Dear Santa(27)

“Positive. The restaurant has taken over my life. I need to make time for myself now and again,” he said, and added in a whisper so low she wasn’t sure she heard correctly, “Time for us.”

“What about Christmas?” she asked, feeling brave. “I know you said you were spending it with your sister, but do you think you might be able to stop by here?”

“I’d like that.”

“That’d be great.” She couldn’t hide the joy she felt knowing she would spend part of the day with him.

“I don’t suppose you know anyone willing to play Santa,” her mother asked, lowering her voice so Peter wouldn’t hear.

    “I do,” Billy said.

“This is the first year Peter’s into Santa. I’d love it if Santa could stop by the house at some point on Christmas Day. I know it’s a lot to ask of a stranger, but I’d be willing to pay whatever was reasonable.”

“I doubt he’d take the money. I know for a fact he’d refuse.”

“Who is it?” Ellen asked.

Billy’s smile was huge. “You’re looking at him. I have a Santa suit and play Santa for Dede’s kids. I got the suit last year and have already made an appearance for an office party at the restaurant.”

“Billy Kincade,” Lindy said, with laughter in her voice. “You are a man of many talents. What other hidden qualities do you have?”

His gaze sparkled, and he lowered his voice and said, “So many. I’ll be happy to show you them all one day.”

Lindy laughed. “I’ll look forward to that.”

His phone dinged, and he removed it from his pocket and sighed when he read the message. “I need to get back to the restaurant.”

“I’ll walk you to the door,” Lindy offered.

Her mother pretended to be busy in the kitchen, and Lindy let her. Billy held her hand, and once they were in the other room, he gathered her in his arms. “I can’t stop thinking about you, Lindy. When I found your glove, I was excited because it gave me the perfect excuse to see you again.”

    “You don’t need an excuse, Billy.”

His intense gaze held hers.

“I have the strongest urge to kiss you.”

Lindy briefly closed her eyes, remembering their ardent kisses from the night before. “And I have the strongest urge to let you.”

Billy brought his mouth to hers in a gentle kiss that Lindy felt all the way to the bottom of her feet. Her arms circled his middle as she leaned up on her tiptoes, holding herself against him. He tasted like ginger from the cookie he’d eaten earlier. She’d never enjoyed the taste more. When they broke apart, he continued to hold her, his forehead against the top of her head.

“Tell me I’m not alone in this feeling, Lindy. I need to hear you say it.”

“You aren’t alone.”

She heard his sigh, of what must be relief. Even though she’d repeatedly told herself this was a holiday romance, it felt like it was more and that was dangerous. Dangerous for her, and dangerous for Billy, too. When her vacation time was up, she would return to Seattle. She needed to remind Billy of that.

Not now, though.





CHAPTER ELEVEN





When Chad and Ashley arrived, Peter hurried to his parents to tell them about his day. He didn’t fail to mention that Lindy had promised to take him to play in the snow after Christmas.

“You’re a brave woman,” her brother told her.

“I want Billy to come, too,” Peter added.

Chad’s brows lifted in question. “Peter invited him,” she said. Although she hoped he would be able to join them, it all depended on his schedule.

With Chad, Ashley, and Peter there, the house was filled with excited chatter about their day and plans for Christmas. Taking hold of Lindy’s hand, Peter brought her over to the nativity her mother had set up on the table by the tree. He stood with wide eyes in front of the figures displayed there.

    “I don’t know why the baby Jesus had to sleep in the hay.”

“Because there was no room for his mom and dad at the inn,” Lindy explained.

“Was it cold in the barn?” he asked.

“I’m sure it was warm for Him and his mom and dad.”

“Good.”

That appeared to appease Peter.

“Aunt Lindy,” Peter said, holding on to her hand. “Did you know Santa is coming to our house?”

“Did you write him a letter to tell him what you wanted for Christmas?” she asked, enjoying the way he looked up at her, his sweet, innocent face filled with the excitement of the holidays.

“I don’t write good yet. But I can write my name.”

“I saw that and was impressed. You’re growing up so fast.”

“I like school.”

Lindy knew Peter attended a preschool three days a week, and was amazed with all he was learning. It seemed every week her young nephew blew her away with some new accomplishment.

“Did you have fun with the paper-chain set I mailed you?” she asked.

“Lindy, that was the best,” Ashley told her, joining them. Six months into the pregnancy, she was starting to show a little more every day. It’d been the same with Peter. Ashley didn’t begin to look pregnant until the end of her seventh month. If she were ever to have children, Lindy hoped…Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt. She couldn’t imagine where these ideas were coming from. Children? Her?