Rescuing Christmas

by Nancy Lee Badger

  “And I know darn well that boy will turn around and donate those profits to the fire department, even though he needs it more,” Julia said, in a whisper for Bradley’s ears only.

  He talked with her while keeping an eye on Elinor. As she walked around the empty bay and helped place utensils at each seat at the long tables, he followed Julia to a large serving area. He looked around, but only saw the one tree.

  “Do you know where they are storing the trees until the festival? Greg said they were already decorated.”

  “In the large warehouse behind Mac’s garage. The same place the sleigh is stored and where they will park the fire engines the day of the festival.”

  Hmm, the sleigh, again.

  “We’ll have to have someone ladle this chili into bowls. Don’t want a youngster poking his fingers in the pot, aye?” Julia said, changing the subject.

  “Agreed. Do we have bowls?”

  “Disposable bowls are in the supply closet to the right of the refrigerator. Bring a ton of napkins, too.” He placed the trays of cut corn bread on the table and did her bidding. Elinor followed him into the supply closet.

  He pulled down plastic sleeves filled with bowls, then hunted through several boxes for napkins.

  “Here,” she said, handing him several packages.

  “Thanks. Are you actually speaking to me again?”

  “Why do you care? You’re leaving soon—”

  “I am getting a little tired of that tune. I have been here six days. Do you see me packing my bags?”

  Without waiting for an answer, he returned to the potluck serving area. He opened the package of bowls and put a stack beside the pot of homemade chili. The aroma wafted through him, making his stomach rumble. He planned to make sure that corn bread and butter ended up on his plate. However, when people entered the bay and dropped foil-covered casseroles on the serving station table, his choices grew astronomically.

  He saw dozens of pasties as well as ribs in sticky sauce, and spicy chicken wings. Home baked rolls and muffins sat beside bowls of mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts.

  No thank you.

  Once the party was in full swing and Bruce took over serving the chili, he filled his plate. Fried chicken, coleslaw, and baked beans made his mouth water. He chose carefully, since the assortment was wide and varied, and some food choices were new to him. He recognized corn bread, mashed potatoes, and stewed apples, but baked sweet potatoes topped with mini marshmallows? Yum! He’d never tasted anything like it.

  Voices echoed off the walls, and music played from speakers overhead. Smiling adults, giggling children, and a very thankful burned-out family was an eye-opener for a solitary city boy. Several teenage girls swarmed the chili pot, and Bruce’s cheeks reddened. A group of older women oohed and ahhed at the decorated tree in the corner. Greg had posted a sign saying similarly decorated trees would be auctioned during the Christmas Festival.

  Smart guy.

  He sat at the corner of a table that seated eight and people-watched. He sometimes did the same thing at airports, but this was much more enjoyable. Tastier, too. He shoveled in the food as if he was a starving homeless person.

  “Don’t forget the dessert table,” Elvira whispered in his ear.

  He shot to his feet, making her laugh.

  “Slow down, young fella,” Rudy said.

  Bradley didn’t recognize the officer in civilian clothes. With his arm wrapped around Elvira and the look he gave her, Bradley was suddenly envious. He assumed their romance was no longer a secret, and he was happy for them.

  “I will keep it under the speed limit, sir,” Bradley said, as he hurried away. Brownies, chocolate cake, apple pie, cherry cobbler and cookies were a sight to behold, but he zeroed in on the cake Elinor’s father had donated. He was amazed at what Sarah Jane had created.

  The cake was three tiers high, completely iced with bright white frosting. Red fire hydrants, helmets, axes and more symbols depicting the fire department decorated the sides. A mini fire engine topped the cake, to honor the fire department. Sarah Jane cut him a slice and he hurried back to his seat. The inside was chocolate, with a swirl of cherry-flavored jam. The tartness of the cherries balanced out the sweetness of the chocolate cake and white frosting.

  I have died and gone to Heaven.

  After tossing his empty plate into the trash receptacle, he walked over to the Chief, who looked in pain. “Can I get you a slice of that cake you donated?”

  “That would be wonderful. Then I have to get home. Can you drive me?”

  “No problem.” He would return to help clean up after the fundraiser.

  Bradley sliced into the tiered cake and placed two hunks of chocolate goodness covered in white frosting on matching plates, he tucked forks and napkins into a pocket. Glancing around as he returned to the Chief, he saw no sign of Elinor. His heart thumped as he wished she would walk up to him, wrap her arms around him, and kiss him senseless.

  “I can dream.”

  “What’s a city slicker got to dream about in Snowflake Valley? Escape?”

  He smiled at Elinor’s father and did not dare share his thoughts. He would be shown the door.

  They finished their cake—Bradley’s second piece—and he helped him to the chief’s truck. Getting him up into the cab was a chore, because the injured man’s ankle had swelled. He needed to get home and put his leg up on a pillow. Bradley closed the passenger door and climbed into the driver’s seat. “All belted in?”

  “Yep. Let’s go, so you can get back and wash all them dishes.”

  Bradley groaned. “Thanks for reminding me. Why did I volunteer? I have callouses on my hands from sweeping and mopping floors, burns from fiddling with that huge coffee urn, and I nearly got frostbite on my toes from standing around at a fire scene.”

  “Because you’re a good man.”

  Bradley liked the sound of that.

  Now, if only Elinor agreed.

  Helping him out of the truck and into the house took no time at all. Getting him to the restroom, then settling him in his recliner with the television remote was not a chore. He did it because he wanted to help. Helping people made him feel good and was the right thing to do.

  “Can you bring me a glass of water? Pitcher’s in the frig. I got me some pain pills here, somewhere.”

  Bradley found a glass and poured some water. He set it beside the Chief, but the man was sound asleep. He lifted a quilt from the sofa nearby and laid it over him. A soft snore emanated from his mouth. Searching the rug around the chair, he spotted a bottle of pills and set them beside the glass of water.

  He let himself out of the house and climbed back in the big red pickup truck. Inhaling deeply, he swore he smelled Elinor’s intriguing fragrance. He wanted nothing more than to reconcile with her, and kiss her until the sun came up.

  All too soon, he pulled the truck back into its parking spot and entered the building. Half the people had left, but others were enjoying the ambiance and the delicious food. He poured himself a cup of cider and had another slice of the three-tiered cake. It was so good, he could not believe it was crafted in a backwater town like Snowflake Valley.

  When the last villager waved good-bye, Bradley returned to the kitchen. He soaked some large pans and emptied the bitter remainder from the coffee urns, then filled them with water so they were ready for the next event, or disaster. Elinor was nowhere to be found, but several members of the Christmas Festival committee were also hard at work putting the kitchen back in order, so he decided to broach the subject of the ice rink and snow machines again.

  “The Chief warned me that the sleigh is in disrepair. Probably nothing a little sanding, priming, and painting can’t fix. I would be happy to help, but I have no idea what to buy, where to work on it, what color it should be, and more.”

  “I seem to recall Sarah Jane was the last one to decorate it. She is quite the artist. Ever see one of her wedding cakes? That little three-tiered masterpiece is nothing compared
to her many huge, multi-tiered cakes,” Julia said.

  “Her Christmas cookies are to die for!” Bruce added. “Okay if I leave? I have a hot date!”

  “You may go,” Julia said. She turned to Bradley once they were alone. “With that rather large anonymous donation we put in the account, a few cans of paint and a couple of brushes is doable. As to color, Ellie’s favorite color is red. Just saying.” She wiggled both eyebrows and waved good-bye.

  Alone, he dried his hands and said to the sink, “I guess I will talk with Sarah Jane.”

  “Why do you need to talk with my sister? Kind of late, isn’t it?” Elinor stood in the doorway looking so beautiful, his mouth watered.

  “Um, I mean, I will see her in the morning, unless you find my insistence of enjoying her coffee and muffins a problem? I did mention that we are just friends.”

  The other members of the auxiliary walked in from the bay where they had been folding up the empty tables and chairs, but stopped to listen intently to the discussion. Elinor must have noticed as well.

  “Never mind. I came in here to tell you all that the potluck supper fundraiser was a success. The money raised will start helping the family immediately. They lost almost everything. Goodnight.”

  “Wait!” he shouted, though he hadn’t meant to.

  “Yes, Mr. Wainwright?”

  “Did you know that your father returned home okay?”

  She nodded, while the other auxiliary members went their separate ways.

  He whispered, “I drove him. I am comfortable driving that truck. It is the biggest thing I have ever had the pleasure to steer. I will drive you home, then.”

  “Ha! I don’t think so!” She clasped her hands into fists at her sides in protest, he assumed.

  “I insist. I can walk back to the inn from your place, but I’m worried about the Chief.”

  She hesitated. “Why? What happened?”

  “He wanted a glass of water and wasn’t sure where he’d put his pain pills. By the time I returned from the kitchen with a glass of water, he was out cold. I found the bottle of pills on the floor by his recliner. I covered him with a quilt. I don’t think he took any pills, so be aware he might wake up in pain.”

  “Good to know, but—”

  “Go with him, Ellie. I’ll sleep easier knowing you’re safe,” Bruce said.

  “I thought you left,” Bradley said.

  “Forgot my truck keys.” He lifted a set of keys from a hook near the kitchen door and left.

  “You heard the man.”

  “Someone has a loud mouth. He’ll tell everyone you’re going home with me,” she said through gritted teeth. She glared at Bradley. “Fine. Let’s get out of here, since you already know the way.”

  As she stormed out of the kitchen, he grabbed his coat. She disappeared out the side door, where Bruce stood talking to a pretty red-haired teen. Bradley turned toward his new friend and raised both thumbs.

  Chapter 14

  Ellie allowed Bradley to help her up into the cab. After they fastened their seat belts, he pulled out a pair of spectacles. He propped them on his nose and drove out of the parking lot. She shivered, which made him lean over and turn on the heater. “I guess you really do know your way around my truck.”

  “Your father is a fine teacher. All I needed was a confidence boost.”

  “You? Unbelievable.”

  Bradley was quiet for a minute. “I guess you’ve forgotten that I was recently involved in a car crash. Being trapped inside that car as it bumped and slid down that hillside and into the water was frightening. I relive it almost every night.”

  She blamed herself for acting so callous. How could she forget? Glancing at him, she slid closer on the bench seat, as the seat belt strained against her. “How’s your nose?”

  “Fine. Thank you for your concern.”

  He had a lovely nose, so straight and elegant. He was lucky to escape a broken nose and hadn’t suffered a couple of black eyes. If the airbag hadn’t deployed, he might have gone through the windshield and drowned before they could reach him.

  She shivered more and he released her belt, put an arm around her, and dragged her across the bench seat until she was nestled in his side. “Fasten the middle belt. I’m not that great a driver.”

  “Limos and chauffeurs, I think you mentioned?”

  “Jets and helicopters, too. Travel is fun for most people, but I find it lonely.”

  “What, no mile-high club for you?”

  “No. I generally travel solo. A pity, since everyone knows that shared bodily warmth works wonders.”

  “It does indeed.” She snuggled closer and recalled the little boy—Mitch—and how he shivered as he screamed for his sister. The paramedics had wrapped him in a warm blanket, then she had tugged him into her arms as the paramedics fought to bring life back to young Beth. She shivered as she relived in her mind doing CPR compressions on the little girl’s tiny chest, while praying she’d start breathing again. Johnny and Al had performed a miracle soon after, but she hoped she’d helped a little.

  A sudden release of pent-up tears fell down her cheeks and a sob broke from her throat. Bradley pulled the truck to a stop on the side of the road and removed his arm from around her right shoulder.

  “What did I do now?”

  She sniffed and dug a tissue from the glove box. Wiping her eyes and cheeks, she tried to explain. “I recently had a scary rescue call. I told you about the three-year-old little girl? She was in my arms, lifeless and blue. I did what I could with what I’d been trained to do.”

  “The paramedics took over. You worked as a team, right?”

  “Yes, but all I could think about was Sarah Jane. What if the victim had been my own sister lying there? What if I lost her?”

  Bradley unhooked their seatbelts, then pushed her toward the edge of the seat. As she dabbed at her wet cheeks, he rubbed her back and shoulders. Warmth washed over her from his hands and the truck’s heat vents. She was suddenly tired of being alone.

  “Elinor, did the child survive?”

  She nodded.

  “You, Elinor, are a hero.”

  She laughed. “I was only doing my job.”

  Bradley glanced at her, then dragged her back into his arms. “You are not a paramedic.”

  “True, but every member of the fire department is certified in CPR.”

  “How many firefighters helped?”

  She thought back to the two who she told to go do other things. “No matter. Johnny appeared and we worked on her until Al joined us.”

  “You up and left?”

  She squirmed in his arms, until she could face him. “Not quite. I was asked to warm and comfort the girl’s older brother, remember? He was remorseful. Filled with guilt. He was so sure he had killed his baby sister.”

  “Dear Lord. Will they both be okay?”

  She smiled at him. “I hope so. Johnny told me a cold drowning victim isn’t dead until it’s warm and…”

  When no more words slipped from her mouth, he leaned in and kissed her. He tasted like chocolate and smelled better than anything in this world. He nipped and licked until she moaned. Her fingers tangled in his silky hair again and he thrust his tongue between her lips. She was giddy with desire and hot as a fireball. Another vehicle drove by and honked.

  They broke apart. What were they doing on the side of a public road and, more importantly, was he really breathing as hard as she?

  “I will take you home and see you tomorrow.” Bradley stated.

  With a sigh, she agreed it was the best plan.

  Who am I kidding? I want him in my bed.

  ***

  Morning came early, again. Ellie was not a morning person and the bags under her eyes were proof enough. Last night had been tense. She had unnecessarily worried that Bradley would invite himself into the house she shared with her dad. It wasn’t the case. After pulling into their driveway, he didn’t even try to kiss her again.

  As she stepped from
the truck and he walked her to her door, he laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I didn’t stop to think that you two live only two blocks from the fire house and over a huge garage.”

  “We only use the garage if a big snow storm is predicted. Easier to get to an emergency if you don’t have to shovel two feet of snow.” She wouldn’t mind watching a couple of feet of snow falling right about now.

  She had also said, “I like being close to the fire house. During an emergency, I can run there. My little pickup, sitting inside our garage with a dead battery, is not the most reliable mode of transportation. That’s why I’m enjoying driving the Chief’s truck.”

  Bradley had raised his hands and shook his head. “I never said a word against the idea. You two are a great asset to the town. I hope your dad is better. Goodnight, Elinor.”

  And he had walked away into the darkness of the evening. Had he really been whistling a holiday tune? He acted like a changed man, and every day he stayed in Snowflake Valley was to blame.

  In a good way.

  She shivered until she had gotten the woodstove going in their den. She was too full of great food from the potluck supper to eat anything more, but a cup of tea had helped quell her suddenly dry mouth. Her dad had gotten a ride home from Bradley, earlier, and was asleep in the den in his recliner. He had his foot propped on a pillow and was still covered by the quilt Bradley mentioned. She turned off the lamp next to him, leaving a small nightlight plugged in a nearby socket and headed to her bedroom.

  After settling under the covers, she’d tried her best to dream of the wide assortment of delicious foods the townspeople had shared, but kept drifting back to the way Bradley smelled and tasted.