Page 167 of Santa Daddies
“It’s crazy that I scared away every guy I dated, and then less than a week before the auction…”
“Did you agree to the date?” Penny asks.
“I told him I’d let him know if he should come back.”
Jolene's eyes go bright. “Excellent backup plan. Not that you'll need one.”
Starla knocks on the wooden table. “Let’s hope none of us need one.”
Another text message alert draws Jolene's attention and all the levity washes from her face. Her phone instantly rings. “I need to take this.”
She rushes outside.
“That was weird.” My concern for Jolene is quickly replaced when a text message alert on my phone draws my attention.
Krampus:
Can I see you tonight?
Holding the phone to my chest, I try not to swoon. I love calling him Krampus. The only thing better might be Daddy, but we’re a few dates off from that. And that can only happen if I break the auction. Then it hits me. “I still can’t believe Molly didn’t get an invitation for the auction.”
“Maybe she’s too new in town,” Starla says.
I make a mental note to ask her if she was serious about wanting to be in the auction. If so, I can reach out to the organizers. But Krampus said he has a secret too. Should I trust how perfect he seems or go with plan A–auction myself?
I take a picture of the craft items all over the table and send it to Krampus.
Me:
Sorry, I have to get these finished, since I didn't work on them last night.
Krampus:
What are those for?
Me:
They're for foster kids and I have to deliver them tomorrow.
Krampus:
You are going to make such an amazing mom.
That seriously makes himtoo perfect.
“What’s so important you can’t sew stockings?” Starla asks.
“It's him.” I move my gaze to Penny, and wait for a moment until she feels the weight of it. “Are you sure you don’t want to do the auction? You don't have to do anything fancy, just stand on the stage.”
Penny goes stark-white and shakes her head.
Jolene re-enters the room, and her face has gone white as Penny’s. “I have to leave.”
“What's wrong?”
We all get up from the table and help her get her things.
“Am I cursed?” She's totally distraught.
