Page 3 of Stuck in Christmas

“Did you? Did you really?” Sherry challenged.

“Close enough,” Renee muttered begrudgingly.

“My daddy used to say close enough only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades,” Sherry chuckled.

“I ended it before he could end it with me. I saw the writing on the wall,” Renee admitted, her eyes reflecting hurt and disappointment.

“Did the wall say you never showed him the real you? The you that your friends and family know and love,” Sherry asked. “You’re smart and kind and go out of your way to do the right thing—even when no one is looking. You gave up your fancy news job to move home and take care of your mom before she passed away.”

“I’d do it again, too.”

“My point exactly. You’re an amazing woman, and I wish you’d let someone special see that side of you. If anyone deserves a happy ending, it’s you.” Sherry’s earnestness warmed the space between them.

Renee’s heart swelled, and she felt a rush of affection towards her friend. “I love you for that, even if I don’t believe that will happen anytime soon.”

“You never know.” Sherry began bouncing around like a kid who downed too many Red Bulls laced with pixie stix. “Maybe something will happen at my Christmas party.”

Renee winced. She waited too long to have thisconversation with Sherry. “About that. I’m not going this year,” she forced the words out.

“What?”

“I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner. I’m booked at a nearby spa.” Renee’s cheeks flushed as the guilt settled around her shoulders with a heavy thud. “I’m going to check in, file my story, get a massage, a facial, and rest.”

Sherry’s eyes widened with shock. “A spa? Really? Where did you find a spa open on Christmas, for crying out loud?”

“Not far from here, actually,” Renee answered as she glanced at her phone again. “Listen. I have to get going. I love you. I’m sorry I’ll miss the party, but I’ll catch up with you in a few days.”

“But it’s Christmas!” Sherry exclaimed.

“I appreciate what you’re doing. I do. But I need a break from the holiday spirit. All it does is remind me what I’ve lost,” Renee said as she opened the door to her car and eased into the driver’s seat. “I’m going to the spa, turning off my phone, and unplugging altogether.”

“That does sound nice.” Sherry gave her a sad smile, then brightened. “Ooh. Maybe you’ll meet a handsome baker at the spa who knows how to make your favorite pie.”

Renee rolled her eyes. “That’s my cue. Bye, Sherry. Merry Christmas.” She closed the door to the car, turned on the ignition, and waved through the window before she drove out of sight.

Sherry watched her go with hope bubbling up in her soul. “I wish she would find love for Christmas. Although, with her stubborn side, she’d probably miss all the signs, and we’d still be waiting forher to get her head out of her ass this time next year. If only she could keep getting her chance at a happy ending until she gets it right. Now, that would be some hefty Christmas magic.”

With that, Sherry got into her car and exited the reindeer farm parking lot on her way back to New Orleans.

Kris watched it all from the shadow of the reindeer barn and smiled, touching his finger to the side of his nose. There was nothing he liked better than a little Christmas magic.

Especially for the stubborn ones.

Part One

One

I sat in my car, staring into the darkness ahead as my headlights sliced through the night. The GPS screen glowed with an irritating brightness, caught in a frustrating loop, while the automated assistant’s voice droned on in an all-knowing tone.

“At the stop sign, go straight,” he commanded. I clenched my jaw, tightening my grip on the steering wheel as I glanced at the looming ‘T’ intersection.

“There’s no ‘straight’ ahead,” I grumbled, feeling the exasperation creep into my voice.

“Go straight,” he insisted coolly.

“Ugh. We are lost. How is it possible to get lost with GPS?”

“Go straight,” the voice repeated, unbothered by my plight.

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