Page 54 of Rebel Without a Claus
“No,” Nicholas says, serious now. “But you’ve got feelings for her. And she’s clearly got ‘em for you too. So why are you just letting her go without a fight?”
“Because I don’t want to be the reason she stays and then ends up hating this place,” I snap. “Or worse—hating me.” I don’t know how many different ways I can explain this to people.
Silence stretches between us. Only the sound of hooves and the low shuffle of reindeer breaks it. I turn to check the harness on Prancer, tightening it before she can wiggle out like last time.
Jack finally speaks. “So what, you’re just gonna let her figure it out on her own?”
“Yes,” I grit. “She needs to decide. I’m not gonna guilt her into it.”
“Telling her how you feel isn’t exactlyguiltingher into anything. It’s actually just making sure she has all the facts.”
“Besides, what about you?” Nicholas asks. “Doesn’t it matter whatyouwant?”
I hesitate. “Of course I want her here. With me. At the farm. In Holly Ridge. But only if it’s whatshewants.”
Before they can dig deeper, the barn door creaks open and Aunt May steps inside, bundled in three scarves and carrying a basket of muffins like it’s an extension of her soul.
“You boys haven’t eaten,” she chides, setting the basket on the workbench. “Take a quick muffin break and don’t you dare argue with me.”
Jack raises a hand in surrender. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Miss May.”
“Andyou.” Aunt May shoots me a knowing look. “You look like you haven’t slept in a week.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re full of it,” she says, peeling off her gloves. “But I brought backup.”
I jerk my thumb at Jack and Nicholas. “Already got it. You go back inside and warm up.”
She raises an eyebrow. “I wasn’t offering to wrestle reindeer, smart mouth. I came to talk.” Then, she glances at the guys. “Mind giving us a minute?”
Jack whistles as he claps Nicholas on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go pretend we know what we’re doing with Cupid and Comet.”
When they’re gone, Aunt May leans against the stall, folding her arms. “So. Are you going to tell me why you’re sulking like a dog left out in the snow?”
I could lie. But Aunt May would see right through that. Instead, I admit with a sigh, “Eve got offered her dream job. In LA.”
“I heard.” She picks at a thread on her mitten. “And… you’re mad about that?”
“No. I’m mad she didn’t tell me.”
“Are you mad because she didn’t tell you… or because you think she’s leaving?”
Both. All of it. I press my hands into my pockets. “She claims she wasn’t planning on taking it. But I heard it from Mrs. Garcia first. Then Gemma. Then half the town. I heard it from every damn person but Eve.”
“Well, maybe that’s because this town gossips like a bunch of howler monkeys. Or maybe it’s because she was afraid telling you would make you run for the hills, pick a fight and go radio silent on her.”
When I dare glance to my left, Aunt May raises a knowing eyebrow at me. “Sometimes people avoid the truth not because they’re trying to lie… but because they don’t want to see the hurt on a loved one's face.”
I don’t answer. I just lean back against the stall, watching Blitzen flick her ears in annoyance at the early morning bustle.
“She’s good for you,” Aunt May says after a moment. “Brings out your soft parts. The ones you try to hide.”
“I don’t want her to give up everything for me. I don’t want her to wake up one day and realize she made a huge mistake by staying in this town. Life isn’t one of the saccharine Christmasmovies she produces. And once the tinsel comes down and all the Christmas decorations are packed up, Holly Ridge is just another small, boring town tucked away in the mountains.”
“Well… what happens if she stays anddoesn’tregret it? What happens if you both, God forbid, find happiness?” Aunt May asks.
I grunt and clip a harness onto Blitzen and Princess Sparkles. “Seems unlikely.”
