Page 37 of Run, Run Rudolph
As I took him in with fresh eyes, I realized he was still that truly kind soul I’d seen when he’d dried my tears and tied my shoes on my first day of grade one.
He was a good man, and a natural at helping people and animals. He had a way about him, and had always been here for me, despite our differences. I’d known he’d come help me tonight. He was dependable, whether it was wiping my six-year-old tears, trying to make a scratched truck look less damaged, or even just driving into the city to haul me and my stuff back to Eagle Ridge.
Why was he always here for me? Was it a sense of brotherly duty that extended to me, the woman everyone assumed would one day join the Powell family?
“So, you can see his nose, eh?” I stated, standing beside him. Rudolph let out a snort of impatience from the gurney when he discovered he’d consumed all of the oats Haden had given him.
Haden shot me a private glance that made me feel wrapped in his arms. It was quick, warm, and accepting, and very familiar.
“It’s pretty cool,” he murmured.
“Yeah.” We watched Rudolph for a beat, his nose glowing bright, then fading like a slow heartbeat. “And you were able to see the…the others?” I asked hesitantly, wincing in case he hadn’t, and things got weird.
“The ones in the alley?” He raised his eyebrows, and I nodded.
“They trust you.” There was a hint of wonderment in my voice, but it wasn’t earned. Of course they trusted Haden. I’d have been surprised if they hadn’t.
We shared a smile before quickly looking away, our focus back on something safer than each other. A swell of gratitude washed over me and, unable to resist, I clutched his arm, giving it a quick hug, just barely refraining from throwing myself completely around him.
A flash of uncertainty crossed Haden’s face. “Were they in the barn, too?”
I nodded. I could see pieces clicking together, and I hoped he didn’t ask about my trunk noises again.
“And they can talk?”
“Um.” I glanced at Rudolph, wondering what had happened while I was in the alley that had made Rudolph decide to reveal his English language skills. “Yes.”
“And the…elf? Was that an elf?”
I cleared my throat, unable to meet his eye. “Uh, what elf?”
“The one in your trunk?”
I sighed long and loud, ready for the older brother lecture that was surely coming. “Yes.”
“In your trunk?” he repeated firmly.
“Long story.”
“Must be.” He gave me a look, one eyebrow raised, clearly holding back a chuckle. “That’s the most unTamara-like thing I think I’ve ever witnessed.”
“Hey!”
“Nope. You threw bags of chips at my brother. That was very?—”
Unable to help myself, I smacked Haden’s arm. “He had it coming. Both of these guys did.”
“Remind me not to tick you off.” His eyes caught mine, and I saw a flicker of old hurt. I instinctively knew it was over the way we’d gone from being pals to obligated acquaintances with the flip of a coin when I was seventeen. Tentative friendship over.
I looked down, ashamed at the way I’d behaved around him, taking his knowledge for granted, and for how he’d felt as though he couldn’t address it with me. “I’m sorry.”
His voice was soft, deep. “For what?”
“For being a pest.”
“You’re not a pest, T.M..”
T.M.? That was a new one. Short for Trademark, no doubt.
