“We’re working on a solution,” Quik added. “There are several theories….”
Prancer turned to look at her, snickered, and trotted forward far enough that she had a clear path to Nick.
Nick glared at the beast. “Man’s best friend, you are not!”
Prancer winked at Jacob, who gave him a thumbs up. “A bucket of oats every night in December, buddy.”
“I see how it is,” Nick grumbled. He turned to Lauren. “Do you like Valerie?”
Lauren came up short. “Who wouldn’t? She’s wonderful.”
“Do you want her as a sister?” he baited her.
Ethan could see Nick’s plan as plain as day. It was brilliant.
“Well, yeah,” Lauren said.
“Then why are you mad at me?” Nick pointed to his chest. “You’re about to get a sister-in-law.”
Lauren glared. She folded her arms. “Just because you happen to be right, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure my brother has the best wedding on the planet, doesn’t mean I agree with your version of wish granting.”
Nick shrugged with all the cockiness of a twenty-something man with a Christmas superpower who could fly a sleigh. “I can live with that.”
Lux reached into the messenger bag over her shoulder and handed him a walkie-talkie. “The family is awaiting their marching orders.”
Nick stared down at it. “You tell them. You’re the one who–.”
Lux shoved the walkie-talkie into his chest. “If you’re going to keep making these problems, you need to be in charge of fixing them.”
“By planning a wedding?” He was aghast. “I don’t even plan President’s Day.”
Lux pushed her glasses up her nose. “All the more reason to start.” “Also, I think I figured out your issues.” She motioned for them to get into the sleigh.
“Do tell,” Nick said sarcastically.
Lux bit her lip. “I’ll wait until you’re in a better mood.”
Lauren and Jacob climbed into the sleigh.
Quik laughed. “That means it will make you uncomfortable at the least and miserable at the most, Nick. Good luck.” He put his arm around his wife and nuzzled her ear. “I think I have the same idea, babe.”
They looked into one another’s eyes, and energy zapped between them like they fed off one another’s brain power or something.
Ethan hopped in as Nick grabbed the reins. Those two could zap all they wanted as long as this crazy wedding plan worked out. If it did, he’d get his son back and have Valerie to cherish from this Christmas to forever.
“On Prancer!” Nick yelled, and they whooshed up the mountain pass, over the iron gates, and through the woods to Valerie’s house, where the sleigh runners screeched on the brick driveway.
Nick stared up at the mansion cabin and let out a low whistle.
Lauren moved to get out of the sleigh, and Ethan stopped her. “Wait. We can’t all go rushing in there.”
“Why not?” Lauren asked. “That’s what they did to me, and it worked.”
Ethan shook his head. “It’s got to be just me.” He pointed at Nick. “Small wedding. Think so small, man.”
Nick nodded. “I have your back.”
Ethan squared his shoulders.
