AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Declan took it, and Holly noticed Sam’s grin widen. “Now that we’ve settled this, let me show you our dilemma.”
The four of them trekked to where three bags hug off the pine branches. Sam pointed to a spot right in front of the tree.
“You stand right here, I’ll climb up onto your shoulders and get the bags.”
“You’ll do what now?” Declan asked.
Holly bit back a laugh, sharing an amused look with Sally.
“I already tried with Sally and Holly is shorter than her. It makes sense for us to combine our heights for maximum vertical advantage and since you’re taller, you should be the base.”
“Come on, Declan, take one for the team,” Sally said, her camera phone out and aimed at them.
Declan took several beats to respond, shrugging out of his large coat and handing it to Holly. “This is ridiculous.”
Declan went to the spot and knelt down on one knee. Holly watched Sam walk over and swing a leg over Declan’s shoulder, hopping on one foot. When the two of them keeled over, Holly erupted with explosive laughter.
“Holly, be a dear,” Sam called, climbing to his feet, “and get over here. I need you and Sally to hold us steady while I climb up.”
“Sure, we can do that. Come on, Sally.”
Each woman got on either side, helping Sam up and Declan to his feet. When they were fully erect, Holly pulled her phone from her pocket and once they got the first bag, called, “Smile!”
Holly snapped their picture and put her phone back in her pocket. “Great job, guys, but I think it would be easier to use that ladder propped against the standing bear to get the rest.”
Declan shuffled with Sam still on his shoulders, following her line of sight. When he faced her, his eyes were narrowed and dark. “How long have you known that was there?”
“I spotted it after your first attempt, but this was a lot more fun to watch. Right, Sally?”
“Absolutely.”
“Sam, slide off,” Declan said and once Sam’s feet were on the ground, Declan bent over, balling a lump of snow between his hands.
“Declan!” Holly screamed, also dropping to gather up a fistful of snow before she took off running. A snowball whizzed past her ear and when she spun around to let hers fly, Declan was almost on top of her. She caught him right on the cheek as his arms wrapped around her, lifting her off her feet.
“I can’t believe you went along with that. Do you know how heavy Sam is?”
“Hey!” Sam said, tossing a snowball at the two of them.
“I can’t wait to play this video when we get back to the bus,” Sally said.
Declan dropped Holly to her feet and Sam took off toward Sally. Declan made a move to join him, but Holly jumped on his back. “Oh no you don’t!”
Declan reached around, cupping her thighs and giving her a little jump further up before he jogged after Sam, who was chasing Sally around the tree.
“You guys, we don’t have time for this!” Holly squealed, bouncing on Declan’s back as he tried to intercept Sally.
“You had plenty of time to punk us though,” Sam countered, getting Sally around the waist.
“Excuse me!” someone shouted from the sidewalk, and all of them looked up to find Merry, Pike, and Ryan standing on top of electric scooters watching them. “No one said anything about joining forces and combining groups!”
“Whoops! Didn’t anyone tell you, Mer?” Holly said, pointing a thumb at herself. “I make the rules!”
“Cheaters never prosper, Holly!” Merry called as they zipped away in the direction of the bus.
“We’d better get this done and get back,” Sally said, pushing Sam’s hands away.
Holly slid off Declan’s back, but to her surprise and delight, he took her hand in his again.
