dance?” She started, “If so, I think I know just the place.”

With one hand, Noel rubbed at the back of his neck, contemplating the notion. After a few seconds he began, “You said you know just the place. Any place I would enjoy?”

Candy rolled her eyes, chafed at the query. “Would I even make the suggestion if, for a second, I believed otherwise?”

“Okay, okay,” Noel easily backed down, “So, where are we going?”

Swingers, the dance hall where they spent the greater part of the day, was rousing and lively, just as Candy had said it would be. Filled to the max with customers similar to themselves, searching for a cheerful diversion, there was barely room enough to move. A variety of spirited guests lined the aging black bar sides, while the remainder spun lightly across the classy green tiled floors. Jimmy Boyd lit up the sound system, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”. The tune made most of the guests either smile or laugh. Near the back of the room, Noel swept Candy across the floor, as sleek on the dance floor as he was on
the ice. “You were saying about the dancing?” He asked, mildly rubbing her nerves.

Candy eyed him, then brushed the bland words aside. “Am I saying anything now?”

“No, but that’s what had me bothered.” He told her straight up without a hitch.

Rather than the verbal bite he expected, Candy surprised him by saying, “You are a wonderful dancer, I should have left that one be. I hope you’re having fun too.”

Noel grinned, obviously delighted. “Great choice partner, great choice.”