Page 16 of Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides
“I understand,” Elaine said not very convincingly. “We need to talk about publicity for the week before the festival because I have a new idea. And I know it’s not your problem, but I still don’t know how Fred and I will be able judge entries if we’re in the parade.”
“I said I’d be more than happy to help you figure it out. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine,” Fallon reassured her.
He cleared his throat. “I can help with the parade. Is there any use for an old, retired veteran?”
Elaine’s brows lifted. She smiled at him, then looked at Fallon, then back to him.
“Ifyou’reold, I don’t even want to think about what that makes me. What do you think?” His mother nudged Fallon. “Should we recruit him to drive the truck?”
Fallon shrugged. “Sure. Like I said, I haven’t gotten that far ahead. I’m still brainstorming ideas for how we’re going to seat you two.”
Seat you two.
He bet this was another example of Fallon changing things that his father had hinted about earlier. What was wrong with sitting side by side in the sleigh like they always did? Had Fallon talked his father into literally giving up the reins so someone else could drive the team while he and his mother sat in back?
Elaine tapped a finger against her cheek, thinking. “What if we use the short church pew I have in the foyer, anchor it in the bed somehow?”
Fallon nodded. “That might work.”
Their conversation went on as if he wasn’t there. Fine. It gave him time to craft a compelling argument as to why his parents should ride in the front seat like they’ve always done in the Holly Days parade since the beginning. He could compromise most of the time, but family traditions? Some things were meant to be left alone.
“So you’ll drive the truck then,” Elaine said with a decisive nod, roping him into the conversation once more.
“For what?”
“For us,” she said, pressing a palm against her chest. “For Santa and Mrs. Claus.”
“Wait, Santa and Mrs. Claus are going to ride down Main Street in apickuptruck?”
“What’s wrong with that?” The skin between Fallon’s brows pinched.
His mouth unintentionally fell open when he looked at Elaine. “Mother?”
Elaine lifted a shoulder and took one of the poppers on her platter, nibbling on it as if she needed a moment to formulate a response.
“Honestly, Kade honey. We’llstillbe in costume,” she said finally. “The kids won’t care as long as your father lets out aho-ho-hoevery now and again and they all get their candy canes.”
“I just figured if anyone loved tradition it’d be you. Thesleigh?C’mon, if that doesn’t stand for everything you’ve worked to build here.”
Elaine looked at the floor and rubbed the back of her neck with her free hand.
Kade knew that look. There was news his mother didn’t want to share.
“About the sleigh,” Elaine said. “Here, let me deliver these poppers, then I’ll be right back.”
Kade met Fallon’s gaze. Arms crossed, she gave him a hard stare full of mild contempt.
Elaine was back a moment later. She touched his arm.
“Kade, honey. The sleigh isn’t functional anymore,” she said with her brows knitted together.
That explained it. His parents wouldn’t ditch the idea of riding in the sleigh without a good reason. “What happened?”
Elaine sighed. “We were loading it onto the flatbed last year after the parade and it slipped off the ramp. One of the stanchions broke away from the runner.”
“Where is it now?”
“In the small barn,” said Elaine.
