Special Delivery Winter - Aria Grace Page 0,68

I didn’t usually pay much attention to popular human destinations.

“I bet you have,” Cody said, with a hint of challenge in his voice. “They’re world famous for all sorts of holiday things: cookies, decorations, sweaters… I’m sure you know someone who has a couple of Frostbourg trinkets they put out for the holidays.”

“Maybe…” I thought of my mother’s best friend, Verona Silvanus and laughed. Verona’s house probably put Martha Stewart’s to shame right about now with her tendency to go all out for the holidays. Considering Verona's extensive collection of decorations I wouldn't be at all surprised if she had something from the so-called Christmas Capital of the World.

“Are you visiting family?” I asked, finding myself oddly interested in the human’s travel plans.

“Actually, I’m going for work. I’ve always wanted to go to Frostbourg and I thought Christmas Village would be perfect. I’m getting a pretty fat check, with the promise of more work, so I thought I’d treat myself.”

“Christmas Village?”

Cody laughed. “You really haven’t heard of Frostbourg! It’s incredible, it’s supposed to look like something out of a postcard. The entire village is planned out – every building is that old-school European style with the exposed beams and decorative woodwork, all Christmas themed of course. There are wreaths and candles in every window… they say even the cobblestones are festive. They have a big Christmas market in the middle that sells all of the goods Frostbourg is famous for. And shops and restaurants…” He trailed off and coughed in embarrassment. “It’s sort of my dream vacation…”

“What will you be painting?”

“I’m going to start in Christmas Village and do some of the shops. Then on Christmas Eve – during the annual ball – I’m going to go up on the cliffs and hopefully find a good angle that includes the water and the castle. It’ll be cold, but everyone will be at the ball or home and it never snows on Christmas Eve there, so the weather will be perfect.” He chuckled and added, “And I can always paint in snow.”

“It never snows on Christmas Eve in the Christmas Capital of the World?” I teased.

He grinned. “According to local urban legend it doesn’t! Guess I’ll find out.”

We made small talk for a little bit, then Cody returned to his sketching and I sat back and closed my eyes again.

The next thing I knew, the captain was announcing that we were landing. It was a quick, smooth descent and soon the plane filled with the sound of people turning on their cell phones, and checking messages, and calling their loved ones to let them know they had arrived. We taxied to the gate to an announcement that it was snowing, then we were able to stand and start collecting our bags.

“Nice meeting you,” I said to Cody.

“You too,” he said with a smile. “Have fun going back home.”

“I hope you enjoy Frostbourg.” I told him as we parted ways.

I headed down to baggage claim to await my two massive suitcases. After doing it a few times I was pretty good at traveling light for my year away. but I still invariably ended up with a couple of large bags. Especially since I had bought a few local souvenirs as gifts and hadn't been able to ship them all yet. The airport was naturally busy around the holidays and by the time the bags rolled through I had been there for half an hour, followed by another forty-five minutes waiting in line for a rental car. I should have just had someone pick me up. I may not have had any immediate relatives on Half Moon or any human friends anymore, but I had plenty of shifter friends who would have been happy to drive the hour to the closest large airport pick me up. But I always hated to impose on people, I was an alpha after all.

At last my car was rented and I hauled my bags to the parking garage. As I passed human after human, struggling with their own bags, I was grateful I had a little extra shifter strength on my side. Nevertheless, even my added endurance was no match for the fatigue of my long travel and I heaved a sigh of relief as I found the row where my car was.

I came to a stop at the right number and found myself standing in an empty parking spot.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I cried.

I looked around, but it quickly became clear that either the