Page 61 of The Merry Matchmaker

“For the right person,” said Frankie, and explained about the upcoming competition. “And I think Elinor would be the perfect woman for the job,” she concluded.

Elinor paled. “Oh, I couldn’t.”

“Sure you could,” said Frankie cheerfully. “You can borrow my new red dress. It will be perfect for the pageant.”

“Will I have to answer some sort of question?”

“Probably not,” Frankie assured her, conveniently forgetting Barbara’s mention of interviewing the candidates.

“But if you do, the answer is always ‘I want world peace,’” said Viola, which made Natalie giggle. “Don’t laugh. That’s how I became Miss West Seattle back in the day.”

“There you have it, advice from an expert. You’ve got Viola to coach you, and we can all help with the gingerbread house.”

“Gingerbread house?” Elinor repeated weakly.

“It’s going to be part of the pageant,” Frankie said, then moved on quickly. “We’ll make posters to put up around town, including in our window. It really is fun being Mrs. Claus, and it’s not like you don’t know Santa. Mitch is great to work with. And all our customers will vote for you,” Frankie added.

“Mitch?” Elinor perked up.

“He’s always Santa,” said Natalie.

“I’ll have Terrill get everyone at the station to vote for you,” promised Viola.

“There you go. You’re a shoo-in,” said Stef. “Hey, how about an interview as the first official candidate for the position of Mrs. Claus?”

“What should I say?”

“Whatever comes to mind,” said Stef. She pushed Record on her phone. “So, as Carol’s Mrs. Claus, what would you like to see happen this year?”

Elinor’s eyes got wide. “Umm.”

“World peace,” whispered Viola, making Natalie smile.

Elinor considered. “You know what, if I was Mrs. Claus, if I could have any Christmas wish come true, it would be to see families able to get together and all getting along and every child smiling on Christmas morning.” She smiled at Frankie. “Maybe that’s why I like working here at Holiday Happiness. I know that things can’t make you happy, but fun holiday decorations can remind you to be happy.”

“Wow,” said Stef. “That was brilliant.”

It was indeed. Frankie smiled on her protégé. It looked like Elinor really would make a good Mrs. Claus.

“Are you looking forward to taking part in our first ever Mrs. Claus pageant?” Stef asked.

“Well, I’m looking forward to meeting more of the people here in Carol. I’m so happy I moved here.” Elinor was on a roll, and she obviously didn’t need coaching.

A thirtysomething woman had come in and was hovering over by the nutcrackers, watching the proceedings with interest.

Frankie remembered her. She’d been in for their Black Friday sale, looking for a Christmas music box for her mother. She’d also wound up buying some of Natalie’s bonbons. “An early Christmas present,” she’d said, “for me,” which had made Frankie laugh. She’d returned a couple of days later to buy more candy, this time for a friend. She and Frankie had chatted briefly about favorite holiday recipes while Frankie rang up her purchases. A nice woman.

Frankie moved over to her. “Welcome back.”

“You remember me?” The woman looked surprised.

“I remember all my customers,” Frankie said. “What may I help you find?”

“I’m looking for something Christmassy for a little boy.”

“What does he like?”

“The usual—LEGO, video games. I’d like to get him something more traditional for Christmas, though. Maybe a train set if you have something like that. It doesn’t have to be fancy.”

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