Page 9 of The Mountain that Saved Christmas

“Are there any rules?” Charlie asks, always the studious one.

“Yeah, make sure nothing can fall off while we're all drivin' at 60 clicks,” Red adds with a chuckle, setting the men off.

Colt waves his hand in the air. “That's what duct tape is for.”

“OK. If there ain't any more questions, let's get this underway. We've still got a drive ahead of us if we wanna get to Anchorage tonight,” Toby states.

“Speakin' of that. Do we have somewhere tostayin the city tonight?” Rhett asks.

Red and Mags suddenly lookverysmug. It makes me think they've got a surprise of their own up their sleeves. “We took care of all of that. You are all goin' to love it. It'sperfect.” Mags says, her lips twitching, making memoresuspicious.

“Anyway, are we decoratin' or not?” Red says, changing the subject.

“Yep. You ready, Miss Dottie?” Toby asks the sweet little old lady who used to be his teacher.

Miss Dottie nods with a mischievous glint in her eye. “I'm ready, Toby dear. Three, two, one… let the Christmas decoratin' frenzybegin!”

With a chorus of cheers and laughter, the group scatters to their respective trucks, pulling out boxes of decorations, ribbons, and even string lights of all things.

Rhett holds my hand as we approach our truck, a determined look on his face. “We're gonna win this thing, princess,” he declares with a grin. “If, for nothin' else, but to see you smile and to beat everyone else.”

“That's the Christmas spirit, cowboy,” I laugh, knowing his competitive spirit all too well. “Let's get to work then.”

6

AUSTIN

One mile out from Anchorage, I glance over at my wife Charlie who is sleeping with her head resting against the window just as the walkie-talkie crackles to life.

“Austin, what's your twenty? Over,” Toby calls over the line.

“Two trucks behind you, Tobes. Over.”

“Really? I can't see you. Over,” he replies.

Considering I'm looking right at Toby's truck right now, I'm starting to wonder if he's fit to drive. It's not like we're hard to miss either. Charlie took great pleasure in decorating the hell out of our vehicle to try and win the first challenge.

Of course, the Sunday School Sallys were overjoyed at yet another Christmas competition being created. Most of us men just did what our wives told us to do because if there's something we've learned over the years, it's that nothing makes our Ones–and their families–happier than the holidays and decorating. Oh, and winning.

Red joins in on the conversation. “I'm drivin' right behind him, Tobes. Not sure how you can miss 'em given that there are giant reindeer antlers on their roof. Over.”

“Let me look,” Toby adds. “Oh yeah, there you are. Just checkin'. Over.”

I frown. “Um, why? Over.”

“Cause as the winner of the decoratin' challenge, Dee and I decided that Cora and Rhett won the right to choose the next challenge. And they chose somethin' good. Over,” he explains.

“Well, hell,” I mutter under my breath. Checking on Charlie, I find her awake and bright, beautiful-eyed.

“I say we have a good ol' fashioned Christmas sing-off. Over,” Cora calls out.

I can’t help but smile, knowing full well that my wife could out-sing anyone in this convoy—then again, I may very well be biased on that front.

“I remember Mom and Red telling us about a karaoke bar they went to in Anchorage,” Char replies. “It'll be fun.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I reply before lifting the walkie-talkie to my mouth. “Hey, Red. Have you been practisin' your Kenny Rogers? Over.”

“No. Hell, no. Get that idea out of your mind right now, Austin Graham. Over. “ the man replies.

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