“Just a friend,” I say. “Or, a friend of a friend, really.”
Kelly smiles. “Well, a friend of a friend is a friend of mine. I appreciate you filling in. I’ve never seen Olivia so worried about covering everything while she’s gone.”
I give Noah a pointed look. “Thank you,” I say, not even trying to hide the smugness in my tone. IknewOlivia actually needed me to be here. “I’m so happy to help out.”
Noah’s phone rings before he can contribute to the conversation, and he pulls it out, giving the screen a quick glance. “I should take this,” he says. “I’ll be right back.”
I smile at Kelly as Noah walks away. “Honestly, I’m happy to hear you say I’m needed. I’ve been feeling a little weird about being here. Especially with the weather. If the Christmas Eve reunion is cancelled…I don’t know. I just don’t like feeling extra.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Did someone say something to make youfeelextra?”
I wince the slightest bit. “No, no! I’m sure it was nothing.”
She gives me a pointed look. “Megan.”
The woman is too perceptive for her own good. “Noahmighthave said something about the job just being a cover for some sort of weird Christmas setup. He thinks his family didn’t want him to be alone for Christmas.”
Her eyes widen. “He told you that?”
I nod. “The first night I arrived.”
She huffs out a laugh. “Perceptive of him to piece it all together.”
I frown. “Wait. So itisa setup?”
“No, no,” Kelly says. “You’re definitely needed. But Olivia did hireyouon purpose. As opposed to, say, my mother-in-law, who would have been happy to help out but probably would havebeen a much less fun houseguest for Noah.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Two things can be true at once. You’re needed. Fair and square. But after what Noah has been through, no one’s going to pretend like he doesn’t also need a friend.”
“What he’s been through?” I ask, and Kelly grimaces, like she’s suddenly realized she’s said too much.
“Honestly, it’s perfectly understandable in his line of work,” she says. “I shouldn’t have even mentioned it because I’m sure he’s going to be fine.”
Kelly’s candid response is more than I expect, and I’m not sure how to respond.
What has Noah been through? And what is his line of work?
A part of me wants to ask. With a little prodding, I’m guessing I could get Kelly to talk. But a bigger part feels like that would be betraying Noah’s trust somehow. It doesn’t feel right to ask for information he might not want me to know.
Still, if I don’t figure this guy out soon, thenotknowing might eat me alive.
Noah’s mood is subdued when he comes back into the barn.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
He nods as he slips his phone back into his pocket. “Yep. All good.”
I’m not sure I believe him, but I probably shouldn’t be trusted. Not when my brain is imagining a raft of possible secrets and heartaches big enough to make all these people worry as much as they are.
“Ready to head back?” he asks.
I nod and give the tiny goat one more scratch behind her ears before letting Kelly lift her out of my arms. “You should name her Noel,” I say, “since she was born so close to Christmas.”
The goat lets out a tiny bleat, and Kelly smiles. “I think she agrees.”
Seven
“You’re quiet,”I say as we make our way back to the house.
“I’m always quiet.” Noah’s tone isn’t defensive at all. Just matter-of-fact.
