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“We can’t accept—”Handouts.Tad bit his tongue on the word. He didn’t want to snap at her, or come off as ungrateful. “I mean, wasn’t the assignment…aren’t we supposed to make something ourselves?” Inspiration struck, and he reached for the antlers. “You’ve got all those toilet rolls in your craft box back home. We could make antlers from those, paint them up nice.”
“You want me to wear toilet rolls? To school? On myhead?” West pulled up his Grinch hood, right over his face.
“Most kids go store-bought,” said Sarah. “Though, thisishomemade. Mom sewed it for Ann, but she’s still growing into it.”
“Well, what if he spills something on it, or falls and rips out the knees? No, it’s too nice. We can’t—”
“Dad!”
“Of course you can.” Sarah smiled, a bit wickedly. “But…if you want to pay me back, thereissomething I need.”
“Oh?” Tad stiffened, sensing a trap.
“The Christmas Games.” Sarah’s eyes were sparkling, the color high in her cheeks. “Turns out I’m short a partner, and I can’t think of anyone more perfect than you.”
Tad sputtered. TheGames?Was she serious? He opened his mouth to protest—he didn’t play games, didn’t know how, nor did he care to learn—but West was cheering already, prancing about the kitchen.
“Does that mean I can play? I can play too?” He tugged at Sarah’s jacket and she bent to muss his hair.
“Yeah, you can play. If your daddy says yes.”
If your daddy says yes—so that was her game. Get West all excited, and what could Tad do? Tell him no and break his son’s heart, at Christmas no less? He might as well pull on that Grinch suit himself.
“Go take that off,” he said, more gruff than he’d meant to. West’s eyes went round, and Tad forced a smile. “Can’t get it dirty before the big day.”
“Okay, Dad.” West skipped off, whistling, and Tad ground his teeth.
“Hey. You okay?” Sarah touched his arm. Tad drew a deep breath.
“I’m fine,” he said. “But I thought the Games were for family, or for close friends or—boyfriends.” Heat flushed his face and he turned away. “Do I have to pretend to be your boyfriend? Do you have one already?”
“I don’t,” said Sarah. Tad could feel her behind him, circling the table. “I wouldn’tmindhaving one, but as far as the Games go, I just need a friend. A teammate.”
Tad’s mouth went dry. “Don’t you have one already?”
“I have two, actually, my best friend and her sister.” Sarah edged even closer, her shoulder to his. “But Cassie’s not so competitive, and Amy’s sprained her ankle. If I stick with them, I’m doomed from the start. Besides, Amy’s sixteen, which rules her out for the trivia and talent nights. Those are adults-only…and in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m an adult.”
Tad swallowed. He’d noticed, all right. Sarah’s closeness was distracting, the smell of her soap. The sheen of her hair in the afternoon light. He clenched his jaw.You’re mad, remember?She set you up, tricked you. Lured you into her trap.
“Should’ve known that Grinch suit came with strings attached.” He turned his back on her and her pretty blonde curls. Sarah let out a gasp.
“Strings? What are you talking about?” She planted herself in front of him, pink with indignation. “That costume’s for West, whatever you decide. You think I’d give him a present and snatch it away?”
“No, I guess not.” Tad scratched at his neck. He hadn’t thought she’d dothat—she wasn’t a monster—but like Dad always said, nothing in life was free. “I’m just saying, uh—”
“Look, I thought you’d be into this. I thought it’d be a nice surprise.” Sarah plopped down at the table, her shoulders hunched forward. “Do you really not want to be part of the Games? It’d be good for you too.”
“How do you figure?”
“Everyone comes to carol night, not to mention karaoke. I mean half the town, not just us Carsons. You’d get face time with a ton of potential clients, get to know them in their element. Think what that could do for your business.”
Tad pressed his lips together. Sarah had a point. Small towns like these, it was all about who you knew—and Tad knew Sarah, and West’s teacher, and…that was it, really, besides Sarah’s family. It wouldn’t hurt to get out there and press some flesh.
“I don’t know,” he said. Sarah made a face.
“Did I offend you somehow? I’m just trying to help.”
Tad’s heart throbbed sharply at the hurt in her voice. “I’m not offended,” he said. “Just, in my family, we don’t ask for help.”
