Page 3 of Daycare Santa

Chapter 1

“Grandma said Santacan bring my mommy anything she wants.” Luca shifted on Santa’s leg and pulled a folded book leaf from his jeans pocket. His high-pitched voice carried to Gina, who watched him from a nearby booth.

“I wrote you a letter, but can you bring Mommy a boyfriend for Christmas? And maybe a daddy for me?”

“Luca!” Gina screeched while he pointed, then whispered to Santa, who looked directly at her.

She dumped the tablecloth on the trestle and called to her assistant as she rushed toward her son. “Can you finish setting up while I get Luca?”

Summer grinned, revealing a mouthful of braces. “Sure, do your thing.”

The fair being hosted by the shopping mall owner would start in another hour. Overnight, the decorators transformed the courtyard with garlands and a ten-foot Christmas tree as the focal point. Aside from the decorations on the tree, blue and silver tinsel dominated the space meant to be a small fairground for the shoppers’ children.

Gina preferred red for the décor, but the only hint of it was in the pile of faux gifts heaped around the tree. And, of course, Santa, whose smile grew wider as she approached him.

She was too mortified to do more than offer an anemic curl of the lips, although she wanted to snatch Luca off his lap. “I’m sure Santa would like some time to set up before the other children arrive. Come, Luca.”

Behind round steel-rimmed glasses, Santa’s gaze twinkled. He returned her gesture, revealing rows of perfect teeth. “It’s okay, I’m not busy.”

His gaze ran from Gina’s ponytail to her sneakers and stopped everywhere in between. Santa was checking her out. The ick factor would have made her grimace, but this man was no old geezer. His pearly whites, spray-painted beard, and smooth, dark-honey hands told a story that made her curious. Who was he and why was he playing Santa instead of Mr. Timmons, whom all the shoppers knew?

“It’s perfectly all right, Miss ...?”

She tipped one brow. Really? This was the only Santa the plaza management could find? One who’d likely be hitting on unsuspecting moms all day? Later, she’d have a word with the property manager, who was a decent sort.

Before she could respond, Luca piped up first, still perched on Santa thigh.

“Wright. My mommy’s name is Regina Wright, but Grandma calls her Gina.”

Santa gave her a saucy wink. “Thanks for that information, son.”

She ignored him and spoke to Luca. “Come here. Now.”

“But I wasn’t finished yet, Mommy.” He wriggled the letter between his fingers, gazing up at the impostor who studied her without blinking once.

Gina leaned in and gently circled Luca’s arm. “You can come back later, when the fair starts.”

“Are you sure?” Luca slid off Santa’s leg and pointed at him. “He’s going to be busy. That’s why I came now.”

She turned Luca toward the tent where Summer was in the middle of dressing the table. “Go.”

When she faced Santa, he was watching her. Gina straightened her spine and worked up a half-smile. “Sorry about that. My son thinks Santa is a superhero.”

---