Page 25 of Fire in My Heart

“I’ll handle everything.” My heart slowed as I waited for his response.

Teddy gave me a pointed look. “Why do I think you’re going to need my help?”

I couldn’t stop the grin that threatened. “I need you to be Santa.”

“You know how I feel about that.”

I set my sandwich on a small table next to my chair, so I could use my hands to demonstrate. “Think about it the way the community would. You’re a police officer. You’re a bit intimidating.”

He raised a brow.

“You know you are.” I waved a hand up and down indicating his body. “You’re not exactly approachable. If you dress up as Santa, and the kids see you in something besides your uniform, they might view you differently.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “What if I don’t want to be seen differently?”

I let out a breath. “I think it would be good for your job and the farm. Everyone will love it.” There was a risk that morewomen would see him in a new way too. It was one I’d have to take if I wanted to accomplish what I promised for the farm.

“The chief has said I can be rigid.”

I snorted.

Teddy leveled me with a look. “Why is it you’re perfectly nice to everyone but me?”

My forehead wrinkled. “I’m nice to you.” I was exceedingly patient with a man that argued with me about every event I wanted to hold on the farm.

He shifted so that his elbows rested on his thighs. “You promised you’d wear the elf costume if I was Santa.”

I nodded eagerly. “This is going to be great.”

Teddy scowled. “I doubt that.”

“You won’t regret it.”

Teddy chuckled without any humor. “I already do.”

I pulled out a notepad and sketched the set up for the festival I had in mind. “The vendor tables will be here. We can move the picnic tables near the food trucks. Then we’ll take the Santa pictures inside the barn. I have my eye on a Santa chair that could work. Maybe you could help me with the rest of the setup?”

“I knew I’d be roped into this.”

“It won’t be a big deal. I promise. We’ll keep it simple this year. Once we know it works?—”

“You’re not suggesting we do this every year, are you?” Teddy’s voice was incredulous.

I looked up at him in surprise. “If it was successful, we’d be crazy not to do it again.” At his pinched look, I continued, “We’re testing things right now. Some events will work; others won’t. But we need to double down on what does.”

“We’re in a testing phase?” Teddy asked.

“That’s right.” I loved talking marketing and business terms. “It’s a risk but one worth taking in my opinion. People love festivals. It’s an excuse to take the family somewhere. And thisone is relatively low cost. I researched the light displays in the area, and they are expensive. One charged hundreds of dollars to see lights in a baseball stadium and ice skate for twenty-five minutes. Twenty-five minutes,” I emphasized.

“You’ve done your homework.”

“That’s what your dad is paying me for.”

Teddy stiffened, and I wondered if I’d made a mistake in referencing my salary. “I didn’t know what to expect.”

I leveled him with a glare. “Did you think I wasn’t experienced in what I do?”

He looked chastened as he held his hands up. “I said I didn’t know. Not that I thought you were a fraud.”

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