Christmas on 4th Street (Fool's Gold #12.5)(34)

The mayor went on to explain about the tradition and outlined events that would take place over the holiday season, including a lighting of the large menorah on the first day of Hanukkah. Gabriel didn’t know where they planned to put the menorah, but he wouldn’t be surprised if it was right next to the Christmas tree. Fool’s Gold was that kind of place—all faiths would be welcome to join in.

Noelle leaned against him. He wrapped both arms around her, wanting to be as close as he could. Whatever happened to him, wherever he went, he would remember these few weeks in this odd little town. He would remember the tree and the elephant in the parade and the butt-patting old ladies. But mostly he would remember her and when it got too bad, he would let those memories wash over him.

* * *

Felicia’s directions had been accurate, Gabriel thought as he pulled into the parking lot of his brother’s radio station. Damned if Gideon hadn’t really bought the place. From soldier to DJ. It was a tough transition to imagine. He could only guess how difficult it had been to live.

He walked around back and hit the buzzer. Less than a minute later, his brother opened the door and grinned.

“I already have the beers out,” he said by way of greeting.

“She told you I was coming.”

“Sure. She said talking to you would be good for me. That it would strengthen our fraternal bond and allow us to feel more connected. It would also remind me why it was good to have a sibling so I could explain that to Carter when he had to deal with a half brother or sister.”

Gabriel followed his brother down a narrow hall. “That sounds like your girl.”

“I know.” Gideon’s voice was full of pride. “I’m a hell of a lucky guy.”

They went into a control room. There was equipment all around them, including several computers and a control panel that looked complicated enough to run an airliner. Music played from speakers. There were bottles of beer in front of both chairs. Gideon sat in the one by the microphone and motioned for Gabriel to take the one across from him.

“I knew you were doing this,” Gabriel said, lowering himself into the comfy leather chair. “But I sure couldn’t picture it. A radio station?”

“I know. I didn’t plan it. I was driving around town and saw the For Sale sign.”

Gabriel picked up his beer and leaned back in his chair. “I think the bigger question is what you were doing driving around town at all.”

“Good point.”

The song came to an end and Gideon pushed a button. “We do a combination of prerecorded and live shows,” he said. “I do my show every night and a few others are produced in-house, but a lot of the shows are packaged and sold. It’s cheaper.”

Gabriel hadn’t thought about the logistics of running a radio station but what his brother said made sense. These days there was a lot of competition for airtime. A small station couldn’t stay afloat having every shift staffed with on-air personalities and necessary staff. Although as he glanced around he noticed that Gideon seemed to be the only one here.

Another song started and his brother relaxed back in his chair.

“You were at the tree lighting,” Gideon said, his tone conversational.

“How do you know that?”

“I heard from more than one source. You were with Noelle.”

Gabriel waited to see if there was more, but his brother was silent. This town, he thought. Nothing was kept secret.

“I went to the tree lighting with Noelle.”

“And kissed her.”

Gabriel held in a groan. “Barely.”

“That’s not what I heard.” He grinned. “You gotta be careful, bro. This place has a way of getting under your skin. You think you’re minding your own business but you’re not. And before you know it, you’re involved, doing things you never thought possible.”

Gabriel picked up his beer. “Speak for yourself. I’m not staying.”

“You say that now.”

“I say that always.”

“Uh-huh. Famous last words. Give it a few more weeks.” His brother adjusted a couple of knobs, then slid in a CD. “When I first came here, I kept to myself. Bought a house outside of town, barely spoke to anyone. Then one day I saw Felicia and knew I was in trouble. Soon she was hanging out at the house and I was sponsoring a damned bowling team.” He shrugged. “It doesn’t happen all at once. I’ll give them that. They suck you in slow and you don’t notice until you can’t get away.”

“You had Carter,” Gabriel pointed out. “That makes it different.”

“True. Having a son I didn’t know about show up was a game changer. I didn’t know what to do with him. If I hadn’t had Felicia, we wouldn’t have made it.”

Words Gabriel could relate to. He’d been careful with all his women, but he would guess his brother had been, as well. Having a child show up would twist a man’s world around.

Not in a bad way, he thought, taking another drink. If he were the kind of guy who believed in happy endings, he would even welcome it. But then if he were that kind of guy he would be married with a few kids already.

“You get along with Carter now,” he said.

“We’re doing better. He’s old enough to tell me what he needs, which helps. He lets me know when I’m doing it wrong. Felicia keeps us in balance.” He grinned. “I could give you her technical explanation, but that would take too long.”