Page 30 of Santa Loves Curvy Girls

When I got to the set, I looked around for Belle. Maybe she wasn’t here yet after all. That was alright. It was better to stick to the plan and tell her later.

“Santa!” I heard behind me.

I spun around. It was one of the elves named Anna. She came over to me, a large white envelope in her hand. “This is for you. It got delivered earlier.”

The pitch of her voice was high like an elf, which had to be a plus in this line of work.

I took it from her. “Thanks.”

I looked at the envelope, seeing nothing on it except the words “For Santa” written in curling cursive.

But nothing showing who it was from.

Before I could ask Anna who gave her the letter, I realized she was gone.

I went and took a seat in my chair. The envelope felt thick, and I wanted to read what was inside. Maybe special instructions for today? It was getting really close to Christmas and busier than ever before.

A few people ran around, including Belle’s mom, but I ignored all of them to open the envelope.

Inside was a thick sheet of paper. It was like the nice cardstock my mom used to send thank you notes to her clients.

We would like to congratulate you on all your hard work so far. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for bringing much Christmas magic to Garland’s families and children this year.

Enclosed, please find a special gift from us to you.

Thank you again for keeping the secret and allowing us to keep this very special tradition of over a hundred years going. You are a part of the magic of our beloved town of Garland.

Signed: The Secret Santa Committee of Garland.

That name matched the original package I had gotten, the one with my suit. Quickly, I looked up and glanced around. This had been from the committee? Were they watching me now? I couldn’t help but wonder, even if the logical part of me knew that I’d never be able to tell if they were.

My gaze tracked an elderly man sitting at the fountain nearby. Was he on the committee? Had he dropped off this letter?

Then I noticed the lady at the cookie counter, wearing a bright green apron. She smiled at me. Could it be her?

I had no idea. I turned back to the letter.

Enclosed was a check for more money than I’d ever seen. And it looked like they’d made a special donation in my honor to Santa’s Elves too. Mrs. Mulberry would be thrilled about that. It thrilled me too.

But even with more money than I could have hoped for, my heart sank because I knew now that I couldn’t let Garland down.

I wouldn’t be able to tell Belle who I really was after all. Ever.

There had to be another way to keep our relationship going, but no matter how much I racked my brain, I realized this tradition was bigger than just the two of us. Garland magic was something thousands of people enjoyed every year for more thana century. I knew the right thing to do, even if it tore me apart: I had to keep the secret.

18

BELLE

After a long day as an elf, I couldn’t wait to meet Santa at the ice-skating rink.

I yawned and my stomach growled, but I changed into my cutest ice-skating outfit. Thick leggings, leg warmers, and a long knit sweater that I hoped would complement my eyes.

I wasn’t the best skater in Garland, but hopefully, I would hold my own on the ice, maybe even skate around with him holding hands like I’d seen other couples do.

As I walked to the rink, Fall La La La La, I saw him standing underneath the red and green sign still dressed in his red and white velvet suit.

Getting closer to him, I nudged Santa playfully. “Are you really going to skate in that suit?” I teased. And maybe part of me was disappointed too that I couldn't see the real him. There was this big secret looming between us, reminding me that something major was standing between me and my Christmas wish coming true.

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