Page 19 of Here Comes Santa Paws

“Roman? What are you doing here?”

I stiffened at my coworker’s voice. I hadn’t considered the fact that I might encounter people I knew.

“Anisha. Hey.”

She wore a puffy red coat, Santa hat, and big earrings that looked like green ornaments.

“I didn’t know you volunteered for the animal shelter.”

I snorted. “I don’t.”

She pointedly looked at the camera.

“Usually. I don’t usually. The guy who runs the place is my neighbor, and he roped me into this.”

Anisha glanced at Elias and grinned. “Is that him? Your neighbor really is a Christmas elf.”

“Knock it off.”

She batted her eyes innocently. “What? He’s cute.”

“Don’t.”

She shrugged. “Whatever you say. That’s my cutie.” She jerked her thumb back toward a tall, broad-shouldered man. He held the leash to two fluffy white canines busy exchanging sniffs with the dogs in front of them.

“No kids today?”

“They’re grabbing hot chocolate. More sugar is the last thing they need, but ’tis the season. Are you going to enter the photography contest?”

I frowned. “What contest?”

She shook her head. “You really do avoid the festival like the plague, don’t you?”

I thought I’d been pretty clear about that the past two festival seasons.

“There’s a contest to submit your best photo from the festival. Something about capturing the spirit of the season in Christmas Falls. The winner is announced at the closing event before Christmas.”

“Probably a ploy to give the city free photos to use for their marketing bullshit.” However, I had a passing moment of intrigue over the contest before brushing away the thought. I didn’t have any photos to show even if I did want to participate, and I sure as hell didn’t plan to attend any festival events after this one.

Anisha shook her head. She was used to my crap.

“You’d better get some good pictures for me. I’m counting on them for my year-end family newsletter.”

Family newsletter? Jesus. I wrinkled my nose. “Photos with eyes closed and buttholes visible. Got it.”

Anisha gently pushed my shoulder.

When it was her turn, I took a few extra photos and encouraged her and her family to get in there for a few too since the line had momentarily disappeared.

After she made, thankfully, brief introductions of her family, they left.

Elias approached.

“That’s my coworker. I wanted to give her extra photos.” I hated the defensiveness in my tone.

Elias smiled kindly. “That’s nice of you. I’m sure she’ll love that.”

I relaxed. Of course Elias wouldn’t be bothered that I’d taken liberties.

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