Santa's Naughty Helpers

by Elizabeth Knox

  Opening the front door, I see him with his feet propped up on my coffee table, popcorn on the chair next to him, and a beer in his hand.

  “Just help yourself,” I snort.

  “You said I could.”

  “I know. What’s up?”

  “Just wanted to catch up,” he mumbles.

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah, want to watch the game?”

  “Let me go change,” I reply and rush to my room to change into sweats and a t-shirt.

  “Share the popcorn,” I hold my hand out as I fall onto my couch.

  He also hands me a water.

  Since rehab I don’t drink much. Beer wasn’t my problem; it was the drugs. But I don’t take chances that I might slip, and he knows this.

  “Did she eat the fruit?”

  “She devoured it at lunch,” Claus replies.

  “That’s good.”

  “You gotta give her a little more if you want her to fall in love with you all over again. Okay, you know what I mean. She still loves you. So, if you want her to forgive you, you need to step it up.”

  “Briar said the same thing. Giving her something about myself in the notes and letting her reply.”

  “Yeah, like that. She thinks the store is bugged so go with something I haven’t told you. But something she likes.”

  “Like what?”

  “She hasn’t mentioned it in a long time, but she likes that old series Sweet Valley High. She’s been trying to find them.”

  “I’ll make it happen.”

  “She thought I bought her the pen, that’s why she thinks the store is bugged.”

  “Well when she mentions something don’t tell me until a few days later. I can’t be found out yet.”

  “What are you going to do with the store across the street?”

  “I’m opening an internet café.”

  “She will be mad,” he says.

  “That’s the point. It will give me face to face time with her. I always loved word sparring with her.”

  “It will mean she will want to put in Wi-Fi for customers.”

  “I hope she does. I want her to be the best. Oh and I bought her building. She will get the deed in a week or so. It will be one of her gifts.”

  “I hope this works out for you. I just want her to be happy.”

  “I won’t fail her again. I love her and need her in my life.”

  “Alright, good enough.”

  “Shut up and watch the game,” I chuckle, and he throws popcorn at me. It feels good to have my friend back.

  Chapter Seven

  Noelle

  On the fifth day of Christmas

  I had some dreams last night. Of Dasher. I know he’s back in town. No one told me. If they knew they lied about it, which I’ll be bringing it up with my family.

  How do I know he’s back in town? I saw him at Kingston’s gym. Working out. His mouthwatering abs on display. He was always fit, but fuck he is ripped now. Don’t know what he’s been doing the last three years, but they have been kind to him. I could lick each ripple.

  But I won’t. I can’t do that. He’s not mine. He walked away.

  “Morning,” Briar says as she opens the door. Tristan is with her.

  “Bodyguard?” I ask with humor and Tristan laughs.

  “No, he came to help me get coffees for everyone.”

  “All the same?”

  “Three black, one mocha, one mint chocolate, one lavender, one espresso.”

  “Wow, that sounds like a lot of people.”

  “King’s sisters are in town. Their mom throws a huge party, I guess. They were here with me after my car was trashed. They told me about the Christmas party and to discuss my issues.”

  “Oh, yeah, I remember.” His sisters are gorgeous.

  “You can come if you want,” Tristan says.

  “I would but my parents are huge Christmas fans and it’s a family affair.”

  “Can’t miss that,” Tristan agrees.

  “Here you go,” I hand her a box to hold all the coffees and Tristan takes it as she pays.

  “Thanks,” she hands me a fifty.

  “Briar, this is too much.”

  “Keep it. Get yourself something pretty to wear for your family night.”

  I wave as they leave and head back to the gym. I see that Dash is gone now. I can see the window of the gym from my café window.

  The bell rings again and I see Dean.

  “Where do I sign?” I laugh.

  “Right here,” and he hands me my box.

  “Have a good day,” he says as I start to open my box.

  I see about fifty of a series I was looking for, Sweet Valley High. And I now have the first fifty books.

  What the?

  And there’s a note, always is.

  Except this one is different, it’s longer.

  ‘Noelle,

  I thought I would take the time to actually write you instead of just telling you how beautiful you are. We’ve met before, known each other. Every day until Christmas I will send you something. And every time I will give you something about myself. Not my name though. But something and I hope that through this you will give me something about yourself. It’s been a while since we last saw each other. And I want to know who you are now. If you want to reply leave the note in the door sticking out like a flier when you lock up. I will scoop it up so I can be sure to answer any questions you might have. I hope to hear from you soon.

  Secret Santa’

  Well then, that gives me a little to go on. It’s not Claus he didn’t know about the books, or he forgot. I haven’t talked about the series in years.

  I’m giddy with joy about the books, but it’s muddled with confusion. At least I get one fact about him or her. I’m sure it’s a him.

  And maybe I can have some fun with it by writing back.

  Chapter Eight

  Dasher

  I see the joy on her face when she opens the box.

  “Where do you want the tables to go?” the delivery man asks, his workers waiting to put them where I want them.

  “Along the walls, either side and one in front of each window.”

  They get to work and by the time they leave the tech guys with the computers are arriving. On top of that, I did buy the vacant place next door and the home store guys arrive at the same time to put in shelves for those knick-knacks that Briar and Noelle talked about. I ordered wholesale lots of different little figurines.

  Later today a woman will be by to decorate the store for Christmas. Grand opening tomorrow. My sister will be running the figurine store and my brother will be helping with the internet café.

  Keeping it in the family. Soon, Noelle will be a part of that. I mean, we’ve always been family since our families are so close, but I plan to give her my last name on Christmas. My dad is going to talk to the family a little closer and tell them what has been going on, why I was gone and we hope they will help plan something special since the holiday means so much. I know she’s jaded right now and hates this time of year, but I hope to help her out of that funk.

  “Hey, big brother,” Star calls out. The café is almost done, the computers are being hooked to the Wi-Fi right now, and I should be up and running in a bit.

  “Hey,” I wave at her. She’s named for the North Star, as in the one that guided the Wisemen.

  “I’m here to help,” she says as Dean walks through.

  “I have those boxes,” he gestures to his truck.

  “Next door. There will be guys putting shelves in, just drop them inside the door.”

  “I’ll start putting things on the shelf,” Star winks at Dean. They’re married, it’s how I’ve gotten him to deliver things without questions since none of the boxes have an address on them. Noelle has never noticed.

  “No sex in the bathroom,” I holler after them. They both laugh.

  “Dean is married to your sister?” Briar asks.

  “He is.”

&n
bsp; “Well he said he was happily married the other day, but I didn’t know to who.”

  “Were you trying to ask him out?” I tease.

  “Kingston would kill him and me,” she smiles.

  “He would.”

  “It’s looking good over here,” she compliments my shop.

  “Thank you.”

  “I can’t wait to see what you got in the store next door.”

  I watch across the street as the sign for the café goes up. I watch as Noelle’s beautiful face turns to a frown and then she reads the name. And then I watch her storm across the street.

  “You’re in trouble,” Briar slips out the back door.

  Showtime.

  Chapter Nine

  Noelle

  What the fuck?

  How dare he?

  I watched the sign go up and when it registered, I acted on instinct.

  I can see him watching me as I dart across the street and rip open his front door.

  “Dasher.”

  “Hey, Noelle.”

  “Don’t hey me. You never wanted me to succeed, ever, did you? You always were against my coffee shop. So, you show up after three years looking all hot and try to take my business away?”

  “Did you just call me hot?” He smirks.

  “You fucking arrogant ass,” I screech.

  I don’t know if I want to kiss him or hit him.

  He steps closer and I can smell the alpha male rolling off of him.

  He smells delicious.

  “I don’t want your business, my little angel. I want you to step up your game,” he whispers in my ear sending shivers down my spine.

  “Game on, asshole.” I storm out as he laughs.

  Fuck that dude.

  Pulling out my phone I call my brother.

  “Yeah.”

  “Get your ass to the shop now, we need to do some changing.”

  I hang up on him.

  He’s the first one I’m interrogating about Dasher. They were best friends. If Dash was back in town, I bet my brother knew and didn’t give me the heads up.

  Jerkface.

  Okay maybe I’m jumping the gun.

  I should ask before killing.

  “What is the emergency?”

  I just point across the street.

  “No fucking way,” he hisses.

  “Did you know he was back in town?”

  “No. If I did, I would tell you,” he snaps.

  Either he’s a good actor or he didn’t know. I’ll let that go for now.

  “He’s opening an internet café. Only computers for now. I’m thinking I need to step it up and offer free Wi-Fi.”

  Claus only smiles.

  “Can you make that happen?”

  “On it. It will be done by the end of the day,” he says.

  “Thank you.”

  “No problem.”

  I grab my purse and start for the door when he stops me, “Where are you going?”

  “I need to go soak in a nice hot bath before I commit a felony on his ass,” I snap and leave.

  I’m going to keep up the anger because if I don’t, I will break.

  Loving someone hurts and he destroyed me.

  Chapter Ten

  Noelle

  On the sixth day of Christmas

  “Free Wi-Fi?” Briar asks.

  “Just trying to keep up with the competition,” I point across the street.

  “Oh,” she mumbles.

  “The usual?”

  “Please. Are you going to decorate?”

  “What do you mean? We did.”

  She looks across the street where Dasher is setting up a Christmas tree, a rather large one.

  Well fuck this.

  “Claus, go get a bigger tree.”

  “Bigger?”

  “Bigger than his,” I point at Dasher’s tree. My brother just rolls his eyes and Briar chuckles.

  “If he’s your ex, have you talked to him for closure?” she asks.

  “I don’t think it would give me closure when I still love him,” I blurt out.

  “Have you told him that?”

  “He’s been gone three years, if he cared he would have reached out.” That’s the most upsetting thing to me. But he walked away, made it clear we were done.

  I don’t think talking to him would matter.

  “Look alive,” she giggles and leaves. Great, thanks for the backup.

  Dasher strolls through my door.

  “Nice place,” he says, looking around my shop.

  “Thanks, put a lot into it,” I tell him.

  “I can see. I like it,” he replies.

  “Why are you here, Dash?”

  “Just thought I’d be friendly and pop on over to say hi,” he smirks.

  “You did, now you can go,” I wave him off.

  “Hey now, I’m also a paying customer. Black with a shot of blueberry,” he says.

  “Fine,” I huff as I make his order.

  He slides his card as I hand him his drink.

  “Delicious,” he licks his lips and fuck if that doesn’t do something to me.

  Stop!

  “Go now, please,” I half beg.

  “You look good, Noelle,” he smiles at me.

  “Thanks. Can you please go?”

  “What’s the rush?”

  “I have stuff to do,” I object.

  “You don’t want to catch up?”

  “No, I don’t. You had three years to reach out. I guess I never meant that much to you,” I turn and walk back into the back and wait for the bell.

  As soon as I hear it, I collapse in tears.

  A few short minutes later, the bell rings. I wipe my eyes and walk out front to see Dean.

  “Fancy seeing you,” I say.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m good. Whatcha got?”

  He hands me a small box and waves as he leaves.

  Wonder what it is today. I look forward to the secret Santa gifts.

  I open the box to find a small figurine of a polar bear. One of my favorite animals. This is a baby polar bear and detailed.

  It’s beautiful.

  I put it on the shelf behind me above my coffee urns so I can look at it whenever I want.

  I open the note.

  ‘Noelle,

  You didn’t write back. That’s okay. I’m sure you’re a little apprehensive about all this. I want you to know that you inspire me. You started your own business from nothing and now it’s flourishing. That’s pretty awesome. You should be proud. I know you love polar bears. I hope you like the little guy I picked out for you. The fact of the day is that I like tigers.

  Your Secret Santa’

  Tigers? A lot of people love tigers. That’s not much to go on. That could be the thing though, he doesn’t want to give me revealing facts. I’m really curious about who this is.

  Whoever he is he is making this Christmas a little bit better than the last three.

  Chapter Eleven

  Dasher

  I am a dick. Fuck. I really messed up. Going to take some work.

  I watch her lock up and head to her car, but not before she pushes a letter in her door.

  She wrote back.

  When her car is out of sight, I rush over and pull it out.

  I hold it to my chest like it’s a precious baby.

  She wrote back.

  I rush back over and head straight to my office to read it.

  ‘Secret Santa,

  Tigers? Kind of lame don’t you think? Lots of people like tigers. You have to give me something more than that. Like what color hair you have or eye color. You know what I look like, which isn’t something special. I do know that you give me hope. I look forward to your gifts every day. Does that make me greedy?

  Noelle’

  I can give her hair color. I mean lots of guys have black hair. I’ll leave the eye color alone. Since my eyes are kind of unique, I can’t tell her.

  Did I hurt her so ba
d she thinks so lowly of herself? She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. No one has ever gotten my heart racing as much as her. I need to show her she’s more than she thinks.

  I have an idea.

  Chapter Twelve

  Noelle

  On the seventh day of Christmas

  “What’s up your ass today?” Claus asks as I slam around plates and cups, nearly breaking one.

  “Next door.”

  “He is bothering you?”

  “Yes and no. It bothers me that he’s across the street. It’s bothering me that he’s here. Where has he been for three years? And it bothers me that I think you and the family knew and didn’t warn me.”

  He doesn’t flinch, I’ll give him that.

  “But he’s staying away, physically, staying away?”

  “Yes. I guess. He came over here to do what I don’t know? Relive our youth or taunt me. I don’t know. I’m confused.”

  “Have you even bothered asking him where he was?”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Because it might give you closure.”

  “I don’t think it will. I think it will just bring me more heartache.”

  He doesn’t say anything, just keeps pouring coffee into the urns and warming the smaller pots.

  “You going to decorate that tree I got or is it just going to sit like that?” he finally speaks.

  “I’ll decorate it later,” I snap.

  The bell rings and it’s my favorite delivery man.

  “Dean.”

  “Hey, Noelle.”

  “Whatcha got for me today?”

  “Just this,” and he hands me a bag.

  “Okay? We’re delivering gift bags now?”

  “I do what I’m asked to do. Enjoy.” He tips his imaginary hat and walks out.

  “What’s in the bag?”

  “I don’t know,” I hiss. I shouldn’t be so mad at Claus, but I can’t help it.

  I pull the paper aside and reach in and find a mirror, adorned with crystals. It’s beautiful.