Brad grimaced at the drunken Peanut but didn’t bother to correct the belligerent little man’s assumption that he’d been referring to him.In my opinion, that would have been a much better way for pouty Saint Nick to handle the whole situation, too.
Dave led Jack away from both our booths and out into the thoroughfare.As Oliver had hoped, the crowd did garner some interest in the adorable, fuzzy animal.Jack, being Jack, was more than happy to be admired by everyone.
I smiled.At least I could count on Jack to be somewhat sensible.
I turned back to see Cameron catch Peanut’s upper arm and tug him away from the scene.Dougie held Peanut’s other arm, but George, who never liked to stray too far from his barstool, headed back to his spot at the end of our booth.
“Jimmy, I need a beer.”
Jimmy, who had continued to prep food throughout the whole debacle, grabbed a beer from a cooler and plunked it down in front of George.
“Well, that was certainly entertaining,” Eleanor said.For once, the elderly lady sounded genuinely amused.
I had forgotten that she was there.It was unlike her to be quiet for so long.Usually, she had an opinion about everything—and lots of them.
“It almost makes up for the lack of doughboys,” she added.“Come on, Millie.”Then she paused.“Actually, give me one of those green drinks.”
She nodded toward the container of bright green Grinch Punch.I poured her a glass.There was something particularly fitting about her wanting to drink this cocktail.Although, I didn’t think her heart would ever grow three sizes, however.
“Come on, Millie,” she repeated.“Let’s go watch the puppets beat the stuffing out of each other.”
She placed her cocktail in the basket of her walker and started pushing it over the grass.
Millie paused long enough to fish a few bills out of her purse and hand them to me, payment for all the things that her mother had helped herself to.
I nodded my thanks, as usual, feeling badly for the other older woman.Millie really had gotten a rough lot in life.
When I looked back to where the fight had happened, I saw that Saint Nicholas was now stalking his way in the same direction that Eleanor and Millie had just gone.His red velvet cloak swirled around him more like Darth Vader than a beloved Christmas character.
Ashley stood there watching him go, and I got the distinct impression she wanted to follow him.But instead, she sighed, then turned back to her booth.She joined Brad, helping clean up.
I couldn’t hear what they were saying to each other from where I stood, but I could tell by their expressions that the conversation was not exactly a pleasant one.My natural curiosity got the better of me.I wanted to move closer so I could overhear what they were saying.But before I could move out from behind the booth, Cameron returned.
“Do you have any idea who that guy was?”
I shook my head.“Everyone’s saying that he’s a local who always plays Santa Claus at these types of events, but I’ve never seen him before.I don’t recall him at any Christmas event, and I know I’ve never seen him at the pub.”
“Well, he nearly ruined my whole grand opening.”
I gave Cameron a sympathetic smile, although I did think he was being a little over dramatic himself.But then I noticed his wildly ruffled hair, which was usually perfect, and the pinch of his mouth, and I could see that he was truly stressed.
Brandy chose that moment to jump in—and not be particularly helpful.
“Or maybe it made it more interesting.”She seemed to realize that wasn’t exactly the best thing to say.“More entertaining?I mean, you know, memorable.”
She saw Cameron’s grim expression and gave up, turning toward a customer to take their order.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” I assured him.“I mean, I know it wasn’t how you wanted things to go today, but stuff happens.And everything else is going so great, and everyone I’ve seen today is having a great time.I don’t even think anybody will remember it.”
Cameron’s lips pinched again.“They will remember the lack of doughboy stand though.”
“See, that will end up being the biggest drama of the day.”I smiled, trying to lighten his mood.Then I added, “You have pulled off a fabulous event.”
He still didn’t look convinced, but then he managed a smile.“Thanks, Soph.”He leaned in to give me a quick kiss.
“Where are my parents, by the way?”I asked, looking around.In the midst of the hullabaloo, I hadn’t even looked for them.
“Oh, I left them in the inn.They’re getting settled in their room.I think they’re pretty tired after the long flight.”
