“That fireplace was the perfect touch,” my mother says, coming up behind me. She puts her arm around me.
“Thanks,” I reply with a smile, feeling grateful for all that she has done to support my dreams.
“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.” Her eyes brim with unshed tears. “You’ve created something truly special here.”
I lean into her side, soaking up her praise. “Thank you, Mom.”
“And reuniting with Andrew seems to be another special thing happening,” she adds, nudging me lightly
I blush a deep pink, and before I can say anything, Mom pulls away. “Alright, I’ll get back to those kids before they glue each other to the tables.”
She gives me one last fond look before heading back towards the craft table. Looking around at all the love and happiness in my store, I can’t help but feel like the luckiest woman alive.
13
Andrew
“Harrington,” bellows Captain the second I’m through the door.
“Yes, sir?” I pivot toward the tall, uniformed man.
“I have a…job for you today,” he says, but the tiny twitch of a smile on his face warns me that I’m not going to like this “assignment.”
Let me preface, I love this town. I love serving its townspeople. The communities, the camaraderie, the way everyone’s lives intertwine. But, even for my affection for this charming little town, there are certain...obligations that I could do without. Like being volunteered for community events by my oh-so-amusing captain.
We have a bet going around about who will be the next victim of his. We’ve all had to do some type of embarrassing task that no one wants to do. Today, however, my name seems to be on the chopping block. I can see it in the glint of his eye; he enjoys torturing us.
I search my mind for an excuse, anything at this point. “Cap, I gotta find these thieves. Maybe the new guy can help you out.”
“Randy gave me an update an hour ago on the case. Do you have new evidence or leads since then?”
Rats. I didn’t know he talked to Randy.
My shoulders slump. “No, sir.” I raise an eyebrow at him. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”
“Depends.” He grins. “Do you like spreading Christmas cheer?”
I groan inwardly. There’s only one upcoming event on our calendar where “spreading Christmas cheer” is a requirement.
“Santa?” I ask incredulously.
He nods smugly. “And Mrs. Claus.”
I groan, out loud this time.
“Isn’t it every man’s dream to play Santa Claus? It’s an honor,” he questions me with the cheesiest grin I’ve ever seen up close.
“An honor that involves wearing a polyester suit and a fake beard in front of the whole town for hours, Cap?” I retort, unable to keep the grimace off my face.
He chuckles, tipping back his chair. “You’ll survive, Harrington. Besides, think about the children.”
I rub my face and sigh. “And who’s my Mrs. Claus?”
“We still need one. I could ask Jeanie from the admin office…”
“I think I have the perfect person. When’s the event?”
“In two hours.”
