Page 73 of No Good Deed

When the crowd cheered at the end of the movie, Troy put on his best Santa attitude and moved into the Saloon. He was greeted with cheers and hoots.

Owen Kerins shouted out. “Merry Christmas, Santa!”

For the next few minutes, Troy had a blast chatting with each of the kids and handing out the presents Marcus had organized for them. One of the benefits of being in a small town was that everyone knew everyone. And they knew what would make each kid happy.

They’d kept the gifts simple and fun. Sports equipment, craft supplies, puzzles, and games.

He looked around when he was on his last gift. Nina Syrette stood over with her mom. At almost-thirteen she was on the edge of being too old for a Santa gift, but there’d been no way any of them were leaving her out. He could see the control on her face. She wouldn’t let anyone know she was disappointed if she’d been considered too old.

Troy crooked a finger at her, and her smile was immediate. She bounced over. “Merry Christmas…Santa.”

Her hesitation proved she knew exactly who he was and that she’d keep his secret. “Your mom told me you’ve been a good girl this year.”

Nina rolled her eyes with a grin. “That’s not a secret, T—Santa.”

He boomed out a Ho Ho Ho, and the kid cracked up. “Merry Christmas, Nina.” He handed her an envelope. He’d checked in with her mom and Kimi before getting the present approved.

Nina thanked him, and opened the envelope. She pulled out the certificate inside. Her mouth dropped open as she read it, and her eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

He nodded, and Nina whirled to find her mom. “Mom. I’ve got a job. A job with Kimi. For three hours a week. I get to help with the animals and everything. Can I do it? Can I help her?”

Kimi and Addison had moved in closer and when Addison nodded, Nina whooped and hugged first her, then Kimi, and then Troy. “Thank you. This is the best Christmas gift ever.”

Soon, the crowd cleaned up and dispersed to have their private Christmas Eve celebrations, leaving him and Piper alone in the Saloon.

Piper leaned into his side. “Good job, Santa. The kids were thrilled.”

“That was fun. Great idea with the Phail cards. That’s a keeper for next year.”

“We’ll have to watch the movies to get ideas for the cards.”

“Maybe we should spend Christmas Day in bed watching movies and taking notes.”

Piper laughed. “Taking notes. Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”

“Hey, are you trying to get on the naughty list?”

Heat flared in her eyes as she grinned. “Maybe.” She reached up and tweaked his beard. “Santa’s kind of a hottie.”

He laughed and boosted her up. Or tried. He’d forgotten the stuffed belly, and she couldn’t wrap her legs around him. Laughing, he yanked the stuffing out and lifted her again. She wrapped her legs around his waist and rocked into him.

“Much better, Hottie Santa. Why don’t you show me what else is under the suit?”

Laughing, he headed for the nearest table and showed her exactly what the suit was hiding.

* * *

Piper woke slowly, safe and warm in Troy’s arms on Christmas morning. She’d only had one nightmare, but it had slipped away once she’d realized she was in Troy’s bed. She snuggled in more deeply and breathed in the peace.

“Merry Christmas, Piper.” Troy’s sleepy, sexy voice rumbled in her ear.

She lifted her head from his chest and leaned up to kiss him. “Merry Christmas.”

“How are you feeling today? Any lingering effects from the concussion?”

She grinned. “I think we can safely say I’m better.” She’d been to see Lia daily, and her wounds were all healing, and the effects from the concussion appeared to be gone.

He hugged her more tightly. “Good. I was thinking that we’ve been focused on building traditions for the town, but we haven’t talked about building traditions for ourselves. Ones for just us.”

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