Page 8 of Under The Meh-stletoe

"I know." She smiled, the gesture sweet. It gave me a heart pang, in thankfulness I still got to see it. "And I love you as much as always for it. And…"

I chuckled. I had a pretty good idea of what would come next. "And?"

"And I would really appreciate it if you found it in your heart to search for Daniel and get the ball rolling on this. We can't not have a Santa."

Her eyes shone with hope as she waited for an answer. Since my dad's call a few weeks ago, I had gained a new sense of responsibility over her. It trickled down my chest, heavy and warm in equal measure. I had promised myself I'd do anything while she recovered. I could do this to make her happy.

"Fine." I sighed and reached for my phone. "I'll get the ball rolling."

Ale: SOS WE HAVE NO SANTA

I sent Daniel the follow up text. Even though I glared at the screen, the three dots failed to make an appearance.

"Would you consider going to the Town Hall and tracking him down?" Renata put her bookmark in place and tucked her novel between her leg and the sofa arm. "Then you could start the search for Santa right away."

"Thismustbe the plot of a film somewhere, right?"

The movie I'd been watching, which had no reference to Christmas whatsoever, continued to play on the TV. We missed the scene of the hero stripping for the heroine, but I didn't complain. Apparently, we were dealing with an urgent matter.

"What, like a holiday romcom?" She grinned. "The heroine is forced to spend time with the hero, and they slowly fall in love."

My laughter exploded. "No way. No, I meant more like, one of those with life lessons, based on an old fairytale, which was subverted to have a happy ending it was never meant to have."

"Wow." She laughed too. "Where did all that bitter come from?"

With Christmas? It comes from deep in my soul.

But I laughed it off, put on my jacket, and made my way to the Town Hall.

Daniel

Ropes— check.

Hooks— check.

Netting— check.

Work gloves— check.

Ax—

I smiled. Anticipation over using the tool with as much strength as I could summon coursed through me.

Check.

The cherry on top was that, instead of my usual standard pickup truck, I got to use the one main service truck the town owned. I closed the toolbox tucked in the back, and secured the small pulley system that would help me bring back a big-enough tree. My intention was to get behind the wheel as fast as possible and drive into the hills, but Ale intercepted me before I could.

She approached me with purpose, hands deep in her leather jacket. Her black jeans hugged her wide hips, while a deep purple hoodie peeked through her collar; it contrasted with the pinks and oranges of her hair. Her eyebrows furrowed, and the sight sparkled inside me in recognition.

She was a little snarky, I was cranky, and I liked the combination.

Except I didn't. Not at all. Or at least, I didn't mean to like it.

"Hey," she said. "Did you see my text?"

She stopped a short distance from me, my back to the truck. We stood alone in the parking lot, dense clouds heavy above us. Her eyes were the only thing that glittered in the diffuse light shining on us.

I would think about it, probably right before I feel asleep.