Free Sleigh Ride Together with You by Joann Durgin

gray wool jacket that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders. From the looks of him, he must work out on a regular basis. He pulled a red knit hat out of a pocket and placed it over his head. The dark strands peeking out from beneath it made him look like a kid.
    “You sure you don’t want me to drive? I’m conditioned to cold-weather roads.” He walked beside her down the narrow hallway that led to the back parking lot.
    “So am I, but I’m a better driver than navigator.” Besides, if he drove, their time together would seem more like a date. Being alone with him in the confines of her car was enough to get her heart pumping overtime as it was. More of Nicole’s resolve to resist Alex melted when he held open the glass door. Old-fashioned or not, she loved it when a man exhibited fine manners, an art in serious danger of extinction. Saying “excuse me” after belching in public was not indicative of good breeding. Leaning halfway over her to shove open her car door was not chivalry.
    Not that she believed Alex would do any of those things. On the contrary. Trying to stop her from drinking rum-laced eggnog, scooping her up in his strong arms to save her from slipping on an ice patch, and expressing heartfelt sympathy about her mother’s condition, were noteworthy acts.
    With everything he did, Alex was making it all that much harder not to fall under his charms. A man like this surely had a woman—or more than one—waiting for him back in Manhattan. Why he wasn’t already married was the question, but no sense in speculating.
    Still, if she wasn’t careful, one of these days she might slip and call him Slade by mistake. Smiling, Nicole accepted when he offered his arm.
     
    ****
     
    Nicole stole another glance at Alex across the room. Within five minutes of escorting her through the mission’s doors, he’d tossed aside his overcoat and hat. Then he unfastened his cufflinks, rolled his shirt sleeves and offered to help feed an elderly gentleman. He’d listened as Harold Keller slobbered in between bites, all the while relaying his oft-told stories of serving in the Korean War. Something about the gentleness in Alex wiping the mouth of the older man reached a place deep inside Nicole. He’d even managed to get a few rare belly laughs from the veteran. What a great sound.
    “Miss Nicole, can I have some more mashed potatoes?”
    “Sure, Terrence.” She snapped to attention and focused on the young teenager as he waited in the serving line. “As long as you ask nicely and promise to eat a bite or two of broccoli. Big bites.” She held the serving spoon above the tray of steaming mashed potatoes and quirked a brow. And tried not to make it obvious that she noticed his jeans were an inch too short and his T-shirt looked as if he’d worn it three days straight. The mission director might have a good idea of his sizes, and Nicole made a mental note to pick up a few new things for him.
    Terrence made a choking sound and grasped his neck with both hands, making her laugh with his antics. “Whatever,” he said, heaving an exaggerated sigh. “Hit me up with some of that tree stuff. Please.” He grinned. “I guess you’re gonna watch to make sure I eat it, huh?”
    “You know it.” Nicole spooned mashed potatoes onto his plate followed by a small portion of broccoli. At the last minute, she poured brown gravy over the potatoes, knowing how much the boy loved it.
    He surprised her by not darting away immediately after she handed him the plate. Tilting his head, he surveyed her. “Who’s that guy with you? Your boyfriend?”
    “No,” she said. “He’s a friend visiting from New York.” That seemed the best explanation, although her pulse beat a bit faster at Terrence’s question.
    “Well, he’s lookin’ at you right now like you’re his girlfriend. Maybe you two should talk.”
    Nicole couldn’t help but laugh. Now that he was a teenager, Terrence was a wise guy and a relationship expert.