The blast of icy wind nearly knocked Mack off her feet as she stepped outside. Snow whirled around her, reducing visibility to mere feet. The world beyond was a blank white canvas, the familiar shapes of cars and buildings obscured by the relentless snowfall. The biting cold stung her exposed skin, and she pulled her scarf up over her nose.
As she trudged toward the taxi stand, her boots crunched through several inches of fresh powder. The wind howled, drowning out the sounds of frustrated travelers behind her. Snowflakes clung to her eyelashes, and she blinked rapidly, squinting against the onslaught.
The yellow glow of taxi headlights pierced through the white curtain ahead, and she quickened her pace. The race for shelter was only beginning.
Chapter 2
Holly
Holly pushed open the door of the motel, a gust of icy wind following her inside. The warmth of the small lobby was a welcome relief, but the interior did little to lift her spirits. Her eyes were drawn to a tacky sign above the reception desk—Mistletoe Motelwritten in garish red and green letters.
“Welcome to the Mistletoe Motel,” a cheery woman greeted her. “My name is Maude. How can I help you?” Maude lowered her reading glasses to the tip of her nose and peered over them. Her bleached perm sat atop her head like a tightly coiled cloud, each curl frozen in place, and she wore a sweater featuring a three-dimensional Christmas tree complete with actual tiny ornaments dangling from the knitted branches
“Hi, Maude.” Holly suppressed a grin as she lowered her eyes to the nametag that saidMaude Mistletoe, General Manager. “I need a room for the night.” She brushed the snow from her coat. “Please tell me you have something available.”
“That depends.” Maude tapped at her computer. “We only have Room Fifteen available, and that’s because it’s temporarily been taken out of our booking system. It needs repairs,” sheexplained. “But considering the circumstances, we could rent it to you at a lower rate. At least you’ll have a bed for the night.”
“Great, thank you so much.” Holly breathed a sigh of relief. After being turned away from two other hotels and an inn, she was starting to worry she’d end up having to beg strangers for shelter. “I’ll take it,” she said, reaching for her wallet.
As Maude processed her booking, Holly glanced around the reception area. “So, is it always the Mistletoe Motel?” she asked. “Or do you just change the name for Christmas?”
Maude chuckled. “Oh no, it’s the official name. But the decorations don’t go up until November. It adds to the festive cheer, don’t you think?”
Festive cheer was certainly one way to describe it, Holly thought, taking in the overwhelming Christmas explosion around her. The lobby was a cacophony of clashing colors and mismatched decorations, as if Santa’s workshop had vomited all over it.
The centerpiece was an enormous artificial Christmas tree that dominated half the space, its plastic branches sagging under the weight of countless ornaments. Tinsel in every shade imaginable was haphazardly draped over the tree, interspersed with blinking lights that seemed to be having seizures rather than twinkling merrily. At the top, a lopsided angel with a slightly sinister smile presided over the chaos.
The walls, barely visible beneath the decorations, were covered in faded wallpaper featuring a random pattern of pine trees. Strings of popcorn and cranberries zigzagged across the ceiling, intersecting with drooping paper chains and several pairs of stuffed elf legs sticking out as if they’d fallen through from the attic.
Every available surface was cluttered with an assortment of Christmas knickknacks. Snow globes of varying sizes crowdedthe reception desk, and a collection of nutcrackers stood guard along the windowsill.
The air was thick with the competing scents of cinnamon, pine, and what Holly suspected was a liberal application of Febreze to mask less festive odors. A small radio on the desk played “Jingle Bell Rock” at a volume just loud enough to be annoying.
The two plastic chairs in the waiting area hadn’t escaped the holiday treatment either. They were draped with red and green covers, each adorned with a small wreath that had seen better days. Between them stood a tiny table offering a plate of cookies, disposable plastic cups, and a thermos.
Despite the overwhelming assault on her senses, Holly felt a twinge of amusement. There was something endearing about the sheer enthusiasm behind the decorations, even if the execution left much to be desired. It was clear that someone—probably Maude—had poured their heart into creating this winter wonderland, however misguided the result might be.
The door behind her swung open, letting in another blast of cold air, and Holly turned to see a familiar face—the woman from the airport, the one who got the last seat on the flight to Minneapolis. Her beanie and teal hair sticking out from underneath it were dusted with snow, her cheeks flushed from the cold.
Their eyes met, and Holly felt a mixture of emotions—frustration at her situation, a twinge of guilt for how she had acted at the airport, and, she had to admit, a bit of smug satisfaction. Karma, indeed.
She turned back to Maude, taking her key card. “Sorry,” she said to the newcomer, unable to keep a small smile from her face. “Last room.”
The woman looked like she was about burst into tears. “Are you sure?” she asked Maude. “Is there anywhere else I can try? All flights have been cancelled. The airport’s closing.”
Maude shook her head. “I doubt it. By now, the hotels in town are booked solid with stranded travelers.”
“What about a rental car?” she asked, desperation creeping into her voice. “I could try driving to the next town.”
“Car rental’s closed by now,” Maude said. “And even if it weren’t, driving in this weather would be madness, but don’t worry. There is another option,” she offered. “The church is providing shelter. You’d have to sleep on the floor, but at least you’d be safe and warm. They’ll have coffee and cake too. They’re always prepared to welcome stranded travelers during storms.”
Mack nodded slowly, seeming to accept her fate. She turned to leave, and Holly was struck by how defeated she looked. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over her. Part of her wanted to relish in this karmic twist, a petty revenge for the woman’s earlier behavior at the airport. But as she watched Mack’s shoulders slump, guilt began to gnaw at her. Holly thought about her own relief just moments ago when Maude offered her the last room. She imagined spending the night on a cold church floor, surrounded by strangers, while outside a blizzard raged. It wasn’t right. Yes, the woman had been rude earlier, but did she really deserve this? Besides, she’d been rude herself, and fair was fair. She’d been behind her in the queue, and it wasn’t just Holly who needed to get home for Christmas.
Holly’s mind raced, weighing her desire for a peaceful night alone against her conscience. She thought about her parents—devout Christians who had taught her to always help those in need. What would they think if they knew she had left someone out in the cold?
With a mix of reluctance and resolve, Holly made her decision, and before she could change her mind, she called out to her. “Wait…”
The woman turned back, surprise on her face.
