Her eyes narrow as she tilts her head. “What did you say?”
“There’s snow place to go.” I can’t help the grin now. “Get it? Because of the storm?”
She groans as she tips her head back in silent laughter, but her expression is aglow with mirth. “That was terrible.”
“I’ve got more where that one came from. A whole sleigh-full, in fact.”
“Please don’t.”
“You’re saying I should just let it snow?”
She giggles. “You mean let it go?”
I’m well aware sound isn’t visible, much like the wind, but Rebecca’s laughter lights up the room, illuminating what felt like the start of a gloomy Christmas spent alone. I’d wondered what I’d done to deserve a lump of coal this year. Perhaps I’ll find something even better in my stocking yet.
I offer up a few more goofy puns the guys at the station would razz me for and Becca can’t help chuckling, practically spurting hot cocoa out her nose.
I could swim in the sound, rich like the chocolate in my mug. It’s partly because her laugh sounds genuine and not the polished, camera-ready one I’ve heard in her interviews. Yes, fine, I’ve seen a few of them. You know, to keep up with my best friend’s sister’s activities. No other reason.
But I am a bit surprised that she’s not entirely what I expect from a pop star. Since recovering Pookie from her mad dash across the second floor—but anyone would be concerned about their little dog getting lost—no demands for special treatment and no diva attitude. Just a woman with a puglet pugcess in a sparkly jacket who threw her phone out a window and drove into the mountains because she wanted a real Christmas.
The fact that Rebecca finds my terrible puns funny makes me smile inside and out.
“Seriously, though,” she says, sobering. “Won’t your family miss you?”
The question yanks on a little knot inside. I keep my voice steady and only say what’s necessary. “I won the station lottery to have Christmas off.”
“That’s great! So you?—”
“But I was going to spend it alone, anyway.” The words come out blunt rather than with the excitement I had when I found out. “My mom passed away a few years ago. She was a single parent. It’s just me now.”
Rebecca’s fingers fly to her mouth. “Oh, Reese. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay. I mean, it’s not, but ...” I shrug, unsure how to finish that sentence. “My roommate thinks frozen pizza is a major food group, so really, you’re saving me from a very sad Christmas dinner.”
“When you put it like that …” Her expression is soft, full of so much sympathy it brims in her eyes.
Just then, Noella appears beside our table, her Mrs. Claus outfit complete with jingling bells on her apron. “I couldn’t help but overhear that you two will be spending Christmas with us!”
“Looks that way,” I say.
“Wonderful!” Noella clasps her hands together. “We have so many activities planned for today. Here’s a schedule.” She slides a glossy brochure that looks like it was designed by elves on a sugar high across the table.
Rebecca takes it, her eyes widening as she scans the list.
Noella says, “Ugly sweatshirt making in thirty minutes, ornament painting at ten, tree decorating at one, carol singing at two, ice skating at three, gingerbread house competition at four. Plus, we have cookie decorating, dinner … take your pick or join us for all of it. Our merry mission is to make this your very best Christmas.”
Rebecca’s whole face glows. “This is exactly what I wished for. Well, not with that level of specificity, but I really wanted the perfect Christmas. The only thing missing are my parents, brother, and his family.”
“Unfortunately, the weather had other plans, but it’s snow joke, we make merry around here and will do our best to deck these halls and make your Christmas festive and bright,” Noella says.
Rebecca gifts us with more laughter.
“In for a penny, in for a pound of … coal,” I start, knowing that I shouldn’t be admiring her smile, how full her lips are, or the sparkle in her eyes.
“How about a pound of fudge?” Noella says as if my coal comment is heretical in a place as holly jolly as this.
I chuckle and Rebecca says, “After all, we have snow place to go.”
