Page 116 of Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms
“Naturally.”
In a daze, I helped Natalie up into the truck and got in with her. She settled onto my lap, and the relief of not dragging myself through the snow was overwhelming. Woody turned up the heat before making a U-turn across the highway.
“What are you doing out here?” Natalie asked.
“Plowing,” Woody replied. “The county guys are doing their best, but I figured they could use some help. Gotta be a lot offolks out there trying to get into town for Christmas. But what were you doing out there?”
“Would you believe I was abducted by a jewelry thief and taken to a remote cabin as bait to lure him into a showdown with his longtime nemesis?” She gestured to me.
“Huh.” Woody nodded as if that didn’t sound the least bit implausible. “Glad you made it out all right. And just in time for Christmas.”
Natalie laughed. “Just in time.”
“Should I take you home, then?” Woody asked.
“Yes, please. Thank you so much.”
“You’re quite welcome.” He turned the music on again, and “White Christmas” filled the air around us.
Of course. It was our song.
CHAPTER 30
Natalie
Woody’s old fire truck rumbled into town, pushing snow aside as it went. His Christmas music filled the air, and he waved to the townspeople who came outside to see where the noise was coming from.
I sat in Jensen’s lap, my head tucked against his shoulder, his arms around me. The heat coming from the vent helped, but I wouldn’t be able to get truly warm until I changed out of my wet clothes. But even as a few shivers still overtook me, Jensen was there, and I knew we were safe.
We turned onto our street just as“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” began. It was as if we’d planned the playlist.
I sat up and looked out the window. Snow blanketed the neighborhood, hanging heavily on the trees and covering the ground. Christmas lights twinkled through the white, and a few more flakes drifted through the air, the last vestiges of the previous night’s snowstorm.
Woody pulled up next to my house and parked. The front door flew open, and Annabel came tearing out into the snow, still dressed in her pajamas.
“Santa?” She stopped in the middle of the yard. “Is that you?”
Nina appeared in the doorway. “Annabel, you don’t have—”
She was probably about to say “shoes,” but her mouth dropped open, and she stared in disbelief as the three of us got out of the fire engine.
Annabel squealed. “It is you! And you brought them home!”
Nina kept gaping while Jensen and I finished climbing out of the truck. My legs were wobbly, almost crumpling beneath me, but Jensen kept me steady.
“Merry Christmas, Anna-banana,” I said. “Sorry we’re late.”
She rushed over and grabbed us both. A moment later, Nina joined the group hug.
“Where have you been?” Nina asked. “I thought you were next door. I’ve been saying all morning that of course you’ll be here, you pinky promised, but I went over to the apartment, and no one was there and I was about to call 911.”
“Breathe,” I said. “It’s such a long story. And I’m freezing.”
Annabel didn’t seem to want to let go, so Jensen reached down and picked her up. I was surprised he had it in him, after carrying me through the woods.
“Woody… I mean, Santa,” I said. “You’re a Christmas miracle. You saved our lives. Literally.”
“Ho, ho, ho,” he said, playing up his character. “Happy to help. You all have a very Merry Christmas.”
