She gripped his upper arms and stepped back to look at his face. “Itfeelslike months, you naughty boy. You promised you’d visit more often.”
He rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but chuckle. “I was here for Thanksgiving. And you’ve got me until the new year. I’m not expected back at the office until the second week of January, so that should make you happy.”
“I’m happy you’re here, but it would make me even happier to hear you’re moving home for good.”
“Mom, we’ve spoken about this before—”
She raised a hand to his cheek. “I know, darling, but you said your current job bored you, and I know how much you love landscape photography, and they say a change is as good as a holiday.”
“Mom—”
“Oh, let me dream.” She patted his cheek, bangles jingling. “Anyway, you’re here now, so let’s just enjoy our time together. What plans do you have? Are you and Chad still heading out to the State Park?”
“Yeah, we’re hoping to spend a few days at a cabin belonging to a friend of Chad’s.”
“It’ll be nice for you boys to get away. Forgive me for being selfish, but I’m glad it’s only for a few days.” She hooked her arm into his elbow, and they started toward the main doors of the play center. “While you’re here, I’m going to spoil my baby with some home-cooked meals. Unfortunately, it’s one of the busiest times of the year, so you’ll have to entertain yourself during the day.”
Nicholas patted his mom’s arm. “I’m sure I’ll find enough to do to keep me occupied. Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked, but secretly hoping she said no. To be honest, he was looking forward to the downtime away from the busy office and back-to-back assignments.
“Thank you, darling. If you’d asked yesterday, I would have said yes, but Chad came to the rescue. He’s asked someone to help with Santa’s workshop when it opens tomorrow, so crisis averted.”
“Doesn’t Danny usually work over the holidays doing that?”
“Oh, don’t get me started on Danny. Your cousin decided that sea and surf was more important than the job he’s done every Christmas since he was old enough to earn a wage.”
Nicholas laughed. “He’s probably had enough of all the ho ho ho. Give the kid a break.”
She flapped a hand. “Pfft. I’m not upset that he wants to do something else, however a bit of notice would have been nice. But that’s enough of my problems, you’re here for a vacation not to listen to me moan.”
They pushed through the doors of the play center to be greeted by the sound of carols piped through the large room and the shouts of excited kids. His mom greeted a few of the kids, obviously regulars, and she was clearly in her element. He smiled at her happiness, grateful she had her business to keep her occupied and happy.
Chapter Two
Daythreeofdoinghis good deed had Micah nearly pulling his hair out. Well, he would have if he could reach it underneath the stupid hat he had to wear. The kid standing in front of him opened his mouth and let out another almighty scream—for someone so small, he sure had a healthy set of lungs. The crying competed with the piped carols; carols that had lost their festive appeal as the afternoon progressed. He looked up from the crying kid as the boy’s mother continued to complain.
“Johnny’s been looking forward to seeing Santa for weeks and I promised him a photo,” she said. Micah was surprised she didn’t stamp her well-heeled foot to punctuate her statement.
He plastered on a smile. “Like I said, Santa is still here. He’s happy to see Johnny and all the other kids who are patiently waiting. It should only be another ten minutes or so as the queue is moving fairly quickly.” He directed his smile at the kid, only to be rewarded with another scream.
“Of course, it’s moving quickly—there’snophoto being taken. I drove all the way across town and I’m not queuing today and thenagainon another day for a photo.”
Micah resisted the urge to roll his eyes. She wasn’t the first customer who’d complained that day, and his patience was wearing thin. “I’m sorry the photographer isn’t available this afternoon. He’s come down with the flu and didn’t want to risk infecting the kids. Surely, you understand. I mean, we wouldn’t want Johnny to get sick right before Christmas, would we?”
She frowned, but thankfully her tirade died off. “When will the photographer be back?” she asked in a resigned voice.
“Er, I’m not exactly sure,” Micah said, and reached for the counter. “Here’s a card. Perhaps call tomorrow and I can give you an update.”
She snatched the business card from his fingers and reached for her protesting son, dragging him off into the mall. She was the fourth parent to do so in the last half hour when all the poor kid wanted to do was sit next to Santa.Where was everyone’s Christmas spirit?
He took a deep breath and turned back to the remaining queue. “So, who’s excited to see Santa?”
His spirits lifted at the response from the kids whose parents allowed them to stay despite there being no photographs. The little girl at the front dropped the toy truck she was holding, and he bent to pick it up. He forced the smile to remain on his face as his leggings rode down at the back. He passed the truck to her as he yanked the bright red top down at the back to cover his ass.Stupid costume.Damn, it was hard being positive while wearing a ridiculous elf costume.
Chad owed himbigtime. It was bad enough that he was running the Santa’s workshop and having to deal with pissed off customers, but to have to do it all while dressed in costume was pushing him to his limits. Adding insult to injury, the red and white striped leggings and the red tunic with a pointed hem that barely covered his ass did nothing for his skinny physique or his fair coloring. He adjusted the hat over his auburn hair, moving the pom-pom to the back, little bells tinkling as he did so. It wasn’t exactly how he’d envisaged he’d be spending the lead up to Christmas, but he focused back on the kids because, really, it was all about them.
“Micah!”
He turned to see Carol making her way over, and that put a smile back on his face. It was hard not to be cheered up by her bright outfit and broad pink-lipsticked grin.
