Page 18 of Christmas Wishes
“You walked from there? In the snow? In this cold?”
Rand shrugged. “Got a little cabin fever. Thought a walk might do me some good.”
“I see.” She gave him a skeptical look. “And where are you from?”
“A little ways north of here.”
He turned to wander the shallow aisles. The back wall was lined seven box freezers. After a moment, Rand figured it was best not to wonder exactly what was being kept in them.
“Wasn’t aware too many people lived up that way. It’s pretty far out. Thought we were at the top of the world.”
“No. There’s a small population up there. Tell me, do you have any lettuce or cabbage? Maybe some fresh mushrooms?”
“Not too much, but I do have a little. No fresh mushrooms though. We only get the basics this time of year. Are you one of those vegetarians?”
Rand smiled and nodded. “For the most part. I don’t care too much for meat.”
“What else are you looking for?”
“Some bottled water, maybe.”
“I think I have a few gallon bottles left. I’ll check. You just have a look around while I do that.”
“Thanks.” He continued through the store, humming along as Elvis Presley sang aboutThe Wonderful World of Christmasfrom somewhere inside the building. Of all people to ever sing Christmas songs in the hundreds of years Rand had been alive, Elvis had always been his favorite.
Rand picked up small items here and there. Dried beans, canned vegetables, soap and other toiletries. The cabin had been minimally stocked, but not anywhere near ready for a long term resident.
In the basket Tomas had brought, there’d been an envelope with cash. Rand had never had use for human money, but he knew the etiquette and proper use of it. There wasn’t much and he imagined a job would come in handy if he wanted to continue eating. He knew how to work telephones and operate cars. He didn’t know what he’d be qualified for, though. He was going to have to figure something out once Christmas was over.
“You have a tree yet?”
“Um, no. I don’t. I hadn’t even thought about getting one.” Which was true. Should he get one?
“When you walk out of the store, to the left of the building is a small tree lot between us and the hardware store. Bernie should have a few good looking trees left.
“Bernie?”
“He’s the mayor of our little town. He also runs a little Christmas tree farm a few miles outside town. It’s the craziest thing.”
“What is?” Rand asked.
“That Bernie can get trees to grow with us being so far north and it being pretty darn cold throughout the year. Guess with that global warming thing, we’ll be able to grow lots of things in the future.” She gave a little shrug and all Rand could do was nod. He knew about global warming. He knew about the melting ice caps and the rising sea levels and the lack of snow the way it used to be.
Everyone at the North Pole was keenly aware of the effects on the planet and the adaptation that the inhabitants of the Arctic Circle were going to soon be having to make. People everywhere, really. It was one of those situations that didn’t have a happy ending in the long run.
“You know if he’s hiring?” Outside in nature would be the perfect job for Rand He’d been craving it and while he’d felt it, until he shifted and took a run through the forest, he hadn’t realized exactly how true the feelings had been.
“I think he’s done looking for help for this season being it’s so close to Christmas, but he’s always looking for help when it comes to planting in the spring and early summer.”
“I’ll definitely keep that in mind and check with him after the first of the year. Thank you.”
“Name’s Heidi, by the way.”
“Rand,” he said, holding his hand out across the counter. Heidi took it and gave him a quick, but firm shake. “So, what do you have for decorations? That is, if Bernie has any good trees left. I’m pretty particular about my trees.”
Heidi’s smile widened. “Well, let me see. Lights or no?”
“Not this year. I think I’ll go without and stick with natural ornaments.”
