Noah and Angel were childhood sweethearts and teenage lovers. With youth comes unrealistic ideas sometimes, and also bad choices. But just about the time they reach manhood, Noah’s demons pull them apart.<br><br>Seven years later, he gets a second chance when Angel returns to town. Hoping everything can be different, Noah sets out to remind him how wonderful their past was by secretly sending him thirteen gifts commemorating their happiest times, one on each day beginning December 11.<br><br>By Christmas Eve, Noah hasn’t heard a word back, and wonders if Angel even recognized the meaning of the offerings. When Angel does get in touch, he only remembers the bad things that drove them apart. Can Noah remind him how good they had it, too?

The Presents and the Past

“They’re cupcakes,” Spencer said. “You can divide them up…take out as many as you need to.” He brought the box closer and started to unfurl the plastic wrap. “I can do it for you.” Spencer was almost to the box itself, the lid. “What if I rearrange about half of them on a nice platter?”


“Cupcakes? Our UPS driver ordered cupcakes?” Mrs. Weller grabbed for the big red box. “I can rearrange cupcakes myself, Mr. Holiday.”


“I wouldn’t have troubled you for that.” She reached for the flap, ready to throw open the lid.


Chapter 54