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“Do I go with them? I’m security,” Toby asked.
“No, they have it under control,” Gunner said. “What I do need from you is to go wait at the entrance for the additional security team arriving for the ball tonight.”
“Oh, yes sir. Right away, sir.” Toby hurried out the door and came back. “What do I do with them?”
“There will be ten security people reporting, so when everyone is together, bring them here,” Gunner ordered. “Toby, relax. You’re doing a good job.”
“Asher, why don’t we go out there and you can thank that nice elf for all her help here.”
“Honestly, every time I’m near her one of us ends up on the ground.”
“You’re Asher Hawthorne. If you can handle the paparrazi and tabloids...” Gunner said.
“Let’s not forget Mrs. Hawthorne,” Charlie shuttered walking back in the room. “She’s the scary one.”
“I know, right?” I nodded to Charlie in agreement.
“Your mother is not scary. Now let’s go. I believe you have the best ball ever to prepare.” Gunner walked to the door and opened it. “You’re the boss so it’s up to you, but I’ll be there to protect you from that little bitty elf.”
I followed Gunner out the door with Charlie tagging behind. “Don’t we need to see who is in my office?”
“Nah, Charlie sent the guys ahead and they just messaged me,” Gunner tried to cover a smile, “it’s just an elf.”
Chapter 46
Paige
Iwoke invigorated. The hot shower the night before, along with being able to stretch out sleeping, was like a dream. Even in my car I couldn’t stretch out. It had been a very long time. I waited to leave the back office until Charlie came for me.
“Morning, Red. You ready for the big day?” Charlie smiled. “I brought you breakfast and a hot chocolate.”
“How’d you know I didn’t want coffee?” I teased.
“You’re an elf.”
“You really do pay attention.” I followed him out and through the empty mall.
“Mrs. Hawthorne left a note for you about tonight,” Charlie said. Gunner taped it to the camera.”
“Why for me?” I was surprised. “I thought I had longer to decide.”
“Not about that, it’s about the party,” Charlie said. “Something about being in charge of the workshop tonight.”
“Ah, I see. Okay.”
We arrived at the workshop. I placed my purse behind the counter and put my green wig on, thinking I’d switch to red for the party. Charlie walked off whistling a secret song. I pulled the note off the camera post. Victoria wrote that I was in charge for the party and that Sherry and twenty new elves would be arriving at three o’clock, so I’d have a few hours to prepare them before the party.
I was confused until I saw writing scribbled on the back of the paper saying the mall was closing at four o’clock today. The day had been non-stop at Santa’s workshop. Sherry had indeed arrived at three, along with twenty other elf helpers that showed up within a few minutes of one another.
“Hi, I’m Paige. Come on in and I’ll show you what we’re doing tonight.” I waved them over by the counter. “Did you bring costumes?”
“We were told they would be supplied when we got here,” a girl named Jen answered.
“Okay, Sherry, why don’t you go over the basic Santa safety stuff while I find out about the costumes?” I walked away to find someone.
While I was walking, I observed people on their cell phones, talking or texting. It made me want to text my mystery man, but I didn’t want to take the phone out for fear of being caught. I wasn’t ready to give up the phone. I passed Charlie giving security protocol instructions to a group of guys.
“Hey, do you know anything about elf costumes for the new elves?” I called out to him.
