Santa and the Elf by Jannine Gallant

Part Three

Happiness for her friend warred with disappointment. Reba’s good fortune meant Mia would have to cut her time in Connecticut short. Her time with Kit. She kicked a clump of snow off the path.

“What was the call about?”

She glanced up at the really nice guy walking at her side. When was the last time she’d met a man like him? Oh yeah—never.

“Reba found out why her boyfriend has been sneaking around and keeping secrets.”

“Another woman?”

She couldn’t hold back a smile. “No. An engagement ring.”

“That’s great. Good for Reba.”

Her fingers tightened around his and squeezed. “I’m so happy for her. She really loves him and was devastated when she thought he was cheating.”

“I guess planning a big surprise isn’t always the smartest move.”

“Isn’t that the truth? I think we both learned the same lesson last night.”

“Maybe you want to give them some more time alone? We can hang out for as long as you like.” He stopped walking and faced her. “All evening. Heck, I’ll make a huge sacrifice and let you spend the night, for a good cause of course.”

She smiled and ran her toe across the ice-coated path then sighed. “I’m afraid it means I have to leave town sooner than expected. My parents freaked when I told them I wasn’t coming home for Christmas, but Reba needed me.”

“Christmas is almost over. Visit them for New Years instead.”

“I wish.” She shook her head. “No. I can’t do that. My whole family is together. If I get a really early start, I’ll be home for breakfast in the morning.”

“So this is it? You’re going to walk away, and I’ll never see you again?”

“Never is an awfully long time.” She tucked her hand through his arm. “You can walk me back to Reba’s place. It’s on Begonia Way.”

“Right next to Azalea Lane. Convenient—or it would be if you were sticking around.”

She stopped at the rink to grab her skate bag then swung it at her side as they walked. “What do you do when you’re not making syrup?”

“I skate too.”

She turned and stared. “You’re kidding?”

“Real skating. The kind with a big stick and a puck. None of that sissy twirling stuff.”

Her laughter echoed through the darkness. “That’s good. I can’t picture you in tights and sequins.”

“If you could, I’d have a serious problem. Not that there’s anything wrong with sequins.”

“You’re a funny guy. And nice. Did you play Santa for your nephews last night?”

“I did. Woke them up at two in the morning when I knocked over the fireplace screen. They were so excited they didn’t sleep for the rest of the night. Which meant I didn’t sleep either, but it was worth it. The expressions on their faces…” He cleared his throat.

“What did I say—nice.”

They turned on Begonia Way. Mia stopped in front of a small house painted cranberry red. Christmas lights twinkled along the eaves and porch rails. A stuffed Santa and an elf perched on top of the mailbox at the end of the driveway.

“This is it.”

He touched her cheek with his thumb. “Getting to know you has been a pleasure, Mia.”

“It’s been an interesting Christmas. One for the memory box.”

Dropping her bag, she stood on her toes, clasped his face between her hands and kissed him. When she finally pulled away, he grabbed onto the mailbox.

“Wow.”

“I like to do things with style. Merry Christmas, Kit.”

Turning on her booted heel, she scooped up her bag and walked away without looking back.

****

Dawn crept across the sky outside the kitchen window as Kit stared at the coffee maker and yawned. When it gurgled and sputtered, he yanked out the pot and poured a cup of steaming brew. A few drops hit the hot plate and sizzled. He wrinkled his nose.

Two nights without sleep was at least one too many. With another bone-cracking yawn, he walked through the silent house and out onto the front porch to take a deep, bracing breath of frigid morning air.

Not that he had an excuse for his sleeplessness. So the most beautiful, interesting, sexy woman he’d ever met had walked out of his life without a backward glance. Was that a reason to toss in bed all night? It wasn’t like his life was ruined. He still had his family and friends, his business. Nothing was changed. Still, regret he was losing something—someone—truly special sucked the spirit right out of him.

With a sigh, he leaned on the railing. Something white fluttered behind his old pickup in a gust of wind. He squinted toward the end of the driveway and blinked. What the hell?

Setting his coffee mug on the top porch step, he strode down the walkway and around his truck. All he needed was to have kids messing around—

Kit sucked in a breath. A pillowcase strung across the tail gate flapped in the breeze. A message was painted in holiday red and green, the letters and numbers outlined in—sequins. Happiness burst inside him as he read the words.

Call Mia at 212-555-1212. This is only the beginning!

“Whoop!” His cry pierced the morning air.

One thing was certain. The woman definitely had style.

The End

I hope you enjoyed my holiday story! Right now She'll Never Rest is available for free on Amazon. It's the second book in my Secrets of Ravenswood series. Tomorrow is the last free day, so click HERE to download it now. My gift to you! Find information on all my books on my website. Happy Holidays!

Santa and the Elf by Jannine Gallant

Part Two

Kit couldn’t believe his luck. What were the chances he’d get tossed in jail with the hottest…elf…he’d ever had the pleasure of meeting. With Mia Carroll in the cell next door, he’d be content to stay in lockup until New Years.

Fingers snapped. “Hello. Let’s hear your story, Mr. Claus.”

He let out a long breath. “When my brother and I were kids, our uncle played Santa every Christmas. Of course we didn’t know he was our uncle, not until we got older.” A smile curved his lips. “Great memories. Anyway, Scott has two sons, a three and a five-year-old, the perfect age to feel the Christmas magic. I decided to start my own awesome uncle tradition.”

Her brows rose. “You broke into their house?”

He winced. “I wish. My brother told me their new home was at the end of Azalea Lane and to be sure I went to the right one because you can’t see the street numbers. Problem was, the cell reception was crappy. I thought he said the house on the right.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “I got a late start. Then my car overheated. Parts stores aren’t open on Christmas Eve so it took forever to replace the thermostat. It was late by the time I finally arrived. The two houses at the end of the street look nearly identical, and of course I went to the one on the right.”

“Oh oh.”

“Yeah. Oh oh. Turns out this grumpy old man lives in the one on the right. I was on his roof in full Santa regalia when he came outside with a shotgun. He held it on me until the police arrived.”

She grinned. “Your story’s definitely better than mine. Is your brother a big guy, looks like he could bench press a reindeer?”

“There’s a reason I stay on Scott’s good side.”

“Your brother was out there having a rather loud discussion with the original Ebenezer Scrooge the whole time the officer who brought me in was booking me. To his credit, your brother barely glanced at my outfit.”

“He must be slipping. He’s married, not dead.”

Mia laughed. “You know, I’m glad you aren’t a real criminal.”

His gaze held hers. “This night turned out a lot better than I expected.”

Down the hall, the metal door opened. Footsteps approached.

“Do you think one of us is getting out of here?”

His heart dropped into his black boots. “You’d leave me in here all alone on Christmas Eve?”

“What makes you so sure I’m the one who’ll be sprung?”

“Honey, my guess is this town has never seen anyone quite like you. I don’t stand a chance against those fishnet stockings.”

The officer stopped outside the bars and popped his gum. “You’re both outta here.” He unlocked the cell doors. “Let’s go.”

Kit made a sweeping gesture. “After you.”

Mia turned at the end of the hall and smiled. “Merry Christmas, Santa.”

“Don’t run off. I’d like to see you again.”

“Keep your eyes open.” She sauntered through the doorway. “You may just get your wish.”

****

Kit tucked his hands into the front pocket of his sweatshirt and ran a little faster, his breath puffed white in the frigid air. Up ahead, laughter and the sound of voices carried through the approaching dusk. A crowd gathered at the outdoor skating rink near the edge of the park, kids and their parents working off too-large, early holiday dinners. When the cheerful chatter quieted and the ice cleared, he frowned and detoured over to see what was happening.

In the center of the rink a woman twirled. Short, dark hair whipped around a pixie face with big doe eyes. Arms curved upward in a graceful arc, she came out of the spin to skate fast then jump into the air. His heart stopped as she turned once, twice, three times before landing on one foot. The crowd cheered and applauded. She skated for several more minutes, performing for an enraptured audience before gliding to the rail and stopping—right next to Kit.

The elf—Mia—smiled. “Told you to keep your eyes open.”

Open? They’d nearly popped out of his head. She wore black spandex—and wore it well. The bodysuit hugged every curve. He nearly wept when she reached for a puffy down jacket hanging over the railing and slipped it on.

Swallowing, he opened his mouth, closed it then opened it again. “Wow. Why’d you stop?”

“Because I want everyone else to have fun, and they wouldn’t have if I’d stayed out there.”

“Watching you was—fun.”

“I enjoyed giving them a show, not to mention I needed the exercise after all that turkey, but enough is enough.”

He cleared his throat. “You’re really good.”

She cast him a duh look. “I’d hope so. It’s how I make—made—my living.”

“I don’t get it. What do you mean?”

“I skate—skated—in ice shows all around the country.”

“Past tense?”

She grimaced and leaned on the railing. “I just quit. Five years of living like a nomad was enough. It’ll be nice to actually have a home address for a change.”

He touched the freezing rail and burned his fingertips. “I’m tired of having bars between us. Can we go somewhere to talk?”

“Sure. I’m avoiding my friend’s house while she and her boyfriend hash out their problems. Company would be nice.” She ducked beneath the barrier. “They sell hot chocolate at the booth over there.”

“Since I’m turning into a popsicle, that sounds great.”

“Let me take off my skates first.”

Once she was shod in suede boots, they walked side-by-side to the booth, elbows bumping. Kit ordered two hot chocolates and paid for them, thankful he’d stuffed a handful of bills into his sweatpants before leaving for his run. Finding an unoccupied bench beneath a big elm tree, they sat and sipped the steaming liquid.

“So, where’s your new home address now that you’re finished skating?”

She lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know yet. A bunch of my stuff is at my parent’s home on the Hudson, not too far from the city, and I have clothes at both my sisters’ houses. My only home is an apartment in Manhattan I sublease for most of the year. I told the current resident he can have it for good.”

“Clean break?”

“I suppose.”

“What’re you going to do?”

“Maybe teach skating. I’d never be able to not skate. I haven’t decided where I plan to settle yet.”

He wrapped his slowly warming fingers around the Styrofoam cup. “There’s an ice rink in the town closest to my humble shack.”

A grin flashed. “Oh yeah?”

“Maybe they could use a teacher.”

“Hmm. Where’s your shack if not in the town?”

“In the woods. Trees are my thing.”

Her deep brown gaze slid leisurely from his head to his feet, pausing a few times along the way. Heat surged through him that had nothing to do with steaming hot chocolate.

“You don’t look like a monkey.”

He smiled. “Good to know. Not just any old trees. Maple trees—as in maple syrup.”

“Yum. You make it?”

“From tree to jug. It’s a whole process.”

“I bet.”

He took the empty cup from her hand and tossed both in a nearby trash container then twined her fingers through his. “Want to take a walk? I need to warm up.”

Her phone trilled.

“Hold that thought.” She pulled the cell from her jacket with her free hand, read the text then stuffed it back into her pocket.

“I hope that call doesn’t mean you have to go.”

“I’m afraid it does.”

“Well, damn. Just—damn.”

****

Visit tomorrow for the conclusion of Santa and the Elf. Find information on all my books on my website.

Santa and the Elf by Jannine Gallant

Part One

This was the last place she expected to spend Christmas. The cell door clanged shut. Footsteps grew fainter as her only hope of release walked away.

Mia Carroll’s hands tightened around the bars. “It’s just a huge misunderstanding, honest.”

“That’s what they all say.”

The deputy didn’t even glance over his shoulder to answer. With a solid thud, the outer door closed, sealing her fate.

“Well it is.”

Flipping the pom-pom dangling from her hat out of her eyes, she turned slowly and let out a breath. Her seating choices consisted of a dull mental bench with a plastic covered pad or the floor. A brown stain spread across the speckled tile from the far corner toward the door. With a shudder, she picked option number one and perched on the edge. Legs crossed, she tapped her toe.

“You might as well sit back and relax. No one around here seems to be in a hurry tonight.”

“What?” Her head snapped toward the adjacent holding cell in this two-bit excuse for a sheriff’s station.

Black booted feet extended from red velvet pant legs. A fluffy white beard and wig lay in a heap beside an overstuffed pillow on the disgusting floor beneath his bench. The owner of the voice propped himself against the cinderblock wall and smiled.

The smile—along with a strong jaw, straight nose and sparkling hazel eyes beneath a thatch of overlong brown hair topped by a red hat—almost made the humiliation of being arrested worthwhile. Almost.

Despite her situation, she smiled back. “What did they bust you for, Santa? Did one of your reindeer relieve himself on someone’s lawn?”

His grin widened to reveal gleaming white teeth. “Breaking and entering.”

Her heart stopped for a moment before continuing at double its normal pace. So he was incredibly good-looking. He was also a self-admitted criminal. No point in getting herself all hot and bothered. She took a deep breath.

“Isn’t that part of your job description?”

“You’d think. Too bad the cops don’t have your sense of humor.” His gaze left hers, dropped then heated. “I can’t believe you couldn’t talk your way out of here.”

She gave the lacy neckline of her elf costume a tug. Yep, the jury was in. She’d officially lost her mind when she agreed to wear the damned thing. Between the skirt that barely covered—well, anything—and the fishnet stockings… She let out a breath.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. At least not intentionally. It was all a huge mistake.”

“This should be good.” He lifted broad, velvet-covered shoulders in a shrug. “Obviously I’m not going anywhere. Do tell.”

She studied him for a long moment. “Talking to a total stranger you’ve just met in jail probably isn’t the smartest move. Then again, if I were making wise choices these days, I wouldn’t be here.”

He inched forward on his bench and stuck one hand through the bars separating their cells. “Christopher Noble. You can call me Kit.”

Long, blunt tipped fingers. Clean nails. With trepidation she placed her palm in his. The big hand closed, squeezed and shook. Tingles shot through her. Heat started at her exposed cleavage and crept up her neck.

Slowly he released her.

With an effort, she spit out her name. “Mia Carroll. I’d say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but under the circumstances…”

The grin flashed again.

“Now that we’ve been properly introduced, let’s hear your tail of woe. I do love a good story.” He leaned back and wrapped his arms around his knees. “What are you in for—not that I can’t guess?”

Her brows snapped together. “Okay, smart guy. Give it your best shot.”

“Solicitation.”

Her eyes widened. “Do I look like a prostitute?”

“Uh, do you really want me to answer that?”

She let out a long sigh. “Maybe not. You’re right anyway. I propositioned a cop. Big mistake. I thought he was someone else.”

“I believe that’s their goal. Wouldn’t be much point if they announced their profession.”

She scowled. “I bet you’re the kind of guy who laughs at his own jokes. Even the dumb ones.”

He nodded. “I like really silly sit-coms too, and bloopers and knock-knock jokes and limericks. Especially limericks. Why be serious when you can smile?”

“Sounds like the philosophy of a six-year-old.”

He laughed out loud, a deep rumble that slid along her nerve endings.

“I’ll take that as a compliment. So, why did you solicit a cop?”

“The story won’t make sense if I don’t give you a bit of background. First off, I don’t live here. I’m visiting a friend for the holidays.”

“We have that in common. I’m spending Christmas with my brother and his family. They moved to Connecticut recently from New York.”

“Is that where you’re from?”

“God, no. I live in Vermont. This place is a thriving metropolis compared to my backwoods shack.”

“You don’t sound like you’re from the sticks.”

“What does a person from the sticks sound like?”

“I don’t know. You’re distracting me. Do you want to hear what happened or not?”

“Sorry. My lips are zipped.”

“My old college roommate invited me up for a few days—”

“Up? Up from where?”

“Up, down, over—does it matter?” Her eyes narrowed. “I swear—”

“Sorry.” He ran a finger across his lips. “Continue.”

“Her boyfriend’s been acting weird. She thinks he might be cheating on her, or at least scouting out other options.”

“I say dump his ass.”

“That was my thought. Where there’s smoke…” She shrugged. “Still, she’s not one hundred percent sure. That’s where I came in.”

“Huh? I don’t get it.”

“They were invited to a Christmas party, a costume affair. My job was to proposition the boyfriend to see if he’d take the bait.”

His gaze drifted from her face downward, and his throat worked as he swallowed. “Poor guy. If he’s the cheating sort, he didn’t stand a chance.”

She gave the neckline another tug. “Reba, my friend, rented the costume. I almost backed out when I saw it.”

“It’s spectacular.”

Rolling her eyes, she tried to cover her thighs with the spangled skirt—and failed. “Before she headed to the ladies room to hide out, Reba told me her boyfriend would be dressed as a mime. Too bad he arrived late. The off-duty deputy attending the party was also dressed as a mime. I spotted him about two minutes after Reba walked away. Maybe I got a little carried away in my performance…” Mia ran a hand through her short hair, knocking the pointy cap askew. She tossed it on the bench and grimaced. “Next thing I knew, the mime was reading me my rights.”

“Wow. That’s almost better than my story. Is your friend going to post your bail?”

She gave him a sharp glance. “Reba’s out there arguing with the sheriff now. What do you mean your story’s better?”

He spread his arms wide. “I’m dressed as Santa, for crying out loud. Didn’t you think the suit came with a story?”

“You said you were busted for breaking and entering. I assumed you were lightening someone’s load under their Christmas tree. By the way, that really sucks. If you’re broke—”

“Who says I’m broke?” His voice rose. “I may not be a billionaire, but I don’t live under a bridge either.”

“Geez, what happened to Mr. Fun and Games? Let’s hear your version of the Santa Claus caper.”

****

Visit tomorrow for Part Two of Santa and the Elf. Find information on all my books on my website.