Page 7 of Sleigh My Heart

“Did you get my hat yet?”

“Hat?” His mind scrolled through the to-do list. He had no idea one little girl would need her own social secretary to manage all of the things she had going on.

“I need an elf hat for the festival.” She crossed her arms and gave him a scolding look, so like her mother.

“When did you find out about this?” This parent thing just kept piling on the tasks. He didn’t know how Molly did it all these years. He’d had regular video chats and sent money and gifts, but being a continent away, he didn’t have custody of Ava.

“Daddy… It’s for my dance team. Remember. We’re dancing at the festival to welcome Santa.”

Shit. The festival. Santa rode in on the hand-carved wooden sleigh and a team of eight live reindeer. Every year since he was a kid. This might be the year they broke tradition. “We have time. I’ll get one this week.” Was he talking about the sleigh or the hat? Hopefully, both.

“I can’t wait!” Ava bounced in her seat.

“Every kid loves to see Santa, sit on his lap, and tell him what they want for Christmas.” At least they would still be able to do that. Dad would never miss that.

“Yes, but this year the real Santa is coming to Ashwood.” Her blue eyes glittered with joy.

“Real Santa?” Last year was her first Christmas with him. They were in Germany and the St. Nicholas who came to the base, rode in on a Humvee. But this year, Ava was looking forward to seeing Santa with his sleigh and reindeer. The kid loved animals. Nick just hoped she didn’t recognize her grandfather under the beard.

“He has to be the real deal. Only the real Santa has a fancy sleigh and reindeer.”

He might not this year. Not that he’d tell her that. “Makes sense. Have you seen them fly?”

“No, silly. They can’t fly.”

Oh, she was his kid. Practical.

She looked him straight in the eye and said, “The city has a law about that. They make an exception for Christmas Eve.”

The chuckle slipped out, but he bit it off. “Where did you hear that?”

“Colin. His stepdad’s a police officer.”

He’d have to thank Colin’s stepdad for that bit of information. This year, there might not be any reindeer if he couldn’t get the sleigh back.

After he dropped Ava off at her play date, he needed to find another sleigh ASAP. He had… twelve days, or he had to sweet talk the police into releasing his sleigh.

Fat chance of that. He’d have better luck praying for a Christmas miracle.

***

What a day. It started with a dead body and her ex, and ended with a domestic. Those were the worst. The victim could turn on her at any moment, and did in this one. She shook it off as she opened the back door to her childhood home. Voices, laughter, dishes clattering, the sounds of home. Michelle smiled.

The volume in the Swenson house rivaled that of a Wild game in overtime. All five of the kids were home for her father’s birthday dinner. Add in her in-laws and the littles, and the house burst at the seams, and she loved it. The stress of her day slid off her shoulders. She kicked off her boots and set the brown paper bag with her father’s gift on the counter.

“Hey, Mom. Smells good.”

Irene Swenson gave Michelle a one-armed hug as she stirred something on the stove. “Just in time.”

“Aunt Mickey! Aunt Mickey!” Her niece and nephew squealed as they ran to greet her.

“Hey guys.” She scooped them up, one in each arm. “Uff. You two keep growing and I won’t be able to lift you.”

“Tell me about it. I call them my mom workouts.” Julie flexed her arm muscles.

“It’s about time you got here. My kids are ready to start gnawing on their arms. Grab the sweet potatoes from the oven.” Her sister Renae tossed her some hot pads, then pulled the salad from the fridge.

Michelle peeked around the corner. Renae’s kids were watching a Christmas movie in the living room with her brothers- and brothers-in-law.