Page 57 of Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides
She turned around to retrace her steps for two blocks back to Del’s Auction House. Pulling the collar higher on her coat, Fallon squinted against the brisk wind blowing in off the lake.
How had her job of publicizing a small-town festival morphed into navigating family rivalries, handing out trophies, and butting heads with an ex-Marine?
An ex-Marine who you were one heartbeat away from falling for.
A close one, for sure. Where had her inner voice been these last twenty-four hours? No alarm bells warned her when they’d almost kissed last night. It was as if he’d secretly disarmed her personal security system.
People had started to set up chairs along the street curbs in anticipation of the parade. She weaved through the crowded sidewalk. The scent of coffee and sweet treats from Debi’s Donuts was in the air. A few flakes fell, dotting the pavement before disappearing.
Elaine spotted her as Fallon crossed the parking lot again at the auction house.
“Thank goodness,” said Elaine, breathless. “I just don’t feel right not having Fred beside me for this. He protested, but I had to put my foot down.”
Confused, she eyed the garment bag over Elaine’s arm. “I don’t understand.”
“I need you to take my place in the parade.” Elaine thrust the bag toward Fallon. “Luckily, we’re the same size, I think.”
“You wantmeto be Mrs. Claus? Absolutely not!” Fallon took a step back, horrified.What was Elaine thinking?
“Fallon, honey. It’s literally only a twenty-minute drive down Main Street. All you have to do is smile and wave.”
“I can’t. I don’t look like Mrs. Claus in the least.” She grabbed a fistful of her dark hair as proof.
“That’s what the wig is for. Believe me, when you’re dressed, no one will ever know the difference.”
Can this day get any worse?
“Are you sure there’s no one else to substitute?”
“Kade wants you next to him. He wouldn’t hear of anyone else.”
This was even more alarming. Kade suggested it as revenge for bungling the ride arrangements, she was sure of it. Holding out for the possibility the dress didn’t fit, Fallon thrust out her arm to take the bag, careful not to meet Elaine’s gaze. She wouldn’t let Elaine know she seethed about her son’s bitter stunt.
“Where can I change?”
“Oh, thank you so much. Here, I’ll help you get dressed,” she said, steering her toward the building.
Inside, Fallon clenched her teeth as she and Elaine headed toward the bathroom. Her only consolation was she could turn the parade judging responsibility over to Agnes again.
The dress did fit perfectly, much to her dismay. Flannel lined the heavy faux velvet material on the inside. When the long dress settled along her body she actually sighed it was so comfortable.
Elaine’s eye lit up when Fallon opened the stall door in costume. She clasped her hands underneath her chin.
“You look adorable. Here, now the wig.” The curly, silver-haired thing that Elaine took from a plastic bag and presented to her seconds later resembled a faceless animal.
“I’m not sure—” Fallon started.
Elaine twirled it on her hand, making the hair fan out like curly silver ribbons on a maypole.
“What? It’ll fit. We’ll just put your hair in a few rubber bands and pins. And there’s a rubber cap underneath.” She lifted the curls to show Fallon.
They stood in front of the mirror with Elaine fussing over the wig while Fallon continued to envision possible scenarios that might cancel this whole nightmare.
She’d be suddenly stricken with a debilitating stomach bug.
A water main break in the middle of the parade route.
Snowmaggedon 2.0 could show up in the next half hour.
