Page 36 of Festive Faking
I didn’t need to peek back to know Aspen’s face was a deep shade of scarlet.
Even though she was out of earshot, I lowered my voice as I shared a secret with her mother. “I’m the one who’s trying to hold onto her.”
Chapter 14
Aspen
Mac was revealing histrue self, bit by bit. Like a puzzle, the picture became clearer the more he dared to share with me.
His confession this morning had been heartbreaking. I couldn’t imagine questioning the authenticity of every interaction, every friendship, or hell, every romantic relationship.
It settled like a rock in my gut because I was coming to realize that Mac was a good person.
He hadn’t hesitated to offer assistance when we were short a Santa this morning, nor when Rose explained the Christmas charity drive. He helped people because it made him feel good. I could tell that simply from the giant smile stretched across his face while he allowed the children each a turn to sit on his lap and whisper their gift wishes in his ear, before he parked himself at a table, coloring silently with a little girl who’d had a meltdown earlier due to sensory overload.
He was nothing like I’d thought, but the more I learned about him, the more I found I liked him.
It made me sad that none of this was real. That the next time I came home, during the holidays or otherwise, he wouldn’t be standing by my side, being his ridiculous self in an attempt to make me laugh.
Even more tragic was the thought that Mac might never again experience a sense of true family, of instant acceptance, once we parted ways.
Harper nudged me with an elbow, bouncing baby Barrett on her hip as she kept a watchful eye on her daughter, Aubree, at one of the tables. “Hey, my parents agreed to watch the kids tonight since a bunch of us are planning to hit up The Watering Hole. You guys should come.”
A night out at the bar sounded a hell of a lot better than being cooped up in the cabin, so I nodded. “I’ll check in with Mac and let you know.”
Barrett started fussing, so she excused herself to feed him but expressed her hope to see us later before she walked away.
I worked my way toward where Mac sat concentrating on a simple coloring sheet with such intense focus as though it were set to be hung in the Louvre. The child-size chair he sat on was so low to the ground that his knees were practically touching his ears, but he didn’t seem to mind, the smile on his face serving as evidence.
“Hey, sweetheart. Mind if I borrow Santa for a minute?” I spoke to the curly-headed toddler seated beside him.
She peeked up at me with big blue eyes and nodded without a word.
Mac grinned at the beautiful little girl. “Skylar here has been an excellent coloring companion. She knows all her colorsandcan stay inside the lines.”
Skylar beamed under his praise, so I jumped in, crouching down beside her. “Wow. I’m impressed.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she finds some art supplies under the tree on Christmas morning.” His voice held such conviction that I had no doubt he would personally ensure that she did.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed the girl’s mother hovering nearby, shifting on her feet and chewing her lower lip at Mac’s promise.
Mac must’ve seen her reaction as well because he added, “I’ll speak to the elves and make sure of it.”
Relief replaced worry as her eyes grew glassy. It made me wonder if they were one of the families set to receive assistance this year, not that I would ever ask. It was hard enough for parents to overcome their pride and accept the help of the community for their children during the holidays; they didn’t need anyone to shine a spotlight on their struggles.
Standing, Mac placed a hand on my back before speaking to Skylar. “Think you can finish that picture for me so I can take it back to the North Pole?”
The little girl’s rosebud lips parted in shock at the suggestion that he deemed her artwork worthy of displaying in Santa’s workshop.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He tossed her a wink before leading me away.
“You know, we missed a real opportunity here,” he mused.
I quirked an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”
He gave my hip a squeeze. “Could’ve had you play Mrs. Claus.”
“Not sure we have that costume on standby,” I teased.
