Page 5 of Santa's Mistletoe Playbook

“Spruce. They’re hearty and strong. Aren’t they beautiful?” Bryson gazed at them like a little boy admiring a forest of giant candy bars.

Danica’s eyes darted nervously from one side of the road to the other, estimating the towering snow drifts must be at least ten feet tall. The driver shifted into low range four-wheel drive, and she prayed they wouldn’t get stuck.

It was a wonder how the driver saw through the windshield with this insane amount of snow attacking it. They passed a slew of mailboxes encompassed in snow, then the Uber made a sharp turn to the right. They rode a short distance, and the driver stopped in front of a house that looked more like a mansion.

“Here you go.” The driver left the engine running and climbed out to unload their bags. At least they were finished with Mr. Frog’s wild ride.

They dragged their bags through the snow, and up the wide steps leading to the sizeable front porch. Bryson tramped to the double doors and punched in the combination to the lock his father had texted him.

“Bryson, look!” shouted Danica, pointing to a cow moose and her calf running across the spacious front yard. They leaped through the snow as if it weren’t there. In hot pursuit were two wolves loping after them.

“Oh, no! They’ll kill the baby! Do something!” Danica watched the animals until they disappeared into the spruce forest.

Bryson chuckled. “Welcome to Alaska. Don’t worry. Mama moose will defend her calf. I’ve seen a cow moose hold off two bears at one time.”

“You didn’t tell me the Discovery Channel would be in the front yard.” Danica wondered what she’d gotten herself into. Wolves and moose running around loose?

“That’s normal for around here.” The combination lock clicked open, and Bryson opened the door. “Let’s get you inside to warm up. I’m sorry you got sick. You should probably clean out your purse.”

“Jeez, you think?” Danica stepped inside and peeked inside her purse. “Oh no, I barfed on my wallet and my phone,” she groaned.

“I’ll help you clean everything,” Bryson assured her.

Despite her misgivings about visiting Alaska in winter, she bit her tongue and refrained from complaining. She was determined to start things off on a positive note with Bryson. The last thing she wanted was to get off on the wrong foot.

“Okay.” Danica took him up on his offer since he was used to his patients vomiting at work.

She was taken aback by the enormity of the lovely home, especially the gargantuan fireplace in the study, where paintings and sculptures adorned walls and tables, like an Alaskan art museum.

Danica beelined for the neatly stacked firewood next to the hearth. She lifted a few pieces and set them on the iron grill. Shetucked kindling in between and lit a match from a metal moose mouth holder on a nearby table. Flames licked up immediately.

“Yeah! Heat me up, baby!” yelled Danica. She turned her back to the flames, loving the instant heat.

Bryson entered the study and moved to her. He cradled her face and kissed her. “Let’s get you cleaned up, then we’ll unpack. Hot tub or shower?”

“Hands down, the hot tub.” Danica followed him upstairs to a bathroom that was as spacious as a bedroom. He ran the water into the spacious tub and turned on the jets. Danica stripped down and crawled in.

“Now you can relax,” said Bryson. “Mom and Dad want you to feel at home during your stay. They regret not being here, but they’d already gone to Belize by the time I called.”

“Thank you. I so needed this,” she moaned, sinking into the luscious water.

“I’ll be in the bedroom unpacking and getting us situated. How about a soda?”

“That would be great.” The hot water felt divine, and her stress and anxiety melted away. “Things will get better from here.”

“Of course they will.” He kissed her forehead, then clicked a tiny remote. Several candles all around her instantly lit up.

Bryson returned with a frosty can of Ginger Ale and set it on

“Sweet. I have to get some of those.” The cool carbonation felt good sliding down her throat and also calmed her touchy stomach.

It wasn’t her holiday vacation of choice, but now that she was here, she resolved to keep a positive attitude and support Bryson as best she could.

She wiggled her toes and crossed her fingers in the frothy water, hoping for the one Christmas present that would change her life forever.

CHAPTER FOUR

BRYSON

---