48. Alice

ALICE

I can’t stop myself from leaning forward as Michael drives up the tree-lined driveway.

From Michael’s tone when he was on the phone with his manager earlier, I got the impression he doesn’t care for the man much. But right now, the adorable Christmas cottage in front of me is nearly enough to have me breaking our new no hugging others rule.

“Hoppin’ holidays, this place is perfect.”

Michael makes a sound in his throat. “Better than crammed into one of those motels with everyone else.”

“Also true, but seriously, what is this place?”

Michael pulls the Jeep—that was somehow waiting for us at the little airport—to a stop in front of the cottage.

It’s one story, with a literal picket fence sticking out of the snow covering the front yard. The entire roofline is trimmed with multicolored Christmas lights, and a lit tree is visible through the large picture window.

“Some rental my manager tracked down.” Michael turns off the engine. “Apparently people were supposed to be checking in tonight to spend the holiday here, but their flight never left the ground, so we were able to take over their reservation.”

“It’s so pretty.” I feel my eyes turn into little hearts as big, fluffy snowflakes start to fall from the sky.

Before we left the airport, Michael wisely made me dig my winter jacket out of my luggage. And as I follow Michael out of the vehicle, I zip it up to brace against the cold.

Meeting Michael at the back of the Jeep, I reach for my suitcase, but he gently pushes my hand down and pulls it out himself.

Only after I insist does Michael let me help with the bags of groceries.

Across the street from the airport was the local Bear Cove mini-mart. Michael offered to let me stay in the car, but with a sign that read We’ve Got Jerky from Elk to Turkey, I had to go in and experience it for myself.

The selection was surprisingly good, and I’m sure we purchased too much, but considering we’re about to spend Christmas holed up inside, it’s probably better to be safe than sorry.