Puppy Love for Christmas

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

The Trevor Christmas Hayride began at the edge of town square. A tractor pulled a cart full of passengers down Peach Street, turned a left onto Maple, then another left to Pine, and back again at the center of town to unload and pick up more passengers. This year, with the demand so high, there were two tractors instead of the usual one.

The ride took about half an hour because the tractor stopped at key attractions along the way. These were basically the best houses made up in their Christmas finest. Sabrina stood in line with Troy, waiting for their turn. Normally, she would be bouncing into place in anticipation of the show that lay ahead. That year, she was distracted by the fact that Chris and his “friend” Charlie stood a few people in front of them, also waiting their turn.

“The nerve of Chris bringing her here,” Sabrina said, a scowl forming on her face. She hadn’t crossed her arms yet, which she figured was a good thing. He had told her he liked her only to bring a woman who clearly likes him to Trevor. What was that about?

“She’s a tourist,” Troy said by way of explanation. “Chris is just doing what anyone of us would do.”

“Well, I wouldn’t.” There went the arms, crossing in front of her chest. Then she mumbled to herself as if in addition to her prior statement, “Allow her to stay at their house.”

Troy faced her and raised an eyebrow in challenge as if he had heard the last part of what she had said. She rolled her eyes in response. Of course, she’d show Charlie around. Being kind to tourists and helping them explore the town was ingrained in every Trevor resident from an early age. Even the little kids knew in their own way how important tourists were to Trevor, considering how small the town really was. She was being petty and she knew it. Her mother, and every other mother in town, would be disappointed that she wasn’t so welcoming.

“Why is it bothering you that Chris has a friend come visit?” Troy asked.

The question was casual. Like they were talking about how cold the weather was or how blue the sky. It took Sabrina aback, stealing some of the steam out of her rising ridiculousness. She unfolded her arms, letting them flop to her sides.

“I don’t even know at this point.” There was complete honesty in her words. She was never one to keep anything from Troy. Actually, she was never one to keep anything from anyone. If she didn’t like something she would say so. “I should be happy that Chris has made a friend willing to visit all the way from San Francisco instead of spending Christmas with her family. And she did help at the shelter earlier. You should see Abby now. This scared tabby we’ve been having a hard time finding a home for. Her sweet side finally came out because she’s not anxious anymore.”

“Okay, you just went from annoyed to depressed to positive in three seconds. What’s going on? What did I miss?”

“A couple of days ago, Chris told me he liked me.” Then she covered her mouth with both hands. Her openness and honestly should have been more sensitive to whom she was talking to. “I’m sorry, Troy.”

At first, Troy’s gaze narrowed. He looked from Sabrina to Chris then back again. Then his expression became neutral when he shrugged.

“What’s not to like?” he asked. “Why do you think I want us to get back together? I’m surprised it took him this long to tell you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

But before Troy could respond, the line was already moving, filling the newly empty tractor. Sabrina always liked sitting by the back because it gave her an unobstructed view of the show. When sitting in the middle or the front, one always runs the risk of seeing the back of a head instead of the beautiful decorations.

Troy knew this which was why he positioned himself at the back of the cart and cleared space for her. If they were still together, he would have his arms around her protectively already. Props to him for respecting her boundaries. That was also the thing about Trevor guys. They grew up listening to the needs of women. There was hardly ever any news of bad or even abusive relationships because Trevor women were raised to stand up for themselves.

Sabrina slid a glance toward the front when Chris sat beside Charlie. She was talking about something, miming typing on a keyboard in the air. Chris said something before they both laughed. Sabrina’s eyes grew wide. Had she ever seen Chris so relaxed and happy? Or had she just been so used to being with him that she didn’t see the forest for the trees anymore?

There was a sudden jerk forward with the tractor starting up. Everyone on the cart let out a collective yelp then laughter followed. Sabrina hardly noticed that Troy put his hands on her shoulders to keep her steady as the tractor found its smooth and steady pace. The slight vibrations from the tractor’s engine soothed the storm inside her. Her eyes were on Charlie and Chris, who were in what looked like an embrace. Sabrina’s cheeks grew several degrees hotter as she tore her gaze away to focus on the first stop of the ride.

The Pearsons’ outdid themselves this year. They transformed the yard and front of their house into a representation of the Twelve Days of Christmas. At first nothing happened. Then the song played. With each line a part of their yard that coincided moved. The hens laid. The lords leaped. The maids milked. It was beautiful and well-choreographed.

But did Sabrina enjoy it? How could she when half the time she was watching Chris? The embrace was over. Charlie’s mouth was open as she watched the show before her. That was what Sabrina should have been doing.

“You’re missing it,” Troy whispered into her ear.

She shivered at the sound of his voice. It had been so long since she’d heard it so close. The warmth of his breath caused goosebumps to bloom along her arms and legs.

“Right,” she said, grabbing on to the cart’s railing and holding on as if she was about to fall. “You’re absolutely right.”

***

The hayride culminated with meeting Santa for the kids and a smores roast for the teenagers and adults right by the beach. The rolling of the waves onto shore was almost hypnotic. The light of the flames danced on the dark water. The moon was out. The weather was typically brisk. But all in all, a beautiful night. Troy and Sabrina shared a log by one of the fire pits. They both held sticks with a large marshmallow at the end.

“Did you notice the theme this year?” Troy asked, watching his marshmallow closely.

“Hmm?” Sabrina turned to him. “Theme?”

He chuckled. “You’ve been staring at the fire for too long.”

“Why do you say that?” she asked even if she knew that was exactly what she had been doing.

“Because your marshmallow is burning.”

She turned to her stick and indeed the white puff was engulfed in flame. Thinking fast, she brought the ball of fire toward her lips and blew hard. As soon as only smoke rose from the marshmallow, she sandwiched it between two pieces of graham crackers and chocolate. Even burnt, the smore still tasted divine. It didn’t hurt that the smorgasbord of ingredients included white chocolate with peppermint. Of course, that was what Sabrina gravitated to.

A giggle caught her attention. She turned to the left to see Chris and Charlie a few yards away, sharing their own log. She had known they were there, she had just chosen to ignore them. But it was hard when Chris was blowing on Charlie’s marshmallow and helping her put together her own smore. Didn’t she ever have one before? Sabrina’s shoulders came up to her ears without her noticing.

“We need refills,” Troy said, pulling her attention back to him. “Want more? Or are we calling it a night?”

“I wish they’d call it a night,” she mumbled.

Luckily, Troy was already on his feet. “Huh?”

She nodded and smiled. “Yes, refills!”

A little too enthusiastic. Thank goodness Troy didn’t notice. He smiled back down at her before walking away. The big difference was his smile was from the heart. Her smile was a way to hide her mounting annoyance. The feeling confused her. She had no claim on Chris. Sure, they had practically grown up together. Spent every waking minute at the hotel when they were kids. He was allowed friends. He was. She had to keep reminding herself that.

Someone sat beside her. When she looked, it wasn’t Troy. He was still at the smores building station. What greeted Sabrina was miles and miles of legs underneath a heavy coat with buckles and ties. And all that blond hair.

“How is Abby doing?” Charlie said, baby pink lips in a charming smile.

“Perfect” came her response, which sounded ruder than it should have been. She cleared her throat and adjusted her attitude when she said, “She’s interacting more and actually purring when you touch her. I’m grateful for that bracelet you brought. Truly, I am.”

“How do you know Chris?”

Charlie changed the topic so fast that it gave Sabrina momentary whiplash before she managed to say, “We grew up together. My mom manages the hotel his family owns.”

“That’s nice.”

“What about you?” Sabrina said through her teeth, hating how sweet Charlie was being. “How did you and Chris meet?”

“We had a couple of classes together at MIT.” Charlie shrugged as if it was nothing. “When he found out what I could do, he invited me on a couple of projects he’s been working on. Then, after we graduated, he hired me when he started his company.”

“What else do you do at his company?”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

“What?” Sabrina challenged. “You think I’m not smart enough to understand?”

Charlie’s eyes grew wide. “I’m sensing that you don’t like me very much.”

The word “yes” wanted to leave Sabrina’s mouth so badly. It took all her will not to say the wrong thing. Her mother taught her better. Plus, Chris might not appreciate her being hostile toward his friend.

“Does it have to do with my entrance earlier?” Charlie asked.

“Chris can have friends.”

There was a long pause. Charlie watched Sabrina for the longest time. Sabrina didn’t care. She could stand having someone staring at her for long periods. It didn’t bother her. At all. Instead, she watched the fire again. Embers rose toward the dark winter sky.

“You like him,” Charlie finally said.

“Of course, I like him,” Sabrina said. Why hide the fact? It was true. “He’s my friend.”

“I mean more than that.” When Charlie sighed it was a tiny huff of breath. Sabrina was about to correct her assumption but Charlie continued speaking. “Below that big brain of his is a sweet heart. You should see him at work. Serious. Cool under pressure. Knows what he’s doing but not afraid to ask for help when he needs it. He’s younger than most people in the room, but he can command it when he needs to.”

Sabrina’s eyebrows rose. “Chris? The guy who bumps into things. Who hates awkward situations. Who follows rules. Christopher Wakefield?”

Charlie laughed. “He’s still that guy, but I think he’s in his element when he’s at work.”

“That I can believe.” Sabrina looked the sophisticated woman over. “I get the feeling you like him as more than a colleague.”

Her shoulders drooped. “I came here to see the woman he’s been talking about.”

“What?” Shock and awe filled Sabrina’s chest.

“He thinks I’m here to help you with the tech, but really all I wanted was to see the woman he doesn’t stop talking about. You know that hayride? Each stop he kept telling me about how much you would like the house and the theme. Yada, yada, yada. I wish someone would talk about me like that.”

Heat on her cheeks, Sabrina looked over her shoulder in time to catch Troy shove Chris hard. Chris stumbled backward but managed to keep his balance. Sabrina was on her feet like lighting. Unfortunately, she wasn’t fast enough to prevent the next push the sent Chris falling over backward.

“Troy!” Sabrina yelled.

Chris was on his feet faster than she expected. But instead of raising his fist he said, “I’m not fighting you.”

“And why not?” Troy challenged, taking a step forward. Fists at his sides. Chest out.

Chris stood his ground. “Because I use my brain instead of my fists when I want to get something done.”

“Are you saying I’m stupid?”

“Stop!” Sabrina had both her hands out.

It was futile. Troy sailed toward Chris, taking him down. A crowd gathered. For a split second all Sabrina saw were elbows in the air and fists coming down. Several grunts followed. Chris grabbed the front of Troy’s shirt, trying to get him off.

Then Marcus flew out of the crowd. Along with a buddy of his, they separated the two. Marcus held on to Troy and his buddy pulled Chris off the ground. Chris had a split lip. He was breathing hard. They both were. Good thing Marcus had Troy because he was still struggling.

“What’s going on here?” Sabrina asked, heart pounding.

“Okay, Troy,” Marcus said, command in his voice. “Walk it off.”

He handed Troy over to a group of guys waiting behind them. Then he went over to Chris, taking him by the shoulder and guiding him out of sight.

For the first time in years, Sabrina felt helpless. There was definitely nothing she could have done. But what could have started the fight? What drove Troy to anger? And Chris? He didn’t fight back yet he never looked more in control than in that moment. He stood his ground. Not backing down but not engaging in the fight either.

Her heart raced. Fear. Confusion. Exhilaration. Along with many other emotions she couldn’t understand or describe went through her.

“Who knew small towns could be so exciting?” Charlie said, standing beside her.

“Who knew Chris could be so . . .” Sabrina breathed out, hand to her chest.

“Hot?” Charlie supplied. “Girl, you’re late to the party. Chris has always been that way.”

Sabrina looked at her and Charlie smirked.