Page 19 of Planes, Trains, and Candy Canes

“We’re only six hours away—maybe a little more. How’s traffic been?”

“Nonexistent in the last hour. That’s another thing. It’s all dark and sleepy out. Just big trucks, a few late-night travelers, and us. You want to drive for a little, or should we get a room and set off in the morning?”

Reese squinted through the windshield. “At that hotel up ahead?”

“I mean, I hope so. I want a shower.”

“Ditto. All right, but back on the road by six. I’ll pay for the rooms, okay?”

“Deal.” With a yawn that popped his jaw and one of those full-body shudders that threatened to burst his ribcage, Derrick set off, maneuvering through the parking area of the gas station and slipping onto the highway for a few minutes before pulling into the SleepEZ Inn, one of those national chain motels known for cheap, clean rooms—and nothing else.

“Damn it, did I scrape the curb?” Derrick gasped as a low, unfamiliar nose filled the car.

“No.” Reese put a hand on her stomach. “That was me. When did we get those burgers?”

“Uh... Six hours ago?”

“Well, apparently my body thinks I need breakfast. I haven’t been eating right for the last few days. Wow. That’s crazy. It’s now been three days since Jeff broke up with me. And it’s Christmas.”

“And nothing is going to be open.” Derrick eased the car to a stop but didn’t get out of it. “You go in and get us a room. I’ll go back to the travel plaza and raid the mini-mart for the most meal-like options I can find.”

“No! I’m going with you. What if there are creeps in the mini-mart? Or skeevy truckers who call you Sissy Boy?” Reese protested, re-buckling her seatbelt.

“Jeez, thanks. Why do you think I’m sending you into the hotel office while I get the food? In case there are jerks waiting to whistle at the hottie in leggings.”

“Hottie in leggings. My God, I love you. You’re so good for my ego. I haven’t washed my hair in forty-eight hours, and myskincare products are flying home without me,” Reese laughed. “Come on, we’ll brave things together.”

THERE WERE EXACTLYtwo people in the mini-mart—the giggling twenty-something cashiers. They were perfectly nice—maybe a little drunk and definitely too loud as they sangGrandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeerand scratched off lottery tickets—but they wished Reese and Derrick a Merry Christmas as they bought sandwiches and salads in little plastic containers.

“I’m more awake now. I could try driving again,” Derrick offered as they eased back onto the highway.

“Nope. People wreck cars and lives when they drive tired. I’d take a turn, but I get sleepy hard and fast.”

“I saw that on the plane—and in the car.” Derrick pulled back into the motel’s parking lot.

Reese got out and groaned.

“What?”

“I’m counting the rooms. Probably thirty? I see about thirty tractor trailers here, too.”

“Well, truckers need to sleep, too.”

“I’m betting they don’t have two rooms. Or even one!”

“We slept next to each other on a plane. You take the bed, I’ll take the couch. I promise to be a gentleman.”

“I’m not worried about that.” Reese really wasn’t. She would have loved it if Derrick decided to leave his gentlemanly manners in the car—after she’d showered anyway. The little things he did—like being willing to drive back to the mini-mart to get her something to eat, wanting her to have the bed... Jeffrey was about the same age as Derrick, but Derrick was far more mature in the ways that mattered.

“Ughhh! Get back in the car,” Derrick suddenly said.

“What? Why?”

“The no vacancy sign is on. You can’t see it from the road. You have to be facing the window of the motel office.”

She didn’t get back in the car. “They always say that. They usually have an emergency room for staff—but no staff member is going to hang around on Christmas! They’ll finish their shift and get home. I’ll go in and see what they can do.”

Derrick reluctantly shut the car door and retrieved his bags from the back. “I have faith in you.”

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