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He gestures for me to pass him the clipboard. He signs it as he explains, “That was West Kringle. He was supposed to play Santa Claus at the children’s hospital in Sweetgrass. But he can’t do it. He caught the flu, and no one wants to risk passing it to the kids. A lot of them are immunocompromised.”
“That’s too bad,” I murmur as I accept the clipboard and stand, nodding to him. Immunocompromised wasn’t a word in my vocabulary until the day cancer came for my late wife. I’d never feared germs before that. Never cared whether or not someone covered their mouth when they coughed or touched a door handle after sneezing. But with that one big word, the world was suddenly a lot scarier.
He stands too. “And I have the final home inspection tomorrow. It’s the last bit of paperwork to finish before Ollie is legally ours.”
Ivy is the nanny Hale hired to look after Ollie, his nephew. The two of them fell in love with her, and they’ve made a little family together. But apparently, the adoption isn’t quite complete yet.
“Sounds like a tough spot,” I answer. There are plenty of great guys around Courage who will step into the role of Santa for a day. I’m sure Hale won’t have any problem finding a willing volunteer.
“How about you?” Hale asks, looking me up and down. I already know what he’s thinking. He’s taking in my white beard and white hair. Sure, I don’t have the necessary belly, but that’s an easy thing to fix with some padding and a large coat. “Would you be Santa?”
If he were talking about anywhere else, I wouldn’t hesitate. But it’s a hospital. Just the thought of being there makes my chest tight. The antiseptic smells and fluorescent lights are sure to bring back memories I’d rather forget. “No.”
“I’ll pay you.” Hale has plenty of money to spare, and we both know it. But I’m not exactly hurting for cash. Between the handyman projects around town, a successful hardware store, and veteran benefits, I don’t have to count pennies.
“Call Grizz.” He’s a mutual friend who might be interested in the job.
“Still on his honeymoon with Ginger. A donation to a charity. Any charity in your name,” Hale tries.
I snort. It’s still not enough to persuade me. Nope, I can stay home and work on my bikes while writing a check myself. No need to visit a hospital.
Hale sighs and sits in his office chair. “Maybe Susie knows someone available on short notice.”
My blood goes cold. That would involve Susie talking to other men, a thought that doesn’t sit right with me. “What does she have to do with this?”
Something in my tone must give me away because Hale’s eyes light up. “Nothing. She’s just the elf who will be working closely with Santa.”
I narrow my gaze at him. “How closely?”
He folds his arms behind his head and relaxes his posture. “Well, the charity that put this together wanted West and Cassie as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. But obviously, they’re both out now. So, I’d say she’ll probably end up workingveryclosely with Santa. Don’t worry about it though. I’ll find someone.”
I glance out the window of his office that overlooks the gym floor. Even with the crowds, it doesn’t take me long to spot Susie. She’s standing on one of those hover toys and grinning at a boy in a wheelchair.
When someone shouts, the two of them start down the walking track, racing each other. She’s full of sunshine and light, always making the world around her a little bit kinder for the next person.
“A lot of wealthy men will be there.” Hale claps me on the back. I didn’t even hear him come around his desk. “You know how these hospital charity events bring out the billionaires. Who knows? One of them might be in the mood for a tasty little elf.”
Anger surges through me. My hands ball into fists. No one can have her. No one can look at her. “Fuck you.”
He chuckles, and it’s the sound of a man who knows he’s won. “Which charity should I make the check payable to?”
2
SUSIE
Rogue isthe hottest man in all of Courage County. I mean, it was an unofficial poll conducted by me, and I was the only one voting. Still though, my vote should count for something. With those glacier blue eyes and that thick white beard he keeps trimmed, he looks like he just stepped out of a hot dad catalogue, which makes sense since he’s my friend’s father.
I’ve never had a family. At least, not one that I can remember. But I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to date your friend’s father. Or fantasize about kissing him. Not that it matters. Rogue doesn’t even know I exist.
He’s the handyman around town. He does odd jobs at the gym where I work. He’s been around a bit more than usual. His projects keep taking longer and longer to do. I worry that maybe he’s sick or tired or just in need of a good multivitamin. Except I can’t voice these concerns because that would be totally weird.
“What do you think, Lucky?” I ask my black cat as I spin around my tiny bedroom to show off my outfit to my little rescue.
I found him hiding in a box on my back porch a few months ago. He was soaking wet and meowing as if in pain. His ribs were clearly visible, and when I took him to the vet, he couldn’t find a chip in him.
I adopted him on the spot. The vet bills were expensive, but my little guy is worth it. He’s fully healed and at a healthy weight now. More than that, he’s happy. At least, he seems happy.
Lucky meows at my twirling.
