Hung by the Fire (Operation Reindeer Retrieval Book 4) Read online

  Hours passed as she checked with her team. The data was new and exciting, but then, for Violette, everything was new and exciting.

  Weeks had passed here in the human world with the observatory as her focus. She had enjoyed every moment, but at home, on her calendar, the twenty-third was highlighted and covered with glitter.

  The human world was fun, but the workshop was home.

  “I think you need to take a break.”

  Violette came out of the data and looked around. Xander was leaning against her desk, and he looked pretty good, though the tux had been breathtaking.

  She blinked and rubbed her eyes. “Don’t you have some securing to do?”

  “I have been doing it for hours. I am ready to head out for dinner.”

  She looked around and saw the telltale signs of her co-workers’ meals. Her stomach rumbled and reinforced the need to get something.

  “That is an excellent idea.” She got to her feet and stretched.

  “I would enjoy it if you joined me for a meal.”

  She paused and blinked. “Oh. Um, I suppose so. I was just going to hit the food truck down the highway.”

  He grinned. “I can do better, and it won’t be much further.”

  She checked her watch and nodded. “Fine, but I only have an hour.”

  “We will be there in five minutes.”

  “Then, I guess we had better get going.”

  She leaned forward and locked her computer. She was outside in the heat of the afternoon before he made it through the door.

  “You move very quickly when you want to.”

  She grinned and winked. “I need incentive. Unfortunately, that usually means food.”

  Xander chuckled. “Well, let’s not keep you waiting.”

  Vi followed him to his vehicle, and she smiled slightly as he tucked her into the passenger seat and eased the door closed behind her.

  When he settled into the driver’s seat, she had to comment. “Old fashioned manners. Very nice.”

  He chuckled. “It is easier to treat all women as ladies. It makes for a much more pleasant life.”

  He put the vehicle in gear, and it glided down the drive of the observatory before he accelerated on the highway.

  “Is a pleasant life one of your goals?”

  “Everyone deserves to be happy. I just aim to pursue that happiness with someone else.” His tone was matter-of-fact and had none of the pervasive leer that she had been on the lookout for the previous evening.

  “So, do you pursue it constantly?”

  “When the stars align.” He grinned and pulled into a small drive that led up against a hill and to a small villa in the jungle.

  “What is this place?”

  “It is a tiny, private restaurant that only opens on request. I called them a few hours ago, and they had an opening.”

  She blinked. “How did you know I would come with you?”

  “I was counting on the stars to align.” He winked and parked on the gravel drive.

  Xander was out of the vehicle and around to her side a moment later, opening her door and helping her out of his car.

  If she had put any of the Christmas magic into the knowledge, she was sure that she would learn the car that she had just been a passenger in was worth more than two years of her salary. As it was, she just knew it smelled really great. Part of that was probably Xander.

  He took her hand and led her up a stairway that approached the crest of the hill. When they got to the top, she gasped as the valley below was exposed in all its lush glory. He chuckled and kept leading her out onto a wide platform where a table was set for two. He held her chair for her, and she settled in before he took his own spot.

  The server came from inside a building that was hidden in the green shadows. It was so well disguised that she was no longer confused at her not knowing that this place existed. It was designed to hide.

  Xander said, “Hello, Timothy. How is business?”

  Timothy grinned. “Slow and controlled. Just the way we like it, Mr. Ekwin. The chef’s special for you and your companion?”

  Vi quirked her lips. “Unless you have tacos.”

  Timothy chuckled. “No, but I promise that dinner will not disappoint. Enjoy the view. I will be back shortly.”

  She propped her chin on her fist and stared out over the valley and the small pockets of mist that gave rise to the memory of lava pools past.

  The molten earth was never too far away, but the clear and light-pollution-free sky was considered worth the risk. Even Vi’s home had the marks of the last lava flow around it. The field of stone that she drove across made the view of her home surrounded by green in the middle of the rippling rock all the more wondrous. The solar panels that she used powered everything she needed and gave her another thing to thank the stars for.

  When she turned back to look at her dinner companion, he was staring at her with an indulgent smile on his lips.

  “What?”

  He chuckled. “You have the same look on your face now as you did looking through the captured images from last night. You are analyzing the valley.”

  “This is new to me. I hadn’t realized it was here. I tend to get a little analytical when presented with new information.”

  Xander smiled, and Tim brought out cool, sweating glasses of water with lemon floating inside them.

  “You seem to be master of the observatory. Does the director mind?”

  Vi grinned. “As long as I can keep the discoveries coming in, I can do what I like.”

  “Do you ever worry about being beaten to the punch?”

  She laughed. “No. The stars belong to everyone. The more that new items are discovered and studied, the more interest will grow. The more folks who get interested, the more funds will be directed into studying the stars. Perhaps, one day, we will be able to confirm that we are not alone.”

  Xander rubbed his chin as their food arrived. “I would not have guessed that you were a UFO fanatic.”

  She snorted. “I am not, but I do believe that there is more than simply science in the world and in the universe. To believe in possibilities is to believe in magic, and the magic in the stars is there for everyone to see.”

  The ravioli that was set down in front of her was drizzled with an aromatic salsa. When she bit into the first of the plump pastas, she smiled in delight. “Tacos!”

  Timothy winked and left them.

  Xander took a bite and blinked. “Wow. Now that is a taste combination I was not expecting.”

  She smirked and started working her way through the plate.

  “It is odd to see a woman of science glow so brightly when she speaks of magic.”

  She shrugged. “Magic exists throughout the world. It is a hidden power, but it is still felt in everyday life.”

  “You speak like you have firsthand knowledge.”

  “You probably have as well; you just didn’t know it for what is was.”

  He finished his plate and leaned back. “So, you believe in magic, are a master of science, look for magic in the stars, wear an evening gown with style and ride a motorcycle in a sundress. You are a mass of conflicting situations. If I didn’t know better, I would say that you are too much woman to be real.”

  She was sure that her pause was minuscule, but she had the feeling that he had caught it. “Many women have a variety of interests.”

  “You are not many women. I get the feeling that you are quite unique.”

  Vi shrugged and dabbed her lips with a napkin. “I am just like other ladies.”

  “If you insist, but I stand by my opinion. Women like you don’t come along every day.”

  She decided to change the subject. “What drove you to security at the observatory?”

  “The new equipment that was just installed has caused the investor a little bit of agitation. He wants it protected at all times.”

  She grinned. “So, who is protecting it while we are out to dinner?”

  “
Other members of my company. They are watching from a distance, but your equipment is under my serious protection.” He winked.

  “Good to know.”

  Another course arrived, and the salad was bright and filled with seeds and berries.

  She was scooping up the last of the pumpkin seeds when he asked her, “So, you really do believe in magic?”

  She finished her mouthful and took a sip of water. When she was done, she placed her hands in her lap. “I do.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it has been a part of my life since the first moment I could walk. It isn’t something to be dismissed, and it can be found anywhere you are looking for it.” She waved her hand over the view. “If you don’t think that is magic, you have a dent in your soul.”

  The dessert arrived in the form of a pineapple ice.

  Xander nodded and ate his serving in silence.

  She lifted her head and asked him, “So, what do you do in your off time?”

  “I surf and help a friend with a small shop on the beach. His security is always an issue.”

  “Why?”

  “He trusts everyone. He has no sense of self-preservation. Every sob story gets his attention, and his money flows like water.” Xander shook his head in disgust.

  “Does he have what he needs? I mean, does he have enough money to pay his own bills before he gives the money away?”

  Xander scowled. “He does.”

  “Then, let him have his charity. It enriches the soul while you lighten your pocket.” She smiled and finished her ice.

  “That is an interesting way of looking at things.”

  “’Tis the season.” Her expression was definitely smug; she could feel it.

  He chuckled and checked his elegant watch. “Well, it is time to get you back to your workstation. Thank you for joining me.”

  He rose to his feet, and Timothy materialized behind her, pulling her chair out to help her to her feet. Xander held his hand out, and she took it to get herself to her feet.

  With only a nod to Timothy, he led her back to his vehicle.

  “Aren’t you going to pay?”

  “They will send the bill to my office, and it will be paid at the end of the month. One of the reasons they like a select clientele is so that they don’t have to run a cash business.”

  “Well, the food was definitely worth the trip. I have never eaten mystery food before, but I enjoyed it.”

  He grinned and tucked her into his car before closing the door and walking around. “Excellent. If you are up to it, we can hit the food truck tomorrow.”

  She grinned. “Excellent. They do this thing with fries, pickled jalapenos, cheese and hot sauce that will melt your face.”

  “That sounds intriguing.”

  “Oh, you will see stars in full daylight.” She chortled and rubbed her hands together.

  “It’s a date.”

  To her shock, she realized that she had just done that exact thing. She had just made a date.

  She digested that on the short drive back to the observatory.

  “Why are the observatories out in these remote areas?”

  Vi wrinkled her nose. “In two words, light pollution.”

  “What?”

  “The lights that let you navigate around cities and towns keep the telescopes from being able to do their work efficiently. In a bright sky, you can only see the brightest stars. In the darkness, the weaker, more distant lights can be seen.”

  “So, you do your best work in absolute night.”

  Violette thought about her normal job and taking off in the darkness, racing to beat the dawn around the world. “You could say that.”

  He pulled into the observatory lot and shut his vehicle down. “Well, thank you for coming with me.”

  “You are most welcome. It was fun.”

  He got out of the car and came around to open her door again. He took her hand and led her back to the observatory.

  Vi looked at him and wanted nothing more than to instigate a kiss, but he worked for the observatory and she wasn’t going to be around long. It wouldn’t be fair to him.

  She sighed, squeezed his hand and headed inside. At least she would have tomorrow.

  “How in the name of all that is holy do you eat that?” Xander’s eyes were watering, and he was on his third bottle of water.

  Vi grinned. “Practice.”

  She watched him, and for a moment, he blurred. He became more elegant and his ears formed points.

  Her amusement cooled, and she finished her lava fries. She didn’t want to go home. Not yet. She wanted to see a meteor shower and be able to watch it until it finished its dramatic cascade.

  “Violette, what is wrong?”

  Should she blow her cover? He could be a regular elf, just out in the human world for fun.

  “How long have you been on the island?”

  He blinked. “This time? I have been here for three months. I spend my summers elsewhere.”

  She twisted her lips. “I saw your ears, elf.”

  He looked as if he wanted to argue with her, but her expression must have been no-nonsense.

  He glanced around, and when he realized they were on their own, he leaned forward. “I didn’t mean for you to see them, reindeer.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

  “Oh, really? I have a collar in my car with the name Vixen engraved on the tag. It led me straight to you.” His affable expression was gone; he was intent.

  “So, what is your intention?”

  “I am going to convince you to return.”

  Vi blinked. It seemed that Ru hadn’t told Santa about their plan to come back when they had seen what they wanted of the world. Well, this could be fun.

  “That is going to take a lot of convincing.”

  He smiled. “I am up for the challenge.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. You were just defeated by French fries and some hot peppers.”

  “I was assaulted by them, not defeated.” He gave her a narrow-eyed look.

  She grinned. “Can I have them?”

  He shoved the fries over and stared as she consumed them. “I cannot believe you are eating those.”

  “I will pay later, but for now, I am enjoying the heat. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to fly Santa in his holiday mode all over the planet? It is fricking freezing every time we stop.”

  “I have heard that the team doesn’t feel the cold.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Not physically, but since I have had no memories of being hot, truly and wonderfully hot from the inside out, my mind paints an image of the cold and holds it tight.”

  He shivered. “I can only imagine. Have you gone to the beach since you have been here?”

  She shook her head. “No. I spend the days either asleep or at home. The light that caresses my deck is plenty.”

  “Where do you live?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “You know the lava field across the highway from the observatory?”

  He was wary. “Yes?”

  “I live on an oasis in the middle of it. I think it is called a puhka?” She sighed. “It is close to where I want to be, and I can get back and forth with ease.”

  “As long as you ride the bike.”

  “Correct. Your lovely and elegant car has no chance to get in there.”

  “I suppose that I will have to adapt and find a way to get to you.”

  Vi grinned. “If you are serious about convincing me, you had better. Have you ever sat in the middle of a lava field? There is a silence that wraps around your soul. I love it.”

  “You don’t worry—oh, wait. You can fly.”

  She chuckled. “I can indeed. Not in this form, but I can get up and running pretty damned quick.”

  “Is it a little weird when I say that I really want to see that?”

  Vi shook her head. “No, most folks want to see one of us up close. It surprises folks whe
n they see how big we really are.”

  “How big are you?”

  “Close to nine feet tall with the rack. Humans lose the memory, but they keep the impression of the magic.”

  “So, that is why you are so fascinated with magic?”

  “I am not fascinated; I just know that the world needs it. Even with the modern sensibility of commerce pulling away from the importance of the season, you still can’t stop the magic. That is what Santa and the team is for. We bring the magic, and we keep it in their hearts and minds until the next year.”

  Xander leaned back, and he shook his head. “I can’t imagine what it feels like to do what you do.”

  “As an elf, what is your speciality?”

  He sighed. “I work with the naughty-or-nice list. My focus is on keeping folks who drain themselves and build up resentment toward those that they help. I try to tell them that they have to make sure that they are taken care of first, and then, they can care for others.”

  She chuckled. “So, what we were talking about yesterday...”

  “I help him to choose the most deserving of those who come to him. I can see to their hearts.”

  “That is handy. What do you see when you look at me?”

  “Generosity, joy and magic. It radiates out of everything that you say and do.”

  She raised her hand and made a few signals. He scowled at her. “What was that?”

  A minute later, a new order of fries was in front of him. Fries, cheese curds and beef gravy. “There. That should sooth you.”

  He took a bite and then another. A moment later, there was a feeding frenzy taking over the elf.

  When his gravy-stained lips lifted, he asked, “What is that?”

  “Canadian thing. Poutine. From what I have heard, it is everywhere. Even McDonald’s has a version.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “We fly across Canada and even hit a few drive thrus. I can read no matter what form I wear.”

  He cleared his throat. “Do you mind if I get another?”

  “No problem. We still have twenty minutes.”

  He got to his feet and headed back to the truck.

  Vi smirked as she watched him walk, his change from handsome human to accessible elf had definitely increased his attractiveness.

  She finished his discarded fries and sat there with a soda while he made his way back to her with his precious poutine.