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Courtney would have loved this. The two sisters had been a part of this toy drive from its modest beginning. To see how far it had come filled Josie with equal parts pride and sadness.
Nope. Josie would not wallow and allow herself to be too sad to enjoy this. She also didn't want to be sad Kevin hadn't shown up like he promised he would.Oh well. It wasn’t like this was the first time a man had lied to her.
“Ho! Ho! Ho!” A voice bloomed from the entrance of the facility, a dead giveaway someone besides soft-spoken Chris donned the Santa suit. And this St. Nick was wearing the heck out of the getup. The sleeves hiked up just enough for Josie to sneak a peek of his corded forearms.
Oh, for heaven’s sake!
Mere minutes ago, she was near tears, thinking about her sister. And now, here she was, lusting after Santa Claus. Her feelings were all over the place. And so were her eyes. Well, not really. They were only on one thing. Or person, rather.
“Boys and girls, how many of you have been good this year?” A cacophony of cheers, screaming, and other sounds erupted from the children. She had to hand it to Johnny. Whoever he'd recruited at the last minute sure had a way with kids. His large, animated movements, the deep timbre of his voice, and his enthusiastic personality checked all the boxes for a sufficient St. Nick.
Johnny slid next to Josie. “Vesty’s a hit, right?” he whispered. She tilted her head and pursed her lips.
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t tell me you don't recognize him. That's your boy up there putting on a show.”
“I don’t have a bo—no! Wait! Is that Kevin?” She watched with wide eyes while the children gathered around him. He slapped high-fives to some and fist-bumped others. And that smile—the same one he’d flashed her when she’d snuggled his dog at the park—she couldn’t tear her eyes away.
“He’s a natural, right? You should have seen him—jumped at the chance to fill in. Said he’d never gotten to be Saint Nick before.”
“I doubt many people have had that chance." Josie smiled as Kevin let out a hearty chuckle, taking his seat on the high-back velvet chair. He pulled a small girl onto his lap and smiled down at her. Josie swore she saw his eyes twinkle. “Looks like he’s making the most of it, though."
“I better go help Max out.” Johnny jogged over to the mob of children his buddy was trying—and failing—to corral into a line. Who could blame the children for being so excited, though? Kevin's presence in the room was larger than life. If his enthusiasm could convert to electricity, he could light every display in town. The brightness of his smile alone could power a room.
Josie rubbed her chest. She remembered what it felt like to barely contain her joy for the holidays. That seemed like a lifetime ago. And yet, watching Kevin so filled with holiday spirit made her want to join in on the fun. Dressing like an elf again was probably a stretch. That was Courtney and her thing. But maybe she was ready to lean into some holiday fun.
Her body heated when she rememberedleaning into Kevin at Mountain Brew.
“Can you run these up there?" Hannah held out a basket of candy canes. “I didn't leave enough up there for the number of kids we've got in line."
“Uh, sure.” Josie took the basket and tried to forget how she’d embarrassed herself in front of him when they’d first met.
“I come bearing reinforcements,” she said as she handed the basket of sweets to Max.
“Thanks. It got a little crazy here. I hate to say it, but Chris might get demoted to elf next year.” He scratched the scruff on his chin. “Actually, I'm glad to say it. I'll gladly give him this getup in a heartbeat.”
“I know that's a tremendous sacrifice for you,” she deadpanned. She scanned the gym, noticing the grown-ups with their wide eyes and easy smiles. They seemed just as entranced by Kevin’s portrayal of St. Nick as she was.
A small girl in a frilly red-and-green dress approached the velvet chair. She wore her hair in long spiral curls topped with a candy-cane-striped bow nearly the size of her head.
“Can I show you something, Mr. Claus?” Her voice brought to mind how a tiny mouse might sound. If mice could talk, that is.
“Get on up here.” Without hesitation, Kevin lifted the girl onto his lap, the flex of his biceps threatening to rip the velvet sleeve of his suit.Phew!Global warming was the real deal—Josie was sweating at the North Pole.
“Can you tell me which of these toys has the greatest chance of being under my tree on Christmas morning?” the girl asked with a poise and professionalism in her voice contradicting her age and size.
“Uh—” Kevin hesitated. “These, well, these are all wonderful choices.” He rubbed the back of his neck, the first sign he was anything but the charismatic entertainer he’d been since he’d burst into the gym. “I’ll have to chat with my elves and see what we can do.”
The girl frowned. “But you’re in charge of this operation, aren’t you? I doubtthatguy has any say in the matter.” She pointed at Johnny, who was—whatwashe doing? Did he think an Irish jig of sorts was an effective way to entertain the waiting children? Of course, Johnny would. Hannah scurried over with more candy canes, and only then did Josie notice what her sweater said:I have no elf control.Josie looked back at theLord of the Dance.
Accurate shirt, Hannah.
Josie rubbed her temples and averted her eyes from “Jingles.” She saw the Christmas list shaking in Kevin’s hand, and his eyes were wide and rounded behind his fake glasses.
“Why don’t you let me take this paper and put it in your file,” Josie said as she took the list from Kevin’s hand. “That way, we’ll make sure you get exactly what you want.” She pulled out the candy cane she’d pillaged from Hannah’s stash, hoping she could enjoy it later. But desperate times and all that.
The girl snatched the candy and crossed her arms over her chest. “And just who are you?”
