Page 26 of Fire in My Heart

I tipped my head to the side as if to say,Really?

“It’s hard not to think the worst of everyone in my line of work.”

“Everyone has good in them. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder.” I was specifically referencing Teddy because I didn’t see what Daphne did, but then again, she was his little sister. He’d probably catered to her and treated her differently than the other women in his life.

Teddy stood. “I’ll keep an open mind.”

“And not complain the entire time about wearing a costume.” I grabbed my things and followed him inside where he cleaned off the counter and put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

I wondered if he made it a habit to clean his dad’s kitchen every day.

Teddy closed the dishwasher, turned, and leaned against the counter. “I can’t promise that. I intend to be very grumpy.”

“Santa’s not supposed to be a grump,” I said as I sat on the stool and took a bite of my sub.

“We don’t know, right? It’s just speculation. He’s a fictional character after all.”

I rolled my eyes. “Everyone knows that Santa is jolly.”

“You asked me to be Santa, so you get what you get. I’m not going to change.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

I bit my lip hard, so I didn’t scream in frustration. Just when I thought things were going my way, he had to be difficult. “The kids expect Santa to be a certain way. All you have to do is put them on your lap and ask them what they want for Christmas. The photo is snapped. Then I’ll hand them a candy cane and direct them on their way.”

“What if they want something ridiculous for Christmas like an airplane?”

“Most likely it will be a video game console or a phone.”

Teddy dipped his head. “Kids ask for that?”

I nod. “Yup. They all want technology these days. Izzy’s been bugging Daphne for a phone, saying everyone else has one.”

A line formed between his eyebrows. “That’s not working on her though.”

I laughed. “No way. Daphne said she’s home, and there’s no reason for Izzy to have one.”

“I thought they’d want a football or something.”

“Either way, you just smile and move onto the next kid. We don’t need to comment on their requests. That’s up to their parents to prepare them for reality.”

“Sounds easy enough.”

“And I’ll be there to help with the kids. They love me.”

“Of course they do.”

I couldn’t tell if he thought that was a good thing or not. Instead, I finished eating and got up to throw out my trash.

“You ready to go out with a family? I’ll show you what we do,” Teddy asked hesitantly.

“I’d love that.” That was something I hadn’t done yet, and I was eager to experience it.

Teddy glanced down at my shearling boots. “You got good shoes on?”

I’d bought them because they were cute. I wasn’t sure if they were made for hiking.

“Those will do. Come on.”

I followed him outside eager to talk to a family and see what kind of tree they wanted. “This is so exciting.”

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