Your Secret Santa
“I told you,” Kathy declared, leaning back.
Holly ran her fingers over the beautiful script. “But who would do this?”
“How many people have you helped to treat over the past four months?” Kathy pointed to the Christmas tree in the entry, where grateful patients had dropped packages off for the hospital staff. They always sorted out the obvious goodies to eat right away but would open the gifts closer to Christmas and donate them to a local charity.
“But none of them claimed to be a Secret Santa for anyone.”
Kathy’s grin turned sly. “I’m thinking you have a secret admirer.”
Holly immediately thought of Zack, but that was stupid. They were only friends. Right? Then she remembered how good he’d smelled. Her cheeks went hot at the memory. He would have said something then if he’d noticed. Could the attraction she felt for him be one-sided? And did it matter if she wasn’t ready for more?
She closed the card and carefully returned it to the envelope. What did this Secret Santa want from her?
Zack grinnedwhen he heard Holly’s door open. He’d been waiting for the sound so he could oh-so conveniently step outside at the same time she was leaving.
“Hey, Holly,” he said as he turned to lock his door. “How was work today?”
“It wasn’t too bad. We were busy enough to not get bored but nothing too horrible. You?”
“I worked traffic today. People who speed in school zones should have their licenses revoked.” Zack shook his head in disgust. “I was happy to ticket a guy who was not only driving too fast but on his phone too. He barely missed a kid.”
“Even one extra mile can make a difference when a car hits a child.” Holly shuddered and pulled her scarf higher up her neck. “Where are you headed?”
“I’m helping with the festival tonight. Aren’t you?”
“Yes, as if you don’t know that, since Kathy said you’re helping set up the vendor booths.” She shivered. “Do you think this cold weather will keep people away?”
“I don’t think so. Not with everyone in town so invested in it.” Zack pointed to his truck. “Would you like to ride together?”
“Sure.”
He hurried to open the truck door for her. When he gave her a hand up, he wished they didn’t have gloves on.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Something in the way she said it gave him even more hope. How did he play on their attraction without making it only about the physical? Because he wanted much more than that from Holly, and he didn’t want her to get distracted by thoughts of her ex and her sister.
Once they were on the road, with Christmas music playing, Zack wondered what to talk about, but Holly beat him to it.
“Have you ever had a Secret Santa?”
When she said the words, they took a moment to register. He could only pray it was dark enough inside the cab she couldn’t see his red face. Because it was flaming, and his heart raced. HadHolly already caught him? The lady he’d bought the card from assured him she wouldn’t give him away.
“Sure. When I was in college and lived in the dorm, they did it as a kind of gift exchange. They asked us not to spend a lot of money becausestarving students.” Since his voice mostly sounded almost normal, he added, “Why? You thinking of doing one at the ER?” There. That came out sounding natural.
“No, but maybe I should mention it to Kathy. Though she’s so involved with the festival, she probably doesn’t need to add anymore to her plate.” Holly glanced at him. “Where are we going, by the way?”
“The community center.” Zack wanted to ask her more about the Secret Santa, but then it might be obvious he was the sender. “It’s the main staging area. The guys and I will work on some booths and games, while I understand you’ll be helping with the food.” He could see her watching him from the corner of his eye, so he shot her a sly, sidelong glance.
Holly laughed, her cheeks flushing.
“Some of the local restaurants are sending people to help with the kitchen food too.” Zack frowned. “I remember you had to work during the Watermelon Festival last September and missed it.”
“I was so tired that I just had to get home and crash, but I’m looking forward to helping with it next year.”
Zack liked how she was planning to be here that long. “Well, Canyondale knows how to throw a party. We assumed you would help with the cooking, but would you rather work on the construction projects?”
