Benny flopped down on the couch beside Red’s recliner, pretending to study the crossword puzzle. “It’s nothing major. Just…a tiny holiday opportunity.”
“A holiday opportunity?” Red scoffed. “Seven letters, starts with a T.”
Benny smiled. “It won’t be trouble. I mean, you like Christmas, right?”
“I like sitting near a lit tree with pie and a nap in my future.”
“Have you heard about the new thing they’re doing in town this year? It’s called Mistletoe on Main?”
Red rolled his eyes. “It’s always something in Park City. Can’t just shop, eat, and enjoy the snow. There has to be a tree lighting or the mayor speaking or extravagant snow globes. What is Mistletoe on Main? Sounds like there might be…kissing.”
If Olivia had her way, there would be.
“There’s lots of stuff, but you know the skating rink?”
He nodded, dipping biscotti into sludge and taking a big bite. “I know it.”
“Well, there’s going to be a performance that night. I guess real skaters doing a show or something.”
Red swallowed, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. “And…”
“And they need a Santa Claus on ice and the lady who’s running the whole thing asked me if I could get Grumpy Santa and I told her I would, so can you skate or at least hold onto something and go across the ice pretending like you’re miserable?”
Benny took a breath at the end of the rapid-fire demand that felt like it came out as one long word.
“I won’t need to pretend,” he said, leaning forward on his generous belly. “I’m miserable just thinking about it.”
“I know, but?—”
He looked down at the crossword puzzle. “Dumbest idea I’ve ever heard from a smart guy.”
“Red. Please listen to me.”
He peered over his glasses. “Two-letter word for not a snowball’s chance in hell? Oh, it’s N-O. Can you spell that, Dr. Smartypants?”
He winced at the nickname because it was what Olivia had called him for the past year. And if he was smart, he should know how to do this. What was the best angle?
Praise. Over-the-top ego stroking.
“You’d be so awesome, Grandpa!” he crooned, giving a clap to make his point. “And half the town will be there. With lots of skaters and…and people cheering. I think there would be actual thunderous applause.”
Red cocked a brow and stopped Benny’s ego stroking with one deadly look. Okay, new plan. Appeal to his tender old heart.
“C’mon, Grandpa. You love this town. You grew up here. You’re Park City royalty and you’d be doing such a favor to that nice lady who puts on the festivals. They’re desperate for a Santa and you’d be bringing a Christmas miracle!”
“Oh, Benny.”
“Am I right?” he pressed, the reaction giving him hope.
“You gotta do better than that.”
And the hope toppled. He blew out a breath, digging for yet another angle. “The press will be there.”
Red sipped his coffee.
“It would make me happy?” Benny tried.
And dunked his roof tile.
