Page 24 of Stuck With My Christmas Crush

“Has she put a spell on me, bud?”

My gaze turns to the fire again and think about the following day. Maybe the storm will blow itself out tonight, and I’ll get Charlie’s car going. Or I’ll tow her to her house. Or maybe the storm will keep going and we’ll be here, stuck together, for a week or more. How do I feel about that scenario? Pretty good, as it happens. I don’t think that would be a bad thing at all.

“What do you think, Rocko? Would you be happy if Charlie stayed for a few days more?” Rocko is snoringhappily. “Yep. Thought so. You like her. I can tell.” I watch the flames consume the firewood. “Me too.”

“Awww. It’s so cool how you talk to Rocko. I’m sure he understands everything you say. He’s a very smart dog.”

I swing around to face Charlie. She’s standing in the doorway wrapped in a blanket. Did she overhear me say out loud how I feel about her? I don’t want her to know. I’m embarrassed and annoyed.

“Do you always sneak up on people?” I say, gruffly, hoping she’ll just go back to bed and leave me alone.

“Not sneaking. No.” Charlie shuffles into the room. “I’m going to get a glass of water. Do you want one?” She dumps the blanket on the couch.

“Sure. Thanks.” I clench my jaw but resume politeness. “That would be good.”

Charlie disappears into the kitchen and soon reemerges with a glass of water in each hand. She walks over to me and gives me one of the glasses.

“Thanks.”

She sits next to Rocko on the couch and pulls up her feet, like she did earlier, then fixes me with her twinkly blue eyes. “I like you too, by the way.”

I’m still embarrassed and defensive. “You don’t even know me.”

“Alright. I like what I know so far. And besides. Yesterday wasn’t the first time I’d seen you.”

“No? Sorry. Have we met before?” I set my expression to what I hope is ‘mild surprise’ and cross my fingers that my face doesn’t betray me. I’m doing my best to protect myself. I don’t want to admit to seeing Charlie before. That would give too much away. And I can’t allow that. “I’m sure I would’ve remembered a fairy covered in pink glitter.”

“Well, we didn’t actually meet. But, I was an entertainer at Maddie’s friend’s party. Isabel, I think her name is… Does that ring any bells?”

“Tinkerbells?”

“Ha! You’re so funny.”

“Yes. Maddie reminded me.” I sigh and look into the fire to hide my lie. “She told me when we saw you stranded at the side of the road. She said, ‘Hey, there’s Charlie the fairy.’ Or something like that. But I don’t remember seeing you at the party. I think I got there at the end. I was on uncle duty and stopped by to pick Maddie up.”

“So. Yes. I have to admit that I was driving away with Lou, my friend, as you pulled up. And she mentioned something about your nice… car. Yes. That’s what she mentioned.”

“My nice car, huh?”

“Yes. And I looked over and saw you get out of your nice car.” Charlie smiles awkwardly. “I know how lame that sounds.” She laughs. “But I just wanted to let you know that it’s because of Maddie that I feel comfortable here.”

“Okay.”

“I mean, you get a green light because you’re a caring uncle and owner of a massive smelly dog.”

“I had no idea the kudos attached to small children and large smelly dogs.”

“Oh yes. You might have a glowing resume, but it means nothing but a string of words on a page. If I see how you are with kids and animals, well, that speaks volumes about who you really are. As a person who can be trusted… or not.” She fixes me with an impish grin.

Charlie sits quietly for a while stroking Rocko. She sips her water. The fire crackles happily and we’re quiet for a moment. In fact, everything is quiet.

“Hey,” says Charlie. “The storm. Listen. I think it’s gone. For now, at least.”

“I think you’re right. Let’s hope so.”

I drink some water, then put my glass down on the table beside me. Then I move down to the floor, stretch out my legs, and relax my back against the couch. Rocko snores peacefully.

I must have dozed off because when I wake up, it’s morning. I’m covered with a jacket on the floor in front of the fire. Charlie is curled up under a blanket on the couch. And Rocko is nowhere to be seen. But I think I can guess where he is.

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