Page 44 of Run, Run Rudolph (Fairy Godmothers and Other Fiascos #2)

~ Tamara ~

“ T M? Are you okay? Where are we?” Haden was still holding my hand. He pulled me into his arms and patted me as if he was checking for injuries.

I let out a breath, realizing where we were, and that we were safe.

“We’re in Justin’s hardware store,” I said.

“What? No, we’re not. Wait. How did we get here?”

I’d never been in this back room before, and the faint glow of the few security lights left on in the store filtered into the storage area where we stood. Still, I recognized it.

I looked down. We were wearing our winter coats like we’d bundled ourselves up and driven here. There was even snow under our boots. But we hadn’t driven here. And we hadn’t gone into the barn to retrieve our winter gear.

We were here because I’d made a wish.

I closed my eyes, realizing I’d panicked and done the one thing I’d promised I wouldn’t do during this whole fiasco. But when Mrs. Claus turned toward us with her terrifyingly empty, burning eyes, and with rage coming off her in waves, I’d feared for Haden and wished us away.

Thank goodness Estelle had instantly granted my wish. There was probably a smouldering crater outside my barn where we’d been standing moments ago, thanks to the angry Mrs. Claus.

The reindeer had been right to fear her, and to choose Santa’s side. Mrs. Claus made me want to wet my pants.

Haden, assured I was okay, released me, taking in our surroundings.

“How did we get here?” he repeated. He reached out, tentatively touching a wall with chipped paint and layers of scrub marks. When it didn’t give way, he turned to me for an answer.

Inhaling slowly, and very aware that my sensible new boyfriend—Could I call him that already? I think I could—might really lose his mind over this one. I could, too, if I paused to think about it. So, it was probably best not to.

“I made a wish. Estelle sent us here.”

“You wished to come to the hardware store?”

I nodded, wondering if Mrs. Claus would be able to follow us. “I wanted to get somewhere safe. I was thinking about ways to help while lying low, and I thought about your plan to get night vision goggles. I thought about coming here.”

Hearing the quiver in my voice, Haden tucked me into his arms. He pressed a kiss into the crown of my head. “Good thinking.”

He released me, moving to the back door and opening it wide. “My truck’s out there.” His voice was mystified. “How did I… Did I drive it?”

“I have no idea.” My legs were getting a bit shaky. The more I thought about the details and what we’d possibly just avoided back at the barn, the more worried I became. “I’m sorry I got you wrapped into this whole mess, and then wished you here without permission.”

He turned to me with an expression of disbelief. “Are you kidding? That was really quick thinking. Any time I’m about to get zapped by a black witch, feel free to send me somewhere else!”

Then he swore under his breath and jogged past me to a box on the wall containing the store’s security system. He punched in a code, then another as the light began blinking faster. It went out with his second attempt, and he sagged in relief.

“Security system,” he said.

“How do you know the code?”

“Justin uses our grad date for everything.”

“Secure.”

Haden came back over to me, rubbing my arms. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, not daring to speak.

He cupped my cheek, tipping my head up, then gazed at me for a beat. “You sure?”

I nodded again, biting my lower lip. The adrenaline was waning, making me shaky.

He pulled me into an embrace and I let out a shuddery breath, relieved we were both safe. Whatever that wish had cost me, it had been worth every penny.

Realizing how close Haden had come to harm because of me, I reconsidered Estelle’s plea to make a wish and erase my accident with Rudolph.

Haden released me, taking my hand and pulling me through the dimly lit back room. He had a small smile on his face, his eyes unshuttered, letting me see every thought he had tonight, from love and excitement to fear.

I couldn’t wish this away. I just couldn’t. I knew it was selfish, but we had to find another way to fix this Christmas fiasco so we wouldn’t lose this.

“How about we get the night vision goggles,” he suggested, “and then sneak back to the barn in a bit? If it’s safe, of course.”

“Okay.”

So far there was no sign of Mrs. Claus, and I was fairly certain she’d immediately follow us, if given the option.

I relaxed, letting Haden lead me through the backroom maze of shelves, doorways and random boxes.

The organization system seemed to be the exclusive kind—where it only made sense to the person depositing the boxes willy-nilly.

Seeing as I’d never been in here before, I was a bit dazzled that I’d managed to magick us here at all.

Maybe wishing wasn’t always so bad after all.

Haden placed a hand on my lower back, guiding me toward the hunting section.

“Oh, wait.” He stopped, his hand dropping. “Gotta grab the key to open the case. Back in a flash.” Haden turned and disappeared into the dark hallways behind us and I shivered, feeling exposed and alone without him.

I sent a quick text to Char.

Me

Made a wish. Please, please tell me I can still use your credits.

It was around two in the morning, and well before Char would rise and shine down in Mexico, so I was surprised when she texted back.

Char

Thank goodness! I was getting worried. Are you okay? How’s Haden? Rudolph?

I texted back with shaking hands.

Me

Mrs. Claus is scary. We’re hiding from her. She and Estelle got in a massive fight.

Char

How’s Haden?

I rolled my eyes. My life was in possible danger, and she wanted to know about the man I was crushing on?

Me

Fine.

Char

Come on. How’s he really? You’ve been in love with him since forever.

In love?

My reaction was to deny it, even though it struck a chord of truth within me. I had loved him for a long time, hadn’t I? I just hadn’t quite recognized it, or allowed myself to see it for what it truly was. Or how deep and real it was, and that it might be the kind of love I was looking for.

Me

He’s fine.

Char

No dishing, no credits.

Me

You’re mean.

Char

You’re holding back!

Me

Fine. He’s good, and tonight with him has been good.

Char

Good? That’s all?

I smiled.

Me

Really good. Really, really good.

Char

You kissed?

Me

Yes.

I bit my bottom lip, allowing my worries to surface so my best friend could help me through them.

Me

Kade is going to freak.

Char

His problem. Not yours. Can’t wait to hear all about H. Call me in the morning.

Me

I know it’s not his business…but…

Char

No buts!

An unwelcome thought popped to mind, and I shot another text to Char, my heart beating wildly.

Me

You didn’t wish for anything on my behalf, did you?

I closed my eyes, barely daring to breathe as I awaited her reply.

Char

What do you mean? Tonight? No.

Me

Ever?

Char

No, not that I’m aware.

Wait. Do you think Haden is under a spell?

Me

Is he?

She would know better than I did.

Char

Not because of me. I promise!

Me

You sure?

Char

YES! Not knowing if your boyfriend loves you because of magic is the WORST. I worried about it too, and would never wish that upon you. And definitely not with Haden.

I exhaled and nodded to myself. I knew that as much as Char wanted me to have love and happiness, she’d never mess with my life and put me through that same emotional wringer she’d gone through.

Me

Thanks. Had to ask. Sorry.

Char

No worries. I’m going to bed, now that I know you’re okay. But call if you need anything!

And make as many wishes as you want. My credits are your credits. Stay safe tonight. Save Christmas. Stay out of trouble. Save yourselves. And get more kisses! He likes you—no magic!

Could I believe that? I sure wanted to.

Char

Me

Thanks. You’re the best. Get some sleep.

Haden returned, jogging as he held up the key. “Got it!”

I caught the smile that was for me. Only me. Nobody else. This was real. I could feel it. He was himself, and so was I. Everything we were feeling was heartstoppingly real. No spells required.

“Why does Justin carry night vision goggles?” I asked as we entered the hunting section. “It chills me that armed people are out in the dark, trying to shoot things. What if they mistake me for a buck?”

“I’m pretty sure you look different than a buck.”

“I don’t know, night vision goggles just feel so over the top. Who’s giving animals an advantage? What if some doofus sees a green blob, and gets trigger-happy? Then the next thing we know, someone like me is pushing up daisies.”

I turned to the case filled with compasses and fancy gadgets, feeling jittery after our close call with Mrs. Claus, and the fact that we were now surrounded by weaponry.

Someone like Josie was equipped for this, but not me.

She and her friends were always doing Live Action Role Playing skits where they had mock battles.

Me? Again, I liked a cosy blanket, a cup of coffee and a good book or horse magazine so I could dream about becoming a barrel racer from the safety of my living room.

Not LARPing followed up by real life action.

“You’d avenge me if I got hit?” I asked Haden. “Right?”

“Of course,” Haden replied seriously, placing one hand over the spot where his heart resided under layers of winter coat. “You’d do the same for me, too, right?”

“Darn right! Especially now that I know the codes to get in here. I’ll be able to arm myself properly for a thorough avenging mission.

” I gave him a gleeful, slightly manic smile, and pretended to check out the gun rack behind us.

Honestly, I had no idea what I was looking at.

They all looked very heavy…and dangerous.

“You know you can’t come in here without permission, right?”

“Relax. Don’t get your panties in a twist. Could you imagine me hunting someone down?”

“Yes.”

I giggled and placed a hand against my chest, sobering myself. “Me? Innocent, little old me?”