Unexpected Angel: Unexpected Angel / Undercover Elf. Kate Hoffmann

Though it wasn’t the most dignified of exits, it would have to do. Because Holly Bennett was through feeling anything at all—including uncontrollable desire—for Alex Marrin. And that kiss proved it!

      THE FIRST TRAIN BACK to New York that day was scheduled to leave Schuyler Falls at three o’clock in the afternoon. Since Kenny hung around the train station a lot, he knew all the schedules by heart, even all the stops between home and New York City. Eric had rushed from the bus stop a half block away, hoping and praying that his watch was a few minutes slow. He paused outside the doors with Kenny to catch his breath, just as the speaker above their heads crackled.

      “Ladies and gentlemen, passengers with tickets for the three o’clock train to New York City’s Penn Station, with stops in Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Albany, Hudson, Poughkeepsie, and Yonkers, may begin boarding on track one.”

      “We’re too late!” he cried.

      “Naw,” Kenny replied. “They always board fifteen minutes before the train leaves.”

      Eric yanked the door open, clutching the special gifts he was carrying, then raced inside. But a quick search of the waiting area found no sign of his Christmas angel. He caught sight of the conductor standing at the door to the tracks. He’d come to meet his mom at the train a few times when she visited, so he knew he could get out on the platform to look for Holly. But what if she’d already boarded?

      “Just be cool,” Kenny said. “Act casual, like we’re going to get on the train.” They pulled their hoods up, like the guys in the spy movies did, then strolled outside to the platform.

      “I can’t see anything! The windows are all dark!” Eric cried.

      Kenny shrugged. “Then you’re just going to have to go on board. You won’t need a ticket. Just tell ’em your mom already got on while you were in the can.”

      Eric’s heart beat at a lickety-split speed and he felt as if he might lose the lunch he’d eaten at Kenny’s house. He slowly gathered his courage. This was his angel and he’d do anything to keep her! When he got close enough to the car’s steps, he nearly turned back. But the conductor spoke first, startling Eric.

      “Are your folks on the train already, boys?” the conductor asked.

      “No!” Eric said at the same time Kenny said, “Yes!”

      “His mom is,” Kenny said. “I’m just here to say goodbye.”

      Eric gave Kenny the elbow. Though he was a good liar, he was a real chicken when it came to the hard stuff, like getting on a train without a ticket. Eric nodded in agreement. Though he usually tried not to lie, this was important. If he didn’t say yes out loud, maybe it wouldn’t be such a big lie.

      “Go on, then. Hop aboard.”

      He couldn’t believe his luck! The guy was just letting him walk onto the train! Without a ticket, even. He gave Kenny one last look, then scrambled up the steps and walked into the car on his left. He found Holly just a few seats away. She sat with her head against the back of the seat, her eyes closed.

      “You can’t leave,” he said as he plopped down in the seat next to her. When she opened her eyes, Eric shoved a fistful of plastic flowers under her nose, then followed it with a Snickers bar. He’d found the flowers in Kenny’s garage and the Snickers was left over from lunch. But it was the best he could do.

      “Eric! What are you doing here?” Holly asked, straightening in her seat.

      “I came to bring you back,” he said. “I don’t know why you’re mad at me, but—”

      She smiled in that soft way that she always did, the way that made him feel all safe inside. “Oh, Eric, I’m not mad at you. I just have some important business in the city.”

      “Well, if you are mad, I brought you flowers and candy. Kenny says his dad is always bringing his mom flowers and candy when she’s mad and it makes it all better.”

      “How did you get here?” Holly asked.

      “I took the bus. Kenny knows all the schedules. He’s like a genius when it comes to buses and trains.”

      “Then you got my letter?”

      “I wanted to come and get you this morning, but Dad told me no. So I went over to Kenny’s to play and then we just kind of walked to the bus stop and here I am. Kenny’s outside.” Eric leaned over Holly’s lap and pounded on the window, then waved at Kenny. He glanced around the train car. “You know, they don’t even ask for your ticket when you get on the train.”

      “You have to get off,” Holly said. “Before the train leaves the station.”

      He shook his head. “Nope. I’m going to New York with you. I’m going to have Christmas at your house.”

      He could imagine what Christmas was like at Holly’s house. She’d have a huge tree with billions of presents underneath, all wrapped up in paper and ribbons until no one could guess what was inside. She’d have a special plate and cup to leave out for Santa, one with his name on it. She’d let him get up as early as he wanted on Christmas morning. And after he opened all his presents, she’d make waffles with chocolate chips and bacon fried crispy. And fresh squeezed orange juice without the schnibbles.

      “What about your dad? And Kenny’s parents? They’ll be worried about you.”

      “Kenny knows where I’m going. He’ll tell Dad and Gramps. When do we leave? Can we go sit in the car with the glass top?”

      Holly groaned, then grabbed Eric by the hand. “You’re not going anywhere. And I guess I’m not, either. We’re going to get off this train and I’m going to take you home before your dad misses you and blames me.”

      Eric grinned and jumped up from his seat. “I knew I could get you back. So what was it? The candy or the flowers?”

      She climbed down the steps, then reached back for Eric and swung him down behind her. “It was that smile of yours,” she said, tweaking his nose. “You’re a very charming young man.”