Page 5 of Christmas Wishes
“For me?” It was always pretty freaky, seeing Santa up close. Not that this was the first time, but given the subject matter in her head, it caught her off guard. He knew everyone’s thoughts right at the moment they happened upon him, or he upon them. He was intimidating, but not in a bad way. He was simply Santa.
“Family business and all, I assume.”
“Oh. I…” She stopped speaking, her words hanging in the air between them. She couldn’t lie to Santa.
“
“Isn’t today cookie day?” he asked, rescuing her from indecision.
It was her turn to smile. “Yes. Yes, it is. I put out the first batch this morning and they were gone in minutes.”
“I do hope you saved some for me.”
“Yes. Yours were sent to your house. Gingerbread Santas along with the peppermint marshmallow ones only you and I know about.” And that last one earned her the famous Santa chuckle that was known around the world.
“Sent to the house, you say? Funny, my Mrs. didn’t call to let me know. Sneaky woman I married. She likely snuck a few.”
“Would you like me to send more?”
“Please. And I understand there’s a chocolate cookie this year?”
“Yes, Sir. Chocolate with a hint of cinnamon. I’ll add some of those as well.”
“Excellent, Blix. Excellent.”
She watched him go, his red velvet cape brushing against the cobblestones with each stride. She tried to calm her racing heart and made a mental note to send an additional two packages of cookies to the Claus household. Staying on his good side, even through cookies, was always in her best interest.
He was the one who granted all the wishes. He was the one who granted her the bakery of her dreams.
And he was the father of the shifter she loved.
