Page 5 of Wrapped Up By the Mountain Man

“Oh, she’ll be fine. She’s warm and cozy at home this year,” Marty said before he left.

“Mrs. Jones enjoyed being Mrs. Claus, I take it?” Bea asked, and I nodded.

“She and her husband did this for many years. When he passed on, I jumped in, but she just didn’t have it in her anymore. Not without her beloved husband.”

“Aw, that’s so sad,” Bea said as we made our way out front to start the night.

“Yeah, she managed two seasons and left. Hence, why we needed a new Mrs. Claus. And if you were to ask me, I think we found the best one.”

“Oh, really?” Bea’s eyes shone under the string lights, and I wanted to kiss her right then and there so badly. But children and families were watching so I didn’t.

But I knew it wouldn’t be much longer before I’d stop resisting and take what I wanted.

CHAPTER FOUR

Bea

I couldn’t stop thinkingabout Luke.

The way his eyes sparkled when he looked at me. The way he kissed my mouth so gently but with an urgency he wasn’t letting out yet.

He was holding back because of our job, which I respected and admired, but like him, I was bursting at the seams for more.

I pretended I wasn’t—to him, to Zoey, to myself even. But Zoey knew something was going on from the excitement in my voice and my happy energy at work. I got into the role of Mrs. Claus for the kindergarten kids as well, and we had a day where we made gingerbread houses and then another day where we wore our pajamas, ate cookies, and drank hot cocoa while watching the moviePolar Express.

Zoey was impressed, and her class joined mine in celebrating the Christmas season together.

“I need to meet this Santa that’s kept my girl in such a good mood.”

“Hey! I’m usually in a good mood.” I stuck my tongue out at her, and she laughed. It was the last day before Christmas break. The kids had been dismissed, and we were cleaning our classrooms together.

“Yes, you’re far from a bitch, but this…this Bea…I’d bet a good amount that you’re totally falling for this guy.”

I scoffed. “What? That’s crazy talk. I haven’t even been on a date with this guy.”

“Um, you’re pretty much on a date every night.”

“No, we’reworkingtogether,” I said, but I failed miserably at hiding my smile. Zoey side-eyed me, and we both dissolved into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.

“Sure, you are.” Zoey winked a few times, and more laughter ensued.

“He’s a lot older than me, Z, and we haven’t even talked much, so I don’t know a lot about him. We mainly just flirt, a couple of kisses here and there to piss off the prudish camera woman Katie, and that’s it.”

Zoey tilted her head to the side and placed her hands on her hips. “What I just heard was a bunch of excuses.”

I laughed and threw a bunched-up piece of paper at her. It hit her square on the forehead, and we both burst into another round of laughter.

Now, it was Christmas Eve, my last night working with Luke, and I couldn’t shake the gray cloud dampening my mood. I didn’t want to think about the nights returning to how they were before—lonely and boring.

As the night wore on, the snow fell harder, and fewer and fewer families showed up. About halfway through, when it was our usual break time, Marty came in to tell us we were closing early. “The snow’s only getting worse. The news station said it’s best to stay off the roads, so please take your time getting home.If anyone needs to stay at the Inn, I have some room. Merry Christmas, everyone.”

Everyone scattered quickly, leaving only Luke and me. We took turns changing out of our costumes before heading out to our cars.

“I don’t think you should drive in this, Bea. I’ll give you a lift home.”

As nervous as I was, I didn’t want to impose. “Thank you, but that’s okay. I’m going to my friend’s house, remember?”

“I don’t think that’s a wise idea,” Luke said. A crease appeared on his forehead, and I could tell he was worried.

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