“A smart one. It could save your life someday,” she states matter-of-factly.
“Right… because giant duck apocalypses are normal around here.”
“There’s a first time for everything, and I’d hate for you to be unprepared.”
“Wouldn’t want that.” I chuckle. “I’ll take the herd of tiny horses. Toss a handful of diced apples into a stall and they’ll be corralled in no time.”
“Excellent choice.”
She lifts our joined hands as she glides out in front of me and spins in a slow circle. Her skates cut smooth arcs across the ice as her laughter rings through the air. I’m struck by her effortless ability to find joy in the ordinary.
“Would you rather live in the city or the country?” I ask.
It’s another question she’ll probably accuse me of already knowing the answer to, but I’m a glutton for punishment andcan’t help but wonder if a small part of her secretly longs for a quieter life away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Noelle slowly comes to a stop in front of me, prompting me to do the same.
She turns to face me as she lets out a thoughtful hum, considering. “I’ve lived in New York City my whole adult life. The food scene’s fantastic, and there’s an endless stream of boutiques, music venues, and pop-ups to check out.” My stomach tightens as I brace for what I assume is the inevitable answer. “Still, it has its downsides. It’s really loud, people aren’t very friendly, and everything costs a fortune. Most of my team works remotely, but we still rent a studio to record my podcast, and the monthly cost could easily pay for a luxury getaway somewhere tropical.”
“Maybe if it hadn’t cut into your travel budget, you could’ve taken a trip out of the country instead of roughing it in Arizona for the holidays,” I joke, though I’m genuinely intrigued to know what her response will be.
Noelle shakes her head, her expression soft and reflective. “I’m glad I didn’t. This trip has been full of surprises, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It was about time—I was due for a little adventure.”
I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
“So which one would it be, Sunshine—the city or the country?”
Time seems to stretch on while I wait.
Noelle lifts her eyes to meet mine, reaching up to take off my hat and perch it on her head.
“The country. Definitely the country.”
Her answer is straightforward, yet significant. There’s something powerful in knowing the simplicity of a small town doesn’t put her off, and it sparks a flicker of hope I have no business holding on to.
As flurries begin to fall around us, I’m struck by the realization I’m falling for Noelle—and fast.
If given the choice, she’s the person I want to experience the small joys and big milestones with. We haven’t known each other long, yet it feels like I’ve been waiting for her my whole life. I’m faced with the reality that this could all be over soon, and I might be a footnote in her story. But for me, she’ll forever be a bright spot.
“Would you rather have a Pause button or a Rewind button in a video game version of your life?” she asks.
“Pause button,” I state with zero hesitation.
Noelle lifts her hand to rest it against my cheek.
“Me too, cowboy,” she whispers. “Me too.”
Making Spirits Bright
Yesterday couldn’t have been better. From breakfast to skating, snuggling by the fire and watching the originalMiracle on 34thStreetto hanging stockings—Shep has outdone himself in the holiday tradition department, and I couldn’t be more grateful that I get to share it all with him.
This morning, he greeted me with plans for another day full of surprises—made even sweeter because it’s Christmas Eve. With every thoughtful gesture, both big and small, he has me convinced “acts of service” is a cowboy’s universal love language. Either way, I’m definitely not complaining.
Even our early start this morning couldn’t dampen my excitement.
Shep wouldn’t say exactly where we were headed first, only hinting that we’d be going into town, so it’s no surprise when we end up on Main Street.
A bell jingles as he pulls open the door to the Cactus Bloom Café, the local diner.
