Page 78 of Starry Nights over Dragonfly Lake

‘Happy Christmas, Noah,’ she replied before leaving the room.

She went back into her bedroom and leaned against the door after she had closed it. Just friends, that was what he thought of them.

She sighed heavily. The trouble was that she didn’t think of him at all like that. But if he didn’t think the same way then what future did they have?

42

After Beth had left the bedroom, Noah lay back on the bed against the pillows.

He was thrilled with her reaction to the Christmas stocking that he had left at the bottom of the bed. He smiled to himself, glad that she was so pleased with her present. It had taken many hours of secrecy working on the carving, with only Faye in on the surprise as she had sewn the stocking. He had chosen the piece of wood that the stars were carved from with extreme care, wanting only the best for her.

He couldn’t help but pick up the maritime compass and stared down at it. The fact that it came from Beth made it even more special, he realised. Because he was beginning to really care for her.

Was that why he hadn’t been able to stop himself from kissing her? When his mind had been silently screaming at him not to go near her, the chemistry between them had been too much for the rest of him to ignore. It had been the sweetest, most wonderful of kisses but it had to be the last as well, he told himself. She was a romantic who believed in happy ever afters and everything thatwent with that. And he could not and would not be the one to deny her that opportunity.

Suddenly needing to keep busy to ignore his confused feelings, he got dressed and headed downstairs. He was quickly embraced by various members of the family as everyone got into the Christmas spirit.

Breakfast was a melee of noise and merriment, as usual centred around the kitchen table. Pots of tea and coffee were placed on the table alongside bagels filled with smoked salmon and eggs or bacon, followed by delicious Christmas tree sweet pastries full of cinnamon cream and cranberries. Even Tiny the dog was given his very own bacon bagel. It was a feast but a very relaxed affair as everyone chatted, with Christmas music playing in the background.

After breakfast, everyone wandered into the lounge where the fire was stoked and roaring away next to the huge Christmas tree. There on the tree, he could see the blue bauble that he had helped decorate all those years ago, along with similar ones with Ben and Hannah’s names on them. Underneath the tree were a pile of presents to be handed out.

Ben had explained to Noah beforehand that to save money, each member of the family received only one present but that meant that the gift could be home-made or that care could be taken over what to buy.

The present to Beth had been personal from him only but Noah had also helped carve a new gardening trug for Faye who was delighted with her gift. The remainder of the presents had been all created or made by different members of the family. Beth looked delighted with her new miniskirt which Faye had made using an old sewing pattern from the 1960s.

‘It’s perfect,’ she declared, beaming from ear to ear as she held up the teal-coloured velvetagainst her legs.

As each person took their turn to open their present, Noah had become almost convinced that there wasn’t actually anything for him. He was so used to being left out and had already decided that he didn’t mind at all when Ben stood up and went to retrieve the last parcel under the tree.

It was also the smallest and Noah was surprised when Ben walked over to the sofa where he was sitting and held the present out for him to take.

‘Happy Christmas,’ he said, looking down at his cousin.

‘Thanks,’ said Noah, before looking at his gift.

It was a small box and didn’t take him very long to unwrap and open the lid. There, nestled amongst a pile of purple tissue paper, was a large silver key.

He looked at Ben who had now sat down opposite him. ‘Is this to the family fortune?’ he joked, feeling a little confused.

Ben laughed. ‘I wish.’ He hesitated before looking across to Walter. ‘I’ll let you tell him, Grandad. It was your idea, after all.’

Walter cleared his throat. ‘It’s the key to Lodge No. 1,’ he said.

‘The lodge?’ Noah was astounded but pleased. ‘That’s amazing. You want me to rent it from you? Test it out to be ready for the guests now that it’s the first one that we’ve completed?’

Walter shook his head. ‘No, lad,’ he replied softly. ‘We don’t want that one to be for strangers. It’s your home. And even if you go away for a while, it will remain your home here. Forever.’

Noah’s mouth dropped open as he realised what Walter was telling him.

‘But you need the money from renting them out,’ he stammered.

‘Family will always be more important than money,’ said Walter, his shaky voice betraying the emotion he obviously felt.

Noah glanced at Ben, who was nodding at him, as if trying toreassure him that he could actually believe what he was being told.

‘We felt you might not want to be in the hub of things all the time what with all the hotel guests,’ Ben told him. ‘But you’re still near enough to have to put up with us all, I’m afraid,’ he added with a grin.

Noah was astounded. A home. A forever home, here by the beautiful lake and surrounded by the countryside with Maple Tree Lodge on his doorstep. He still couldn’t believe it.