Page 26 of Planes, Trains, and Candy Canes

“We’re going to die. Donottake a video call while driving!”

“You answer it.”

“Me!?” Derrick gulped and juggled the phone she thrust at him.

“Yeah, they know we’re traveling together. They just don’t know that I’ve decided you’re what I want for Christmas, Santa Baby,” she giggled.

“Um. Good morning? Is that Derrick?”

Reese turned and gave him an absolutely stricken look. “Mom! Hi!”

“Oops.” he mouthed, holding the phone as if it were a live grenade. “I didn’t mean to answer it just then,” he hissed.

“That much is obvious,” she snapped.

“Sweetie, you’re driving! You can’t be on a video call while you’re driving!” her mother’s voice chided.

“I know, Mom, sorry. I just wanted to say hi and tell you we’re looking for a train or bus to Pine Ridge or the nearby areas right now. We have to return the rental car at noon.”

“Can’t you extend how long you have it for?”

“Well... We probably could, but we didn’t exactly pay for it. We just borrowed it, and we don’t want the company to charge the other couple’s credit card for an extra day,” Reese explained, turning her head every few seconds to make eye contact with the lovely silver-haired woman on the screen.

“Hold on! Did you say ‘other couple’?” Another voice burst in.

“That’s my sister, Evie,” Reese explained. “Derrick, Mom. Mom, Derrick. Derrick, Evie. Where’s Julie?”

“Not here yet. Back up. Did you say other couple? Because that indicates that you’re part of a couple. I thought Jeff the Jerk dumped you.”

“He’s an idiot,” Derrick said, voice blunt and not caring if he appeared to be ill-mannered. “He didn’t deserve her.”

“Oooh, but you do? Turn the phone around. I want to see the rebound guy.”

“He’s not a rebound! He’s my... he’s my current significant other.”

“I’m her current significant other who is working hard to get a permanent position. Tenure,” Derrick joked when he found himself confronted by a blonde version of Reese with a rounder face and cat-eye glasses. “I’m Derrick Walters. Chrissy Walters’ cousin? Well, I mean, now she’s Chrissy Walters-Parish.”

“Oh, my gosh! We’re on the PTA together! You’re a local guy?”

“Yes. Born and raised in Pine Ridge.”

Evie’s pursed-lip grin expanded into a real smile free of skepticism. “I told her California boys were no match for Pine Ridge guys.”

“Evie! Stop messing with Derrick and my pitiful love life.”

Derrick tossed her a wounded look. “Pitiful?”

She shook her head and hurriedly continued, “We’ll be home for dinner—especially if Daddy can pick us up if we get close?”

“Of course, sweetie. We’ll be happy to give you and Derrick a lift. Derrick, nice to meet you. I know your parents. Your mother was the receptionist at my dentist’s years ago! And I remember when she used to have you and your sisters in the Gingerbread Building Extravaganza! I used to be a volunteer judge, along with dear Mr. Minegold!”

“Oh, my gosh! Mr. Minegold used to give my sisters and me violin lessons—until we all dropped out in favor of sports in high school.”

“You played a sport?” Evie snorted.

“Evelyn!” Mrs. Brittijn admonished. “That’s no way to speak to Derrick. He’s practically family now. Please excuse my eldest’s questionable sense of humor.”

Reese added, “Yeah, Derrick. Evie is the rude one. I’m the crazy one. Julie is the nice one.”

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