The cameraman paused at the door with his camera pointing at Mary. “Miss Christmas, with Santa missing and Christmas getting close, what will happen with Operation Santa?”
Mary’s eyes narrowed, her fingers curling into tight fists. “We’ll find Santa before the planes leave. Children in the remote villages will see him.”
The cameraman nodded, lowering his camera before he left.
After the door closed, silence reigned inside the cheerfully decorated Christmas store.
“I’m sorry you had to come home to Silas’s shenanigans, Mary.” Betty took Mary’s hands and pulled her into a tight hug.
Nick witnessed the entire strange scene, his mind ticking through all the slurs and innuendos flung at the missing Santa and his family. One thing stood out like a shining beacon. These people knew Mary Christmas, and from the looks of it, they cared about her. His gaze slid to the new Mrs. Claus. Well, almost all of them cared. Jasmine Claus warranted some looking into.
Officer Baskin touched Mary’s arm. “If you hear, see or even smell anything, please pass it along to me or one of North Pole’s police officers. I’ll start checking with Santa’s friends in town.”
A tear slipped down Mary’s cheek. “Thanks, Trey.”
Nick resisted the urge to reach out and brush the tear away, clearing his throat instead. “I’m new to town. Is there a hotel where I can get a room?”
The police officer dropped Mary’s hands and zipped up his parka. “Try Christmas Towne Bed-and-Breakfast. It’s just two blocks east of here. I’ve got to get onto this. The temperature is supposed to drop down to minus twenty tonight.” Although the officer didn’t add that a man couldn’t survive in that kind of temperature, he didn’t have to. As he left, a chilling wind gusted through the double doors.
Mary’s gaze followed the officer, her skin even paler than a moment before.
Nick’s gut tightened. “Do you have a place to stay?”
“When I left Seattle, I thought I’d stay with my father. I didn’t make any other arrangements.” She turned toward her stepmother.
“I’m sorry, Mary.” Jasmine’s mouth twisted into a weak smile. “I’d let you have your old room, but I didn’t know you were coming, and I’m in the middle of a huge remodeling effort. Your room is stacked with boxes. The bed is dismantled and leaning against the wall. You could have the couch, but it too is stacked with boxes. You’d be better off getting a room at the B and B as well.”
Mary stared at Mrs. Claus for a long moment, her shoulders stiffening, her mouth pulling into a thin line. “I see.” Then she smiled and turned to Nick. “Thank you for the ride.”
Not that he had any responsibility for the woman, but Nick couldn’t leave her without transportation. “If you’re going to the B and B, you might as well let me take you.”
“It’s only two blocks. I can manage on my own.” She buttoned the front of her coat and tied the sash around her middle with a hard jerk. Then she turned to Mrs. Claus, her expression as serious as a firing squad. “If you had anything to do with my father’s disappearance...you’ll have me to answer to.”
“Mary Christmas!” Jasmine Claus pressed a hand to her red velvet dress and tears welled in her eyes. “You don’t realize how much I love your father. I’d do anything for him. I crossed oceans and continents for him. I love him more than life. How could you even imply such a thing? I want him back just as much as you do.”
Mary didn’t answer, but turned toward the door, grabbing the handle of her suitcase as she went. “Remodeling, my fanny,” she muttered beneath her breath.
Nick’s gaze zeroed in on the way Mary’s eyes shone suspiciously, as if she were close to tears.
The teenager, Chris, held the door for her and stared hard into her eyes. “It’ll be all right, Mary. Your father will be all right, and we’ll find him.”
She reached out and gripped his hand, as if glad for one person’s support in this world gone crazy. “Thanks, Chris.”
Nick followed her out into the blistering cold where he snagged her suitcase.
“I told you, I don’t need your help anymore.” Mary reached out to take the suitcase from him.
He backed away, refusing to let her have the bag. “Let me help.”
“I can take care of myself.”
His face softened. “Even two blocks is a long way with a windchill factor of minus thirty. Please, let me take you where you need to go.”
As if to reinforce Nick’s words, the cold wind blasted through Mary’s thick wool coat and winter scarf.
Beyond exhaustion, Mary didn’t argue. Instead, she climbed into the passenger seat while Nick stored her case in the trunk.
When he climbed in behind the wheel, she turned to him. “I don’t want you to think you’re stuck with me. But thanks.” She leaned her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. “I should have known something was wrong. I should have come home sooner. My dad is the only family I have left.”
