How Nick and Holly Wrecked...Saved Christmas by Carla Rossi Page A

Nick says as Jake gets out and he hops in.
    “No doubt,” Jake answers. “I’ll see you upstairs.”
    “Thanks Jake,” I call after him.
    Nick rubs his hands across the dash with great reverence. “Aw man, I wish it was a 4-speed.”
    “Not me,” I say
    “Did you check out what’s under the hood?”
    Truthfully? Not that interested in what the engine looks like—as long as it runs. “Not yet. Maybe tomorrow in the daylight. Come to think of it, I don’t know how to pop the hood.”
    “There’s a latch under the front bumper.”
    “Good to know,” I say and smile.
    “This is so sweet. Listen to that engine.”
    “I know. That low roar is my favorite part of this car.”
    Nick pauses to touch my face and brush a piece of hair off my cheek. “Then what’s wrong? You look worried or something.”
    “Is it my face again? I can’t hide anything. My face gives everything away. I’ve got to do something about this!”
    Nick laughs. “No, you don’t.”
    I turn off the car. “Jake wants to marry my mom,” I say and gnaw on my bottom lip. “He’s going to ask her tomorrow. He wanted me to know.”
    “Wow. He seems like a nice guy. Are you OK with it?”
    “Yeah... I don’t know. My mom and I fight a lot, but I want her to be happy. Jake seems to calm her down. Like last week, she screamed at me three days in a row about the dirty clothes on my floor. And I’m like, it’s my laundry. What does she care when I do it? And later, when they thought I was in the basement, Jake was like, she’ll figure it out when she runs out of clean clothes. And I didn’t hear any more about it for two days.”
    Nick twists the knobs on the radio. “My dad’s been with his girlfriend for a while, but I don’t think it’s serious. Or I don’t think he’s serious. It would be a shock if they came home and told me something like this. At least with Jake and your mom it seems like they really care for each other. That’s something.”
    “Maybe that’s everything,” I mumble as I gather my things. “Are you ready to get back? Your Aunt Ivy’s probably looking for you. This must be a hard night for her.”
    I lock my door and head for the steps at the main entrance.
    Nick scrambles to catch up with me. “Wait. I need to talk to you.”
    “I’m sorry. I got distracted with Officer Pinkney and the car and Jake’s news.”
    “Yeah, another crazy night, huh?”
    Yes, but I’ve not forgotten for one second that Nick Zernigan was trying to say something to me two hours ago. What was it he was wondering?
    I stop on the porch and gaze at Nick as a single snowflake melts on his eyelash.
    “What’s up?”
    “I’m going, Holly. I’m joining the Army. As soon as I talk to my dad I can take some tests and go for my physical. I’ll go as soon as I graduate if they’ll let me.”
    “I knew it! Aw, Nick, are you sure? I know you feel that way tonight, but have you talked to anyone else? Have you prayed about this?”
    “That’s the thing, Holly, I did everything you said. Pastor Allen was here earlier, before the service. I did talk to him. He prayed with me. He asked me to come by next week so we could talk and pray about it again. But I’m telling you, I’ve never been more sure.”
    My own tiny issues seem unimportant when I think of Nick far from home, far from the mountain, far from me.
    I jump into his embrace uninvited. I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze. “I’ll pray for you every day,” I say in his ear. “I know God will protect you. I’ll pray for your dad, your mom, your Aunt Ivy... If this is truly God’s will for your life, it’ll work out.”
    “That’s a lot of praying.”
    He laughs and I step back.
    “I appreciate your prayers, Holly, and your advice. I wanted you to know I made the decision because we talked about it and I haven’t told anyone else.”
    “Your secret’s safe with me.”
    Another snowflake drifts into his shiny dark hair. “I also wanted to say thank