“Hey, Mom,” a rude voice cut Noel off, “when are we going to eat? It's lunchtime already!”
Noel spotted a dark-haired sixteen-year-old burst into the lobby. He had a face full of pimples and a pair of troublesome eyes.Wow, this kid is dressed like he's in a 1980s hairband. Looks like he needs to be drenched in some Holy Water. And maybe a comb to knock down some of that spiked hair might work.
December leaned down onto her elbows and sighed. “Noel, meet my son, Dan Green. He's come to live with his old mother—”
“Forced to live here is more like it,” Dan spouted off and then looked at Noel. “Hey, you're good looking. Are you single?”
“Dan,” December warned.
“What?” Dan leaned back against the front counter in an attempt to look cool. “I'm from Seattle. Where are you from?”
“Don't make me slap you across the face, boy,” Noel warned Dan.
Dan stiffened. “Hey, wow, cool it. I was just being friendly—”
“No, you were being a jerk and embarrassing your mother,” Noel informed Dan. “Your mother has gone through a great deal of trouble to help me. I'm very grateful for all of her help, which means I'm not going to stand here and let you disrespect her. Is that clear?”
“Whatever...get a life—” Dan began to walk off.
Noel stepped in front of him. “Listen here, boy,” she growled, narrowing her eyes, “I've tangled with bears far worse than you. If you want to act smart in front of me, then you better be prepared for the repercussions. Is that clear?”
“Yeah, what are you going to do...bend me over your lap?” Dan rolled his eyes. “Take a hike.”
“I knew a boy like you growing up,” Noel informed Dan. “Same attitude and everything. Now that boy is sitting in prison for life.” Noel moved aside. “Keep it up, boy, and you'll see how far your attitude gets you.”
“Whatever—”
“You'll end up dipping into alcohol...getting into drugs...start running with the wrong crowd. When you end up in prison...well, you'll look back on this day and remember my words.” A curious grin slipped across Noel's stern face. “No one stays young forever, boy. We all grow up.”
Dan looked into Noel's eyes, felt a cold chill run down his spine, and then walked off. “I'm going to get a sandwich.”
December folded her arms together. “Impressive. Not many people can handle my son the way you just did.”
Noel sighed. “When I was growing up, the MacLean boy used to always sneak onto the farm and steal watermelons...and not just my farm. He was a tough, smart-mouthed kid like your son. Eventually he dropped out of school, moved to Raleigh...last I heard, he tried to rob a bank and ended up getting shot in the leg, but not before shooting a cop. Now he's doing life in prison.”
“How awful.” December shook her head.
“Yeah, Donald MacLean turned out to be a real sour plum. But, that's how it is sometimes. The kid had rotten parents and a rotten sister.” Noel looked around. “I don't think you'll have any sour plums in North Winds. It’s very beautiful here and the way you decorated the inside of the lodge...it's like walking into a winter wonderland.”
December sighed. “Noel, I'll be honest with you. I've had nothing but time on my hands. You see, my husband and I divorced ten years ago...I'm forty-two, like you. I had Dan when I was twenty-six. My husband and I had been married...oh, about two years before Dan came along. We were married for eight years, give or take a few days, before we divorced.”
“You don't seem too upset about getting your divorce,” Noel pointed out, reading December's eyes.
“I wasn't,” December confessed. “My husband was a hard drinker who didn't understand the wordfaithfulif his life depended on it. I found out the horrible truth a day late.” December motioned around the lobby. “My grandfather owned this lodge. He died four years ago...and...well, I inherited the lodge. Long story short...I got sick of living in Los Angeles and here I am. Most of the time, I have nothing but time on my hands...every so often a guest will pop in...”
“Are you happy here?” Noel asked.
“More than happy.” December smiled. “It may seem strange to someone who lives in the lower states, but living here in North Winds...I've never been happier. Oh, there are some hard days and the winter months are brutal...and I make sure to never go near the Dip. But other than that, my life here has been very peaceful. I mean, it's tough waiting on supplies to be flown in. We keep Fred busy during the spring and summer months. At times, his friend Mike has to help him make runs. On rare occasions, Mr. Ceaver will use his boat and bring in supplies when the sea is calm enough—but those occasions are rare...and costly. On other occasions...oh dear, look at me running my mouth again.”
“No, no...actually, December, back home...I'm much like you. I stay on my land and hardly ever see a living soul,” Noel confessed. “I'm a hermit in nature because...I just never had the heart to let myself trust anyone. I own three hundred acres of mountain land that a lot of people would love to take away from me...it's difficult.”
“I bet it is. You're beautiful, single, and smart,” December explained. “I have no doubt you've had to run off a whole lot of wolves.”
“Yeah, gold diggers carrying dead roses seem to pop up everywhere at times.” Noel laughed a little. “My friend Brent...a good man who is married to a good woman...he watches after me. I think by now most people know to leave me alone. Brent's position with the county we live in carries a lot of weight and most people don't want to tangle with him.”
“Your guardian angel, huh?”
“In a way, yes.” Noel smiled a smile that didn't last but a second. She felt her heart drop. “December, I'm here because my granny asked me to fly to North Winds and find a locket she buried on some beach. I'm to find the locket and bury the locket in her grave. I'm also here...to finally place a rose on my mother's grave...a woman I never knew. I can't say my visit will be full of smiles.”
