Page 14 of Bah Humbug Mate

“You two wait here,” the driver said, reining in the horses, getting out and setting the hitching weight on the ground before tethering the horses to it. “I’ll get that fire started. Looks like we’re going to have clear skies and a gorgeous sunset.”

“I know you’re involved with the resistance,” she said as soon as the driver was out of hearing distance.

“Noel, we don’t need to talk about that, and you don’t have to be involved.”

“Don’t be a chauvinist reindeer. I’ve been working for Colby for more than a year. I’ve ferried messages back and forth, and on more than one occasion, I’ve spirited someone away by letting them fly on my back.”

Dash shook his head. “I’m not sure who I’m more surprised at about that—you or Colby.”

“If you’re impressed, it’s me; if you’re pissed, it’s Colby.”

“I think we ought to make that a rule—if it’s good, it’s one of us; if not, it’s Colby’s fault.”

Noel laughed. “I think that’s an excellent idea.”

The driver returned. “You’re all set.”

“Thanks so much,” said Dash, getting out and helping Noel down from the sleigh.

She walked up to the two horses, who regarded her warily. Noel made soft chuffing noises and shared her breath with them. They seemed to settle and were soon licking and chewing, an indication that they had released any stress or fear and were now much more comfortable in her presence.

Taking her hand, Dash led her to the Point. At first, they stood in front of the fire, allowing it to warm them and taking in the panoramic view of the forest and the landscape that fell away into the sea. He helped her up into the warm, comfortable, clam-booth-style seating that overlooked the fire and the magnificent view beyond.

“It’s almost like we have the entire world to ourselves, isn’t it?” she asked, leaning into him.

“It is. The funny thing is, I run a bar. I love people, but right now I know that if the whole world ended tomorrow, as long as I was with you, I’d be okay.”

“I feel the same. We’re just right. However, we got here, we are where we are meant to be.”

They sat for several minutes not saying a word but enjoying one another’s presence.

“What was it you wanted me to know about my grandmother?”

“Do you know her name? Other than ‘grandmother?”

“I think it was Victoria.”

Noel shook her head. “No; not Victoria…”

“Blitz said they called her Vic…”

“Not Vic, Vix as in short for Vixen. And who is Blitz?”

“The family and herd’s lawyer.”

“Blitz?” she asked with a grin.

“Blitzen?” he asked, confirming his worst fear about the lawyer’s nickname.

She nodded. “There’s plenty of money and land, but the real legacy, the real inheritance of your family, is their association with Santa Claus and their ability to fly fast enough that they can bend time, slowing it so that it seems to stop so they can circumnavigate the globe in a single night. There are some who know we can fly—it’s not a huge secret—but the fact that your herd can bend time and space and are far faster than anything known to man is a closely guarded secret.”

“You can’t be serious,” Dash said, searching her face for any sign of a joke.

“I’m afraid not. Your mother was named for her, wasn’t she?”

“Yes. How did you know that?”

“Because Vixen hasn’t flown with Santa and his sled in a number of years. Your grandmother had grown too old, her magic was fleeing.”

---