I wanted to make him believe that he could be whole again.
This wasn’t the right time in my life to attach myself to a fixer-upper project like him, but somehow I couldn’t stay away. And fate was playing a hand now.
In fact, it was playing such a big hand that I fated my way straight to the parking lot where the sleigh rides were held.
The drive had been fast enough that I could see my mystery Santa and still have time to make it to the client’s place for the gig.
And singing telegrams only took a few minutes.
Maybe afterward he’d be open to spending some time with me. We could get a drink. Surely there’s a bar or a coffee shop somewhere in this town.
My heart rose in my chest at the thought of seeing him again. This was wild. And it felt like I was taking a big risk. But the compulsion to see him again was overwhelming. I’d never felt this way before in my life. It was kind of crazy.
And to think, if it goes right, I could be on a date with him in just a few short hours.
I grimaced. I should have brought a change of clothes. I hadn’t thought that part through.
But there wasn’t anything to do about it now. I’d just have to wear my winter coat. It would hide the costume to a certain extent.
But when I pulled in, all my hopes vanished.
The parking lot, which had been so alive and festive a few weeks ago, was completely desolate. There was nobody here.
No crowd of expectant tourists.
No tired horse.
No cranky Santa.
I hadn’t expected this.
Well, fuck-a-doodle-doo. So much for destiny.
Chapter 4
Tex
The storm would be rolling in tonight.
It was expected to be a bad one.
And I was fretting hard.
Rod was back home, and he’d insisted that he and Sally would be fine. He’d also refused to let me stay over just until the storm passed.
Igotit. I’d been up his butt ever since they’d released him from the hospital.
He’d let me stay at his place for two weeks, taking care of him to the best of my ability. I wasn’t particularly skilled at mothering people, but we’d managed well enough. I’d kept him and the horse fed, bathed and watered.
But I’d been hovering too much, and after two weeks of it, Rod kicked me out and sent me back to my place just so he could have some peace and quiet.
I knew the truth. He wanted to get a steak from the Hungry Rooster. Uncharacteristically for me, I’d been shoving smoothies and salads down his throat. Doctor’s orders.
And now that he’d kicked me out of his place, I was bouncing around my cabin, feeling untethered.
Christmas was in two days, and the storm would likely have passed by then. I’d spend Christmas at Rod’s place. His sister—my aunt—would be there, too. She was flying in from out of state, and she’d take over the mothering at that point. She planned to stay for a few months.
And I knew this was why Rod had kicked me out. This was his only window to sneak in the steak.
