Page 35 of Shy Santa

“Girl, hold on. I’ll get you with dispatch.” Clicking and beeping filtered over the line. “Dispatch, I have a male mid-twenties with a gun at the tree farm. We have a hostage situation.” I’d never heard this no-nonsense side of my best friend before. It was strangely comforting. “Addy, I have Jenna on with us. I’ll stay on with you and her.”

Alice-Grace startled me when she grabbed my hand. “Ms. Addy, we need to go. Daddy wouldn’t want us here just in case that man started shooting.”

“We’ll be okay, honey. I have the police on the phone with me. They’ll be here, but I need to let them know what Chad is doing.” I could hear Maya giving details to the other lady about Chad and how we know each other and some speculation.

“Ms. Redgrave, can you tell me what’s happening now?” The other lady, Jenna, asked. “I have the chief on his way and have also alerted the sheriff. Since the farm straddled city and county limits, we need both on site. They’re five minutes out.”

“Chadwick’s franticly looking for something.” I could hear my name shouted into the dim light around where Bear and he stood. “Shit, he’s looking for me. Should I go over and see if I can distract him? Keep him calm?”

“NO!” both shouted in my ear and Alice-Grace pinched my arm, giving me a fierce look of disapproval. ‘What?’ I mouthed at her.

“Ms. Redgrave, you need to stay hidden if the man is looking for you. From what Maya tells me, the gentleman with you is equipped to handle the situation.

“Okay, I’ll stay put. Should I send Alice-Grace back to the shop?”

“No, keep her close.” Jenna said.

I pulled Alice-Grace to me and watched while the man, who I’d grown close to, stood before a gun. How he was so fucking calm, I didn’t get. I was a damn mess. Even Alice-Grace was calm.

“Addy, Chief Boyd is pulling in now. No lights or sirens to keep Chad calm.” Maya said. “Any changes?”

“No, Bear’s talking to him.” I trembled while I clutched Alice-Grace to me. It took everything I had not to run over and get between the gun and Bear. I didn’t want Alice-Grace to lose her dad and her mom.

When Chadwick started pacing again, he seemed more agitated. Throwing his hands all over before spinning and retracing his steps. We stood with a clean line of sight to the stopping station, and I saw when a few men with guns held low approached, fanning out.

Two men in uniforms crouched and jogged over.

“Maya, the cops are here. I’m gonna go.”

“Girl, you listen to them and don’t get any wild ideas.”

I shook my head even though I knew she couldn’t see. “No wild ideas here. Promise.”

“Love you.” She said before the line clicked, and I knew she hung up on her end.

“Ma’am. We have a situation. I need you to please go with officer Herald to safety.” The older man said.

“Take Alice-Grace. I can’t leave.” I tried to unwrap her arms from around my waist. “Honey, you need to go with the cop. Bear would want you safe.”

“No.” She stamped her foot. “You have to go, too!”

“She’s right. We’re clearing the area of civilians.” Officer Herald said, his tone clear he was done dealing with me.

Ignoring the man, I bent down and looked her in the eye. “Alice-Grace, what would your mom want? If she was here in my place, what would she do?”

“She was in the military. She knew how to shoot and be safe. You don’t have her training.” She huffed and crossed her arms over her little chest, a move I’d seen Bear do a lot.

She made a good point, but it was my fault we were in this mess. I wouldn’t turn tail and run off.

“Addison! Where are you Addison?” Chadwick started yelling again, pointing his gun at Bear. “Come say goodbye.”

“Ace, go now. I won’t let anything happen to your dad. These cops will keep me safe even though I don't have training. I pushed her at Officer Herald, and he snatched her up, spun around, and jogged out of the area.

Her arms wrapped around the man’s neck as she glared daggers at me over his shoulder. I knew once this was over, she’d be pissed as hell, but at least she didn’t put up a fight.

“Ma’am, you need to get clear too.” The first officer said again, frowning, his gun held low.

“You make her come here.” Chadwick fired off a round at Bear’s feet.

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