Page 63 of Noel Secrets

“Call me back after you talk to the police,” Gillian said.

“Okay.”

Addie hung up and dialed 911, staring at the threatening note. The Christmas tree glowed brightly in the corner, but she didn’t feel any Christmas spirit.

The wind rattled the shutters. She shivered, glancing out the window that had an angle of her living room couch. She rushed over and yanked the curtains tight.

With the creepy feeling of someone taking pictures of her in her sanctuary and threatening her, it felt more like Halloween than Christmas.

Chapter Four

Price stood with his back to the wall, close to the tables in Quincy Market where he and Addie had shared pudding twice. It was Tuesday, almost seven-thirty in the evening, and it seemed she wasn’t coming. It had been around seven the past two times they’d met.

Disappointment coated his throat as he searched the crowds, his hopes rising every time an average-sized blonde appeared. He’d been optimistic when he still hadn’t received an assignment from Nick or Aiden yet, even though he was going a bit stir crazy not working. His condo was spotless and every handyman project at his mom and sister’s house was done, despite his dad and brother-in-law protesting they would’ve gotten to it. His mom and sister were thrilled and had each told him in undertones they had been waiting for their husbands to ‘get to it’ for months.

He’d spent long hours at the gym and the shooting range and had a great time babysitting his nephew so his sister and brother-in-law could go to dinner, ice skating, and the Nutcracker respectively. He was obviously little Finn’s favorite, and it melted even his hardened heart to hear the two-year oldscream, “Pry!” when he saw him coming. Price always tossed the little man in the air as he giggled with delight.

Price’s smile disappeared. If Addie would let him take her on a date, he wouldn’t mind the lack of assignment and the inactivity. The problem was Addie might be standing him up even for banana pudding and a few stolen minutes of conversation. Price wanted to go slow with a relationship and learn how the mechanics of dating someone he was highly interested in worked and especially what Addie needed, but slow was a luxury he didn’t really have with his job.

Addie appeared at the outer doors, wearing a long pink dress coat. She took tentative steps inside, her gaze darting around. Their eyes met. His heartbeat picked up, and a joy he hadn’t felt in a long time, even with Finn, sprung in his heart. Addie. There was a connection between them that he hoped she felt. It was as if heaven above was telling him,Take notice. This woman is special.

She approached, and he pushed away from the wall and hurried to her. He reached out to take her hand, but she didn’t place her hand in his. The look on her face was … fearful. Searching. What was she looking for? What had happened? He’d sensed she was reluctant and may have been hurt in the past, but this felt like a fresh pain.

“Addie?”

“Can we speak outside?” she asked.

“Of course.”

She turned. He reached out, wanting to escort her, but something was wrong. He didn’t want to push her away, but he longed to protect her and be there for her. Dropping his hand, he followed her through the crowded hall and out into the space between Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall.

A chilly nor’easter bit at the exposed skin of his face and neck. He ducked his head and zipped up his coat. Even in thebiting evening weather, street performers drew a crowd and outdoor vendors called to people walking past.

Addie walked around the south side of Quincy Market, and the wind was cut in half. She stopped at a quieter spot and whirled to face him. “Are you leaving notes at my house?”

“Notes?” His brows arched. “How would I leave notes at your house? I don’t know where you live.”

She studied him, arms folded across her chest. “As a security guy, you could find that information.”

“I could. I haven’t.” He willed her to believe him.

Finally she glanced away, but he didn’t know if that meant she believed him or that she didn’t want to hold his gaze. His gut churned, worried about her suspecting him of something, but more concerned about what was happening with her. Was she in danger?

“Addie. What kind of notes are being left at your house?”

She shuddered, reached into her purse, and pulled out her phone. “The police took them as evidence, hoping to find fingerprints, which they haven’t. But … I took pictures of the one from last night. I received one on Friday too.”

Price’s skin prickled. Did this have something to do with him? He’d made plenty of enemies during his years in the service and his time with Aiden. There would be little reason for them to target Addie, but he’d seen and heard of crazier things.

Lifting her phone to her face, she opened the photos app and handed it over to him. Their fingers brushed. Her hands were freezing. He took the phone with his right hand and wrapped his left around her chilled fingers. The tips were white.

“Your hands,” he said softly.

“It’s fine. I have Raynaud’s.”

He held onto her hands and studied her.

“If I get chilled, my fingers turn white. I usually never go outside without gloves. I just … forgot.”