Page 93 of Hide and Sneak
“She’s got him now,” Maren says.
Meanwhile the group of kids are cheering for Santa. “No, go back, she’s right there!” a boy calls out. He listens to him, and tries to back out but gets wedged at the entrance. Mrs. Claus sees it and backtracks. She pulls her foot back and kicks him right in his red clad ass.
Laughter erupts from the kids, and Santa shouts, “Ow! Stop it! I’m stuck.”
Uh-oh. This isn’t good.
Mrs. Claus is still going off on him, but she’s dropped her voice at least. We can’t tell what she’s saying as she keeps kicking him in the ass.
“One of the teenagers is recording,” Holly points out.
Wonderful.
“Come on, let’s get him out,” Row says with a laugh. Sutton climbs up with Cooper and Row. The parents call their kids over to get their coats on. What a way to end the party.
“But if he’s stuck, he won’t be able to bring presents on Christmas Eve!” Colleen’s little girl, Kiera, wails.
Row has climbed back down to get some tools and he holds one up. “Don’t worry, we’ll get him out.”
“Why is Mrs. Claus mad at him?” she asks.
“He probably wouldn’t share his milk and cookies,” Freddie says.
“I think he shares plenty,” Holly mumbles, making the adults laugh.
When the last of the parents and kids have left, they get the top of the tunnel popped off and free Santa. Donna has gone home without him so Holly gives him a ride back to Happy Haven.
Sutton and I are finally alone. “Well,” I sigh. “Now I know I need akids onlysign on that tunnel.”
“The kids loved it,” he assures me. “You know someone is going to post that video.”
“Of course.” I don’t care. The party went great and I’m confident my opening day will too. There’s a lot of cleaning up to do but that can wait until tomorrow. Now, all I want to do is give Sutton his gift.
I ask him to lock the doors while I run upstairs to get it. I’m excited to see his face.
I stop to pet Dusty, who is happy to see me as always. “I’ll be back in just a little bit and we’ll go to Sutton’s. Now be good.”
Sutton’s gift is asleep in my room when I scoop him up, tuck him into a box and carry it downstairs. “I couldn’t wrap it,” I explain, setting it gently on the table.
A small whine comes from inside the box and Sutton’s gaze jerks to land on mine. “Delilah.” He unfolds the flaps of the box. I’ve never seen a bigger smile on his face than when that little black puppy head pops out.
“The shelter said he’s a lab mix,” I tell him.
He lifts the pup out of the box, and it goes crazy with excitement, trying to lick him in the face. Sutton’s deep laugh echoes through the empty space and it’s the best sound. It’s instant love between them. Sutton sits down and holds up one of the pup’s feet.
“Oh, look at the size of your paws! You’re going to be a big guy!” He grins up at me. “I love him. You’re the best girlfriend in the world.”
“Of course I am.” I hug him and the pup scrambles to lick my face. “He’s going to be a handful.”
“I’ve had plenty of practice with Dusty.” He gets up and plants a kiss on my lips. “Let’s get Dusty and go to my place. I have something for you.”
I surprised Sutton with his gift, but he absolutely floors me with his. He has me sit in the living room and keep my eyes closed while he carries it in and sets it on the coffee table. “Okay, you can look.”
“Sutton,” I whisper, taking in the sight of the dollhouse. It’s identical to the one I had as a kid. I’ve never seen another one for sale like it. “How?”
“It was left in the shed. Amos said you used to have one like it so I restored it. Some of the furniture isn’t perfect, but?—”
I interrupt his words with a kiss. “It’s perfect. I love it. Thank you.”
