Page 41 of Snowbound with the Santas

“I found this!” He holds it up, and its crumpled state even pulls a bark of laughter from Archer.

“Shit, I thought we tossed that thing years ago.”

“This was back when we had a rather long debate about whether fake or real was better for a tree,” Frankie explains as he moves his cooking off the table and onto the counter.

“Frankie was on the fake side and brought this pathetic thing.”

“Oh, my God.” Rising, I help Nick place the box on the table and then eye the remains of the fake tree. “I’m assuming fake lost that discussion?”

“Oh, yes.” Nick chuckles. “I forgot we even had this.”

“This year, we’re getting a real tree,” Frankie says. “However, if we ever get accused of deforestation, then I’m coming for you guys.”

“We’re surrounded by trees,” Archer grumbles, drying his hands once more. “We’re the only fuckers taking care of them.”

Archer excuses himself while Nick opens the box and unleashes a cloud of dust throughout the room.

“Holy shit!” I dart back, coughing. “All this dust in a year?”

“Might be longer than a year since we looked at these,” Nick says sheepishly. Reaching inside the box, he pulls out a string of beautiful silver tinsel and the lingering awkwardness in my heart slowly melts away.

“Oh, wow.” I take it from him and drape the strand around my shoulders. “Beautiful.”

“Agreed,” Nick says softly, his attention locked on me.

“What else is there?” I lean into the box and my eyes widen. Nick wasn’t kidding. There are countless decorations inside the box, and the overwhelming choices feed into my excitement and I look up at him, beaming.

We spent the next hour poring over the box, and my thoughts burst with ideas on what to start with. There are countless reams of tinsel and multiple boxes of string lights, all different designs and colors. There’s a couple of angels for the top of the tree, boxes of baubles and festive ornaments, as well as a fat silver robin that I place on Frankie’s shoulder as he dances past while cooking. There are faded Christmas cards and a few coloring books that Nick takes and puts out of sight before I can spend too much time going over them. With only one roll of wrapping paper and a few wooden animals like a stag and a donkey, I’m overflowing with ideas.

“Can I?” I ask finally, once the entire box has been examined and any broken items discarded. “I can make this place look amazing.”

“Better than the rustic winter cabin look we have right now?” Nick smiles over a mug of tea. “Sure. Be my guest.”

“Amazing!” I bounce up onto the balls of my feet. It’s like a dream. The freedom to decorate this beautiful place and to lose myself in the festivities just for a little while. “Although…” I glance over at Frankie. “We will need a tree.”

“A real one?”

“Please.”

Frankie affectionately rolls his eyes. “Fine.”

Archer finally reappears, puffing out his cheeks. His eyes widen at the festive decorations spilling over the table.

“Any luck contacting Search and Rescue?” Nick asks, toying with one of the wooden figures.

“I reached them,” Archer confirms. “Eventually.”

My fingers pause playing with the tinsel. “And?”

“I informed them that we rescued you from the snow, gave them the dates and a list of your injuries as well as all of our identification. They wanted to talk to you, but the storm is basically on top of us and I was losing them, so they said they will pass on your wellbeing to your family, and they’ll be back in contact as soon as this storm passes.”

“Oh, that’s great news!” says Frankie, absently stirring the stew. “Your family will know you are safe.”

I smile, but on the inside I’m hollow. It is good news. It should be, if my situation were normal. A sharp jolt of anxiety bursts through my chest and all the muscles in my abdomen cramp up.

They’re going to know I’m okay.

Ashton is going to know.

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