Page 10 of Noel Secrets

Jayda froze, teacup halfway to her lips. Her pulse beat hot in her ears. She forced herself to sip, forced herself to breathe, forced herself to smile when Ginny teased Ed about his terrible memory for dates.

But the only voice she heard was Michael’s threat.

If he pressed, if he dragged the truth out of her here at this table, everything would collapse. The fragile façade she was building—the grateful foster daughter, the success story, the soon-to-be lawyer—would shatter, leaving only…the girl from the streets.

She met Michael’s eyes with a practiced coolness. “Enjoy the wait,” she whispered back, and turned to laugh at something Uncle Henry said.

Before Michael could respond, a new voice carried across the car. “Well, well, if it isn’t Jayda Simone.”

She looked up—and her breath caught. The door slid closed with Simon Blair standing in front of it.

He approached the end of the table, tall and broad-shouldered, his smile as easy as she remembered. Time had carved a stronger jawline, a deeper confidence in his stance, but the same charm gleamed in his eyes. He spread his arms wideas though to encompass the entire train in his delight. “I haven’t seen you in years. Come here, you.”

Jayda rose automatically, and Simon pulled her into a warm, enveloping hug. He smelled of a sharp cologne and crisp winter air. He must have been outside for fresh air. She could use some too. For a moment, she allowed herself to lean into Simon’s old familiarity, his quick acceptance. He had been a friendly face during her time at the Blairs’…and a handsome one to admire from afar.

“Look at you,” Simon said as he stepped back, still holding her shoulders. “A lawyer. I’d hate to go toe to toe with you in court. You’d chew me up and spit me out.”

“Oh, stop,” she said, managing a laugh. “Like you could do anything wrong that would even get you there.”

He threw his head back and laughed, smooth as ever, as though flirtation were his second language. His gaze swept her face, and Jayda felt a flush rise unbidden. She knew he was a player. His attention meant nothing. But she enjoyed the interest however fake.

“Man, you are stunning,” Simon said, glancing over at Michael. “Your sister turned out to be a real beauty.”

Jayda jolted at Simon’s word choice. A glance at Michael’s daggers in his eyes showed he didn’t like being called her sibling.

The feeling was mutual.

“No relation,” she said to Simon. “Not even friends, right, Michael?”

Ginny cut in, scolding, “Jayda, be nice. You too, Michael. You two always fought like a couple of chihuahuas with one bone.”

The twins laughed with glee, and Ginny tickled Tyler’s belly.

“My apologies, Aunt Ginny,” Simon said, hand on chest, admonished at causing a stir so soon into the trip. “We’ll behave. Promise. Jayda, let me escort you to your cabin,” Simon saidgallantly, offering his arm. “I’m sure you’d like to settle your things and maybe take a breather, yes?”

The man was also a mind reader.

Before Jayda could answer, two small voices shrieked behind her. “Jayda! Jayda!”

The Blairs’ foster twins, bundles of mischief and curls, jumped out of their seats and hurled themselves against her legs. She staggered, laughing despite herself, as little arms wrapped tight around her.

“What’s your names?” she asked, wrapping her arms around each of their shoulders. They were two little boys who needed to know they weren’t mistakes in this world—a feeling she struggled with her entire life. Always wondering if her mother would have died if she hadn’t needed to provide for her. And after her mother’s death, Jayda only had more doubts about her reason on this earth. A career in family law would finally give her a place and a cause.

One that helped children like these boys.

“I’m Timmy!” the one with the red shirt announced.

“Nice to meet you, Timmy. And that means you must be Tommy,” Jayda said, suppressing a smile.

“No! I’m not Tommy. I’m Tyler.”

Jayda smiled at Simon. “Oh, my mistake. Tyler, how could I forget? Well, it’s nice to meet you both.”

“You’re so pretty!” Timmy exclaimed, looking up with wide adoring eyes.

The other nodded emphatically. “Can we go with you? We don’t want to sit with boring grown-ups.”

Simon chuckled. “See? Even the kids agree with me. But boys, I asked first.”