Page 12 of Planes, Trains, and Candy Canes

Jeff would do something like this. He’d make big decisions without her input or asking her to weigh in on their plans. He would laugh off her pouting complaints and tell her that she’d leave it too late or wouldn’t think things through.

She had helped plan three urban waterway improvements and six utility and wastewater treatment plants in the last year, literally in charge of the safety of millions. Why did Jeff keep treating her like a child? Why did he act like he had to plan their lives unilaterally?

He made the decision to dump me unilaterally, too.

“Gr!” A tiny growl escaped her lips, and she marched back to sit beside Derrick just as the captain warned them they’d be making their descent.

“Hi! I got you a water bottle. I thought—”

“You thought you’d better make all the arrangements because I’m scatterbrained little Reese, reckless Reese, and I can’t handle things!” She crossed her arms and glared, daring him to challenge her.

Derrick squinted at her for a moment, then pulled off his glasses.

She waited for the patronizing tone telling her it was for her own good. She waited for him to explain she was crabby from stress, lack of sleep, and that she was probably hangry. At the very least, she imagined he’d get defensive.

Nope.

Derrick fumbled with his phone. “Oh. I... I didn’t want to wake you up. Um. That’s okay. Someone else will be glad about the tickets, though. Or ticket. I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”

Reese waited for an onslaught that didn’t come. Her elbows dropped first, then her hands fell to her sides, crossed arms yielding. “It was a good idea about the flight.”

“You think so?” He looked up from his phone, face confused. “You sounded so angry. Was it because I paid? Ugh, I was worried about that! But if it’s a big deal, you can pay me back. Or the train tickets. You could buy the train tickets?”

“You’re not mad at me?” Reese demanded.

“Um. No? You’re mad at me... Right?”

“No. No, I’m not. I’m mad at Jeff. He used to do things like this all the time. Including dumping me. You know, making the plans and decisions without even asking me about them?”

Derrick nodded. “I guess I thought we had talked about it. Before you fell asleep last night, we talked about getting home and traveling together, and we said how tricky it would be to get home. I thought it would be nice if I did something... nice.” He shook his head. “That sounds so lame. Something to help fix the problem without making you fix it. Like surprising you? I wanted to show you I... could...you.”

Reese leaned closer as Derrick folded up his travel blanket and mumbled into his chest. The butterflies from the night before were replacing the angry wasps and their eager stingers as her indignation faded. “You’re nothing like Jeff. I like that about you,” she murmured softly, putting her hand on his elbow. “What did you say?”

“I said that I wanted to show you I could take care of you. Not in a controlling bastardly way. Is bastardly even a word?” Derrick rubbed the back of his neck, eyes closed and shoulder falling with a deep sigh.

“It should be,” Reese nodded firmly. “Go on.”

“In a friendly way. Like a partner.Traveling partner!” he amended, voice cracking suddenly. He coughed. “I need some water. Or coffee. And food. Definitely food.”

“Jeff used to tell me that I was just hangry when I would point out the way he made decisions for me.”

“You could be righteously angry and hungry. They’re not mutually exclusive,” Derrick pointed out.

It was pure impulse, the kind of thing Jeff would frown upon—and that made it all the sweeter. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m hungry, too. And I’m concerned about taking a train from Gainesville all the way to Cleveland. Wouldn’t it be quicker to drive? We could take turns. We could stop when we’re tired.”

“Drive?” Derrick’s voice was wondering as his fingertips traced over the spot her lips had just been.

The plane veered down sharply, and Reese gripped Derrick’s hand as the plane dipped and bucked for a harrowing second. For a second, it felt like her lungs were crowding her chest, and she had to shut her eyes. “I hate this part,” she squeaked.

“That’s okay. Almost over. Tell me about driving, honey. Wouldn’t it be easier to just take the train?” his voice was soothing as he gripped her hand.

Wheels hit the tarmac with a skid-bump, skid-bump, and then there was a merciful slide into stillness. People began to pull out their phones and shake their loved ones awake.

“I think it’d be too much for one person, but look—” Reese pulled out her phone and fiddled with it, ignoring a myriad of notifications to get to a map. “From Gainesville to Pine Ridge is only about 16 hours. With stops for food and bathroom breaks, and even a few hours at a hotel, it would still take less than twenty-four hours.”

“Okay. That’s a good point, but... it’s Christmas Eve. Do you think there are going to be any rentals left at a small regional airport like Gainesville?”

Reese bit her lip. “Do you think there are going to be any seats left on a train?”

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