Page 45 of Playing for Keeps
Justin flashed her a wink. “Consider it done. Santa Claus is coming to town.”
The smile on her face was brighter than the new day sun as she headed back to work. God must have known she needed help today when He put the nudge in Justin’s heart. This was all he wanted—to stand by Caroline through the highs and lows of life.
A few boxes were stacked by the back door. Might as well dig in and help. He opened the boxes, counted whatever was inside, marked the outside with the contents, and stacked them on the shelves he’d organized only a few days ago. He’d just laid a list of the stock on Caroline’s desk when there was a knock at the back door.
He opened it, allowing Mrs. Burrows to slip inside. She shivered and tossed back the hood of her coat. “Good morning. Nice to see you here.”
“It’s nice to see you too.” He’d only met Mrs. Burrows recently, but Caroline had been talking about her for years. “Thanks for bringing the costume.”
She jerked her head toward the bathroom. “Go get this on because you’re going to need help with the beard.” She handed over the coat, pants, and pillow that would serve as his bowl full of jelly.
She was right. He wouldn’t have ever gotten the beard on without help. It wasn’t a cheap thing with a string around the back of his head. The white bundle of hair was more like a wig and needed to be glued on.
Mrs. Burrows adjusted the hat so that his dark hair was well hidden. “There,” she said, swiping a smudge of pink makeup on the tip of his nose and cheeks. “And you’ll need the glasses too.” She handed them over, and he rested them on the end of his nose.
Mrs. Burrows was already kneeling in front of him, holding out a black boot for him to slip his foot into.
“I appreciate the help.” Justin tightened the belt around the pillow.
“I bet Caroline appreciates your help even more. Bless her heart, she’s had such a rough year.”
Sure, Caroline had seemed a little sadder than he remembered, but he assumed it was the stress of him being in town. “What do you mean?”
Mrs. Burrows shrugged as she slid his second boot on. “Just terrible accusations. People can be so cruel.”
The girls who shoved the cupcakes into the front window. The anonymous posts online. How long had the attacks been happening?
Worse, why hadn’t he been told?
Skye stuck her head in the room, looking a little frazzled. “Santa is about to make kids cry if he doesn’t get out here fast.”
“Coming,” Justin said, gently scratching at the beard.
“Go make dreams come true, Heartbreaker,” Mrs. Burrows said playfully.
Make dreams come true. Nowtherewas a job for a makeshift Santa Claus.
Sneaking out the back of the building, Justin made his way around to the front, trying his best not to be spotted before the kids inside could see him.
As soon as the bell above the door chimed at his entrance, every head in The Cakery turned. Eyes lit up and smiles stretched wide as the commotion began.
“It’s Santa!”
“Santa came!”
“I told you he’d be here.”
Justin threw his arms out to his sides. “Merry Christmas!”
Little arms wrapped around Justin’s fleece-clad legs, and he halted his progress to let the kids get their share of hugs. “Thank you for your patience. Mrs. Claus needed some help this morning. She has some special surprises planned for you kids.”
Skye held up a plate of cookies. “If you’ll all line up here, you can each have your time with Santa Claus. He told me he’s excited to see all of you.”
Justin took the seat on the far side of the bakery while the parents corralled their kids into what could only be called a cluster of madness. Kathy stood a few feet in front of Justin’s chair with her camera at the ready and the plate of cookies beside her.
One by one, the kids sat on Justin’s knee and told him about the things they wanted for Christmas. Surprisingly, most of the wishes were for simple things. Some of them were specific, and some he couldn’t guarantee—like happiness for their parents or a new best friend.
Eventually, the crowd dwindled, and Caroline announced that Santa Claus would be leaving soon. The atmosphere in the bakery was full of joy as the kids squealed and smiled on their way out with their equally happy parents.
