If only Santa were real. Then she wouldn’t have to worry so much about Christmas morning.
Chapter Five
Forest strode into the B&B, his thoughts on the sled. He tromped across the floral rug, his boots clomping along. They were clean, but loud. His hiking backpack hung off one shoulder, and he had a bag of dirty laundry in his other hand. His coat was open, showing the camo pants and shirt underneath. He’d thrown on a cowboy hat before coming inside because he needed to brush it and didn’t want to go back out once he’d gotten a room. He was really looking forward to a shower and bed.
There was so much to be done. The seat needed to be pulled out, recovered, and fitted in place. The broken panel had to be braced or replaced. If he could get it out without damaging it more, then he could—
The lady behind the counter looked up from her computer and squeaked. “Merciful heavens!” She clutched the sting of pearls around her neck.
Forest startled and looked behind him. He didn’t see any mice—not even Christmas mice. “You okay?” He squinted at her. She seemed like a stable person.
“I’m fine … sir.” She added the last word as if she wasn’t sure he was a “sir.”
He glanced down at his heavy clothing, stained and disheveled, and realized he might be a little more forest hermit than respectable customer at the moment. Running a palm over his cheek, he wondered how scary he looked. Good thing his family wasn’t here to see him like this. They’d either tease him until the New Year or throw him in a watering trough to clean up. “I’m sorry to startle you.” Might as well address the situation right away. “I’ve been on a cross-country trip, camping out and such. But I’m in need of some civilization and a warm bed.”
She pressed her lips together. “Do you have a job?”
He nodded. “I’m a wrangler. My family owns a ranch in North Dakota.” He pulled a card out of his wallet and handed it to her.
The gold outline of a reindeer glinted as she turned the card on the light. “A reindeer ranch?” she questioned.
He nodded. “We have the only permit in North America to raise this herd. It’s an honor to work with such a majestic animal. Have you ever seen a real reindeer?”
She nodded. “Me and my husband took an Alaskan cruise.”
His eyes brightened. “Ah! I know those reindeer. Ours are a little smaller and come in a variety of browns.”
Her lips twitched, and he knew he was getting through to her.
“Here.” He pulled up some photos on his phone to show her. His mom sent him something almost every day. She was fantastic like that. Made him feel like he was still a part of things and knew what was going on back home, even though he was far away. “This time of year, we have the schoolkids come for tours.” He scrolled as she looked.
“My, but those kids are close to the animals.”
Forest leaned over to look at the screen. “That’s Apples. She’s a sweetheart as long as there’s a treat involved. Just don’t get between her and feeding time.” He chuckled, a fondness for the reindeer filling his chest. Man, he missed their antics. Captain and his high-and-mighty ways. Sugar, who was always looking for a chance to cause trouble. Sparkle’s ability to make mischief and then pretend she was innocent. “I wish I was with them all now.”
The woman frowned. “How much longer is your trip?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’m looking for something, and I can’t go home until I find it.”
Her shoulders sagged. “I had a boy like you.” She turned to the keyboard and began typing. She mumbled, “Didn’t know how good he had it until it was gone.”
Forest didn’t try to correct her. His trouble wasn’t that he didn’t know how good home was; it was that he did. Being away from the reindeer magic was slowly eating at him, changing him. All he had to do was look in the mirror behind the desk to see a stranger. How much longer could he search without losing himself in it?
“Room 203 is open.”
He handed over his credit card and waited.
Sheclick-clackedfor a moment, her fake nails making extra clicks. “Your card went through.”
Her excitement made him chuckle. He looked like a credit risk. It was definitely time to clean himself up.
“Breakfast is at nine. We’ll turn the bed down at eight if you’re not in your room; otherwise it’s up to you. My name is Mary, and if you need anything, dial 0 on the phone.”
He took the proffered key. It was gold and had a long neck. Old-fashioned, it suited the place. “Don’t bother tonight. I’ll fall in bed and sleep till morning.”
She glanced at the clock. “Well, if you’re hungry in the middle of the night, I leave snacks on the desk here.”
He smiled. “I might just take you up on that, Mary. See you in the morning.”
