Page 6 of A Cozy Christmas Escape

One corner of his mouth tugged up in a smug smile. “’Course I did.”

Shelley laughed. “You looked like you know your way around a rink. That’s for sure. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen you skate.”

His brow furrowed and he regarded her skeptically. “Is there a question there?”

Shelley shook her head. “No. Just making conversation. I figured you could skate, since you own an ice rink and everything. I’ve just never seen you do it before.”

“I like to skate.”

His words were blunt and bit off at the end, clearly indicating that he didn’t want to talk about it anymore. And something about the way that he seemed so incredibly reluctant to talk about it at all, made Shelley pretty sure that there was a lot more to the story than Rudolph was letting on.

But since this was the most she had ever heard the man speak in her entire time in Snowy Pine Ridge, she wasn’t going to press the issue and have him clam up all over again. She reached forward and plucked a pair of skates off the counter, grabbing the disinfectant and began to help him.

“So are you excited about the 12 Days of Christmas showcase coming up? Feeling prepared?” she asked curiously.

In a few weeks, the town was hosting a holiday celebration, aptly named the 12 Days of Christmas Showcase. One group of kids that she was currently working with was going to be putting on a performance during it, and the preparations were well under way.

“Don’t know if excited is the right word,” Rudolph grunted, but his words held no bite. “I’m ready though. Got a whole light show planned for the little buggers.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “For the kids’ show?”

He nodded, seemingly unable to stop the proud grin that spread across his lips. “Yup. It’s really going to be something.”

“Tell me more. Will we need to switch around the choreography or anything?”

He shook his head. “Nothing like that.”

And then he launched into a grand explanation of what he had envisioned and how he pictured it all coming together in his mind. The more he talked, the more his air of grumpiness fell to the wayside. He described in great detail the way the lights would wrap around the rink and how they would light up in time to the kids’ movements, his hands gesticulating wildly as he spoke. And by the end of his spiel, she could see it all in her mind’s eye too.

“That’s going to be absolutely amazing, Rudolph.” She grinned at him as they finished up the final pairs of skates and placed them on the shelving unit behind them. “Everyone is going to love it.”

“Yeah, well.” He shrugged one shoulder, turning to face her now that the job was complete. “Can’t have you making a fool of me and my rink.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” she joked.

Shelley couldn’t be entirely sure, but she was almost certain that the corner of Rudolph’s mouth ticked up in an amused smile.

* * *

Valerie grunted with effort as she lifted her suitcase and plopped it onto the bed before opening it. Her belongings all came spilling out of it the moment the pressure from the zipper was released. She had sized down from the amount of stuff she usually brought while traveling, not wanting to draw attention to herself at baggage claim and while navigating the airport. And the nondescript black bag that she had bought specifically for the occasion barely held half of what she was used to.

She stopped for a second, blowing back a piece of chestnut hair that had fallen down into her face from the ponytail she’d pulled her hair into, and eyed some of the contents now spread across the duvet. She had most of the necessities, but there were a few things she’d have to run out and buy. Namely- candles. She found something so cozy about the act of lighting candles and loving having them burning while she relaxed with a book. Tearing her attention away from her things, Valerie placed her hands on her hips, spinning in place to take in the room that she’d been given.

The Warm and Bright Hotel was definitely charming, she’d give it that. Her room was filled with blush pink and pastels, and small, silver and pink Christmas ornaments dangling from the curtains, as well as the petite white Christmas tree that was in the corner. In the center of the room was a massive, four poster bed that she couldn’t help but immediately want to collapse into, and on the other side of the room was a large wooden armoire for her to place her clothes.

Valerie walked through the room, trailing her fingers over the soft fabrics as she went before flicking on the light to the attached bathroom. The floor was black and white tile, complementing the blush pink and silver accents throughout the rest of the space. A clawfoot tub was in one corner, as well as a walk-in shower on the other side of the room. She had no idea who had been in charge of decorating her room in particular, but whoever they were, Valerie had to give them credit. They had an incredible eye for combining both modern and traditional designs while still making it feel so incredibly cozy and festive for the holiday season.

She threw another glance over her shoulder, glaring at the suitcase still open on the bed. It was like it was taunting her, telling her that if she didn’t unpack it now, she would regret it later, but she was also exhausted after her day of travel.

“I’ll deal with you later,” she said to the luggage, deliberately ignoring the fact that she was now talking to inanimate objects.

She walked out of the room and through the beautifully decorated hallway. The light wooden floors were polished and gleaming, with a red, ornate runner marking her path. She followed it gladly, her brown eyes raking over the pictures that adorned the walls as she went.

Painted canvases were mixed in with photographs, each one showing something different around town. Some of them were clearly recent, while others had the sepia tone and clearly frayed edges that betrayed their age. Each one told the story of the town as it grew and changed over the years, showing an array of smiling faces and beautiful, technicolor lives.

By the time she reached the first floor of the building, the smell of apple muffins and warmed apple cider floated out from the dining room to greet her. She sniffed the air delicately, following the smell until she found the goods laid out on a serving table. There was a small, hand carved sign in front of the platters that read ‘help yourself’ and Valerie smiled.

“Don’t mind if I do,” she whispered as she picked up one of the small white plates next to the offerings.

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