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Chapter Nine
“The birch trees are around here somewhere,” Jax said, staring up into the canopy overhead. The dense woods crowded together, and in some locations, they blotted out the gray sky completely. Shadows seemed to follow us on our journey, and I’d spent half my time scanning the woods, the other trying not to trip over stuff.
“We’ve been walking for hours.” I trudged through the thick snow swallowing my boots. Leven never once left my side, his gaze swinging left and right. Tatum walked behind me while Jax took the lead, insisting he knew where he’d seen the trees. But I had my doubts, considering how long we’d been traveling. Plus, I was freezing despite the layers of clothes I’d dragged on before we left. Each time Leven took my gloved hand, his warmth fluttered through me, and I swore I was behaving like a schoolgirl with my first crush. But I’d never felt this way around anyone else back in California. Leven was a guy who could have walked off the cover of a men’s health magazine, and he was paying me attention!
“Let’s stop and regroup,” Tatum said, and I was glad to rest because my legs were screaming. Walking through snow might have been a fantastic way to tone my thighs, but I’d had enough.
Jax glanced over his shoulder at us. “Maybe I can spot them from higher up.”
Leven nodded and joined Jax, offering him his interlaced hands. He pushed his friend higher into a nearby tree. The low, steady branches made for an easier climb. Though I suspected if it were me, I’d struggle. Living in the city most of my life, I’d never gotten the chance to scramble up trees as a child. The most of nature I’d been exposed to was the local park, which had consisted of lawn and a set of swings.
Tatum stepped alongside me, and he took my elbow. My stomach tingled at his nearness.
“Let’s take a seat.” He drew me to a dead log and brushed off the snow with his gloved hand before we sat.
“My legs thank you.” I smiled, and he bowed his head in a gesture that didn’t fit his strong demeanor, but I appreciated the gesture nonetheless. “So you lead the reserve team, I hear. Must mean you train endlessly.”
He nodded, and I followed his line of sight to Jax halfway up the tree, easily pouncing from one branch to another. Leven stood underneath, ready to catch his friend in case he slipped. And it amazed me to witness how close these men were, how they looked out for each other, just as I would do with Britta. I wished my parents would have been half-decent and offered us the kind of life where we hadn’t cringed whenever night hit, where Britta hadn’t woken up crying from nightmares, and where I could remember one Christmas where I hadn’t felt guilty for not giving my sister everything she deserved.
“You want to know why I’m leading the backup team?” he asked, bitterness lining his words. But before I could respond, he said, “My group is better than the elite. I can take any of them down in a heartbeat. Except we weren’t selected by Santa to be part of his guards. And it had nothing to do with ability. It was all about friends of friends. So yeah, the team is elitist, all right.”
“So you’re a bit bitter about it?” I teased, and when he looked my way, I wasn’t sure how he’d take it. But when he smiled, I eased.
“My previous job,” I continued, “had a boys’ club. The manager and few of the senior guys used to band together and leave others out. It sucks.” Even Santa’s Workshop.
“My grandfather was in an elite group. He brought me up on tales about traveling with Santa. Like the time a big storm hit and they lost gifts over a beach in Honolulu. They spent an hour collecting them and managed to salvage each present. Though most kids that year probably wondered why there was a trail of sand peppered around their gifts. Grandpa’s eyes used to gleam each time he spoke of those times, and that was when I knew I wanted to train in the guard and become an elite.”
“Who said it’s too late to do that?” I asked.
“Itistoo late. The reindeer to be selected will be picked from the elite and reserve teams, and I’m their trainer, which omits me from being chosen. So there’s no hope for me.”
“Do you regret taking on the leader role?” I swiveled on the log to face him, worried I’d been too direct. My old boss at the bar used to say I had a sharp tongue, but it never came from a place of spitefulness.
“Some days,” he admitted, and right then, he looked older than Jax and Leven—and maybe he was. And he was definitely serious most of the time. I guessed they were all in their late twenties.
“I’m proud of any Arietes under my training who gets selected. And you will make a fine Santa when the time comes.” His darkened gaze spoke of annoyance and frustration while other emotions swam beneath his calm features.
“You’re not a fan of someone like me taking the role?” A sharp pain settled in my chest at the idea of him thinking I wasn’t good enough.
He shifted toward me. “On the contrary. But the reserve squad are forbidden from interacting with Santa after he—or she—selects their guards.” He got to his feet and marched toward Leven, staring up at Jax.
His words floated on my mind. I was surprised there would be so many rules in the Workshop. When I imagined Santa’s place, I pictured everyone drunk on eggnog, wearing dorky Christmas sweaters, and dancing with elves. Maybe I’d watched too many movies. But one thing was clear, despite Tatum calling the shots, he hated regulations and restrictions. I could relate because I’d grown up with dozens of rules.
Never leave my bedroom during the night. If Mom and Dad were screaming, I was to be as quiet as a mouse. When my father called me, I had to be in front of him in ten seconds or get belted. I’d loathed being at his beck and call. Hated how he’d slap or kick me when I’d passed him, as if I were a nuisance, and maybe I had been, but I hadn’t asked to be born to them.
Jax hooted, and I jumped to my feet, scanning the woodland around us. Was Krampus close? I rushed over to Leven’s side, and he looped an arm around my waist, drawing me to his side. His body was hard and warm, and near him, I felt safe. That was ridiculous because I’d looked after myself my whole life, but it was liberating to have someone else. Plus, I couldn’t stop thinking about his kiss, how my lips still tingled at the memory. I had no clue what was going on between us, especially when I strangely found myself attracted to all three men. Except where exactly would this go? It was ridiculous to think I’d become the next Santa. My place was with Britta at the distillery, running the business.
Jax leaped to the ground, the snow squishing under his boots from the impact. “You won’t believe what I saw.” He wore the widest smirk.
“Not Krampus I hope?” I asked.
“Even better!” Jax said.
“I somehow doubt that since he has Britta, and—”
“I found the Ho Wagon.” He broke into a laugh, the sound piercing and coming from a deep place in his chest. Tatum gave a half-grin and patted him on the shoulder. What the hell were they going on about?
Jax glanced at me and ran a gloved finger down my nose. “Come. You’ll want to see this.” He dragged me alongside him, away from Leven and practically carrying me to keep up with his long strides.
