The Christmas Date by B. N. Hale

Author:B. N. Hale [Hale, B. N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Snowlight Publishing
Published: 2018-12-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 3

The second day passed in a blur of games, food, and laughter. Reed surprised her with some of her favorite treats, including Twizzlers, dried apricots, and Swedish Fish. She wished the ride could go on forever, but all too quickly sleep beckoned her and she relaxed to the sounds of the train clattering through crossings.

The next morning they packed their things. Snow had begun to fall overnight and she watched it blow about, disturbed by the train’s passage. They ate a final meal in the dining car and then gathered their things. Before she knew it they were pulling into the final station.

“Don’t look so sad,” Reed said as they stepped off the train. “We still have the ride back, you know.”

“I know,” she said, her tone regretful.

He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. “I promise there are more trains in our future.”

She perked up at that and they went outside the Chicago station, where they hailed a cab that took them to a car rental place. Snow continued to descend, adding to the growing drifts as they loaded into the car and headed south toward the cabin, following the directions on Kate’s phone.

The roads were jammed with traffic and the drifting snow made it even slower. By the time they exited the city, there was an inch on the roads and slush ground under their wheels. Their conversation faded as Reed gripped the steering wheel tighter, controlling the frequent skidding. The wind picked up, driving the snow into a blizzard.

“At least we’re used to driving in the snow,” she said.

He smiled faintly but didn’t respond, and she caught herself holding her breath. Several cars skidded, narrowly missing their bumper. She braced for an impact but it did not come, instead happening two cars away when someone went too fast and collided with the back of a truck.

Both jumped as the small accident happened just feet from them. “That’s going to slow it down more,” Reed said, craning to look. “But it looks like they’re okay.”

“We should get off the freeway,” Kate said. “I’d hate to get stuck out here.”

Reed nodded and turned off the freeway. They headed straight for the cabin, their car climbing through trees and hills outside the city until they reached their destination.

Two cars were already present and Reed eased his into the driveway. The wheels slid down the incline but Reed managed to bring it to a stop, avoiding striking his sister’s car. He breathed a sigh of relief and cast Kate a smile.

“Well that was stressful.”

“Thanks for getting us here safe,” she said.

“I think my car would have quit on us,” he said ruefully.

“I think it runs on loyalty,” she agreed with a smile.

She stepped out and shivered in the blast of freezing wind. Her feet crunched in the fresh snow as she went to the trunk and gathered her suitcase. Then they picked their way up the path to the front door.

The trees were blanketed in white, and her footsteps crunched across the newly fallen snow.

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