“Can we take part?” Without thinking it through, I turned to Becken, my enthusiasm for anything holiday-related making me bounce in my chair. “Can we? You’ll let me hit it with the axe or saw away at the trunk or however you plan to cut it, right?”
“I wasn’t planning on?—”
“What an amazing idea, Becken,” Aunt Inla half-shouted. “Thank you so much for volunteering to cut the tree. You too, Carla. Will you please select the tallest you can and make sure it’s delivered to the middle of town in time?”
“I didn’t volunteer,” Becken said.
Inla huffed. “Ostorvolunteered to make a stand and set the tree upright. AndTarkandSelsaid they’d string the lights, though, naturally, they won’t connect them to power yet. That’s for Saturday night. Hail’s making pottery ornaments with Allie, and each visitor will be able to take theirs home with them. EvenDungaris working on the star we’ll place on the top. Why don’tyouwant to be involved?”
With each pronouncement, Becken slunk lower in his chair. He looked at me as if he hoped I’d defend him, but frankly, the thought of him and me cutting down and bringing back the Christmas tree made me want to shout with joy. I fed him a slick grin.
He was caught, and he knew it.
“Alright, I’ll do it,” he growled.
“We’lldo it,” I said with a wide smile.
“Wonderful.” Aunt Inla hopped around and consulted her list again. “On Saturday, we’ll hold the parade. We thought in the morning. The families who are remaining through the holiday will be thrilled to be a part of it all. As for the parade, we were hoping the rodeo program could participate.”
Becken crossed his arms on his chest. “Participate how?”
“Wouldn’t it be amazing if sorhoxes marched in the parade, dressed like reindeer?” Her excitement was infectious. “That’ll set things up perfectly for the Santa’s village we’re setting up inside the function hall in the afternoon.”
“That’s a lot to expect of the sorhoxes,” Becken said carefully. “They aren’t used to crowds.”
“Which is why we’ll have to prepare them.” My mind was already racing with possibilities. “It’s a perfect opportunity to showcase what the program can offer.”
Becken reeled back in his chair. “You think we should do this?”
“I think it’s exactly what this program needs. Community integration, positive publicity. Every person watching will be able to picture themselves riding a sorhox after that. When we post the first events, they’ll sign up. When they leave, they’ll tell their friends about their amazing experience. Before you know it, we’ll be booked solid.”
“We?”
My face heated. That was right; I’d be gone before all that could happen. “Well, you.”
“No, both of you,” Inla gushed. “This is going to be wonderful.” She bounced on her toes. “I’ll let the others know you’re happy to participate.” Starting toward the door, she turned back, frowning. “We do have one other tiny issue.”
I lifted my eyebrows, urging her on.
“We still need someone to play Santa. He’ll drive the sleigh pulled by the sorhox reindeer, then lead the children to the village where they can meet him.”
I couldn’t do it. Ishouldn’tdo it.
Well, I was going to.
“I think we all know who should drive the reindeer and play Santa, don’t you agree, Aunt Inla?” I said with another big grin.
“Wonderful!” Inla nodded toward Becken. “Thank you so much for volunteering for that too.” She strode through the door, shutting it snugly behind her.
For a moment, I thought Becken was going to stride around his desk and latch onto me. Shake me, maybe, though he’d given no indication he could be violent.
And for another moment, I almost wondered if he might kiss me instead. My body heated up at the thought.
“You,” he snarled.
I fed him another smile. “Should we get back to that schedule?”
“You volunteered me.”
