The Secret Santa Project

by Carol Ross

  Employee? No, no, no... Short of announcing their engagement, he would have bet this situation couldn’t get worse. Hazel had hired him? He was going to have to see the date every day?

  “Said you guys had dinner together or something?”

  No, I do not approve, he wanted to shout. But he’d already given his approval, hadn’t he? Both he and Bering had readily granted her the freedom to hire whoever she wanted. And he’d thought watching her have dinner with the guy had been a struggle. Now he had to watch them date and work together every day? Was it too late to write up a workplace handbook forbidding office romance? Or at least PDAs? If he had to see them kiss, he might do something...

  Something that would earn him his rightful place in Blackburn infamy. Even thinking these thoughts was proof of how messed-up he was.

  “You okay, buddy?” Bering asked. “You look...weird.”

  “Uh, yeah, um... Tired. Need to get some sleep.” What he needed was to calm down.

  Ben appeared, offering him and Bering dessert.

  He managed a “Yes, please” and a “Thank you, Ben” and accepted the piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream and forced himself to think rationally.

  The problem, he now realized, was that all these years that she’d been single and available had allowed him to believe in some deep, unconscious place that she might somehow, someday, be available for him. That was what had kept him so stuck. He’d tried to move on, repeatedly and without success, but had finally accepted his fate of forever bachelorhood.

  But maybe the answer was for her to move on. Maybe Hazel having a serious boyfriend was the answer to ending this fixation of his once and for all. Making this Christmas that much more critical. He would be the best Secret Santa anyone ever had. Because this might be his last chance to express how he felt—even if he couldn’t speak the words aloud.

  * * *

  “THIS IS AWESOME, HAZEL,” Kai said, his gaze bouncing around the Spruce Suite. The rooms were decorated to look like the inside of an upscale log cabin with lots of natural-looking wood, mission-style furniture and bold, cheerful colors. Hazel had to agree with Kai. There was even a nice assortment of decorations, including a small Christmas tree and lights strung around the fireplace hearth. “Are you sure? It’s way more than I need.”

  After brunch, Hazel had given Kai a tour of Rankins, which she’d ended at the Faraway Inn, where he’d be living for the next month. She’d hashed out the employment details with Bering and, knowing there’d be plenty of holiday distractions, had committed both herself and Kai to working for Our Alaska Tours until after the New Year. The suite’s three-room setup was like a small apartment, and Hazel was confident he’d be more than comfortable.

  “Hey, this is all on Bering and Cricket and Shay.” Shay owned and operated the inn and regularly housed guests who were also Bering’s clients. “Bering called my sister to make arrangements for you, and this is what they agreed on. I have to admit I’m a little jealous.”

  “No kidding! And I know I’ve said this already, but I really appreciate this opportunity.”

  “Stop.” Hazel waved him off. “It was meant to be. You’re a good sport agreeing to participate in my family’s Secret Santa event, though. Scored huge points with my mom.”

  “It’ll be fun and a great way to get to know everyone. Your mom is going to help me out with my gifts—you know, give me some hints since I don’t know everyone.”

  They discussed the gift exchange, made a plan to meet at the office in the morning and then said their goodbyes. Instead of heading out the back exit, Hazel went down the stairs, where she’d pass through the lobby. Shay’s office was located there, and she wanted to stop by and copy her schedule.

  She’d drawn Shay’s name, and Hazel had every intention of spoiling her big sister, who had a habit of spoiling everyone else except herself. Her first gift would be an unqualified challenge to Hannah’s quest for Secret Santa supremacy.

  This route took her right past the Faraway Restaurant, located inside the inn, adjacent to the lobby. The eatery took up a good portion of the first floor, and the open layout allowed for an expansive view of the dining area.

  Hazel had known it was only a matter of time before she ran into her nemesis, Ashley Eller Frye. The woman worked for her brother Tag at Copper Crossing Air Transport. However, what she would never have imagined was that she’d see her now, tucked in at a corner table. With Cricket.

  The sensation was much like falling into a snowbank, shocking, cold and suffocating. Veering toward one of the thick timbers arranged in the center of the inn’s main thoroughfare, Hazel stopped. Peering around the beam, she attempted to evaluate the situation and stay partially hidden. Spy, in other words, she guiltily acknowledged. Did she want to be that person? Yep, she decided, and, owning the indignity, she peeked again.

  Just in time to see Ashley giggle. The sound barely carried to her, but her brilliant smile, fluttering hands and signature hair-toss all conjured the tone. Hazel knew it well because it was the sound of her sister Iris’s torment when Ashley and her friends used to bully Iris back in school. There was the added complication of Ashley being Derrick’s cousin. Derrick had cheated on Hazel, and Ashley had not only been complicit, but she’d also lied about it and made Hazel look like a fool.

  As if that wasn’t enough, Seth had been infatuated with Ashley. She’d broken his heart and then strung him along for years. Just this spring, during the same trip to Florida where she’d sparred with Cricket, Ashley had made a play to win Seth back, but luckily, he’d already been in love with Victoria. After making a grand gesture that fell flat, Ashley ended up looking a little foolish herself. Presenting Hazel with an opportunity that she’d fantasized about for years, to rub it in Ashley’s face that her days of playing mind games with the Jameses were over. And briefly, she’d considered it.

  But when she’d gone to confront her, Ashley had explained herself and apologized—for everything—and Hazel had been left with more pity than hatred for the divorced single mother of three who’d endured years with a lying cheater of a husband, Roy Frye. Word had it that Roy was also a sketchy businessman whose antics had finally caught up with him in the form of the law.

  Karma had punished Ashley enough. Hazel might be done harboring ill will, but that did not mean they would ever be friends. Or that Ashley and Cricket “the couple” made her anything but sick with jealousy. But just because they were sitting together, heads bowed in a conversation so intense neither of them had even looked away the entire time she’d been spy-watching, didn’t mean they were a couple, right?

  Cricket stood. Hazel slipped out of sight. She hoped nobody she knew walked by because she was literally hugging the post now while peeping around it and looking downright sneaky. Ashley rose, too, and then hugged him. A full-on body squeeze that went on and on and on... And then, finally, gripping his shoulders, she took a small step backward. One that gave her just enough space to push up onto her toes and plant a kiss on his cheek.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  HAZEL EXAMINED THE adorably pudgy, plush brown bear on her desk as giddiness bubbled inside of her. Technically, it was what the bear was wearing that was stirring up all the feels—such a needed boost after witnessing last night’s Cricket and Ashley display. After the shock had worn off, she’d spent the entire evening assuring herself that seeing them together was a good thing.

  Cricket in a relationship could possibly even help her get over him faster. Sort of like a rapid detox. If only it wasn’t Ashley! All the women to choose from on this planet, and he picked her?

  “Focus, Hazel,” she whispered out loud in an attempt to tamp down her jealousy. Refocusing on the bear, she said, “Thanks, little buddy,” and slipped the Janek Luna360 headlamp from his fuzzy noggin. “Just going to borrow this for a few minutes.” She tested the straps for size, made a few adjustments and then positioned it on her own he
ad.

  Already she felt better, silent thanks to her Secret Santa. They’d drawn names only yesterday. How had they managed this so quickly? How could she or he have even known she needed one? And this particular model was top-of-the-line. Most likely, she wouldn’t even have sprung for it herself.

  She glanced around the office even though she knew no one else was there. She was early, which made the gift even more intriguing. How had they gotten inside the office to deliver it? It seemed too obvious to assume her Secret Santa was Cricket or Bering, but they must have let someone in.

  That was a mystery she didn’t need to solve right now. Unable to resist, she got up and walked to the light switches, flipped them all off and turned on the headlamp.

  “Oh. Wow.”

  For the next several minutes, she prowled around the office in the dark, playing with her new toy. She was exiting the storage closet when she heard the office door open.

  “Hey!” Iris’s voice called loudly, “If you’re trying to signal to alien spacecraft, you should probably take that outside.”

  “Good morning!” she called, pivoting toward the sound. “I got the coolest gift ever.”

  That was when she realized Iris and Cricket were both illuminated in the beam. Iris reached out and hit the power switch, turning on the overhead lights.

  A grinning Cricket held a box from the Donut Den in his hands. “Find what you need in there?” He dipped his head toward the closet, where she still stood in front of the open door.

  She laughed, shut the door and switched off the lamp. Pointing at her head, she remarked, “Is this beautiful or what? One-hundred-fifty-meter range, ring focus, six hours on the brightest beam.”

  “Wow,” Iris remarked. “Your Secret Santa is killing it already.”

  “I know! Impressive, right? How could they already have gotten me something? I mean, something this amazing? Who knew that I even wanted one? It almost has to be Kai.”

  “Why would it have to be Kai?” Iris asked. “My money is on Hannah. We all know she is not going to spare any expense to win this thing—whatever that means.”

  “Kai and I were caving in Utah—you know, where we met at his family’s caverns? My headlamp literally conked out midcave, and I mentioned that I needed a new one. How sweet is that?”

  “Pretty sweet,” she agreed. “But if it is Kai, he’s not very good at this game, is he? ’Cuz you’re not supposed to give yourself away on the first day.”

  Cricket, who’d been oddly quiet, now laughed. “I have to agree.”

  “Besides,” Iris added, “you mentioned you needed one on your blog a while back.”

  “Did I?”

  “Yep. Months ago, in that piece you wrote when you were caving in New Zealand. You made this funny remark speculating about how ancient peoples probably invented the first headlamps using glow worms.”

  “Huh.” She did remember that now, but it had been a while ago.

  Iris strolled around the reception desk and settled in one of the spare chairs in front of Hazel’s desk.

  A few days ago, Bering had brought in a small folding table and set it up behind the reception desk for extra storage space and paperwork to be reviewed—and snacks. Cricket moved around the reception area and placed the Donut Den box there.

  “Hey, all!” Kai said, charging through the door. “Is this a gorgeous morning or what?” He looked at Hazel and gushed, “Whaaat? Nice headlamp! DuoBeam?”

  “Janek,” she said.

  “Luna?”

  “Yep. The 360.”

  “Sweet! That is top-of-the-line right there.”

  “That’ll be nice for El Capitan this summer,” Cricket commented.

  “What? No!” Kai chirped dubiously and then let out a chuckle. “Why would she need a headlamp for El Capitan?” And then to Hazel, “I didn’t know you were a rock climber, too.”

  “The cave, not the rock,” Cricket returned blandly.

  “He’s talking about El Capitan, the cave system here in southeast Alaska,” Hazel said and then detailed how ancient fossils had been discovered there.

  Iris chimed in, “Hazel has been asked to help explore portions where they think fossil bones might be. Isn’t it like a two-week project?”

  She replied, “It is.”

  Kai said, “Wow. That’s supercool. Can’t believe I haven’t heard of it.”

  “Me either,” Cricket said flatly. “Especially in light of your family’s property. Donut?” he asked, looking toward her and Iris.

  “Don’t mind if I do,” Kai said.

  “Sure,” Hazel answered.

  “Yes, please,” Iris said. “Buttermilk glazed for me.”

  Cricket used the enclosed tissue paper to hand Iris her request.

  “Hey, Hazel,” Kai said, peering at the options. “You want a chocolate with sprinkles, a cream puff, a glazed...” He kept rattling off flavors while Cricket returned to the box, plucked out a scone, walked over to her desk and placed it in front of her.

  “Thank you,” she said, giving Cricket a grateful smile because, of course, he knew what she wanted. “Um, thanks, Kai, but these huckleberry scones are my all-time favorite.”

  Cricket winked and headed to his desk.

  Iris, she realized, was watching the entire interplay with an inscrutable expression. Quirking a brow at Hazel, she leaned in and whispered, “I realize we’re not doing the list anymore, but that is a blatant violation right there. Delivering your favorite food to work.”

  * * *

  THE NEXT AFTERNOON, Cricket gathered his patience while Bering, Hazel and Date—also known as Kai—assembled for their first “staff meeting.” Very uncharitable, he told himself, this attitude of his. Probably he needed to start thinking of the guy by his name.

  Kai removed a cup from the cardboard coffee carrier he’d brought from the Cozy Caribou and held it out for Hazel. “Cream, no sugar, right?”

  “No, black,” she replied, lifting another cup from the container. “That’s Bering’s.”

  Was this guy for real? First, the scones, and now he didn’t even know how she liked her coffee? How was it possible to date Hazel and not know these basic details about her?

  “Got it.” He handed it off to Bering and then passed the remaining cup to Cricket.

  “One quick thing before we get started,” Hazel said, glancing between Cricket and Bering. “It probably won’t surprise you two that Shay called this morning wondering if we wanted to contribute to the Festival of Trees auction. I know we’re not technically up and running yet, but it would be a great way to introduce Our Alaska Tours to the community.”

  The Festival of Trees was an annual fundraising benefit for the hospital. Held at the Faraway Inn, elaborately decorated Christmas trees were donated by area businesses and then auctioned off for exorbitant sums. Competition among community members was fierce and fun, with generous patrons going to extremes to outbid each other.

  This year, the committee had added a silent auction and a raffle. An elegant dinner was always served, and the evening had become one of the most highly anticipated social events of the season.

  “Definitely,” Bering answered and then glanced at Cricket.

  He nodded. “Agree.”

  “Perfect, I’ll give her a firm yes and get started on it. What about donating a tour for the raffle?” They discussed it briefly, settled on their contribution and then Hazel looked at Kai.

  “Kai, you want to take the first order of business?”

  “Sure!” Kai wheeled his office chair closer to hers. Too close, in Cricket’s opinion. Brow scrunching in concentration, he studied the monitor screen on Hazel’s desk. Cricket had no clue why the guy couldn’t use his own computer. As much as he hovered around Hazel’s desk, he wondered why they’d even bothered getting him one of his own.

  “Ok
ay, so, what we need to do ASAP is arrange lodging for each tour. Once we have suitable accommodations, we can fine tune the sightseeing details. Have you guys stayed at any of the following places? Blue Spruce Hotel, Northern Nook Lodge, Four Sisters Resort?” Glancing up, he looked from Bering to Cricket and back again, and Cricket hoped he wasn’t going to read off the name of every hotel in the entire state. What was the point of this?

  “You know what...?” Hazel said, frowning thoughtfully at Kai.

  Kai held up one finger. “Hold on a sec...” He tapped the keyboard, and the printer began to hum and then shoot out pages. He pointed at Hazel. “Go!”

  “Nothing,” she said brightly. “You read my mind.” She popped out of her chair and headed for the copy machine. “Kai is printing the list for you guys to take a look at.”

  Cricket barely managed not to roll his eyes. This was what he’d endured for the last two days. The two of them, working side by side in perfect harmony, cracking “travel” jokes and finishing each other’s sentences. Today, he’d taken a break for a couple of hours when he’d gone to Snowy Sky Ski Resort to meet with Hannah on JB Heli-Ski business. Had he purposely lingered to avoid coming back into the office? Yes. He’d had no choice but to return when Kai had texted about the staff meeting. He hoped these weren’t going to become a daily occurrence.

  Handing copies to him and Bering, Hazel said, “As you can see, we’ve already eliminated some of these options based on location, size, amenities and other issues.”

  Kai said, “We’re assuming you’ve visited some of them. So, we’ll see if we can eliminate more or elevate others based on your experiences.”

  Bering scanned the list and scratched his cheek with one thumb. “Let’s see...” He pointed. “Emily and I have stayed at this Bear Paws Guesthouse. Caters to kids. It’s got a nice indoor pool. Toasty warm. Big slide.” He indicated another hotel farther down the list. “And this one, too, JB’s Travel Inn, but never again. Pool is tiny and cold.”