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“I appreciate her help with finding them homes.”
Kris’s eyes twinkled. “She has a knack with matching pets with just the right person. So don’t worry. In fact, I’m sure Merry will let you know as soon as she gets them placed and then you can visit them.”
Shaun shook his head. “I won’t be in town that long. I’m just waiting for my SUV to be repaired.”
“Oh, yes. That was horrible what the ice storm did. Glad you weren’t in your vehicle at the time.”
Shaun nodded. “Me too. But the garage said they were working on it. So, I’m hoping to have it back soon.”
“And then you’re leaving?” Kris asked.
Shaun’s gaze slipped to Leah before returning to Kris. “That’s the plan. I have a business and family waiting for me back in Kentucky.”
Kris nodded. “You’re in construction, right?” When Shaun once more nodded, the man said, “Kringle Falls is starting to grow. We could really use someone with your skills to help us.”
Shaun’s eyes momentarily widened. “Thank you. But I, uh...”
“Don’t say anything right now. Think about it.” Kris turned back to Leah. “Did you give the ladies your information for the parade?”
Leah swallowed hard and then shook her head. “I’m not going to be in it.”
“But you have to be. Everyone is participating.”
She wrung her hands. She hadn’t expected this to be an issue. “But I live outside of town.”
“You live on the edge, but you are still part of the borough.”
“But I’m new to town. I wouldn’t have a clue what to enter.”
Kris nodded. “I understand. You’ve had a lot of surprises in your life. You could do something simple.”
Her mind rushed to think of something simple. “I, uh, could decorate my car and throw candy.”
Kris smiled. “See. Was that so hard?”
She swallowed. “No.”
“Good. Go let one of the ladies know what you’re doing. We need to organize the procession.” He sent her a reassuring smile. “Please excuse me. I see some other people I need to have a word with.”
After Kris Kringle walked away, she turned a questioning look to Shaun.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get in line.”
Luckily, the line moved rather quickly. And when she told them her idea about decorating her car, Merry Kringle didn’t give her a hard time. In fact, she wrote down the information without making a comment.
It wasn’t until they were once more in her car that Leah turned to Shaun. “That man is good.”
Shaun started the car but before he pulled out, he looked at her. “What are you talking about?”
“I went into that meeting intent on doing nothing for the parade, and I walked out agreeing to decorate my car and to buy buckets of candy to throw out at the crowd. And this isn’t even my car.”
“When are you returning to California?”
“I was thinking I would go back between Christmas and New Years. I still have to turn in my notice at my work. And I have to empty out my apartment.”
“So, you’re positive you’re staying in Kringle Falls?”
She didn’t hesitate when she said, “Yes. I think that meeting did it for me. I mean who would want to miss those sorts of town hall meetings.” She grinned. “I have to find out how things turn out for the snow chairs.”
