The Secret Santa Project

by Carol Ross

  “Thank you. Lee gets all the credit for the tree. This was all him.”

  “No way!” Lee protested. “Hazel’s been here for two hours. I hope you don’t mind,” Lee said. “I wanted to surprise you and have it all done when you got back.”

  “Which is why you invited my girlfriend over to help?”

  “Oh,” Hazel said and laughed. “No, I brought you a Secret Santa gift.”

  “You are not my Secret Santa.”

  Glaring playfully, she said, “How could you possibly know that?”

  “Because my first gift was a pair of wool socks.”

  Lee brought one foot forward and pointed his toe like a ballerina. “I appreciate them, though. He re-gifted them right here on these sorry dogs.”

  Hazel chuckled. “Mom would approve that you’re spreading the Christmas cheer around.” Wool made Cricket itch, and she was extra glad she’d prevented Kai from missing the mark again. “You’re right. I’m merely the delivery person. Like Lee with the tree, your Santa wanted to surprise you.”

  She retrieved the large gift bag from beneath the tree and handed it over. Inside was a six-pack of his favorite Grizzly Quake microbrew, a party-size bag of white-cheddar jalapeño popcorn, and a book about famous pilots and their planes.

  “Hmm. Delivery person and personal shopper, perhaps?”

  She shrugged her shoulders in an adorable but futile attempt at conveying innocence. Must be Kai, he deduced and then felt even worse about how he’d treated the guy. He needed to try to fix that.

  Lee stepped down from the stool. “What happened to your busy schedule?”

  “We had two groups of skiers cancel. One rescheduled for later this afternoon, which means I won’t be able to take you to Glacier City today.” Lee’s SUV had broken down, and it was currently at the auto shop where he was working. Since Cricket had a final load of donations to retrieve, he’d offered Lee a lift.

  “No problem. Toni offered to come and get me if I needed a ride.”

  Hazel asked, “What about the donations, though? Aren’t you supposed to get those today?”

  “I’ll figure something out tomorrow. I have another packed morning, but I can go in the afternoon.”

  “Tomorrow, you can’t,” Hazel reminded him. “We have a meeting with the bus guy about the Denali tour. And don’t forget the Festival of Trees is at seven.”

  Operation Happy Christmas’s organizing, wrapping and distribution started the day after. That meant he was going to have to see if Tag could fetch the donations. Ashley had gone for them once already, but if he asked her, then Tag would know he hadn’t asked him. It would be obvious he was avoiding Tag, even though they both knew they were avoiding each other. Not to mention someone would have to cover for Ashley at work, and with the holiday season upon them, Copper Crossing was swamped.

  “I can do it,” Hazel volunteered. “I can drop Lee off and bring back the donations.”

  “I don’t know... I can probably find someone else, or—” He was about to mention Tag.

  Hazel waved him off. “No, I’ll do it. I don’t want you to have to ask Tag. This way, there won’t be any delay. I know what a carefully coordinated operation this is, and we’re getting close to game time.”

  “Honestly, Hazel, that would be amazing,” Cricket said.

  “I don’t want to put you out,” Lee said to her.

  “It’s no trouble, I promise. Someone has to get the donations and I still need a few Christmas gifts, so I’ll stop for a little shopping. And it will be fun to be my mom’s hero for a change.”

  She winked at Cricket and handed him a box of ornaments. “You take over here for me. I’ll head into the office now, get a few hours of work done and get Kai set up for the rest of the day. Lee, I’ll pick you up after, and we’ll head out. I’ll be back before dinner. Easy-peasy.”

  * * *

  THEIR PLAN WORKED PERFECTLY. Until someone else’s worked even better.

  Hazel dropped Lee off at Dubby’s Auto Repair just before two o’clock. Shopping went smoothly, and she scored every single item on her list, including a final gift for Shay. Ahead of schedule, and with high spirits, she drove to the church to pick up the donations. By the time she, Rebekah and another volunteer got everything loaded, the sky had darkened to a steely gray, and a light, steady snow was falling.

  Precipitation had not been in the forecast, but the van had new snow tires and all-wheel drive, the roads were freshly groomed and the radio was tuned to an all-Christmas station. Nothing to worry about. A cup of strong, hot coffee and she’d be good to go.

  A quick search on her phone located an espresso shop just down the block, where she drove through and ordered their largest dark roast along with some bite-size vanilla peppermint scones. Waiting for her bounty, she texted Cricket:

  Dropped off Lee. The drive was super fun, and everything went great! Your brother is hilarious! Shopping done. Van loaded. Counted all the tablets and toys. Grabbing a coffee and then hitting the road. Can’t wait to see you tonight.

  She added a heart emoji and thought about how he’d told her that she owned his heart. And yet, he hadn’t said “the words.” But then again, neither had she. Ten years of believing she might never hear them suddenly had her impatient. Tomorrow night, she’d tell him, after the Festival of Trees. Their first public outing as a couple, and she could not wait!

  Cricket responded with his usual wordy reply:

  Great! Drive safe. Me too. xo

  But she couldn’t complain because he’d become quite the texter where she was concerned.

  The road between Rankins and Glacier City cut through a massive wilderness area, and, at about the halfway mark, the countryside was at its most desolate. Traffic was light.

  The snowfall tapered to intermittent wispy flakes as she reached a long straight stretch across vast, brushy, willow-strewn fields known as Parchment Flats. Prime moose country. So, when she spotted the large lump in the middle of the road, a heaviness immediately settled over her. Judging from the size, she guessed it to be a moose calf.

  A quick glance in the mirrors confirmed no vehicles were behind her. Slowing the van, she tapped her emergency flashers and pulled over onto a wide spot in the road, maybe ten yards shy of the obstruction. She could see now that the lump was brown, moose-colored for sure.

  Slipping on her parka, she then climbed out of the vehicle and went to investigate. Something odd about it, though. Puzzled, she stepped closer. Beneath the fresh layer of snow, it looked like fur, but there were no legs visible or a head, for that matter. What the heck?

  That was when she heard the sound of another car approaching. Good, maybe someone could help her decide what to do. Because regardless, the object was a traffic hazard. Turning around, she discovered there was no other car. It was the van! Rapidly backing away.

  “Hey!” she shouted and then watched helplessly as the driver executed a sudden U-turn and sped off.

  The reality hit her fast and hard—she’d been set up. She squinted at the “moose” and moved closer. Kicking at the mass with one foot, she discovered a large chunk of brown fleece draped over two cardboard boxes.

  Anger boiled inside of her as she reached for her phone to dial 911. Stomach plummeting, she realized she’d left it inside the van. Along with her hat, scarf and gloves—and...everything else. Including the tablets! And oh, no, all those toys.

  Quickly, she disassembled the fake moose and tossed it to the side of the road. She tried to recall if she was closer to Glacier City or Rankins. There was that gas station/mini-mart several miles outside Rankins where Highland Road hit the highway. But that was still miles away. Looking around, she realized there wasn’t a house or even a side road that might lead to a home anywhere in sight.

  Analyzing the event objectively, she had to concede it was the perfect location for a car theft. Dang it.
She zipped her jacket to the top, flipped up her hood, fastened it tight and started walking back toward Glacier City.

  * * *

  “IRIS, HEY, IT’S CRICKET. Have you heard from Hazel?” Cricket paced the floor at the Faraway Inn. Across the room, Margaret was on the phone with Ben. Lee hadn’t responded to his texts and wasn’t answering his phone either.

  “No,” Iris said. “She’s not back from Glacier City yet?”

  “She’s more than an hour late and not answering her phone.”

  “She said she had shopping to do. Maybe she stopped somewhere to—”

  “She texted me,” Cricket gently interrupted and relayed the details. “There haven’t been any accident reports. I don’t know why she would be late at all and not let me know.”

  “You’re right. She wouldn’t. Especially after how bad she felt about Utah. Unless something is wrong with her phone.”

  “That doesn’t seem likely. And even if there was, she should still be back by now.”

  “It doesn’t. I’m going to hang up and have Flynn call the hospital in Glacier City.”

  “Okay. Your mom is on the phone with your dad. If he hasn’t heard anything, I’m going to look for her.” Another call came in. “Iris, I have to go. It’s Lee calling.”

  He switched over and heard his brother’s voice. “Cricket, what’s going on? My phone was in my backpack. I’m just now seeing your messages.”

  “When did Hazel drop you off?”

  “One fifty-two. I know the exact time because my shift started at two. Why? What’s going on?”

  “She hasn’t made it back yet.” He quickly explained. “Did she mention she was planning on stopping anywhere else?”

  “Just the Christmas shopping, and the church, but if she texted you...” He trailed off, thinking. “I don’t like this.”

  “Me either.” A fresh surge of worry bolted through him. Cricket tried not to let his imagination run wild even as all of Iris’s tragic Utah scenarios ran through his mind.

  “Is there anything I can do? Do you want me to go look for her?”

  “Um, not yet. But can you keep your phone with you?”

  “Absolutely. Let me know as soon as you hear something.”

  He hung up and looked at Margaret, who was already watching him. She shook her head. “Nothing. No one has heard from her.”

  Cricket picked up his coat. “Flynn is calling the hospital in Glacier City. I’ve got to try to find her.”

  “Okay.” A pale Margaret nodded. “Ben is calling Hannah and Shay. He and Seth and Victoria will be right behind you.”

  * * *

  HAZEL LINGERED AT an intersection, torn between trying to flag down help or taking a chance and venturing down a side road to find a house. The darkness was a problem, though, and the snow had picked up again. Vehicles were few and far between, and initially, she’d been spooked about the robbery and unsettled about who she might accidentally flag down. Head bent, she’d stayed as far off the side of road as she could, convinced she’d come upon a house. Possibly, she’d had a bit too much fun with Lee on the way up and misjudged how uninhabited the area was.

  All the traveling she’d done, the situations she’d found herself in, meant she wasn’t terrified. Bears were hibernating. She wasn’t even excessively cold. Yet. The temperature was falling fast, though, and despite tightly cinching her hood, her face was feeling the bite. Her legs were a bit chilled, too, encased as they were only in jeans. Her feet were doing fine in hiking boots with thick socks. The insulated jacket she wore was perfect for the conditions, although she wouldn’t have minded another layer beneath it. She longed for her scarf and missed her gloves and hat. As long as she kept moving, she’d likely be fine until Cricket or her parents or someone found her. Or she stumbled upon a house. There had to be someone living nearby. She yearned for the welcoming glow of Christmas lights.

  The next car, she decided, she’d signal for help. Long minutes ticked by without a single car, irrationally causing her to speculate that road was closed. She sighed.

  How soon before Cricket and her family became concerned that she was late? How much time had passed? More than an hour, she guessed. She was glad she’d texted to let him know her ETA. They’d lightheartedly joked around about his “rescue mission” to Utah, and she’d promised him that she would never intentionally ignore a text from him ever again. Even if she was upset. Surely, that meant he’d err on the side of caution, right?

  A question that prompted her to speculate about how she’d ended up in this situation at all. What kind of person would plot to steal a van full of Christmas gifts for Alaska’s less fortunate? Despicable. Because the more she walked and thought this through, the more convinced she was that the culprit had to have targeted the charity. The tablets were valuable and last she’d heard Squixits were selling online for quadruple their retail price.

  She was so disappointed in herself. She knew better than to leave a vehicle like that. Why hadn’t she at least removed the keys? Stupid! She cautioned about that type of carelessness on her blog with an entire page dedicated to Travel 101. One of the first rules was never to leave your belongings unattended! Always keep your valuables on your person. Rules you didn’t think about so much when you were on your home turf.

  Ugh. How was she going to break it to Mom that she’d lost everything? Worse was the aching disappointment thinking about all those little kids who needed those tablets for school, who’d asked Santa for a special toy, seniors who wouldn’t be getting books and blankets. Folks who needed winter coats and socks.

  Headlights appeared in the distance. Hazel waved both arms. The vehicle slowed and then veered off. She picked up her pace. If they had a phone and she could just call Cricket, then... But the car turned onto a side road and disappeared into the darkness. There were no lights that suggested homes, though, as far as she could see.

  Another car appeared, driving way too fast. She waved, but it didn’t even slow. Jerk! she thought. But then again, maybe not. Maybe they hadn’t seen her or possibly they were dealing with an emergency of their own. She shouldn’t have waited so long to flag down help.

  Frustration welled inside of her. Worry began to mingle with the cold and crept up her spine.

  As if to underscore her unease, a discordant, hair-raising howl pierced the darkness. Another joined in, and then another, until there were too many too count, the sounds mingling together, unsettling and eerie and uncomfortably close. She immediately knew the source. Because she’d always believed that if you were ever lucky enough to hear that sound, even once in your life, the chorus of a wolf pack was something you would never forget.

  Moose country, she reminded herself. Why hadn’t she thought about wolves?

  * * *

  SIX YEARS AGO, Hazel had called Cricket in the middle of the night. He’d never forget the rasp of terror in her whispered voice. I think they’re going to hold us for ransom, she’d said after first rattling off her location as precisely as she could. Cricket, I don’t know what to do. I’m scared.

  She’d been traveling through Colombia with a small, diverse group of friends and acquaintances hailing from several countries. Near the border with Venezuela, their van was halted at a roadblock by a band of gun-wielding thugs. All six travelers were detained.

  Hazel spoke some Spanish, enough to piece together their conversations, and at first, she wasn’t overly alarmed. The men seemed mostly concerned with whether they were carrying weapons or drugs. She assumed they’d search their bags and let them continue traveling. Until she heard the phrase dinero de rescate and began to fear the worst.

  One member of their group had a second cell phone the would-be kidnappers hadn’t found. They’d taken turns making calls.

  Tell them anything that will stall what’s happening, Cricket had instructed. And that— The call had dropped just before he could ass
ure her that he’d do everything in his power to help.

  Cricket immediately called their friend Senator Jack Marsh, who’d proceeded to contact everyone from the State Department to the highest officials in the Colombian government, while Cricket had raced to the airport. Hours later, when he’d arrived in Colombia, where someone from the consulate had met him, he’d learned the entire group had been freed, although their vehicle had been confiscated. He’d climbed into an SUV along with two government officials and headed to the remote location.

  Those hours had been the worst of his life. And even then, when he’d finally taken her in his arms, he still hadn’t told her how he felt. He’d known that admitting how much he cared about her would be pointless. When he found her this time, he wouldn’t make that mistake again. Everything was different now, so why hadn’t he already said the words?

  On the left shoulder of the road, he saw a figure barely illuminated in the edge of his headlight beam. Was it a person? He let off the gas. Definitely a person, he realized as he crept closer and they waved. He stopped across the road and bailed out of the pickup.

  “Hey!” he called. “Do you need—”

  “Cricket!” Hazel shouted and ran toward him.

  He ran, too, and when they met, he lifted her in his arms. “Hazel.” He breathed her name, his heart pulsing with joy, tears pooling in his eyes.

  “I’m okay,” she said as he lowered her to the ground, answering about a million questions with those two simple words. “I knew you would come looking for me.”

  Biting back his fear, he said, “Don’t I always?”

  She snuffled out a laugh and kissed him.

  Taking her hand, they headed to his pickup. “You’re shivering. Let’s get you warmed up.” He opened the passenger door, she climbed in, he shut it, jogged around to the driver’s side, got in and cranked up the heat. He moved the pickup farther off the road and called Margaret. She assured him that she’d spread the word. He sent a text to Lee: