Page 85 of The Christmas Dash

I arch a brow and he winces.

“Well, I am right now. But what I mean is I’m in this with you. I’m going to prove to you that I’m the better option here. But I want you to be sure. Leave no stone unturned. All that jazz. So if that means going out with Cal Kell, you should do it.”

“You won’t be mad?”

“I mean, do I like the thought of you spending time with another guy? No. Not even a little bit. But if it’s what you need to get some clarity, then I say go for it.” He glances at his wristwatch. “I don’t want to leave you right now, but I really have to go.”

“No. Yeah. You should.” I wrap my arms around myself.

Gabe opens his arms wide. “Can I have a hug goodbye?”

I step into his embrace and inhale his scent. Orange and spice and oh so nice. He holds me for a minute before easing back.

“All I’m asking is for you to keep an open mind about me. Give me a chance to prove to you that I can take care of your heart.”

I nod. He stares at me for a breath longer. And then he’s behind the wheel and driving away, and I can’t help but think I’m not strong enough to be with a man whose job dictates when he has to go.

Dasher Daily Download

Spotted: Gabe McKenzie at the Milwaukee airport recombobulation area, leaving Dasher Valley following his impromptu concert. Ten outta ten fans gave Gabe’s performance a standing ovation. We’re all sad to see him leave the Valley. Where does this leave the Christmas Dash, you ask, if one of its co-chairs is jetting off? Well, word on the Rudolph Run street is that all systems are go. Sign up is live through the app. Get your teams together and start training now. The competition is going to be more cutthroat than Santa’s reindeer tryouts. Questions should be directed to the in-town co-chair, Beth Collins, who can most often be found at Dash Away Books.

Comments:

@bookstorebeth – Hey, @DasherDailyDownload the Christmas Dash is meant to foster goodwill with the community and guests from the surrounding areas. No throats will be cut in the process.

@DasherDailyDownload replied to @bookstorebeth – Speak for yourself . . .

@lolanotashowgirl replied to @DasherDailyDownload – I like your spunk, Dasher!

@DasherDailyDownload replied to @lolanotashowgirl – The name’s Wallace . . . Wallace Wittman. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.

@therealgabemckenzie – I’ll be back!

@jackteachesgym replied to @therealgabemckenzie – The Terminator, man? Really?

Chapter 26

Gabe

I’m dead on my feet after a weekend of blocking and rehearsing in the new venue, but somehow those same feet are walking me toward Dash Away Books on Monday morning before I can steer them in another direction.

I flew back into Milwaukee late last night and took a ride share home because I didn’t have anyone I could call to pick me up from the airport since my mom isn’t able to drive.

It was a somber reminder that I’ve cut myself off from my community here, from my roots.

I could have called Felipe, but his farm is on the opposite side of Dasher Valley. He would have had an hour drive both ways, and it was late and he’s getting older. I didn’t want to put him up to that. Especially since I knew he’d come.

I toyed with texting Beth, but thought better of it. I don’t know where our relationship stands. I haven’t been able to get our conversation about stupid Calvin Kell out of my head since I left her outside the High School Christmas Market on Friday. We texted back and forth a couple times, but it’s so tough to get a feel through messages. What’s her tone? What’s her expression? She had a packed weekend, and it didn’t work to video call. So now I don’t know.

But I’m committed to figuring it out. I meant it when I said I want to give us a real shot. I took the easy way out five years ago when I didn’t force her to talk to me. But that left me without Beth. So really, it wasn’t easy at all.

Maybe I’m a sucker for punishment. Maybe I’m just a sucker for Beth. In either case, I’m on my way to Dash Away Books to see her. I’ve got a gingerbread latte in one hand and a large black coffee in the other, courtesy of Patrice, who is running the Clatter Café with military precision in my mom’s absence. Bless her heart.

It’s after ten, so I’m hoping Beth is set up for the day so that the two of us can chat. I want to ask her what she came up with for the rhyme for the high-school-sledding-hill stop for the Dash and see if she needs me to kick around some other ideas with her.

Mostly, I want to see her.

I juggle the drinks and manage to get the door to the bookshop open. The scent of paper and peppermint greets me the second I step inside, and my shoulders relax. There are a couple patrons browsing titles. A group of three women are seated in the chairs just inside the front entrance. They glance up at me, and I nod a greeting in their direction.