Have Yourself a Naughty Little Santa (11 page)

Kim shrugged. “I had it covered. He took off a while ago.”

Ez’s brows wrinkled, then she smiled. “Oh, it’s his turn at the North Pole.”

“North Pole?”

“Yes, Santa’s Workshop and all that up at the pavilion. The kids from the Truckee Detention Center come up every year.”

“Detention center as in juvy?”

Krista stirred in her mother’s arms, and she was starting to smell pretty ripe. “Yes, it’s really sad actually. These kids are young, eight to twelve, and they have the souls of old men and women.”

“Then why haul them up here for something they know is fake?”

“Because if we touch just one with the spirit of Christmas, then it’s a success.”

Kim rolled her eyes. “Give the kids some candy and an iPod and they’ll be happy.”

Esmeralda cocked her head and rearranged Krista in her arms. The baby was wide awake now and sucking her fist, staring at Kim. At least she wasn’t crying. “For some that works, but kindness and a little time do too.”

Kim grabbed her purse from the table, moved toward the back door, and said, “It might here, but not where I come from.” She forced a smile. “I don’t mean to come across as cavalier, but in my world, it’s every girl for herself. No one looks after you better than you do.”

Esmeralda smiled serenely. Kim didn’t trust it. It was one of those I-know-something-you-don’t-know kind of smiles, but Kim wasn’t going to argue that Ez didn’t know how it was in the
real
world. She lived in this Christmas globe. Nothing got in and nothing got out. “I’ll see you later—I’m going to head out and play tourist,” Kim said instead.

Ez smiled and opened her mouth to say something else but decided against it. Hand on the doorknob, Kim put her other hand on her hip and cocked a brow. She might as well hear the speech now so that next time, she could remind the innkeeper she’d already heard it. “What?” Kim asked.

“Thank you for taking care of Krista.”

“That’s not what you were going to say,” Kim replied. Esmeralda’s cheeks flushed. And Kim understood. “If you’re going to give me fair warning about your brother, you’re too late. We’re both adults. I’ll be gone in a week, and we’ll both move on.”

“Just like that?”

Kim nodded. “Just like that.”

“Just sex?”

Kim laughed. “With your brother, it’s just
great
sex.” She laughed again, genuinely amused by the embarrassed look on Esmeralda’s face. “Hey, you asked.”

As she stepped through the kitchen door into the crisp winter air of Evergreen, Kim stopped on the stoop and inhaled it deep into her lungs, then slowly exhaled. She smiled, not so much at the pristine landscape surrounding her but at the conversation she’d just had. Two days ago, anyone sticking their nose into her business would have been soundly slapped. She’d always had the stay-the-hell-away-from-me look, which had always worked like a charm. People only approached her if she allowed them to approach. But innocent Stepford girl Esmeralda wasn’t sophisticated enough to see her repel shields go up. Esmeralda and her family just assumed everyone looked out for everyone else. It didn’t occur to them
not
to be concerned for another’s well-being and then act on the concern; no doubt Esmeralda would have if Kim had allowed her to interfere. Kim scrunched her brows a little, confused. Because, well, if she was really honest with herself, the really weird thing was, Kim was okay with it. And she guessed it wasn’t because Ez was trying to protect her brother—it was because Ez had genuine concern for Kim. A first. But what the sister did not understand was that Kim had perfected the art of walking away. There was no need for worry.

She shook her head and stepped down the few steps to the driveway to walk toward the center of town.

As she made her way, she allowed the cool, crisp mountain air to sink deep into her lungs. And while she wasn’t quite used to the altitude, she had no complaints. The sun shone, the air was clear, and the snow glittered brilliantly beneath it. The town lay before her, a jewel in a white, puffy wonderland. She hugged herself and debated whether she should grab her jacket, but she decided against it. Her bulky mohair-and-fox trimmed sweater was enough. Besides, she’d warm up walking around.

As it seemed to be the custom of this crazy town, every person on the street smiled and said hello. To perfect strangers. After the first half dozen smiles and chipper greetings, Kim decided she’d better get with the program. This place probably had a law against those who frowned. So, when in a dorky Christmas town with Stepford people and themed shops, do as they do. Smile and act like you gave two shits about the person next to you.

She had to admit that the shops were quaint in a weird little way, and the names unique. Away in the Manger was a cute little boutique stuffed with baby and children’s clothes. Next door was Jingle Bells. Kim was impressed—not easy, with her high-end taste. Not only were there imported brass, glass, and bronzed bells from all over the world but there was also inlaid crystal, porcelain, and fine bone china. Five Golden Rings, the jewelry shop next door, had stuff that would give Harry Winston and Cartier carat envy. She couldn’t help stopping at Mistletoe Florals. She loved flowers; they were the one thing requiring care that she indulged in. And it wasn’t like when she forgot to water the flowers they felt any pain—she just tossed the pot or dumped the vase and bought fresh.

She smiled and bent to inhale a fresh spray of evergreen and hothouse gardenias. Bright baskets of poinsettias and Christmas cactus adorned the benches out front. Bows of holly, evergreen, and pine festooned with big red velvet bows and bright shining Christmas ornaments hung from brass straps out front.

Kim popped into Figgy Pudding, the local tea shop, and smiled. The subtle aromas of baked savories swirled around her nose, beckoning her deeper inside. Hunger gnawed at her belly. She was immediately greeted by a little old lady who looked like Mrs. Claus and had the costume down pat, even to her black leather lace-up granny boots. “Good morning,” Mrs. Claus chirped. “I’m Madison Studebaker. Everyone calls me Maddy.”

Kim couldn’t help return a smile. “I’m Kim. And it is a beautiful morning, Maddy.”

“It’s always a beautiful morning in Evergreen. Would you care for a spot of tea?”

“Yes, yes, I would. English breakfast, please, and a blueberry scone?”

The shopkeeper smiled, bobbed her head, and got to it. While Maddy bustled behind the half partition, brewing the tea, Kim asked, “How has business been?”

Maddy looked up from her chore and smiled a big toothy grin. The fine lines around her cheery brown eyes crinkled. She pushed back the red-and-white fabric cap on her head. “It could be better. But the Lord always provides. This season looks like a bumper crop.”

“Even with the blizzard?”

“Those boys worked twenty-four-seven until the roads were cleared. The forecast is showing a few inches here and there. We laugh at a few inches.”

Kim bit her bottom lip. She’d laughed at a few inches in her time as well.

A few minutes later Maddy emerged with a teapot wrapped in—you guessed it—a Christmas-themed cozy. She set it down in front of Kim, who had sat down at a small table covered with a holly-green-and-gold brocade tablecloth. The bell on the front door tinkled, and several ladies strolled in. Kim could tell by the way they were dressed and the way they looked around they were not native to the town. Maddy bustled over and introduced herself. As she was seating the group, another flock of ladies strolled in.

“Bella,” Maddy called to the back of the shop. Another elderly gal—Maddy’s twin—scurried out. The old lady smiled. “She’s older than me by one minute,” Maddy told Kim, and Kim smiled back. It occurred to her that the ache in her cheeks was from all that smiling. She rubbed them with her fingertips.

As she enjoyed her tea and blueberry scone smeared in lemon curd and clotted cream, Kim watched and listened. A half hour later, when she was ready to go, Kim opened her wallet and realized she had no cash. She’d parted with all four hundred dollars when she’d bribed the rental car guy. Kim shrugged. Plastic worked.

“Machine’s on the fritz, cash only today,” Maddy told Kim at the register.

Kim’s cheeks warmed. How embarrassing—she couldn’t spring for tea and a scone! “I seem to be out of cash at the moment. Where is the nearest ATM machine?”

Maddy patted her hand and said, “Just come on back before you leave town and pay me.”

Bewildered, Kim nodded, thanked the sisters, and left the bustling shop. As she stepped back onto the wooden boardwalk, Kim stopped. Stunned, she could not believe her eyes. People crowded the promenade and the streets. Merchants and shopkeepers were out and about, hawking their wears. Santa’s elves worked at several workbenches along the way, sawing, nailing, and painting children’s toys. The sounds of jingle bells and Christmas carols and the aroma of pine and roasted nuts filtered through the air. People smiled, laughed, and bustled along, happy and carefree.

Amazing. Kim stood speechless for a long moment and wondered how the hell Land’s Edge could stop Christmas.
In a freaking Christmas-themed town.
Because
this
town was fair to bursting with tourists, and the merchants’ cash registers were cha-chinging loud and proud. Kim walked down the street toward the pavilion. A long line of children and adults hovered around. She moved closer. She could see reindeer, eight of them decked out in bright, polished-brass, jingle-bell harnesses attached to a sturdy gold-and-red wooden sleigh. In it, a very tall Santa laughed and
ho-ho
ed while telling a Christmas story to a group of enthralled children. Wide-eyed, their necks craned back, they hung on his every word.

Kim moved closer, drawn to the spellbound group. When Santa looked up, she stopped in her tracks. His dark eyes creased under his red velvet and white fur cap. He
ho-ho
ed and turned his attention back to the children, whose eyes never left his face. Kim noticed several women who stood close to him and who looked like they were about to melt. Kim moved closer, intrigued by this Santa the women had flocked to like the children. As she approached, his deep voice became clearer, and she recognized it immediately.

Ricco.
Playing Santa. Her skin warmed and she had a vision of her sitting on his lap telling him all of the naughty things she wanted to do to him for Christmas. Silently Kim watched, mesmerized by his deep voice, the ease with which he told the story, and the confidence he had handling the children. They, like their mommies, who swarmed like bees around a flower, hung on his every word. Kim quietly lusted. Fantasies of him coming down her chimney and filling her stocking as she slid that suit off of him, baring that hard, sleek body of his, had her squirming where she stood. She really needed to go buy some condoms.

As Ricco finished his story, the mommies pressed upon him. He raised his head and caught her stare. He grinned and stood. Damn, he was big.

Santa’s helpers, a teenaged boy and girl in elf costumes, maneuvered the mommies and their kids for pictures. Kim continued to watch in quiet amazement.

How did those women know it was Ricco? Dumb question. She’d known at twenty yards. How could she not have? His sex appeal oozed over the area like some pheromone-infused gas. At that moment Kim was grateful that she was marrying a man who did not attract women like honey attracted bees. She had a jealous streak that ran a mile wide. It was ugly and it drove her nuts. It hurt to always be wondering who your hot guy was with. And while women were attracted to his power, they didn’t puddle around him. Nope. Nick was a good, solid choice. Until then, though? She smiled and caught Ricco’s grin. He would do very nicely.

As she turned, a man in a dark hoodie rushed right at her. When their eyes met, he slowed to a hurried walk. Her gaze dropped to the large Louis Vuitton satchel in his hand. She had the same bag. Instinctively, she pulled her own bag closer to her side. Her eyes lifted back to his. His narrowed. Was that hostility in those dark eyes? For a moment she felt right at home. Then he slammed into her on purpose and tried to yank her purse from her. She had two hands on it, though, and yanked it back. He took off running. Kim hit the ground with a whoosh, landing flat on her back. The earth was hard, damp, and cold. Furious, she hurried to stand, when a red-and-white blur raced past her. Holy shit! Santa was after the purse snatcher! She watched Ricco charge after the guy, catch up, then tackle him. It was over in a blink. Kim, along with everyone else, ran after them. By the time she got there, Ricco had the guy in a choke hold and subdued.

What the heck? Should she call the cops? Did they
have
cops in this freak town?

“Step aside, folks, step aside,” a deep voice commanded. Kim turned to see what she thought was, thank God, the local cop. She was surprised he wasn’t sporting a Santa cap and bearing gifts. Instead, the man, about her age, wore a white Stetson (of course), an officious forest-green-colored shirt with the town’s seal stitched on the right breast, jeans with a big ’ol silver belt buckle, and black leather cowboy boots. Over his shirt he wore a heavy chamois-colored leather-and-fleece jacket that did a pretty good job concealing the gun in his shoulder holster. Yay! A cop with a gun! She felt right at home now.

Ricco yanked the assailant up by his throat and hauled him around, then effortlessly maneuvered him back to the ground, planting his knee in the bad guy’s back. The cowboy tossed Ricco a set of handcuffs. Before she realized what he was doing, Ricco had the guy cuffed.