Page 8 of Sexy Claus

Brenna wheeled toward her as she approached Maxwell’s, a fixture in Creekside since well before she was born. The young woman’s cheery expression chased away the cold seeping through Christy’s leggings.

Pulling open the door, Christy shook off the depressing mood being in her childhood home had sparked and returned her lunch date’s smile. “Hi. I’ve been looking forward to figuring out our plan since we talked this morning.”

With less effort than entering the pizza place had required, Brenna rolled into the diner. “Me too. I even managed the half-mile trip without getting permanently stuck in a pothole.”

“That’s awesome. You’re a quick learner.” With a gesture toward thePlease Wait To Be Seatedsign, Christy let her companion take the lead.

Brenna glanced up at her before waving at the apron-clad woman hurrying toward them. “Hi, Mrs. Ferris.”

The server’s eyes widened. “Oh my goodness, as I live and breathe. Brenna, it’s so good to see you out and about. What can I do for you, honey?”

“It’s good to see you too.” After a barely noticeable pause, her lunch date nodded toward the dining room. “Table for two please. If it’s not too much trouble, can we have the empty table in the far corner?”

“Of course.” The server grabbed a pair of menus from the greeter’s stand. “Follow me.”

Without any prompting, their guide slid a chair to the back wall and then took their drink order. “I’ll get those hot chocolates while you look over today’s specials.”

As soon as their lunch was delivered, Christy opened the list she’d made on her phone so they could narrow down the choices. “Before we really dive in, type in your full name and contact information in my notes to pass on to whichever facility we decide to go with. It should speed up the process a little.”

Brenna’s fingers danced over the screen for less than a minute and she handed back Christy’s cell. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

She nodded as she read what the young woman had typed.

Brenna Carlsen.

Her heart stuttered at the sight of her new client’s last name. The young woman’s bright blue eyes matched Sven’s.

Had she really expected her high school boyfriend to remain single forever? To not marry and have children? To not move on?

CHAPTER FOUR

“Let me see.”

“Just a sec.” Sven grimaced at his reflection in the mirror before he stalked to the bedroom door to open it for his daughter. “I look ridiculous. The sleeves are too short and the hat is too small.”

“Are you saying you have orangutan arms and a fat head?” Brenna grinned up at him, clearly amused by her teasing and his discomfort. Tugging on the front of the suit jacket, she pulled him closer and turned up the cuff of one sleeve. “No worries. See? It has buttons to adjust the length. Same with the hat. Hand it over and I’ll fix it.”

“So much for getting out of playing Santa.” At her immediate frown, he sighed and followed her instructions. “I’m kidding. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure the fundraiser goes well. Do you think I need more stuffing?”

She poked a finger into the pillow he’d strapped on under the red coat. “Nope. You’ll split the seams if we add another layer. I want to see the beard, and put the hat back on with it.”

“Have you always been this bossy?” Despite an effort not to smile, part of one slipped out as he picked up the pile of cottonyfluff from the dresser. Her self-confidence and take-charge personality had always made him proud to be her father.

Her laughter echoed off the walls. “You know it.”

Fifteen minutes and a nod of approval later, he rehung the costume in his closet and laced up his hiking boots. The roofing business slowed considerably during the colder months, but estimates, ice dams, the occasional repair, and an inspection here and there kept him from being bored from December to March. Thankfully, he wasn’t stuck inside doing accounts receivable today.

As he pocketed his cell phone, it buzzed in his hand. A quick check revealed a new addition to his and Brenna’s shared calendar. He stepped into their office to let her know he’d seen it. “That was fast. Did your new therapist get connected with an office already?”

She nodded without glancing his direction. Her eyebrows scrunched downward as she seemed to concentrate on the computer monitor almost blocking his view of her. “She had eight job offers by the end of our lunch meeting on Monday, so you have no reason whatsoever to question her qualifications. We discussed the options and picked one together because she wanted to be sure I was comfortable with the choice and that the location wouldn’t be a problem. She filled out her employment paperwork yesterday morning, so we’re all set. The office just confirmed my first appointment for Friday at two.”

Her reassurance about the therapist’s experience and actually having a job eased some of his concerns. “It’s supposed to snow on Friday. I have an estimate scheduled at one thirty, but I’ll switch it to earlier in the day so I can drive you there.”

“You don’t need to do that. Just drop me off on your way. The office is a few doors down from the library and I got a notification that a book I’ve been wanting to read is available.”

That she didn’t insist on getting there on her own was a win, so he gave a curt nod. “That works. I need to head out, but I’ll be back in time to make supper. Spaghetti or fajitas?”

“Oh, fajitas!” She finally looked over at him and grinned. “I’ll make the guacamole.”

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