Sleigh Me Baby

by Elisa Leigh

  Deciding I’ve had enough of sitting around, I lock up and flip the sign saying we’ll be out of the office until the next morning. I go in search of Eull, pretty sure I’ll find him outside somewhere.

  I set the ax down to stack the split wood and turn to the sound of a clearing throat.

  I lean my shoulder against a tree watching him until he’s finished. “You good?” I ask.

  “Yeah, just getting some chores done,” he grumbles.

  “Good. Looks like we’re booked next week. The weatherman’s still talking about snow and a lot of it. I’m still skeptical, but I would rather be prepared. I’m going to the store to stock up the cabin. You need anything?”

  “Yeah, my list is on my fridge. Just grab double, just in case. Thanks. I’m going to do a run-up to all the cabins to make sure the pipes are covered, and everything is set for a major freeze. I’ll make sure the barn is stocked with extra feed and hay. There should be plenty of straw down for the animals.” He tells me.

  “Alright. I’ll be back after a while.” I say walking back to my truck.

  I drive over to Eull’s cabin and grab his list off of his fridge, then drive to town to the only grocery store that’s open. I load up my cart with my necessities and then Klaus’s list. I can’t help but wonder what groceries the girls have and if we lose power if they’ll make it through. I go back through the grocery store to grab two more loaves of bread, peanut butter, jelly, tuna, crackers, cans of soup, and a few more nonperishables just in case. If they don’t need it, I know the food won’t go to waste. I grab two cases of water then check out.

  I go to my cabin first to unload everything and separate everyone’s food. Next, I go to Eull’s place and leave his groceries on the counter, and the cold food in the fridge. He can put it up however he likes it when he gets back. When I’m finished, I drive over to cabin seven.

  When I arrive, I see an older model Dodge Durango parked out front. Grabbing the groceries from my truck, I head to the front door and knock. A minute later Natalie opens the door looking adorable wearing red plaid footie pajamas. She looks shocked when she opens the door to find me standing there.

  “Klaus? What are you doing here?”

  I can’t help but smile. She is too cute.

  “Klaus?”

  I clear my throat. “Those are fucking cute.”

  She looks so confused and looks down at what she’s wearing. “Oh! I forgot I was even wearing them. They’re so comfortable. So, what’s up? Is everything okay?”

  “Everything is fine. I just got back from the grocery store, and with this storm coming in I wanted to make sure you girls had everything you needed, just in case we lose power.”

  Natalie opens the door wider to let me in. “You didn’t have to do that. But that was very sweet of you to think of us. Do you think the storm will be that bad?” She asks following me to the kitchen area where I set the bags down.

  “Honestly, I have no idea. The last thing we need is to be stuck out here without power, food, and no way to get what we need.”

  Natalie crosses her arms across her chest and bites her lower lip.

  I brush my knuckles across her cheek then lay my hand on her shoulder. “Hey, don’t worry. I wasn’t trying to scare you. I just like to be prepared for the worse. If anything, we’ll get a few inches of snow for Christmas.”

  She leans over as if to tell me a secret. “I live in Florida, Klaus. A few inches of snow out in the woods is a snowstorm to me.” Then she winks.

  I laugh long and hard, something I haven’t done in a while. “Well, Florida girl, I’ll make sure you’re safe if the storm comes.”

  She quirks her brow. “Is that right, Georgia boy?”

  “I’m all man sweetheart, I haven’t been a boy in over twenty years.”

  She gives me a dramatic OK with her hand and a big wink. “Why I’m so sorry. Did I offend you?” She laughs.

  “It would take a lot more than that to offend me, and I doubt someone as sweet as you would be able to.”

  A deep blush spreads across her cheeks. Ah, there it is, that’s what I was looking for. I didn’t imagine that moment between us when we first met back in the office, and this is proof.

  “I’m going to go and grab the cases of water. I’ll be right back.”

  “You got us water too?” I hear her ask as she walks behind me to the door.

  “You can never be too prepared,” I say to her before walking out to my truck.

  I walk back up the stairs of the front porch with both cases of water and set them down on the floor in the corner of the kitchen. When I turn back around Natalie is watching me.

  “It’s like we’re preparing for a hurricane.”

  “Have you been through a lot of those?” I ask leaning against the island.

  She shrugs. “I was born and raised in Florida. It’s kind of just part of life down there ya know? I’ve been through a few, but recently they seem to be getting worse. Maybe that’s just because I’m older and understand the dangers more than I did when I was a kid.”

  “Do you like living in Florida?”

  She scrunches up her nose. “I guess. It’s what I know. Okay, that’s a lie. It’s so damn hot six months out of the year, and the humidity sucks. It’s not my favorite place to be.”

  “Where is your favorite place?” I ask her.

  She gives me a shy smile. “I’ve never been there, but I’d love to go to Alaska. I love the cold weather and the pictures I’ve seen are beautiful.”

  “You should go at least for a vacation.”

  “Maybe one day I will.” She says then yawns.

  “I’m going to get out of your hair. You’re probably exhausted from your drive.”

  She nods and walks with me to the door.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “For the sleigh ride.”

  “Are you driving the sleigh?” She asks.

  “That would be me.”

  “Well, then I’ll see you tomorrow for the sleigh ride.” She says and opens the door for me to leave.

  “Goodnight sweet Florida girl,” I say grabbing her hand and kissing the top of it.

  “Goodnight Georgia boy… I mean man.” She laughs.

  I get in my truck and drive home, excited for what tomorrow will bring.

  Chapter Three

  Natalie

  After I went to bed last night, I laid awake thinking about Klaus. I know I shouldn’t hope for anything to happen between us, but I can’t help it. He lives over six hours away from me. It’s not like we’re going to fall madly in love this weekend and I’m going to move my happy ass up here. Let’s be realistic. A little flirting won’t hurt anyone though. Celeste was right, he definitely seemed interested when I saw him tonight. And how sweet was that for him to bring us food in case of the storm?

  I wake up well after the sun has risen and I am all the better for it. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to sleep in without a care in the world. The first thing I think of when my eyes pop open is Klaus with his dark blue eyes and strong jaw. Damn, he’s a good looking man.

  Thank god I’m still in my footie pajamas because when I roll out of bed and out from under the covers it is freezing. My teeth start to chatter and I make my way out to the living room to see about getting a fire started and the cabin warmed up. I don’t think this place has central heat. When I get out there, I see Celeste has already beaten me to it, which is good because I have never started a fire before. She’s sitting in front of a roaring fire reading her Kindle.

  “Oh my god, it’s cold,” I say to her.

  She turns away from whatever she’s reading and looks up at me and pats the spot beside her on the hearth. “Here, come sit next to me.” She says and lifts the blanket she has over her legs.

  We sit with our backs to the fire as it warms us up. I rest my head on her shoulder and yawn. “Thank you!”

  “Don’t do that you’re going to make
me yawn too.” She says and then yawns making me laugh.

  “That was your fault.”

  “Mmm hmm. What are you reading?”

  “The new Ruby Dixon book that she just released.”

  “I downloaded that to my Kindle before we left. I can’t wait to read it.”

  “I’m about halfway through. It’s so good Natie.”

  After a few minutes, I get up to make myself some coffee. I know Celeste doesn’t drink it, but I need it in the morning to get me going.

  When I get to the kitchen, I notice two mugs already in the sink.

  “Jeeze Celeste. How long have you been up?” I ask.

  She shrugs. “My body woke me up at six and I couldn’t go back to sleep.”

  “No wonder you’ve already finished half of the book. Now I feel like a lazy ass.”

  “You’re on vacation. You’re supposed to be lazy.” She says, eyes still on her book.

  “Celeste, why are there two mugs in the sink?”

  She looks up at me then with beat red cheeks. “I might have had a visitor this morning.” She tells me looking guilty as hell.

  My heart sinks and immediately I think of Klaus. I was so stupid to think he was interested in me, he’s probably just trying to hook up with one of us, whoever will give in first. “How was Klaus this morning?”

  Celeste purses her lips and her brows draw together. “Klaus wasn’t here this morning. Why would you think it was Klaus?”

  “It wasn’t him?” I ask excitedly.

  “No, it was his brother Eull. You know the guy who ran into me yesterday when we got here?”

  “Wait… what? Why was he here?”

  Celeste shrugs. “I’m not really sure why he came over, to begin with…”

  “I feel like there’s a but coming or there’s something you’re not telling me.”

  After Celeste told me everything that happened with her and Eull we decided to take a trip to Helen, the town we’re staying in. We needed warmer jackets if we were going to make it the next four days up here. I definitely didn’t think it was going to get down into the low twenties and my measly Florida winter clothes aren’t cutting it. We are able to find some jackets and then find a cute cafe that specializes in German pastries and hot drinks.

  Eventually, after more shopping and an authentic German lunch that I’m not sure how to feel about, we make it back to the cabin in enough time for me to change for my sleigh ride. Yep, my sleigh ride. Celeste informed me she wouldn’t be going on the sleigh ride since we needed a Christmas tree for the cabin. I offered to go with her, but she refused and said that I needed to do this. Whatever the hell that means. I really do want to ride on the sleigh, but I don’t know, she’s acting weird.

  I change into a warmer pair of jeans, put on two pairs of socks, a camisole, two long sleeve shirts, my scarf, mittens, beanie, and my new coat.

  “Aww, you look so cute!” Celeste says when I walk into the living room.

  “I feel like a stuffed sausage. I should probably take one of my shirts off.”

  She shakes her head at me. “Don’t do that. It’s going to be freezing out there, plus the wind will be blowing. You might feel like a sausage now, but you’ll be thankful for your extra layers once you’re out there.”

  “Okay, Mom,” I say and roll my eyes. I know she’s only looking out for me like she’s always done.

  As soon as I walk out of the cabin, I’m grateful for the layers. I even think about turning around to grab something else to put on, but I’m five minutes late as it is already. Dark grey clouds hang overhead as I make my way to the barn that isn’t more than a ten-minute walk down the road. The wind whips my hair across my face and my teeth chatter. Maybe a sleigh ride isn’t such a good idea right now. I’m going to ask Klaus if we can reschedule.

  The barn comes into view and sitting out front is a bright red sleigh with a horse already saddled up and hooked up to it. Klaus is standing next to the horse brushing its hair.

  As I get closer Klaus turns to see me then smiles and waves. “Where’s your other half?”

  “She isn’t coming. She said she needed to cut down a Christmas tree for our cabin. She’s acting weird.”

  Klaus gets a look in his eye but doesn’t say anything.

  “What do you know?”

  He shakes his head. “Those aren’t my secrets to tell.”

  “Well, now you have to tell me.”

  “I guess my brother and Celeste have something going on. I don’t know any details, just that he spent time with her this morning.”

  “Yeah, she told me about that already. Do you think she’s skipping the sleigh ride to spend time with him?”

  Klaus shrugs and I laugh at myself since I didn’t put two and two together before now. “That little hussy,” I say causing Klaus to snort.

  “You ready for your sleigh ride, Ms. Robbins?” Klaus asks, holding out his forearm to help me into the sleigh. How could I tell him no? I’m sure the ride won’t take too long, and we’ll be back inside soon.

  Chapter Four

  Klaus

  Damn, it’s cold. Like super fucking cold. I should probably reschedule the sleigh ride, but the look Natalie had when she walked up and saw the sleigh out in front did me in. I couldn’t take this away from her.

  “You ready for your sleigh ride, Ms. Robbins?” I ask, holding out my arm to her.

  She rests her gloved hand on my arm and steps into the sleigh. When she sits down, I put a thick blanket over her legs, then go to sit in the front where I can steer the sleigh.

  “Wait. I don’t want to sit back here all by myself. Can I sit upfront with you?”

  “Of course, you can. Here, let me help you up.” I lift her up to the seat and cover her with the blanket again, then get in on the other side.

  “Ready?” I ask her and she smiles up at me.

  “Yeah.” She sighs happily.

  Using the reigns, I alert my horse, Red, that it’s time to get moving. We’re only riding for about ten minutes when I realize the wind has picked up quite a bit and the temperature has dropped. I check my phone to see that it’s eighteen degrees out. There was already snow on the ground when I woke up this morning and since then it has continued to snow sporadically dropping a couple of inches of snow.

  Natalie scoots closer to me so our sides are pressed together. “Do you think we should turn around?” She asks after a couple of minutes.

  “That’s probably a good idea.” I signal to Red and get him to turn back the way we came. It takes us twice as long to get back to the barn since it has started snowing heavily. By the time we make it back to the barn, Natalie is practically clinging to me trying to stay warm. I feel like an asshole for not suggesting we reschedule the sleigh ride. Once Red stops in front of the barn, I jump down and unlatch his reigns from the sleigh. I turn back to help Natalie down from the sleigh, but she’s already gotten down by herself. Natalie follows me as I take Red into the barn and get him situated in his stall. I give him a couple of carrots and make sure he has everything he needs.

  “He’s such a good boy.” Natalie coos staring at Red.

  “Do you like horses?” She shrugs.

  “I just like animals. I’m not particular.”

  “Do you mind if we check on the rest of the animals before making a run for it?”

  “Of course, I don’t mind. Can I help with anything?” She asks.

  “I love that you asked, but no. I’m just going to do a quick check. They should have already been fed and should have enough water for a few days at least.”

  Natalie walks with me from stall to stall as I check on the horses and then make sure the barn is locked up tight. When I open the door to check the weather it’s only gotten worse. The snow is coming down so heavily that I can’t see more than a few feet ahead of me. I close and lock the door and look back at Natalie.

  “It’s bad, isn’t it?” She asks.

  I nod my head. “I think we should stay in the barn
until the wind lets up. The last thing we want is to get lost out there.”

  “At least you have electricity out here. Please tell me you have a heater.”

  “There’s a space heater in the tack room, but I don’t know how warm that will keep us.”

  “Better than nothing. Where’s the office?”

  “It’s over here, come on,” I tell her and lead us to the back of the barn where the tack room is located. Turning on the light, I locate the space heater and plug it in near the couch, positioning it in front of the couch.

  Natalie sits on the couch in front of the heater and pulls her gloves off her hands, to warm them near the heater. Sitting beside her I do the same. We sit in silence for a while, doing our best to stay warm.

  “I guess the weatherman knew what he was talking about when he predicted this storm.” I muse, trying for conversation.

  She nods but is silent.

  I nudge her shoulder with mine. “It’s not that bad. Everything is going to be fine. The storm will slow down, and we’ll get out of here.”

  “It’s not that. Celeste said she was going out to get a tree. I’m praying she isn’t stuck out in this god-awful storm.”

  “You know, I might be able to see if Eull can check in on her.” I stand up and go to the desk to grab the walkie talkie we keep charged there.

  “Eull this is Klaus. Over.” He doesn’t answer so I try again. “Eull. This is Klaus. I’m in the barn with Natalie. Over.”

  “Klaus I’m with Celeste in her cabin. Over.”

  I look at Natalie and she relaxes immediately.

  “Eull, we’re going to bunker down in the barn until the storm slows down some. Over.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Don’t wait too long, you don’t want to risk getting snowed in. Over.” Eull says over the radio.