“Oh joy,” he mumbled. The fact that this was happening kicked in, making his brain go into overdrive. His protective fatherly instincts put up their dukes. Collin was visiting Santa Clause with his Aunt Lauren and Uncle Jacob. He wanted to see his son–to make sure he was okay. Pearl had a way of playing with his emotions that tore at Ethan’s heart.
“Where are you right now?” he spoke slowly into the phone.
“The airport. I took a late flight, so don’t expect to see me until I recover,” she replied.
He ticked off the hours she would sleep in, the spa time she’d need to feel presentable, and it all seemed too short. He needed to get off the phone and warn his family. “Pearl, thanks for letting me know. I’m in the middle of shopping.”
“Say no more!” she chirped. “I can’t wait to see what you get me for Christmas.”
He barely held back his groan. “Talk to you soon.” He didn’t wait to hear her response. Dialing Lauren, he tossed the other bags next to the first set and began to pace. Lauren picked up quickly, and he filled her in.
She sounded out of breath. “You haven’t made any Christmas wishes have you?”
He paused at the strange question. “No.”
“Good. Don’t.”
That was weird, but he didn’t have time to sort out his sister’s issues right now.
He asked if she wanted him to pick up Collin, but she said he should finish shopping. Ethan hung up and glared down at the packages on the ground. He’d been in such a good mood, looking forward to Ethan’s excitement when he opened these on Christmas morning. He couldn't let Pearl ruin all that. He’d just have to work extra hard at having a great holiday season. His eyes went out of focus as he dove into making a mental list.
“Looks like you dropped something.”
The jolly voice drew Ethan’s attention. His eyes climbed up a pair of shiny black boots, red velvet pants, a red coat with white trim, and a white beard to finally land on a pair of bright blue eyes that seemed to swirl with possibilities. He blinked several times. “Santa?”
“Ho Ho Ho,” Santa grabbed his belly as he laughed. “Looks like you’re a busy elf. Do you need some help?” He bent down and picked up several bags, holding them out to Ethan.
“Bro, you have no idea how much help I need,” Ethan shot back as he accepted his bags. If only he had someone to share this burden with, a partner who had his back and whom he could snuggle into for comfort and stability. That was the kind of love he’d thought he found when he married Pearl. The knowledge that he’d been so incredibly wrong shattered his heart—enough time had passed that he once again yearned for an authentic and abiding love. He wasn’t put back together again, but the right woman would make that happen.
“I might be able to help,” Santa hedged. He scratched his beard. It was fake and probably itched like crazy. He looked over his shoulder to the gathering area where he’d greeted children of all ages as if making sure he hadn’t been followed. “I feel like there’s something you want to wish for, something important.”
“I got it. Thanks though.” Ethan mentally tucked the rest of his Christmas list into the back pocket of his brain and headed for his truck. The rest of his shopping would have to wait for another time. “Merry Christmas!” he called over his shoulder.
“Merry Christmas!” sounded back at him.
Jingle bells rang out, wild and as if they were right on top of him. Ethan spun around only to find an empty sidewalk. Shoppers still moved in and out of stores, and music played through public speakers, but Santa was nowhere to be seen. “Where’d he go?” He craned his neck and stood on his tiptoes to look over beanies with giant pompoms on top.
After a moment of searching, he scoffed at himself. He had bigger things to worry about than what a stranger was up to this year.
CHAPTERONE
Valerie Biel drove down Moose Hollow’s Main Street at the speed of frozen molasses. “I can’t get enough of this!” she exclaimed. She’d long ago come to terms with the fact that if she were going to have anyone to talk to, then she’d have to talk to herself. Though she had a hard and fast rule about not responding–that would push her from slightly quirky to actually crazy.
Each shop on Main Street had a holiday window display that made her wish she was on foot and could look closer. Diamonte’s Fine Jewelry sparkled in the afternoon sun. They’d decorated a Christmas tree with ornaments made from jewelry boxes, the contents worth a fortune.
The bakery’s tree-shaped display of macaroons alternating red, white, and green was a siren’s call of sugar and bliss. She hadn’t had a good macaroon in ages. “Put that on the shopping list.”
Up ahead, Apen’s Barbery and Beard store caught her eye. Uncle was proud of his mustache; a new shaving set with beard oil would be the gift this holiday season. The Longhorn Boutique was Auntie’s favorite, so she’s be stopping in there to find a gift as well. Near the end of the street, in full view of the stunning white church building with stained glass windows and a green front door, was the store she’d put on her fur-topped winter boots to find: The Christmas Shop.
So named because, inside the white storefront with the bright red door, it was Christmas all year round. At least, that’s what their website said, and though Valerie wasn’t prone to believing what she read online, she hoped the reviews of this place were accurate.
“They have everything Christmas.”
“The selection is amazing, but the owner is even better.”
“It’s full of Christmas Magic!”
As a woman searching for Christmas, Valerie put a lot of faith into those anonymous reviewers.
