Page 58 of Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides
“There,” said Elaine. She stood behind Fallon with her hands on Fallon’s shoulders. “It’s perfect. And the crowning touch,” she said, taking wire-rimmed glasses from the bag and handing them to Fallon.
Fallon slipped them on. Staring back at her from the mirror was her seventy-year-old doppelgänger.
Elaine squealed with approval again. She gave Fallon an enthusiastic hug.
“Let’s get you back to the check-in area, Mrs. Claus.”
* * *
Kade spottedher coming from a block away. He made no attempt to be discreet about it either. Fallon sensed a smile surely turning up the corners of his mouth under the immense Santa beard. But it was those captivating eye crinkles of his that gave him away.
“Don’t say a word,” she said as she took his hand to help her climb aboard the wagon. Thank goodness for the step stool at her feet or her ascent would have been a repeat of the day she met Kade on the side of the highway, only with a much bigger audience.
“Wasn’t planning to,” Kade answered. But the laughter in his tone was unmistakable.
In the buckboard’s front seat, Jed Clevelle turned around and smiled at her.
“How are you, Mrs. Claus?”
“Never better,” she crowed. Who cared that her words dripped sarcasm. The man beside her certainly didn’t care.
Around them, the parking lot at D & G Market looked like controlled chaos. There were dozens of parade floats of all sizes. A handmade wood trailer covered with red and white balloons for a daycare center looked like it was close to losing its giant inflatable baby in front of them. Tethered to the wagon, it bobbled wildly in the steady wind. Two floats behind, Chase Ford waved from the window of his shiny electric pickup truck. He pulled Bethel Lutheran Church’s float, a giant replica of the white church. The high school marching band struck up a loud, brassy version of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Kade leaned closer. It sounded like he said “an eye for an ear,” though Fallon wasn’t certain that was what came out of his mouth. Was that his not-too-funny version of saying she’d gotten what was coming to her for messing up the parade?
“What?!” she shouted. If Kade wanted to do battle now, she was ready, Mrs. Claus persona notwithstanding.
“I’m surprised you’re here!” he shouted back.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” The Mrs. Claus wig itched and her neck was cold. She frowned, tugging on the uncomfortable rubber cap cutting into her skin. “I couldn’t say ‘no’ after you sent your mother after me!” she yelled even louder, even though at that moment the band stopped playing. A few heads turned, including Jed’s. Her face flamed.
Kade chuckled. “I didn’t send her after you. I merely suggested it since you’re already here and I figured the dress would fit.” He gave her a once-over with another aggravating grin. “And I was right.”
“We’re getting ready to move. Hang on!” Jed called over his shoulder. He snapped the reins and the wagon lurched forward.
The sudden movement made Fallon fall back against the seat, but Kade’s arm was already behind her. She steadied herself, putting as much distance between her and Kade as possible.
“That won’t do,” he said right away. “We have to pretend we like each other at least.” Kade patted the bench next to him. “Mr. and Mrs. Claus are athing, in case that escaped you. You know, with your limited knowledge about the holidays and all.”
The wagon bumped along as Jed steered it out of the parking lot and onto Main Street.
“You’re just getting even with me because you got stuck playing Santa,” she said. The crowded streets were busier than she expected now that she had a different perspective. So many people waving at her and Kade. Fallon forced a smile, even though the corners of her mouth wanted to give in to gravity, especially when her thoughts drifted to the man sitting beside her.
“I’m not that vindictive,” he said.
“No? Then how come you wanted to turn down a perfectly nice wag—”
When Kade pressed his finger softly against her lips in an instant, Fallon gasped. A charge of electricity sizzled on her mouth and traveled all the way down to her toes at his nearness.
“I didn’t now, did I?” he whispered. “Because here we are, just like you planned.”
The warmth from his breath caressed her. She held his gaze until he took his finger away. She sat there stunned, feeling the aftershocks from his touch even as Kade turned to the people on his side of the street and waved.
The parade route glimmered with lights, though it was midday; it looked like more snow was imminent. They passed a yoga studio, and Darcy Stetman waved at them with both arms. On the next block, Fallon spotted the silver-haired woman standing in front of Maisy Day’s General Store. Surprisingly, the farther they traveled down Main Street, past the bakery and Two Tree Coffee, the more faces she recognized. Given her limited time in Hendricks, Fallon realized she knew a fair number of people.
Beside her, Kade embraced his Santa role to the hilt. He let out hearty “ho-ho-ho’s”, waving one gloved hand while tossing mini candy canes with the other. She had to admit Fred would probably be thrilled with how Kade filled his father’s polished black boots.
Jed pulled the team into the library’s parking lot a few minutes later. Kade waited for the wagon to stop before he leapt down.
