Page 12 of Rebel Without a Claus
I swear under my breath.
That little menace is bribing my reindeer. With candy canes of all things.
I shove the truck door open and stalk toward the scene, half tempted to call out and put an end to this madness, but something stops me.
“But our reindeer aren’t hard to steer,” she reads in a voice that could easily be a narrator in a Christmas movie. “These eight know the way, year after year!”
The kids giggle at her silly voice and animated movements, acting out the story.
Eve isgoodat this. Like, ridiculously good. She reads with so much energy and expression that even I, a grown man who has zero interest in a book calledThe Happiest Elf, find myself mesmerized. The kids adore her. The parents watching from the sidelines look charmed.
Dammit, evenBlitzenseems enchanted by Eve—though, to be fair, she probably just loves Eve because she’s a walking candy dispenser.
“Christmas isn’t about the toys,” Eve reads, her voice lifting in excitement. “It’s about spreading holiday cheer and joy! It’s about the love of family and friends. It’s the time of year to make amends. So no matter your gifts, be they big or small, they were made by the happiest elf of all!”
The kids erupt into applause, and Eve beams, taking an exaggerated bow before patting Blitzen’s neck.
“Give it up for my wonderful reindeer assistant who came all the way from the North Pole for today… Blitzen!” she announces. The kids cheer louder, and Blitzen—that traitor—even lifts her head proudly, like she’s eating up the attention.
I cross my arms, leaning against a lamppost as I wait for the show to end. The second Eve hands the book back to the librarian and waves to the kids, I make my move.
“Well, that wassomething,” I say, strolling up to her.
Eve spins around, and the moment her eyes meet mine, she grins.Grins. Like she’s just been waiting for me to show up.
“Luke!” she says, all innocence. “Blitzen and I were having such a lovely time together, I called the library and got our story time moved earlier so that Blitzen could join me.”
“Uh-huh.” I fell right into that damn trap. Not only did she successfully watch my most challenging reindeer today… but she turned it around and used it to win day one of the festival.
Forfree. She got to use one of my reindeersfor freetoday. I glance at Blitzen. “How did you even get her here? I need a trailer to transport these guys around.”
She points behind her at the trail from the bottom of the hill up to her parent’s lodge. “We just took a little walk.”
“I see. And how exactly did my reindeer manage to become a model citizen within two hours?”
She tilts her head, feigning confusion. “Blitzen? Whatever do you mean? She’s adelight.”
“Really? Adelight? Is that what you call her?”
“Yep.” She pats her nose affectionately. “And you know what else? Turns out, shelovesChristmas cheer.”
I narrow my eyes. “Eve.”
“Yes,Luke?”
I reach into her pocket and pull out a candy cane.
She gasps dramatically. “Hey! That’s mine.”
I hold it up like evidence in a courtroom. “You’rebribingmy reindeer. With candy.”
She places a hand on her chest. “I wouldnever?—”
I arch a brow.
She huffs. “Okay, fine.MaybeI gave her one. Or fifty.”
“Fifty? Please God, tell me you’re exaggerating.”
