Page 10 of Rebel Without a Claus
Mom hums, stepping down onto the porch to me. “You know, I did try to tell you that too many reindeer might be overkill. But maybeoneis going to be too much for us.”
I whirl around. “Luke did this on purpose.”
Mom blinks innocently. “Oh?”
“Oh,please,” I scoff. “He dumped this beast on me knowing full well it’s his problem child and I wouldn’t be able to handle her. He’s probably off somewhere laughing his grumpy little head off, picturing me getting trampled while he polishes something with his stupid flannel shirts. But he isnotgoing to get the best of me. Iwillget this one under control.”
Mom presses her lips together, trying not to smile. “This one? You mean Blitzen… or Luke?”
I groan and turn back to Blitzen, who has now stolen a second candy cane and is eyeing a third. “Enough, you overgrown Christmas menace!”
Marching over, I grab her halter and tug, but she’s approximately the weight of a moving truck and does not budge. Instead, she flicks an ear at me, chews slower, and continues her reign of sugary terror.
Mom steps closer, her expression softening. “Eve, honey, I know the inn means a lot to you. It does to your dad and I too… but we need to be smart about this. We can’t go into debt just to win the festival contest.” The serious tone in her voice makes me pause. I shoot one last glare at Blitzen, who remains entirely unbothered, then turn to her.
“We aren’t going into debt for this, Mom. I promise.”
She sighs and leans against the porch railing. “I know what Luke charges for his reindeer, Eve.Eightof Luke’s reindeer willcertainly send us into even more debt. Not to mention, four more Christmas trees and holly and garland from Luke’s farm…”
My stomach clenches. “Luke and I have worked out a deal.” I slide a glare at Blitzen. As long as I can stick it out with this monster for another couple hours. “We’re getting a very good price.” Plus I’m pitching in some of my own savings to pay for these added decorations, but I know that would just start an argument between Mom and me.
She watches me for a moment, something unreadable in her gaze. Then she exhales a soft laugh. “You always were the most determined one of the family.”
I flip my hair. “Obviously. And I’m going to make sure we win that competition.”
Mom’s smile turns grateful. “Well, we’d love your help. Although…”
“Although?”
“Not with the cookie contest. Honey, have you tasted your gingerbread cookies?” She sighs and holds one of the cookies I attempted to bake this morning as practice up to me from the pocket of her apron. “You could break a tooth on them.”
I plantmy hands on my hips. “Hey! I used Nana’s recipe!”
Mom winces. “Well, you need more practice because something went horribly wrong.”
“Fine. You’ll handle the cookie contest. But trust me… I have a plan.” I point dramatically at Blitzen, who is now nosing at the remnants of my nutcracker army. “Step one: Prove to Luke that I can handle reindeer.”
Mom chuckles. “Luke isveryparticular about his animals.”
“Yeah, well, I’mveryparticular about saving Christmas,” I quip.
Her eyes twinkle. “Alright, Miss Claus. Just don’t let Blitzen destroy the whole inn, okay?”
“No promises,” I mutter as she heads back inside.
Turning back to the menace in question, I square my shoulders. “Okay, Blitzen. Here’s the deal. You’re going to be a good reindeer from now on, and I’m going to prove to Luke that I can handle you. Got it?”
Blitzen sneezes directly in my face.
I gag, wiping my sleeve across my cheek. “Great talk.”
I take a deep breath and scan the carnage she left. At least Blitzen isn’t running laps around the yard anymore, but clearly, leaving her loose isnotan option. If I’m going to prove I can care for a reindeer, I need to set her up somewhere safe. Somewhere where she can’t eat, trample, or otherwise destroy Christmas.
My eyes land on the old shed near the barn. It’s small, but with some quick adjustments, it could work.
“Alright, Blitzen. We’re making you a temporary home.” I eye the candy canes that are left on the tree and yank one off of the lowest branch. “Come here, Blitzen…” I coax her. “Here, reindeer, reindeer, reindeer….”
I give a little excited squeal as she starts to follow me toward the shed. “That’s a good reindeer. C’mere girl.”
