Once Upon a Second Chance (Once Upon a Holiday Story #1)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

Daniel

He blinked his big blue eyes at me, and if I wasn’t mistaken there was fear there, but of what?

“Uh, well, what would you like to know?” He smiled shakily and scooped more stew into his mouth.

“You said your car broke down. Were you heading home for the holidays?”

He snorted, there was a quick grimace, and then he shook his head. “No, I move around looking for work, and of course my car decided to die right smack in the middle of a storm.”

“A vagabond?”

His eyes widened. “I’m not a tramp!”

Oh, no. “I didn’t mean it like that, I just meant you travel all over. I meant no disrespect.” Good job, Daniel, insult the guy after he’s had a rough day.

He sighed, and his shoulders slumped. “No, I’m sorry. You’ve been so kind, letting me stay here and feeding me. I shouldn’t have snapped.”

I waved him off. “I’m sure you’ve seen so much in your travels.”

He shrugged and tore off a piece of bread. “The warmer weather is the best. I can sleep on the hood of my car, watch the stars, and listen to nature sing me to sleep.”

The way he described it, he almost made me jealous of my embedded life. I’d seen many places in the world, but it had been a very long time since I’d left Everlasting Springs.

“Were you headed to a warmer state?” I found this man to be mystifying. Was it because not a lot of things happened in this town? Was it the newness of his arrival?

“Nah, I’d never have made it. Even if I’d gotten that battery, I’m sure the engine or transmission isn’t far behind. I’m just hoping it gets me through winter is all. I’ll deal with what comes next, when it does.”

I tried to put myself in Aaron’s shoes. I knew where all my meals were coming from and if I was hungry, I ate. If I was hot I could get cool—cold, I could get warm. I had water, clean clothes, and money. I’d never been in a spot where every day was a mystery. While I was sure it was exhilarating at times, I was also sure it had terrifying moments. Much like what had happened tonight.

A soft meow made me brighten the second before Mayhem jumped on the table.

“Hey, you menace, no table for you.” I scooped her up and sat her on my lap, keeping her there with head scratches.

“She’s beautiful.” Aaron’s eyes shone as he looked at my cat.

“She’s a tortie. I got her about a year and a half ago…was suckered into it, if I’m being honest, but I’m happy to have her.”

“I used to have a cat as a kid. An orange tabby named Cheeto.”

I chuckled. “Cute name. I was never a cat person…never an animal person, really. But like I said, I was suckered in. Now, I can’t imagine the cold nights without her warming my toes at the bottom of my bed.”

“Sounds like you’re lucky to have each other.” There was a wistfulness in his tone, but he said nothing else, and a heartbeat later he was finishing up the stew.

I didn’t ask him any more questions as he ate, and once he was done he insisted on washing his bowl. I let him and watched from my seat.

I wasn’t sure how old he was, but I could tell he was a lot younger than me. Twenties, maybe? Hard to discern. His eyes told a story of a rough life; he’d seen a lot and not all good. But when he beamed, I saw youth there.

“Want some hot cocoa?” I placed Mayhem on the floor.

“It’s late; you’ve done a lot.”

I cocked my head and realized he was probably exhausted. I nodded and stood. “Fair enough—you’re likely tired. But tomorrow, you’re not getting out of it. I make a mean hot cocoa.”

He snorted, and his happiness was contagious. “I accept.”

“I’m just going to lock up. Good night, Aaron. If you need anything in the night, my bedroom is two doors to the right of yours, next to the lighthouse painting.”

“Thanks, Daniel. Good night.”

I waited until I couldn’t hear him anymore, and then I walked the first floor. Everything was already locked up, but I wasn’t tired. I stood in front of the large window in the living room. The snow was falling heavy and fast now, and the winds made a tiny flake tornado that danced across the grass and driveway.

I knew without a doubt that had Aaron not stumbled into my store he’d have died, and that was a sobering realization. A buzzing in my pocket snapped me out of my maudlin thoughts.

A text from Kate had me rolling my eyes.

Hank told me you brought a stranded nomad man to your house for the night. When I said you needed to date people, this isn’t what I meant.

I laughed and texted her. Oh, damn. I totally misunderstood.

Clearly.

I’m going to bed. You can harass me in the morning.

Lock the door. He might try to steal your skin and take over your life.

Stop watching Rob Zombie movies.

Never.

I huffed, slipped my phone into my pocket, and made my way up the stairs, Mayhem on my heels.

I stopped by the guest bedroom. There was a dim light coming from under the door and as odd as it was to have a stranger in my home, it made me feel less alone.

Alone . Sometimes I thought it was my fault that I had nobody intimate in my life with me. I’d had a chance years ago to not be alone, but of course I’d blown it.

In my bedroom, I stripped out of my clothes and took a quick shower. My mind was a whirlwind. Twenty years ago I’d made a choice that shaped my future, and I’d spent the last twenty years pondering if it had been the correct one. Well, in my heart I thought it was, but could it all have ended differently had I made other choices?

I shook it off. If I got lost in the memories, I’d have a hard time finding my way back. The holidays were the hardest; they were a stark reminder of the life I’d passed on.

I dried off and slipped on a pair of boxers. Normally I slept naked but with Aaron in the house, I didn’t want to be caught unaware.

Under the covers, with the storm beating against the house, I settled in with my book, hoping it would make me sleepy.

The book was about a blue-eyed man searching for his purpose. On his journey he encountered mystical creatures, each one trying to lure him into certain danger. He had to figure out who was good, who was bad, and which was the one to help him find his happily ever after.

The main character reminded me of Aaron. Then I wondered what creature I was, and was I leading him to something good?

I chuckled at my thoughts and when my mind wandered for the fifth time, I gave up on my reading. Bookmark securely in place, I put the book on my nightstand, shut off the light, and slid deeper under the covers.

The whistling winds lulled me to sleep, and dreams of a blue-eyed adventurer filled my head.