Page 108 of Noel Secrets

“I love you too,” she told Daphne, “but please never pay for a bodyguard behind my back, have Vance set up the contract so you can lie to me, and then force the man I love to lie to me.”

“Sheesh. You’re making it sound worse than it was. You’re alive and in love, right?”

“I’m alive.” She wouldn’t admit to being in love.

Even if she already missed Price.

She turned to look. The jet was gone.

The next four days were insanely busy. Her mom wanted to do all the Christmas traditions now that Addie was there, and they had a lot of prep work for the wedding.

Addie spent all of her time with her family and saw some friends from home at church. New Year’s Eve was a fun party with her family and the Gem family combining. Noisy and crazy. They all laughed nonstop at the youngest brother Lincoln’s constant teasing and antics. He and Easton would’ve been fast friends.

She and Daphne reconciled, and she forgave her sister. Of course she did. She wasn’t willing to tell her that she loved and missed Price though. Trust would take a lot more time to build. Some things needed to be kept to herself.

The wedding was beautiful and exhausting and she was ecstatic for Daphne and Vance. Daphne was gorgeous in her white satin gown and Vance was very handsome in his gray tux.

Her sister’s new husband was more serious than Daphne, but they were an ideal fit. Vance was solid, good clear through, and devoted to Daphne, God, his family, and community. Great guy. Addie loved when she heard them telling corny jokes to each other.

As part of their vows, Daphne and Vance each told a silly joke.

“What did the mathematician say at her wedding?” Daphne asked.

“I don’t know. What?” Vance asked with a happy grin on his face.

“The odds of this working are better as a pair.”

The wedding crowd gave a soft chuckle.

“Everything is better with you by my side,” Daphne continued. “I’m forever grateful to heaven above for bringing us together. I want to be a pair with you.”

Vance gave her a soft, sweet kiss. Then he asked, “Why did the jumper cables get married?”

Daphne grinned. “Tell me.”

“They had a major spark,” Vance returned. He studied Daphne with his unique jade-colored eyes. “We have much more than a spark, Daphne. What I feel for you is an inferno that will never burn out. I love you.”

He wrapped her up and gave her a very long kiss.

Everyone cheered.

Addie had tears running down her face. She was thrilled for her sister and new brother-in-law, but the spark and inferno joke hit too close to home. Easton had joked about his and Cassie’s spark becoming an inferno. She wanted that with Price, to fan their spark into an ever-burning flame. Would they get that chance? Could she learn to trust him as much as she felt she was coming to love him?

Chapter Twenty-Six

They sent the beaming couple off to Costa Rica for their honeymoon and the rest of the family was able to relax. The detectives had overnighted her phone to Jade Valley, so she was at least able to catch up with work, church, and friends and start calling her insurance to figure out the next steps for the mess that was her house. She chatted with the prosecuting attorney over the phone several times to prepare for the trial, but they were certain Roger Tenenbaum admitting to harassing her and bombing her house for Jamison would make it an easy case.

Addie flew home to Boston the morning of the fourth with one of her mom’s suitcases filled with clothes, shoes, and toiletries donated by all of her sisters. Brex flew with her on a jet chartered by Aiden Porter.

The trial was the next day. Addie was nervous but ready to get it over with and return to normal life. She had to figure out how to get her bungalow rebuilt, catch up on work, and find a place to live through what might be a long construction process.

Most importantly, she was ready to find Price. Daphne would be able to help her find him, but only if Addie was ready to eat crow and admit she needed Price in her life.

Gillian had graciously offered to have her stay with her until she found a place. She was grateful to not have to worry about where she was sleeping or pay for an expensive hotel in downtown Boston. Brex took her to Gillian’s apartment, set up some exterior security, and conferred with the detectives before he left.

Gillian acted a little stiff and not like herself, but it was probably Addie who was off. She missed Price and being back here made it even worse.

After she unloaded her suitcase into the drawers in Gillian’s spare bedroom, she told her friend, “I’m just going to jump on the T and go walk around downtown for a bit.”