Page 25 of Holding Out For A Holiday Hero

Sonofabitch. He remembered hearing that True’s mom had died of cancer. True’s father had passed away a year after that. Jake had been overseas at the time. And, shortly after her father’s passing, True had married the prick in Atlanta.

Jake found himself looking for True. Needing to see her. Because, dammit, he hadn’t even asked about her family. I haven’t asked enough about her.

He'd just told True that he planned to fuck her.

How could she not be swept away by his charm?

I am such a dick.

Aliyah closed one hand over his shoulder. “Okay, now spill it while we have a moment.”

Spill what?

“Maya gave me one mission. To find out what Taneisha just said she wanted for Christmas. The girl has been a vault all year, refusing to say anything. So I need the gift, and I need it now.”

But Jake shook his head. “She has what she wants.”

Aliyah frowned.

“She said her mom was better.”

“Dammit.” Aliyah swiped a hand across her cheek. “She is better. Maya kicked cancer’s ass.”

“Taneisha didn’t want anything else.” He peered across the room and found Taneisha hugging True. They were laughing about something. What was the kid? Seven? Eight?

A kid who believed in Christmas spies. “Got an idea,” he said, voice a little gruff as he forced his stare back to Aliyah. “Buy her a spy set. Include a note that says she’s now part of the team.”

“What in the world are you talking about?” Aliyah stared at him as if he’d lost his mind.

Like that was new. People often gave him those types of looks.

“A spy set. You know, maybe some walkie talkies, a pair of binoculars, some undercover glasses to wear as a disguise.” He nodded. “She will love it.”

“You had better be right about this.”

Oh, Jake thought that he was.

“More kids are waiting. You ready for them, Santa?”

Yeah, yeah, actually, he was. “Ho, ho, ho.”

“I like the new boyfriend,” Aliyah announced when the last kid left the museum. She and True were at the museum’s main doors. They’d been waving and thanking the attendees who filed out. “Wasn’t sure at first, but he grew on me. The man is damn good with kids.”

And that had been one major surprise. True had been stunned to see Jake getting the kids to laugh and chat freely with him during the event. “Everyone seemed happy, right?” she asked.

“Everyone was thrilled,” Aliyah confirmed. “Total success. Now go and grab your hot Santa and ho, ho, ho up the rest of the night.”

True felt a blush rise in her cheeks even though that was, ah, very much her plan.

“We clear to lock the entrance doors?”

She gave a little jerk at the question and turned to see Robert Moss standing at attention near the security desk. He’d been on duty that night. Robert always preferred the night shift. Keys jingled from his belt as he slowly ambled toward her. The light hit on his salt-and-pepper hair. He flashed his usual, warm smile.

“All clear,” she agreed. “Thanks, Robert.”

He bobbed his head. “Glad you’re bringing some life back to this place.”

“Me, too,” Aliyah mumbled. “I swear, we were a breath away from shutting down, and then you came to town.” She gave True a quick hug. “Have I told you how grateful I am for your divorce? That sounds horrible, doesn’t it?” She tightened her hold. “But you’re better off without the ex. And this town is better with you here.”

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