Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Oh…and they could take a photo with Santa.
Jax hadn’t been kidding. Our Santa looked like the real deal.
“If he tells us he’s from the North Pole, I might believe him,” Hudson commented, his arm draped around his husband’s shoulders.
“Me too,” Moody agreed. “Where did Jax find him?”
“He waltzed into the office and asked if we were hiring,” I replied.
Moody pushed his glasses higher on his nose. “I wonder why he didn’t come to Christmas Town. We could use him.”
“That’s the truth. Talk to him.”
“Maybe I will. Good job here, by the way. It’s splendiferous and jolly. A perfect community gathering,” Moody gushed.
“Thanks.” I grinned and waved at Axel, who was dutifully following his daughter and her friends to join the group waiting for an audience with St. Nick. “I’ll see you guys later. Try the peppermint hot chocolate. It’s amazing!”
I was stopped a few times by friends and neighbors.
“What a fun night, Tanner! Well done.”
“Happy Holidays, Tanner!”
I nodded my thanks, high-fived and fist-bumped, then jogged to Axel, chuckling at his harried expression.
“Have you been on the hayride, hottie?” I sidled next to him, linking our arms.
“About fifty times,” he deadpanned. “I’ve also played tag, hide-and-seek, and I took the girls to see Nellie and the kids. We made a quick trip to check on Hazel too.”
“Lou says he’ll try to deliver the calf on the twenty-third. He’s got big golfing plans on Christmas Eve.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be here. At least till she’s had the calf.”
My smile faded slightly, but I wasn’t going to ask about end dates. Not now. I wanted to enjoy the hell out of the days leading to Christmas. No sadness, no sorrow, no what-ifs.
I cleared my throat and gestured toward the round man dressed from head to toe in Santa regalia.
“Let’s go meet Santa.”
Photos with Santa held up the line a bit, but within ten minutes, Phee, Abby, and Sydney had their audience. Their parents jumped in to take pics, then whisked them off. Soon, it was just Axel, Phee, me, and a guy who looked like the real deal.
“Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas. You’re Phoebe, yes?”
Phee’s eyes bugged open. “How did you know my name?”
Santa winked. “I just had a hunch. If you’re the Phoebe I’m thinking of, you’re new in town.”
“I…yes. I’m…yes.” She gnawed on her lower lips and blinked.
“You’ve met some nice friends, haven’t you?” More nodding, more blinking. “Ho ho! What’s on your list this year, young lady?”
“There’s a doll that has ballet shoes like mine,” she said shyly.
“I think I know that one!” He crouched low on one knee and handed Phee a candy cane. “Anything else you’re wishing for?”
Phee hesitated for a beat, then whispered in Santa’s ear. He smiled kindly and stood. I couldn’t hear what he said, and apparently, neither had Axel.
He leaned into Santa’s space. “What did she ask for?”
“Something magical.”
Axel frowned. “Like a unicorn?”
Santa patted Axel’s shoulder. Axel was so big that the gesture should have been comical, but the old man took up space. “More like the sort of thing you know when you see it. I have a feeling it’s the same thing you’re wishing for.”
“Me? I—”
“Candy cane?”
Axel took the candy cane with a grunt.
“That was fishy,” he said once we were out of earshot.
“No, it was sweet. The best Christmas wishes always have a mystical aura.”
He lifted his brows. “Did you spike that hot chocolate?”
I rolled my eyes and dragged him with me into the festive throng.
We stayed close for the rest of the evening, letting Phoebe lead the way. At some point, he laced our fingers and held my hand. He’d never done this. Never in public. If you asked me, this was the ultimate form of reclaiming what had been taken from him.
His freedom to choose…a man. To choose me.
CHAPTER 14
AXEL
Phoebe fussed with the ornaments on the tree, my phone fixed to her face.
“I think it’s the best tree ever. It has white lights, and red and green and silver balls. And Mr. Tanner bought me a princess fairy ballet ornament. She’s wearing a crown, and she has a wand, too. And he got a funny one with a goat that’s s’pose to be Nellie. Don’t you know Nellie? She’s the bestest! She’s Mr. Tanner’s favorite goat. And Hazel is Daddy’s favorite. No, she’s a cow and she’s going to have a baby and…”
I smiled at the whirling one-sided conversation as I caught up with emails on my computer. Most of it was junk, but there was welcome letter from Pioneer Ranch.
We’re looking forward to having you on staff. It’s a wonderful opportunity for…blah, blah, blah.
I’d read it later and thumb through the rental listings they’d attached. With any luck, we’d be in a hotel for less than a week. The houses in the area were nice. At least as big as the bungalow. Phee would like it. So would I.