Reindeer James

Chapter 17

With Gabe's permission, James visited Ruby in her grandpa's quarters. The ancient reindeer paced as the wind howled outside. "I can't believe Chris let you fly in that," he said.

"He put Nick in charge of the Games this year," James said. His mug of marshmallow-filled hot chocolate soothed his aching fingers. Bruises lay scattered across his skin like leopard seal spots, still aching from the crash the day before. "He actually apologized after we crashed."

"I'm glad Chris is at least teaching that boy some sense of responsibility, but he seems a bit young to run the Games. What is he now, twenty?"

"He just turned eighteen in October." And all of his presents had been related to his Santa training, except for the chocolate bar James had snuck from the bakery during his extremely short time working there.

"He's still a kid!" The old reindeer snorted. "I swear, nobody gets to have a childhood anymore."

"I don't think he's ever wanted one," James muttered.

"Nonsense. Everyone wants to have at least a little fun every now and again, even future Santas. It just isn't healthy to walk around like you have an icicle up your butt your entire life."

"Or for even five minutes," Ruby said with a shudder. "Speaking of unhealthy, it feels so weird to only have one antler." She rubbed the spot where her other one used to be against a feeding trough. "My head itches all the time, and people stare at it more than my nose."

The stable shook with the force of the storm outside. Rusty nails shook free of the groaning walls and pinged against the vegetable-filled feeding trough. Both reindeer bathed the room in red as James covered his eyes. "Just flash your nose at them," he said with a wince. "It'll be like your own personal anti-jerk alarm system."

"And if anyone gives you a hard time," her grandpa said, his powder-soft voice gaining a frostbite-sharp undertone, "let me know, and I'll have Santa put them on the naughty list faster than you can say jingle bells."

"Thanks, guys." Ruby rubbed her head against the wall, making her fur stand up in a half Mohawk. "At least I don't need to keep an ice pack strapped to me or anything."

"You really did get lucky," her grandpa said softly. "With the storm being as bad as it is, things are bound to be rough for a while. How's everyone holding up?"

"I haven't seen Nick since yesterday," James said. "Dad's busy making sure everything stays on schedule, and Mom is handing out lots of blankets in case the power goes out."

Ancient hooves stamped up a cloud of hay. "I'd give up sugar cane for the rest of my life if I could just go out and help. Actually, hang on a second." Ruby's grandpa lumbered across the room, his joints creaking as he tapped a hoof in front of himself to help him keep from smacking into anything until he reached a door so dusty James had to squint to tell it apart from the back wall. "Do me a favor and open this, James."

James heaved the door open with a grunt, wheezing as decades of reindeer dander blasted out. Inside the closet sat a crimson set of reindeer gear with snowflakes stitched into the leather and golden bells that gleamed like starlight.

"I want you to have these, Ruby," her grandpa said as she gaped in awe.

"Really?" The word came out as a high-pitched squeak.

"Really. These bells will ring true in even the nastiest storm, and there's nobody I'd rather give them to."

Ruby nuzzled his leg. "Thanks, Grandpa!" She looked at the equipment like a child gazing upon their mother's most beautiful dress. "Can I try them on?"