“Daddy. What about my SuperScooter?”
Matt sensed his jaw muscles tense. “Billy—”
A loud honk cut him off. Matt watched in virtual disbelief as the truck rounded the far curve and drove their way. “Come on, Billy,” and he ran over to meet the tow truck.
While Matt, Jenny, and Billy watched, Purvis hooked the SUV up with chains and winched the rear wheels off the road.
“Where will you tow it?” Matt asked imagining the monster tow bill. Glacier Falls had to be at least twenty miles. He would put his AAA to work.
“Not far, less than half a mile to town.”
Jenny commented. “We heard the bells.”
“Yes ma’am. The town bells chime whenever someone is lost.” Seeing Jenny’s worried expression, he quickly added with grin. “Not to worry. Just an old custom before Christmas. This is some pretty desolate country and long ago, the bells would chime so folks could find a place to celebrate together. Once everyone was accounted for the bells would stop and the folks would gather in the square and sing. We get some real whiteouts some winters.”
Billy gazed up at the old driver. “So no one is really lost, Mister?”
“Not that I’m aware of, sonny.” Yet when Purvis said this Matt couldn’t help noticing Purvis’s eyes settle on him. Strange little dude.
Matt asked, “What town is this?” He’d pulled the road map out and was scanning the tiny print.
“St. Claws,” the driver replied. “C-L-A-W-S,” he spelled it.
Matt started to argue. “St. Claws? It’s not on the map.”
Purvis adjusted the collar on his coat. “Well, sir, I know where I live. If you’d prefer to wait for someone else—”
Jenny cut in. “No, Purvis. We just want the car fixed.”
Matt exhaled and glanced at the wounded vehicle, shaking his head. St. Claws. Wonderful. Of all the places to be stranded, it had to be some podunk town hidden in the mountains—heck, the town probably didn’t even have a decent mechanic. But what could he do? He was proverbially screwed.
He looked up at Purvis and tacitly nodded.
* * *
“Mommy, look at the lights!” Billy squealed.
“Pretty, aren’t they,” Jenny commented.
She and Billy sat in the back seat of Purvis’s truck while Matt rode up front. He was satisfied to sit in silence and let Jenny and Billy ooh and ah about the towns holiday decorations. All he could think about was how much the damn axle was going to cost to repair. At least the Christmas decorations had taken him out of Jenny’s sights during the brief ride into St. Claws. And Billy seemed happy. He glanced back at the SUV. Still secure—good. Purvis pointed out some of the town’s landmarks—Dancers Bar and Grill, Prancers Inn, and finally the town square, where a living towering Ponderosa pine was decorated with ornaments and tinsel and lights. There was only the one main street leading to the square and as far as Matt could tell no other exit out of town other than the way they came in. The entire town limits couldn’t have been over a single square mile. Several narrow side streets lined with small wood and stone homes spread up into the hillsides, and though they appeared old, still looked well-kempt and all were festively decorated. The townsfolk Matt saw, dressed in winter coats and boots and wool mittens and colorful neck scarves, all appeared busy going about their business, yet he noticed how they would wave at Purvis as the truck went by.
“That building there serves as the town’s courthouse and church,” Purvis explained taking a circular route around the tree.
The grey stone edifice was the only three-story structure in town and on top was constructed a steeple that held the bells.
“They aren’t that loud this close,” Jenny remarked, though to Matt they sure weren’t helping his headache. Ding-dong, ding-dong.
“Nope,” Purvis replied. “Most folks don’t even notice them.”
Yeah, right, Matt thought.
“Gosh, Mister, how tall is that Christmas tree?” Billy asked, sticking his head partway out the window and staring up.
“Over a hundred feet. Grows a couple feet each year.”
“Daddy, I can see lights and ornaments way at the top. How did they get up so high?”
“Elves,” Matt muttered, and Billy and Purvis laughed, though Matt hadn’t tried to be funny. He caught Jenny’s cool stare and realized she hadn’t missed his thinly veiled cynicism.
Purvis slowed and pointed to a quaint little shop with decorated windows just down from the inn. “That’s Vixens. In case you need to do some last minute shopping. Have some nice knick-knacks most folks find interesting.”
Matt just shook his head. “You got to be kidding. You have Dancers and Prancers and Vixens. Can you just get us to the mechanic? We’re somewhat time constrained.”
“Where were you folks going?” Purvis asked.
“To visit my parents in Mammoth Lakes,” Jenny replied from the backseat.
“Ah, real nice there. And only ’bout ninety minutes from St. Claws. When I was—”
“The mechanic,” Matt interrupted.
Purvis looked over at him. “But we’re here.”
“Where?” Matt asked, chagrined. The tow truck had parked in front of a small red brick building with an open two car garage, minus any cars. Like every other structure in St. Claws, the windows were frosted in bright colors and a string of blinking lights hung along the eaves. But no hydraulic lift or hoists or any other repair equipment one would expect in a mechanic’s shop. “Where’s the mechanic?” Matt asked perturbed.
“Me.”
“You?”
“Yes sir.” Purvis opened the door and climbed out. “Don’t you worry too much. It’s the day before Christmas so I’m not too busy. I’ll see what I can do.”
“The SUV’s got a busted axle. Where’s your tools?”
“No problem. I’ll get some help.”
“Jesus.” Matt shook his head in exasperation. He pulled out his cell and tried dialing again. “Damn, still no signal.”
“Yup, with them mountains all around, St. Claws is pretty locked in.”
Jenny eyed Matt. “Who were you trying to call? My father?”
“We don’t need your father. AAA. See if I can arrange a tow to Glacier Lodge. They’ll have someone better equipped to handle this situation.”
“Matt, we’re already here. Besides, I didn’t renew the membership after you lost your job.”
He glared at her. “Now you tell me.”
“Daddy, it’s okay,” Billy offered.
“No it’s not okay,” he snapped, immediately regretting it. But nothing was okay. It was all crap actually—the busted axle, the holidays, having to see Jenny’s parents and admitting he’d been laid off. He could hear his father-in-law now. ‘Told ya, Matt. No money in fortunes’—then he’d laugh at his own pun. Yeah, real funny.
Purvis stood by the winch. “Look folks, why don’t you walk on over to Prancers Inn. Maggie there will give you a room for cheap while I work. Stroll around St. Claws. We have a pretty special little village here. Oh and don’t neglect our beautiful tree.”
Matt shoved his hands in his pockets. “How much you think?” he asked, motioning impatiently to the SUV.
“For what?”
“How much to repair the axle?” Was this guy slow on the take?
Purvis chewed his lower lip a moment. “That depends.”
“On what. It’s an axle for Godsakes.”
“On what all needs to be done.”
Matt exhaled, sensing his frustration mounting. “Just do what you can,” then looking at Jenny, “I’ll head over to Prancers and see about a room.”
Jenny took Billy’s hand and started after him. She stopped after a few steps and turned. “Purvis, I’m really sorry about Matt. It’s just that, well, this last month has not been real good for him, or us.” She shrugged and added, “Thanks for your help. I realize it’s a lot to ask of someone—working on Christmas Eve.”
The diminu
tive driver simply nodded and said, “That’s why I’m here, ma’am.”
* * *
Maggie was frumpy, dumpy, but had a pleasant smile. “It’s been awhile since Prancers Inn had guests over the holidays,” she commented, showing Matt and Jenny a small room they could keep some of their belongings in while the SUV was worked on. “Plan on staying long?”
“No,” they both replied in near unison.
Billy ran past the travel bags to the window. Pulling the drapes aside, he shouted with glee. “Mommy, you can see the giant Christmas tree!”
Maggie smiled and clapped her palms together. “Just holler if you need anything.” Then she left them alone.
Matt reclined back on the double bed, locking his palms behind his head. He hadn’t done anything all day except drive, yet he felt like he’d just run a marathon. He had no energy. And didn’t Jenny and Billy notice how stifling the room felt? He closed his eyes but sat up when he heard Jenny pick up the Inn phone.
“Now who are you calling?” he asked pointedly, only because he knew.
She didn’t look at him. “Daddy.”
“Figures.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” She was letting it ring. Matt watched her sit on the edge of the bed and frown, before she said, “Oh hi, Maggie. I was trying to call Mammoth Lakes.” Another pause and a deeper frown. “I see,” she said and replaced the receiver.
“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Billy had taken a seat on Matt’s overnight bag.
“No landline service either,” Jenny explained in obvious disappointment. “Maggie says a storm knocked down some lines last week but they should be repaired right after Christmas.”
Matt groaned. “Last week, and they’re still down. I can just imagine how long it’s going to be before the SUV is drivable. We’ll be stuck here until New Years.”
“Well, there are worse places. St. Claws is pretty,” Jenny offered. “And try not to be so rude to Purvis. He’s doing his best.”
“It’s not good enough.”
“What’s your problem, Matt? No one’s blaming you for what happened.”
“If you hadn’t made such a big deal about lunch in Glacier Lodge—”
“Whoa, are you blaming me?”
Matt ignored her and closed his eyes. Those damn bells sounded like they were donging between his ears. “Gawd, those freaking bells are irritating.”
Jenny cast a quick glance at Billy and shrugged. “I can barely hear them,” she said.
“Me, too, Daddy. I kind of like them,” Billy added.
Matt just shook his head. “Wonder what the cost will be for the axle?”
“It’s not a big deal. The important thing is we’re all safe and together,” Jenny said.
Matt sat up suddenly. “The heck ‘it’s not a big deal’. Our savings are depleted, we’re late on rent, I don’t even own my own house, and if Purvis doesn’t take a credit card—which by the way are maxed out—the Haskels will be in deep—” He caught Billy’s gaze and cut himself off.
Jenny rose and walked over to the window. “Daddy will help out.”
Matt flung himself back down on the pillow. “No he won’t.”
“If we ask him.”
“We’re not going to ask him.”
“Matt, what’s wrong with you?” She stood watching him, slowly shaking her head. “Is it us—Billy and I? Have we become a burden? All you seem to dwell on lately is money.”
“That’s because we don’t have any.”
“Matt, I don’t think I like you like this. It’s Christmas season. Have you forgotten?”
“Is that supposed to be a joke? You know what Christmas means—spending, that’s what. Gifts, travel, donations, more gifts.”
“Daddy, is Santa still going to bring me my SuperScooter?” Billy asked.
“Billy, please don’t mention that stupid SuperScooter now.”
“Matt!” Jenny scolded him sharply.
He laid back with his eyes closed.
“Billy and I are going out to look at all the decorations,” Jenny said after a long pause.
“Fine.”
“You want to come with us?”
Matt didn’t want to meet either’s gaze so he stared at the ceiling. “I’ll meet you by the big tree later. Think I’ll go check on the SUV.”
He waited until he heard the door close before rising. What the hell had just happened? A burden. Maybe Jenny had it wrong. Maybe he’d become the burden.
* * *
Matt watched from the room’s window as Jenny and Billy walked down the sidewalk. He saw Jenny hold out both palms and laugh and watched Billy clap and jump in the air. What…then he saw the tiny flakes coasting down around them. Clouds had moved in and it was snowing. Great. All their little trip needed was a blizzard. The weather forecast hadn’t mentioned any snow.
Jenny spoke briefly to another couple coming the other way, then she and Billy crossed the street toward the huge Christmas tree. Matt grabbed his jacket and exited the inn, trudging in the direction of Purvis’s garage. He ignored the light snow mist. If those stupid church bells would just cease, he knew his headache would lessen. Fat chance of that happening.
He spotted the tow truck and the SUV parked in the garage. But any hope of a quick repair vanished when he saw the bent axle tip hanging from under the chassis as before. He glanced at his watch, the one Jenny had given him their second Christmas together. Definitely better times. The SUV had been in Purvis’s possession for over an hour and not a damn thing had been done. Not even a winch was visible. He sensed his frustration grow. Not that he wanted to get to Mammoth Lakes so bad but Jenny and Billy did, and for a while earlier he’d entertained the idea if Purvis could get them on the road again in four hours, they could still make it to Jenny’s parents for a late Christmas Eve. Crap. Wasn’t going to happen except by miracle.
He approached the front door of the house adjacent to the mechanic’s garage. Ignoring the holiday wreath, he rapped on the wood a few times and rang the doorbell. Nothing. “Purvis,” he called out. No reply. “Shit,” he muttered, stomping away.
From the sidewalk, he gazed back toward the decorated tree, but didn’t see Jen or Billy. The snow continued to fall lightly. He blinked a few flakes from his eyes and debated returning to the inn. Maybe they’d gone back when the snow hadn’t let up.
Their room was vacant. Where the hell were they? His stomach growling reminded him of the reason he had taken the ill-fated detour. Glacier Lodge and a meal. He scratched at the stubble on his chin. What had Purvis said about a restaurant—“Dancers”, he suddenly remembered. Bar and Grill. Only an imbecile could forget a name like that in a town called St. Claws. He guessed that’s where Jenny and Billy were—eating lunch. Thanks for coming to get me, Jen.
He cut across the square toward the bar, hiking right past the huge Christmas tree. Hell, a good stiff drink couldn’t hurt.
DANCER’S BAR AND GRILL was lit up with blinking colored lights.
As soon as Matt opened the door, he heard someone call out, “Matt Haskel.”
Matt looked behind the bar. A big burly old dude with a thick white beard and dressed in overalls waved him over. “Come on in.”
Matt paused. “Do I know you?” he asked warily.
A grin the size of Texas spread across the bartender’s face. “We’ve been waiting for you, son.”
* * *
Matt gazed hard at the guy—or sure he’d never seen him before. Was this some kind of joke? He wasn’t in the mood unless the dude could pull a brand new shiny SUV axle out from under the counter. He glanced at the juke box where an old Bobby Helms’ rendition of Jingle Bell Rock was playing. Other than the bartender, no other locals were present. About what he’d expect on Christmas Eve. The place was empty.
“What’s your flavor?” the bartender asked while polishing a glass.
“My flavor?” Matt repeated.
“Yeah, what can I pour you?”
Matt took a step towar
d the bar, then stopped. “Maybe, later. Gotta find my wife and kid,” he said, though he couldn’t deny a cold beer and a couple of tequila shooters didn’t sound half bad. He needed something to make him forget the last couple of hours—better yet, the last entire month. Where the crap had Jen and Billy run off too anyway?
As if reading his mind, the big bartender gestured toward an open doorway. “Try the Grill in the next room.”
“Sure.” He began to move, and stopped. For just a moment he experienced the strangest feeling he was standing thigh-deep in heavy snow drifts—his legs turning cold, his toes numbed—then the sensation passed. Whoa, he muttered. Maybe he would take that drink after lunch. He walked to the doorway and paused when he spotted Jenny and Billy seated in a booth. All he could see were the backs of their heads.
“Damn,” Matt murmured as he watched Jenny talking on her cell phone. So she had found a signal. He sensed his face flush with anger knowing full well who she was talking to. He could easily imagine the conversation—We need some money, Daddy. Matt busted an axle on the SUV, we failed to qualify for a home, we’re stranded in St. Claws, a little shit town in the mountains—well, she probably wouldn’t be saying shit town—but for sure the conversation would eventually get around to borrowing some cash for Billy’s SuperScooter, and then the clincher. Daddy, can you drive down and pick Billy and I up while Matt waits on the SUV? Bullcrap. No way was he going to let that happen.
For an instant, he pictured himself sauntering across the sawdust hardwood floor and yanking the damn phone out of Jenny’s hand. He closed his eyes and counted to five. No, that wasn’t going to happen either. Why did all this shit have to happen over the holidays? Come to think of it, maybe he would let her rich daddy drive down and get them. Then Matt wouldn’t have to feel so burdened.
He turned and approached the bar, choosing a bar stool where he could keep one eye on the Grill exit.
“A change of heart, eh?” the bartender said. “What’ll it be?”
“Something to stop those damn bells.”
“My ears must be getting senile, I can barely hear ’em.”
“Try sitting on my side of the bar.” Matt quipped sarcastically. He couldn’t help noticing the small decorated Christmas tree mounted next to the register and his mood sank lower. “Give me a Corona with lemon and a shot of Patrón.”
He watched the big man open a refrig and pull out a cold beer and pop the top.