Page 9 of Christmas Wishes
Chapter Three
Wall to wall elves and shifters filledThe Cocoa Bar. It wasn’t unusual. In the afternoons and evenings between shifts at the various factories and shops, nearly everyone could be found here. It was full of laughter and conversation and it was one of Rand’s favorite spots to hang out.
The interior looked like a mashup of an old western saloon, a modern day coffee shop, and a fairy tale candy store. It was the craziest place in the North Pole and one of the most fun.
Trivia nights, karaoke nights, the twenty-four hour party on the twenty-sixth of December.
He’d picked up most of his dates atThe Cocoa Barat one time or another. He was looking for a particular elf tonight, but she didn’t seem to be around anywhere. He hadn’t seen the lights on at the bakery, so, she wasn’t working, either. She could be at home and he’d thought about stopping by, but he didn’t want to do so unannounced, not knowing how she really felt about him.
Truth was, he didn’t want to be banished from the North Pole without seeing her again, without speaking to her again. Sitting and talking with his parents, Rand had had the sudden urge to find Blix, to tell her what was happening to him, to tell her what was going on. He wanted to look into her eyes, hear her voice. He wanted her to tell him everything was going to be okay.
Hell, just her smile would do at this point.
“Do you want another one?”
Rand glanced up. “No, thanks. This one was stronger than I remember it being.”
“It’s the holidays. I thought I’d spice it up a little bit. Add a little zing this year.”
“Was a good idea. I like the crumbled cookies on top, too.”
“Yeah. Blix sent over a box that had broken pieces in it. Worked perfect.”
Her new chocolate cinnamon cookies. The ones sitting in his room. The ones his mother had brought in a tray of. The ones he had yet to try.
“You looking for someone?”
“I have been, yes. She’s not around.”
“There are plenty to choose from who are.”
“Yes.” There was never a shortage of females interested in him. As he spoke to the bartender, there were several does and elves huddled at a table in the corner, whispering and pointing at Rand. He saluted with his now empty cup and sent them into a fit of giggles. All but one, at least. She stared him up one side and down the other as though he were about to be the tray on which her dessert was served.
He shook his head, smiled politely at her, and turned his attention back to the bar. “There’s a reason I’m looking for one specific elf.”
“There always is and it’s usually the forever kind of reason.”
Rand laughed as the burly bear shifter ambled to the other end of the bar to refill chocolate shots for a rowdy group of reindeer. They were younger than Rand by a few hundred years. He was once rowdy like that. Thought nothing in the world could be better than flirty elves and staying up all night to party.
It was right for him then, but not right for him now.
He ordered a round of shots for the room, paid the tab, and stepped out into the chilly night air.
A light snow fell and he flipped up the collar on his coat to cover his neck. He wasn’t usually cold, but he was practically freezing by the time he arrived at the outer edges of the reindeer training facility.
His teeth chattered. His hands trembled.
He’d never felt this way before and for the first time in his life, he was scared.
He —
“Rand?” A hand landed on his shoulder. “Hey buddy. What are you doing out here?”
It was Tomas’ voice. It was warm and familiar. “W-w-what’s wr-wrong with m-me?” His tongue felt heavy, his lips numb.
“It’s okay, Rand. It’ll all be okay. I’ve got you. Just relax.”
Rand wanted to say something, but he couldn’t get his mouth to work. He wanted to look at his friend, but his eyes wouldn’t focus or stay open. He could hear Tomas speaking to him, but fatigue weighed him down and all he wanted was sleep.
