Page 20 of Second Chances with St. Nick

A bitter taste rose in the back of my mouth. Who just ups and disappears after a night like we had? After we’d begun to build a bridge and reconnect?

I pushed into the bathroom and glared at my reflection in the mirror. A burn settled in my chest. My lips were red and swollen and Nick’s beard had left a blotchy patina on my skin. With my unruly hair and eye bags—thanks Mom and familial genetics—I looked hideous. No wonder he’d run off.

As I splashed icy water on my face, all the tenderness and familiarity I’d felt with Nick fell away. As if I washed off every last trace of him. Sure, he’d called me beautiful and filled my heart with more hope than I’d had in years. But we’d made no promises. Formed no plans. Hell, we’d only talked as “strangers.” I’d suggested the game, but my stomach churned at my foolishness.

I sighed. What did I expect? Even though we had history and danced together at The Timberline, I’d jumped into bed with him within an hour. A coldness crept through me, settling deep in my bones, and I couldn’t shake the hollow gnawing at my chest.

Rubbing my throbbing temples, my gaze settled on my purse laying on the side of the sink. I pulled up with a gasp. Hang on. Why was it here, inthisbathroom?And come to think of it, I’d left my glasses on the nightstand back in myownroom. But they’d been right by the side of the bed when I woke. I turned around to see my clothes neatly folded on the side of the bath.

The sound of excited voices outside the window broke through my galloping thoughts and I looked out to see a group of men shoveling snow from under the bus. My heartbeat quickened. They must’ve cleared the pass.

I brushed my teeth with the complimentary toothbrush, fixed my hair, and dressed, putting in the spare pair of contacts I always carried. Cissy and my folks would be so worried by now. They probably had no idea what happened to me and the thought of Mom fussing around the kitchen in a fluster made my chest ache.

Stepping back through the door, I ran my eyes over the empty room. Time to face reality, Abbie. My late-night encounter with Nick had been a dream. A fantasy. I’d taken full advantage of his kisses and pretty words, but now, I wanted to be back home as soon as possible. Safely away from the idea that Nick and I could ever be more than casual friends. I took one last look at the bed before picking up my bag and tramping out into the hallway.

In reception,I scanned the faces of the group of jostling people, searching for Nick. I don’t know why I bothered. Nobody was tall. Nobody had rich hazel eyes, and nobody would be capable of making my heart thump like he could.

Instead, I spotted the red-cheeked lady I’d spoken to last night. She handed out pastries and steaming hot coffee to the guests.

Shifting from foot to foot, I mentally rehearsed what I’d say. Nick hadn’t had a travel bag with him last night, so..

“Thanks for your hospitality. Have you seen a man in a red velvet suit?”didn’t sound remotely sane. She’d think I’d gone nuts.

“Good morning, dear. Merry Christmas,” she said, arriving at my side. “It looks like you’ll be able to head out now. The road is clear.”

I thanked her and took the offered croissant. The smell of the pastry filled my nose with its buttery sweetness.

“Let’s go and sort your room payment,” she said, putting down her tray and ushering me to the desk. “As mentioned last night, the charge won’t be much, just a few dollars to cover electricity, cleaning and laundry, and anything you had from the minibar.”

I swallowed, bracing myself for a heavy bill.

“What room did we give you?” As she spoke, she flipped index cards stacked neatly in a box.

I smiled. These small towns could be so old school. “Room 17, I think,”

The lady nodded and pulled out a card, cross-checking its information with a large book on the desk. She dragged one red tipped nail down the list of names and numbers, coming to a stop with a crisp tap to the page.

Her gaze flew up to mine, a tight smirk on her face. “It looks like someone’s settled your bill already.”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t think so. I don’t even have the key anymore. I ended up sleeping in…” My words trailed off.

The lady's eyes sparkled, and she threw me a conspiratorial grin. “Ah yes, that’s right. In fact, I have something to give you.”

She reached under the desk and handed me a plain white envelope. I took it with trembling fingers and turned away to open it. I held my breath as I tore into the thick paper. Inside was a small card bearing an old-fashioned picture of Santa Claus. With a breath in my throat, I read the message.

“Merry Christmas, Abbie. I know it’s a lot to ask, but if you still want to talk, come down to St. Jude’s, ward B. Love, St. Nick xo.”

A breath hitched in my throat. Hazy memories of our magical night played in my mind again, and my skin tingled as I remembered the way Nick touched me, his tender words, and his delicious body. As I laid in his arms, my heart felt complete. Like I’d been put back together after being broken.

At the thought of his trusting eyes and his sweet smile, my heart thumped like a boxer working the pads. I turned back to the lady. “Can you tell me something, please? What is St Jude’s?”

The lady’s eyebrows lifted. “St. Jude’s is the hospital in Pine Pass. Back down the hill. It’s not far.”

“Yeah, I know it,” I said, my voice almost a whisper.

“The bus already made the journey once this morning.”

My pulse skipped. “And the man who left this note, was he on it?”

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