Page 9 of Sexted By Santa
Involuntarily, I glanced toward the doorway, desperate for escape. My pulse jumped when I saw Jaxson Hicks blocking the exit.What is he doing here?
“Let’s get back to handing out these great gifts,” I said, injecting my voice with so much false enthusiasm I sounded like one of Santa’s elves rather than the big man. Doris sent me a frown as I wrapped up the “cheer” portion of the event by carrying a gift to another recipient.
I couldn’t help sneaking a few looks Jaxson’s way. His eyes were narrowed in a glare, making me wonder if he was angry about my performance here or the brush-off I’d given him in my driveway. When he’d approached me, even bundled in a coat, he’d seemed tentative. So, I was caught off-guard by how imposing he looked as he leaned against the door with his arms crossed. Had his biceps always been so large?
He wore the dark blue scrubs of staff members, I realized. A plastic badge was clipped to the front right pocket on his top.
I gave out two more gifts, then felt my heart sink as I saw Harold’s name on a tag. He’d be a joy for sure. I swung by, holding out the present. “Enjoy!”
“What? That’s it?”
“Yep!”
He frowned. “I kind of expected a little more spirit.”
I smiled through my clenched teeth. “Well, Harold, just be glad it’s not coal. You were a borderline case. I had to personally talk the elves into making you anything at—”
“Okay!” Jaxson was suddenly beside me. “What a kidder, huh, Harold? I believe whatSantameant to say was, ‘Enjoy the gift because a lot of thought and effort was put into bringing you all a little holiday cheer.’ And it’s the thought that counts, isn’t it, Harold?”
Jaxson held his gaze, seemingly daring him to argue. Harold reddened, and I braced myself for a rude burst of bluster, but then he cut his eyes away. “Yes, thanks,” he mumbled. “I’m sure the gift is great.”
He gave the box a halfhearted shake.
“It’ll be even better when we’re playing a round of poker with your new chips eh?” Jaxson said with a wink.
All the residents had requested things they wanted, so I suppose Jaxson had guessed what was in the box. It didn’t seem very sporting to spoil the surprise, but Harold brightened. “You going to bet something interesting this time, Hicks?”
Jaxson snorted. “You know I can’t gamble for real.”
“Two extra cookies with dinner?” Harold suggested.
“Oneextra.”
“One per game,” Harold countered.
As they haggled, I moved on to another resident. I appreciated Jaxson’s rescue, but despite what he said to Harold, I was certain he was far from impressed with me.
“Are you Pearl?”
Pearl nodded, and I held out the present for her. Her hand trembled as she reached for it, not at all steady, and Jaxson stepped in again, taking the gift from my hand and placing it in Pearl’s lap.
“Thank you, dear,” she said in a quavering voice.
Jaxson smiled at her, transforming his face from glowering tough guy to gorgeous man. I hurriedly moved on to the last resident, but Jaxson followed. I looked around for Nurse Doris, but she’d disappeared. These two had choreographed their work rhythms, apparently. But it left me off-balance.
“I’ll take Bill’s gift,” Jaxson said as we approached the final resident waiting for his present. “He’s not likely to answer you.”
Bill’s eyes were glazed as he stared into the distance. I didn’t want to think about what might be the cause—or how I might end up in a place like this someday, with only staff members and the occasional volunteer to visit me. With so little family, I could hardly expect anything else, but it wasn’t a pleasant realization. No wonder my friends kept trying to fix me up, and Aunt Henry worried about my reclusive nature.
I handed over the gift and started toward the door. Jaxson caught me in two big strides. “Whoa, you’re not leaving yet?”
I turned. “All the gifts are delivered.”
“You’ve barely made an effort.”
“I did,” I protested weakly. It was true my holiday cheer needed some work. Maybe I could look up some scripts online to give me ideas of what to say. I wasn’t naturally extroverted. While I could lecture at school, it was only because I had prepared material and felt confident in my role there. Acting like someone I wasn’t didn’t come so easily.
Jaxson shook his head. “Maybe I should be glad you refused to talk to Tori this morning. You really aren’t too committed to this Santa thing, are you?”
