Page 74 of Jam and Jingle Bells
Cameron contemplated this for a moment. “Like at the grocery store?” he asked, tapping his chin.
“You bet, and the school, diner, and even in this park.”
He held up his finger. “What about the Elf on the Shelf?”
“Now that’s a fake elf,” I said, taking too much joy in ruining his dad’s fun.
“I knew it,” he said, slapping his leg. “I saw my dad moving it to the marshmallow bag the other day!”
I held my fingers to my lips. “Just play along. Adults are crazy like that.” I rolled my eyes and he giggled.
“You’re a nice elf,” he said, reaching his hand out to shake mine, so I took it and shook it once.
“Thanks, Cameron, and you’re a nice boy. Would you like your turn on Santa’s lap?”
He nodded eagerly and I held my finger up for him to wait. I helped the other little girl down, then motioned for him to come over. He was swooped up at the last minute and plunked on Santa’s lap by a dude smaller than Ellis. “I got this,” he said toward me without making eye contact.
I stepped back to my spot on the X so I was in the right place when it came time to take the picture. A hand came down on my back and I jumped, surprised when I turned my head to see Mel standing there with Holly. Holly’s face wasn’t happy as she glared at the scene around Santa.
“Just ignore him,” Mel whispered. “Holly says the dad is always starting problems with the teachers at school. He’s a jackass.”
Holly yanked on her mom’s coat. “Mom, language,” she hissed and I bit my tongue to keep from laughing.
“You get all kinds here, trust me. It’s fine. Did you come to see Santa?” I asked, tweaking Holly’s cheek. “I thought you’d both be too tired to be at the park today.”
Mel gave me half a lip tilt. “She didn’t give us a choice. She said Santa expected to see her today.”
“How come you’re his elf, Addie?” she asked, quite curiously I may add.
I held my hands out. “His elf from the North Pole caught a bad cold, and since there are only fourteen days until Christmas Eve, they needed all their worker elves up there to make toys.” I played along since I had no clue if she actually believed Santa was real or not. “I volunteered since I own a business in town. It made sense.”
Especially if you know who Santa really is.
“I hope the other elf feels better soon,” Holly said, her eyes focused on Santa.
“I’m sure she will,” I agreed, patting her on the back.
“How’s married life?” I asked Mel who smiled as her eyes strayed to the gazebo.
“Oh, just wonderful,” she laughed, her voice floating on air. “I didn’t think it would be any different than living together, but somehow, it is.”
My eyes drifted to Santa and I sighed. “That’s good to know. I guess there’s something about a signed, sealed, and delivered statement that does matter to us emotionally. How did Holly do last night?”
“She was asleep before we got her out of the diner. She never stirred and slept all night. It appears she had a great time.”
“Good,” I said, tearing my eyes from Ellis to check on Holly. She was standing there impatiently bouncing on her toes, tuned out to everything her mom and I were saying. “Is Mason here?” I asked, glancing around. “Or did you come alone?”
“He’s at home making dinner. Holly wanted his homemade blueberry muffins and eggs tonight.” She leaned in closer to my ear. “I think she’s just keeping him busy because she didn’t want him to come with. She told me I can’t listen in on the sleigh either.”
“Weird,” I whisper agreed. “If it’s too cold and you want to wait in the car, I can bring her over when she’s done.”
She glanced down at Holly. “Hol, would it be okay if I wait in the car? My feet are sore and it’s getting cold.”
Holly looked up at her mom with love in her eyes. “Of course, Mommy. Addie will take care of me. Would you like me to text you when I’m done?”
I bit my bottom lip to keep from laughing at the girl, but it didn’t escape me that she wasn’t bothered by her mom going to the parking lot and leaving her here alone.
“Addie said she’d bring you to the car when you’re done. Is that good?” Mel asked and Holly nodded.
