Christmas on 4th Street (Fool's Gold #12.5)(22)

“Nice,” Norm told her. “You are good at logistics.”

Carter settled on the sidewalk. Karen sat next to him. Norm and Felicia were behind them. Noelle noticed that Gabriel did his best to keep his distance from his father.

She wondered about their relationship. Gabriel hadn’t said that much, but there was obviously tension. Despite the fact that Carter had showed up in Gideon’s life over the summer, Norm and Karen hadn’t come to meet him until a few days before. Felicia had been the one to invite them to visit for the holidays. What had happened to cause both sons to become, if not estranged, then at least disconnected from their parents?

Not a question to ask minutes before the parade started.

She sipped her hot chocolate, grateful for her coat and the sweater she wore beneath. The sky was blue, but the temperature couldn’t be much above freezing. She could see her breath.

Gabriel pointed across the street. “That guy is selling chestnuts,” he said. “Are you sure this town is real?”

“Mostly. I don’t think I like chestnuts. Now, if he had fudge, that would be a different story.”

“You eat chocolate?”

She glanced up at him. “I’m a fully functioning female, so yes. Why are you surprised?” She held out her to-go cup. “Hello, hot chocolate.”

“I thought you only ate healthy stuff.”

Because she was skinny, she thought, knowing that just over three years ago, she’d been curvy and completely happy with her body. Then she’d gotten sick. Weight had seemed to melt off her. It wasn’t exactly a diet she would have recommended to anyone.

In the past year, she’d gained back about a third of what she’d lost. It was slow going, but she was determined that she would see her curves again.

“I love chocolate,” she said firmly, and swallowed the last of her drink. Again, discussing the whys of her thinness wasn’t a subject for this second.

The sound of music drifted to them.

“It’s started,” Carter said, scrambling to his feet. Norm held out his hand to Karen as she stood. They all turned and looked up 4th Street, straining to see the beginning of the parade.

“Are there floats?” Gabriel asked.

“I don’t know. I hope so.”

Felicia glanced at them. “There is the local high school marching band, some vehicles from the fire stations, a few old cars and some oversized balloons.” She shrugged. “I saw the list.”

“That’s it?” Gabriel asked.

Noelle poked him with her elbow. “Attitude, mister. It will be magical. You’ll see.”

“Oversized balloons?”

“Maybe it’s like the Macy’s parade in New York.”

He grinned at her. “I’m sure it’s exactly like that.”

The music got louder. Soon they could see two teenagers with a banner welcoming them to the annual Fool’s Gold Thanksgiving parade. An old convertible went by with Mayor Marsha perched in the back. She waved regally as she passed.

There were a few balloons, including a charming Christmas penguin with a bright red cap.

“Aren’t penguins in the South Pole?” Gabriel murmured in her ear.

“Stop talking.”

“Where it’s summer?”

She looked at him. “You’re not getting into the spirit of this.”

“It’s the best parade I’ve seen in years.”

“You’re just saying that.”

He surprised her by putting his arm around her. “No. I mean it.”

She allowed herself a moment of enjoying the warmth of him next to her, then turned her attention back to the parade. The marching band came by next, blasting a rock version of “Jingle Bells,” then a couple of police cars and a fire truck. The latter had a fireman’s hat on the hood with the number 46 on it. There were wreaths on the side of the truck and a plastic Santa sitting on the bumper.

A block or so away, people started yelling. Noelle turned but couldn’t see what was causing the fuss. The sounds were happy—mostly surprise and delight. She raised herself on tiptoe.

“Can you see what it is?” she asked.

“Not yet,” Gabriel began, then swore softly. “No way,” he said. “No way.”

Felicia glanced up the street. “Oh, that’s right. I forgot about them.”

Norm and Karen both looked at her. “How could you forget?”

Noelle shifted forward, trying to get a look. “Forget what?”

Then the crowd seemed to move back and she had a clear view of Priscilla...dressed as Santa.

“Is that an—” Gabriel began.

“Elephant?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Yes.” Noelle squeezed her hot chocolate cup and danced from foot to foot. “Do you see what she’s wearing? I know it’s just a jacket, but still.”

“How do you get a jacket on an elephant?” Gabriel asked.

“In pieces,” Felicia told him. “They’re held together with industrial-strength hook-and-loop closures.” She turned to Gideon’s parents. “There’s a ranch outside of town. Mostly they have goats, but there is also an elephant, some llamas and other animals. It’s very eclectic, which suits the town.”