A not So-Merry Christmas Mix-up

Claire groaned as she wheeled the imposter suitcase back toward the rental car counters, scanning the area for Alex. But the line of holiday travelers seemed to stretch forever, and there was no sign of the tall, curly-haired man with the warm smile.

“This cannot be happening,” she muttered, biting her lip. Her family’s carefully wrapped presents were somewhere inside his suitcase, and she had his jingle-bell stash. It wasn’t exactly a fair trade.

She reached the counter and leaned toward the clerk, her tone half-pleading. “Hi, um, did you happen to see a guy with a guitar case? Kind of tall, dark hair? I think he rented a car…”

The clerk raised an unimpressed eyebrow. “Ma’am, it’s the holidays. Half the people here are ‘tall guys with guitar cases.’”

Claire sighed. “Of course they are.”

Stepping aside, she opened her phone, hoping to retrace Alex’s steps. She hesitated, then unzipped the bag again, rifling through the contents. Maybe there was a business card or a phone number inside—anything that could help her track him down.

Her fingers brushed against a neatly folded note tucked beside the sheet music.

“To Alex—Hope this helps you bring some Christmas magic to the kids’ concert! Proud of you, bro. Merry Christmas, Nick.”

Claire blinked. “A concert? For kids?” She frowned, staring at the note as a flicker of guilt pinched her chest. If she didn’t get this suitcase back to him, it sounded like she’d ruin something important.

A voice interrupted her spiraling thoughts.

“Excuse me—Miss Ribbon Mix-Up?”

Claire looked up sharply, her heart flipping in relief. Alex was walking toward her, his guitar case still slung casually over his shoulder, a lopsided grin on his face.

“You’re back!” she said, sounding more excited than she’d intended.

Alex chuckled. “Well, I made it as far as the parking lot before I realized I had your bag again.” He set the black suitcase down in front of her. “I guess we weren’t very thorough with the first swap.”

Claire laughed despite herself. “I was just about to launch a full-scale investigation to track you down. Apparently, holiday travel isn’t my forte.”

“Not many people are professionals at it,” Alex said, his eyes twinkling. “But I think this officially makes us travel buddies.”

She smiled, her nerves finally starting to settle. “Thanks for coming back. I would’ve hated to ruin your… what is it? A Christmas concert?”

“Yeah,” he said, nodding. “I teach music at a local school. Every year, the kids put on a big holiday show, and I promised I’d bring a few surprises for them.” He gestured to the suitcase. “That bag is basically Santa’s sleigh for me this week.”

Claire softened. “That’s really sweet. The world could use more Santas.”

“And I take it this bag,” he said, nudging her suitcase, “has something equally important inside?”

She winced. “Christmas presents for my family. Let’s just say if my niece doesn’t get the dollhouse she’s been dreaming of, I might not survive this holiday.”

Alex’s laugh was warm, like a cozy fireplace crackling on a snowy night. “Sounds like we both have a lot riding on these bags.”

Claire nodded. “Definitely. And now that we’ve finally got the right ones…”

“Hold on,” Alex interrupted, his brow furrowing. “Do you have a ride to wherever you’re headed? The roads are getting bad out there.”

Claire blinked at him, caught off guard by his concern. “Uh, no, I was about to grab a rental car myself.”

Alex glanced toward the snow falling heavier beyond the glass doors, then back at her. “Why don’t we carpool? My town’s just a couple hours away, and it sounds like we’re heading in the same direction. Safer than going it alone.”

She hesitated. Carpooling with a stranger wasn’t exactly in her holiday plans, but Alex didn’t feel like a stranger. Something about his easygoing nature and kind eyes made her feel… safe.

“Okay,” she said finally, surprising even herself. “As long as you promise not to make me listen to any of those jingle bells you’ve got in there.”

Alex grinned, picking up his bag. “Deal. But only if you promise not to make me stop at every roadside diner for Christmas cookies.”

“No promises,” Claire shot back, smiling as they headed toward the snowy parking lot together.

And for the first time all season, she felt like her Christmas might just hold more surprises than she’d planned.