Snowed In [#JustWriteIt]

Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER TWELVE~

As a rule of thumb, when you get charged by a reindeer, run to the side, don't stand stock-still. You probably won't win.

Dion obviously didn't know that rule. He simply stood there and watched slack-jawed as the reindeer charged.

So, Sydney had to take the reins on this one. She also charged at Dion and screamed out battle cries as she ran. With her arms out, she tackled Dion just milliseconds before the reindeer trampled the spot Dion was just in. Sydney landed hard on top of Dion as they fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs. Her cheekbone hit his shoulder, her stomach was hit by Dion's sharp hipbone and her hands were trapped beneath him.

She lay there for a moment, catching her breath. It really was exhausting to yell. Finally, she realized their position and she shoved him away from her as she scrambled up. Her face was redder than the blood-red jacket hanging from the calm reindeer in the corner.

When had he become so calm?

Sydney shrugged and approached the beast, holding out a gingerbread cookie from a nearby plate.

"Here you go lovely," she coaxed as she held out the treat. "Want a gingerbread cookie?"

The reindeer snorted softly and followed her. Once he was close enough, she removed the jacket from around his antlers and allowed him to eat the cookie. His nose snuffled her hands gently as he crunched down on the cookie.

"Dion! Toss over another cookie!" she hissed. Dion, who was staring at Sydney with wide eyes nodded dumbly and threw over another cookie.

Sydney caught it, thankfully, and held it in front of the reindeer. He looked at her with his soulful eyes and followed her. Sydney led him out the front door and into the blistering cold. She shivered since she was only clad in a thin sweater and jeans. The reindeer kept in close pursuit.

"Good boy," Sydney murmured, daring to pet his thick coat. She made sure to lead him a fair distance away. By the time she deemed herself far enough, her fingers were frozen and she couldn't feel her toes. She dropped the cookie on the ground and ran back into Sugar Sweet Café as quickly as she could. Sydney entered the café and slammed the door behind her, locking the fort for good measure.

"How did a reindeer get over here? And how did you do that?" Dion asked once she turned around. He was busy straightening everything.

"Who knows?" Sydney muttered as she hugged herself tightly. Shivers wracked her body and her fingers were red from the cold.

"Jeez Syd! You're freezing!" Dion exclaimed, rushing over.

Sydney let out a breathy laugh as another shiver caused her whole body to convulse. Dion frowned and grabbed his thick, fleece-lined hoodie. He ordered her to lift her arms and jammed the hoodie over her sweater. He grabbed her winter jacket and pulled it around Sydney. Then, he ran to the drink machine and filled up a cup of hot chocolate.

"Here Syd, drink it. Be careful, it's really hot."

Sydney chattered out a brief thanks and sipped at the scalding drink. Her fingers wrapped around the mug carefully, absorbing the warmth it offered. Dion was wondering how she would react if he hugged her. Transferring his body warmth was probably the fastest way to warm her up. But she had confessed to liking him. A shiver lanced its way down his spine as a small smile lifted one corner of his lips. He quickly turned away from her and began shifting the tables and chairs into one corner while stacking the rest away.

It was a good thing they had to host the Christmas celebration tomorrow. The chairs and tables that had been knocked down by the reindeer and Dion could simply be put away. Any dents or scratches could be explained after Christmas.