James and Ruby left the bakery with their bellies full of sugarplums. Ruby wordlessly obeyed every tug on the reins the whole way back to the stables, not even pausing to try and tempt James into taking a candy break with the critters in Ornament Forest.

Susie stood waiting for them with her fuzzy pink mittens massaging each other. "How'd it go?"

"It was awesome!" James said. His hands hurt from gripping the reins so tightly and the rough ride had left his butt sore, but they'd made it there and back in one piece, even if he couldn't quite say the same for the baking supplies. "Dad's definitely going to have plenty of cookies tonight."

A sigh of relief escaped Susie's mint-scented mask in a wispy cloud. "Glad to hear it! I told the wrapping folks you were helping me with an errand, so you've got the rest of the day off."

"Awesome, thanks!" He had about as much interest in going back to the Wrapping Department as counting all the snowflakes in the North Pole. Not that he'd be getting too much extra time off since it was almost dinnertime anyway, but it was better than nothing.

Once Gabe helped him unhitch Ruby from the sleigh, James led her into the stables. The animals' body heat wrapped him in a warm embrace as he worked the feeling back into his stiff fingers. The cold had left him craving a tall mug full of hot chocolate, but stroking Ruby's fur warmed him just as quickly. "You were awesome!" he said as he opened her stall door.

Her nose brightened along with her smile. "And you're as cool as an icicle." She bumped her head against his hand, the reindeer equivalent of a fist bump. "Now if you'll excuse me," she said with a yawn, "there's a bed of hay with my name on it. It's tiring being so awesome all the time!"

With that, Ruby tucked her knees underneath her and shut her eyes, although her nose kept shining.

Gabe gave James an approving nod. "Look at you, back from your first ride like it was as easy as opening gifts."

"The hardest part was not eating all the chocolate chips," James said. And not screaming his lungs out when they almost hit a tree, but Gabe didn't need to know that.

Gabe laughed a great big, booming laugh. "That's why I could never work at the bakery. I'd be fatter than the big man himself! No offense to your dad, of course." He leaned in close and whispered, "Seriously though, was she okay? Give you much trouble?"

"She was the best!" James said. "I'd trade my whole stocking to ride with her again."

"Now that's high praise! I don't doubt it, though." Gabe thumped James on the back. "You've got the makings of a true reindeer handler, boy. I'd be honored to have you work here."

"Really?" James smiled so hard his cheeks hurt. Almost nobody was ever happy to have him around, especially when there was work involved.

"Really. Not everyone has the nose to come in here without one of those glorified air fresheners, and even fewer can manage a youngster without ending up with their butt smacking the ice at forty miles an hour." Gabe grabbed a nearby wheelbarrow filled to the brim with vegetables. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I need to go make sure everybody's dinners are taken care of. Feel free to stick around for a bit, but mind your fingers. The reindeer get a bit bitey when they haven't gotten their carrots."

As soon as Gabe and his creaky wheelbarrow were out of earshot, Ruby peeked an eye open. "Why'd you cover for me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" James asked. He was already used to getting told off, and Ruby hadn't meant for things to get so crazy. Considering how he got whenever someone even said the word 'chocolate', he couldn't blame her for getting carried away.

"Most people don't like me much," she said softly. Her nose glowed faintly. "They say I've got nothing in common with my grandpa 'cept my nose."

James ran a hand through her thick, soft fur, smiling as she leaned into his touch. "I don't even have that in common with my dad. Mom says I've got his appetite, though."

"She's not wrong. I've never seen anyone eat so many sugarplums. Bet I can beat you next time!" Ruby's smile faltered. "If there is a next time. You said you work in the Wrapping Department?"

"At least for now, yeah." James sighed. "Probably won't be long before I screw that up, too. Just like everything else."

"Nah, I bet you're awesome. I mean, Santa put you there, didn't he?"

"Yeah, but Dad's put me just about everywhere. And even if I don't end up sucking at it, I really don't want to be stuck slapping bows on stuff for the rest of my life."

"Maybe when he realizes how awesome you are he'll stick you somewhere cooler." Ruby's voice cracked as she looked away. "I wish you didn't have to go."

Tears rolled down her face like melting snowflakes. Her nose dimmed as she cried until the only thing that set her apart from the other reindeer were her quiet sobs.

James leaned over and wrapped his arms around her neck in a tight hug. With her energy and aurora-bright smile gone, his own faltered. Going back to the Wrapping Department would be bad enough, but leaving Ruby behind would be even worse.

He couldn't let this be the last time they might ever see each other.

"I'm going to ask Dad if I can work here from now on," James said.

Ruby's nose brightened. "You mean it?"

"Let's see, would I rather be stuck wrapping presents or hang out with a super cool reindeer?" James put a hand to his chin, pretending to think it over before smiling. "Of course I'd rather be with you!"

"Yippee!" Ruby's hooves beat out a round of applause on the stall door. "You hear that, Tango?"

"That's nice," deadpanned the older reindeer. "Shush and let me eat my parsnips in peace."

Now all James had to do was convince his dad he was good for more than slapping bows on presents all day.