2. Dave
Dave
Seeing all the old mall decorations was a real blast from the past. Dave patted the snow pup on the head.
His two seasons as Santa’s assistant had been a ton of fun.
Finding ways to keep the kids entertained before they spoke to Santa was the catalyst that led him to discovering one of the big passions in his life: magic.
He was amazed at how effectively pulling a quarter out of someone’s ear could quiet an entire line of grumbling kids.
He had a feeling that his coin trick wasn’t going to impress Mattie.
The gorgeous brunette was freaking out, which was shocking because Robby always talked about how level-headed she was.
She had her hand on her hip while she very deliberately breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth before she dialed another number.
That conversation made her flushed cheeks turn even redder.
While he and John Hunniwell strapped another snowman to the bed of the trailer, Robby walked toward him and angled his head, indicating for Dave to follow him. “I need a favour,” his friend said.
“I already told you that I’d drive Mattie to the rental agency.”
Robby scratched the back of his neck the same way Mattie did when she’d spoken to her brother. “I need you to drive her a little farther than that.”
“To her hotel afterward?”
“No. To Manitoba.”
Dave’s brain stuttered like it was buffering. He couldn’t have heard correctly. “What?”
“You’re driving there anyway. It wouldn’t be out of your way. All you’d have to do is hook her trailer to the back of your van.”
“I am driving to Manitoba. Eventually. Later this week,” Dave said slowly. “I have stops to make for my shows along the way, though.”
His teenaged talent with vanishing coins had only been the beginning.
From there, Dave had moved on to card tricks.
Then he mastered the endless handkerchief and the self-repairing rope trick.
Once he bought the rabbit, he was ready to go public.
He invested in a specially designed cowboy hat and a fringed leather coat.
When he added white gloves and a pocket square, he transformed into Dave the Magnificent, magician-at-large. This month was his country-wide debut.
“I know that you have magic shows to do. That’s why I’m asking,” Robby pressed. “They’re what? A couple of hours on a couple of days. It’s not like they’re going to take long to do.”
At least his friend was only dismissing the time and effort it took to put on a performance; unlike some of the other guys they worked with, Robby wasn’t outright mocking his magic shows.
“I have a birthday party in Drumheller tomorrow afternoon. That’s a costume change, set-up, performance, and breakdown time for all of my props,” Dave protested.
“Then I have to get to the Diamond Willow Festival in Hopewell, Manitoba. I’m doing two shows there this coming weekend.
I can’t be hauling your sister’s Christmas ornaments all over the place!
” He had originally planned to take the second half of August off to get a break from his mechanic job and dip a toe into a magic career.
He’d booked enough engagements to cover his expenses and have a little left to live on.
Originally, he’d intended to sign a new contract and pick up his toolbelt again after Labour Day, but that plan fell apart when his employer had informed him that he wouldn’t be rehired due to cutbacks.
With more optimism than common sense, Dave had decided to double down and trust in magic.
He kept his magic show bookings and hoped to use the exposure to book more events in the fall.
If he failed, he’d have to find another mechanic position.
But he refused to give up before he’d even had his first show. Dave was determined to make a go of it.
Robby smiled. “I know. I’m the reason that you’re able to do those shows, since I’m the one who covered for you last year.
You know, when you double-booked yourself when you signed up for magician camp.
I gave up a whole week of my holidays out of the goodness of my heart so you could chase your dreams. All I’m asking in return is one teeny, tiny favour: let my sister sit in the passenger seat while you drive to your shows like you were already planning to do. ”
Dave sighed. He did owe Robby. He had misread the camp dates and booked his vacation while he was supposed to be onsite. Robby had booked the same week off and had offered to take his shifts. “She said she’s on a schedule,” Dave hedged, still looking for a way to get out of Robby’s request.
“Mattie just has to be back at the office on Monday. If you get her as far as Hopewell, she can rent a truck from there. She can probably have the company send one to pick up her and the trailer. It’s close enough.”
“You don’t know if she wants to travel with me. We’ll be stuck together in the Magnificent van. And we’ll be camping because I can’t afford hotel rooms. I’m doing this on a miniscule budget.”
“Even better! She can pay for gas and save you all the money you were going to spend on fuel. It’s like you’re supposed to take her with you.”
Saving a few hundred dollars in gas money would actually really help him out. And, honestly, he was going her way anyway. If Mattie’s job sent a truck to pick her up from Hopewell, he wouldn’t have to drive a kilometre out of his way. “She doesn’t even know me.”
“Mattie!” Robby shouted. “Dave has a proposal for you.”
The August sun came up at six in the morning in Edmonton.
Dave knew this because it was shining in his eyes as he drove down Highway 216 to Mattie Appleton’s hotel.
He was picking her up on the way to Hunniwell Ranch, where they would attach the trailer before driving on to the first stop on their cross-Canada adventure.
He still couldn’t believe that Robby talked him into it.
Contrary to whatever his friend thought would happen, Mattie did not jump up and down when Robby told her he had a way to get her and her decorations to Manitoba. “Truly?” Mattie had asked him directly. “You were really leaving for southern Manitoba tomorrow anyway?”
“I’m only going as far as Drumheller tomorrow. Robby told you that I have an unmissable appointment in the afternoon, right?”
“Yes.”
“I wasn’t going to push it when I was driving alone.
I booked a campsite near Moose Jaw for my second night.
Then it’ll be another eight-hour drive to get to the campsite at Hopewell on Friday.
Robby said you’d be able to arrange for a truck to meet you there and that you’d be responsible for getting yourself the rest of the way home. ”
She nodded. “I can absolutely do that. Are you sure, though?”
“Can you chip in for gas?”
“I have a budget for that, yes.”
“Then I’m sure,” he’d lied. Mattie seemed nice enough.
She was more than pretty to look at. She kept her cool when things went sideways.
Equally important, she seemed organized, which would be vital when he was sharing an already small space.
After living with Robby and two other guys for fourteen months while they were in trade school, he could put up with anything for three days.
After they’d agreed on his driving schedule, he’d helped her load the rest of the decorations onto the trailer.
They tied everything securely and left it parked outside the barn to be picked up first thing in the morning.
While they worked, he and John had chatted a bit more about the mall and how quickly it had shifted from “struggling” to “closed.” Dave liked that the display was getting a third life in a Christmas-themed park where it would bring more smiles to families.
Mattie looked adorable as she waited at the hotel’s front doors.
She held a coffee cup and a box of donut holes in one hand and her carry-on’s tow handle in the other.
Her hair was in a messy ponytail, and she was dressed in a loose-fitting striped T-shirt and comfy-looking shorts, which was perfect for a long day of driving.
At first, she appeared happy to see him, so he didn’t understand why her jaw dropped when he pulled his camper van to the curb in front of her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Dave the Magnificent?” she asked as she slung her suitcase and shoulder bag into the back. “You’re a magician?”
“Didn’t Robby tell you?”
“No! And he should have, because that is freaking cool! You would be so popular where I work.”
Dave sighed in relief. Adults had one of two reactions when they found out he performed as a magician: disparagement or enthusiasm. He was glad Mattie fell into the second camp, or their trip would have been really awkward.
His camper van hadn’t been fully packed and prepared for his road trip when he’d ridden to her rescue the previous afternoon.
After he dropped Mattie off, he’d taken the vehicle for a final wash before they hit the road.
Then, once he was home, he’d opened the tubes he almost hadn’t ordered.
Now he was glad he’d done it while he had the money.
He affixed the large magnets on either side panel and on the back door.
The logo was of a rabbit peeking out of a cowboy hat waving a sparkle-spouting wand.
The printing underneath announced that the van belonged to Dave the Magnificent.
“I thought you were only a mechanic like Robby,” she said as she placed her double-double into the cup holder in the centre console.
“I’m multifaceted. I’m testing a different career option.” It made it sound like he had a choice.
“Professional magician?”
“I have three paying gigs booked in the next two weeks. It’s enough to pay the bills.” Barely, he added silently.
“Is magic your vacation hobby?”
“Not anymore. I got laid off. I’m doing this until I can find another mechanic job.”
“You don’t sound very excited about that. Do you want another mechanic job?”
“Not really. I’d do magic full-time in a heartbeat if I could pay the rent.”