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“Actually, I was going to call you. There’s a problem back at the marina and we need to get back there before sundown,” Gunner said. “We can be back in the morning and start again tomorrow night.”
“No problem. You do what you need to do. This can wait,” I said. “Take my plane. I won’t need it tonight.”
“Thanks. I’ll bring you back some fresh seafood.” Gunner hung up.
“Your wish has been granted. The team has to leave for the night.” I laid the cell on the table in front of me. “I can’t believe we’re going to do this.”
Chapter 29
Paige
The guys in black hovered around the workshop most of the day. They did a good job pretending to be doing something else but, as a foster kid, you get used to seeing people hovering and watching. Something was up. I decided to attack it head-on.
“Hi, I’m Santa’s helper. Would you like to have a picture with Santa?” I asked the one sitting just outside the exit of the workshop. “I can see you’ve been waiting around all day, and the line is gone now.”
“Me?” He seemed startled by the question. “I’m a bit old and cranky for a picture with Santa.”
“Come on, it’ll be fun. Where are your friends? Maybe they want to join you.” I smiled my biggest cheesy smile. “It’ll make a funny Christmas card for your friends.”
“You know what? It sure would, and I have a few friends that could use the laugh.” He stood and looked over at Santa. “Let me find them.”
He walked away, talking on his cell. I let Santa know what was about to happen, then waited. Within minutes, the four men were back, creating a wall with just their bodies.
“Hi, are you ready?” I gestured for them to follow me. “You don’t have to sit on Santa’s lap.”
“That’s good, I don’t think the kid there can handle any of our weight,” one of them said. “Why don’t you get in the picture with us?”
So that’s the angle. They want to get a picture of me. I don’t think so, guys.
“Sorry, mall rules- no elves in the picture. Besides, I have to take the picture.” I quickly went behind the camera. “Smile big now, and say Merry Christmas.”
I was surprised to see each of them smile. They looked a lot less scary when they did. They had a fun rapport with each other, the kind who you could tell had been friends a long time, so long that they were family.
I want that kind of friends. I want a family. I’d settle for a place to live, right now.
“Thanks for asking us. I wouldn’t have thought of it,” the one I asked said. “The name’s Charlie. What’s your name?”
And now they’re trying to get my name. Maybe they’re just nice men.
“I’m Santa’s elf.” I avoided answering.
“Santa’s elf, do you have a name? I want to tell the people that hired you how good you are at this,” Charlie smiled.
“We’re not supposed to give out our names. You can call me Red.” I thought of it at the last minute. “You know, for the hair.”
“Thank you, Red. It was really nice meeting you.” Charlie looked to his friends standing a few feet away. “I might bring my grandkids back. I’d like to come when you’re here. Are you the only elf?”
“Oh no, there are a bunch of us. We’re all part-time, but the other elves are very nice, too.”
“Well, hopefully I’ll see you.” Charlie nodded and walked away with his friends. “Oh, Red, was it?”
“Yep, like the hair.” I reminded him.
“We’re going out of town, but we’ll be back tomorrow night.”
Was that some kind of a warning?
Chills tingled through my body from his little comment. I was positive they were on to me, but how could they be? Kim came over right after they walked away.
