Page 9 of A Little Christmas Wish

Ink took her hand, squeezing it lightly as they followed Bonnie into LittleLand.

Betsy’s mouth dropped open as she took in the enormous space with a domed skylight that gave the room plenty of light. It was colorful and fun. The walls were painted with murals.

There was so much to take in.

“This place is amazing,” Betsy said as Bonnie led them toward what was clearly a Christmas area. There were two Christmas trees flanking the entrance. They walked in and there was only one word to describe it.

Magic.

For a big huge space, Bonnie had done a good job of sectioning off areas with shelving, lighting, and decorations.

Christmas lights flickered above them on what had to be a false ceiling. They walked along the red carpet with displays on either side. There were Christmas trees, Santas, nutcrackers, and naughty elves doing naughty things.

“Does a naughty elf visit you?” Bonnie asked. She was now walking rather than gliding. Turning, she walked backward.

“Bonnie,” Titus grumbled.

Betsy jumped. She hadn’t even realized that he was behind them.

Bonnie sighed. “Some of us have overprotective Daddies. And some of us have overprotective bodyguards.”

Oh.

Titus was her bodyguard? Was she in trouble? Greer hadn’t mentioned that part.

They walked out into an area with shelves filled with Christmas decorations and racks of clothes.

Betsy moved to the clothes. She was instantly thinking about how she would mix and match things.

And how she could display everything better.

“Wow. I never thought of putting that top and skirt together,” Bonnie said as Betsy held up two items. “You have an eye for clothes, huh? I thought that when I first saw you.”

“Oh. Thank you. I dressed like this as it’s my foster daughter’s first day at school.”

“Ahh, impressing the principal? Principals scare me. They’re so stern and rule driven.” Bonnie shuddered. “Rules suck.” Her phone buzzed and she drew it from her front pack. It was bedazzled in pink and purple jewels.

Sunny would love it.

“I’ve got to go do a couple of things. If you need me, there are buzzers everywhere. Just hit one and I’ll come running. Or gliding.” Bonnie waved and disappeared with Titus lumbering behind her.

“Daddy, this place is amazing,” she whispered. “Complete with a princess and an ogre.”

He grinned. “Ogre, huh? So you’re glad I brought you here?”

Betsy nodded. Oh, yes. “Can I choose some things?”

“Of course you can. Although, we might need a cart.”

A throat cleared and they glanced over to see Titus standing there with a cart.

“Bonnie thought you might need this.” Turning, he strode off without waiting for them to reply.

Although she thought she heard him mutter something about this not being part of the job description.

But she might have imagined that part.

Hopefully he didn’t hear her call him an ogre.

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