Santa's Secret

by Heidi McLaughlin

  Calvin chuckles, but ignores me as he sets his bags into the back and instantly climbs into the driver’s seat. I fist pump, earning an odd look from the police officer who is standing by one of the two entrances with his head on a swivel, watching people go in and come out of the terminal. He probably doesn’t realize how happy I am to give up driving duties.

  “We need something bigger,” he says as I slip into the passenger side of the car and buckle up. He puts the car into drive, but instead of leaving the area, he pulls into the parking garage and turns toward the rental return area.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Upgrading. I can’t drive around in this… sardine can.”

  “It’s not that bad,” I say.

  Calvin glares at me before getting out of the car. In a matter of minutes, Calvin has my cute little car emptied, keys turned in and us sitting comfortably in an oversized SUV, complete with tinted windows. If people hadn’t heard I was in town, they will now.

  “Once you called, I made the arrangements to change the vehicles over,” he tells me as he follows my directions to the interstate.

  “I figured as much.” I sigh and press the button to turn on the seat warmer. Truthfully, I’m happy to have something bigger, although I’d never be able to drive it. “I think you’ll like Ramona Falls.”

  “Is it warmer?”

  I laugh. “Nope, just as cold and we have a bunch of outside activities planned. We’re going to go ice skating, maybe build an igloo, definitely make some snow angels, and we’ll get you on a sled.”

  “Mhm,” he hums.

  “When’s the last time you saw snow?” I ask him.

  “Years. I’m not a fan.”

  “Neither am I.” But I’m happy to be back in Ramona. There’s something about being home that makes everything seem okay. To be honest, I haven’t missed Los Angeles, aside from the weather. I definitely don’t miss the fast paced life. “You know, I’m thinking of buying a property here.”

  “You just told me you don’t like the snow,” he points out.

  “True, but I like the solitude. It’s nice to drive down the road and know it’ll only take you literally twenty minutes to get to the grocery store. The lack of traffic is nice, and people don’t bother me here.”

  “So what happened at the mall that prompted you to call me?”

  “That was different. I think if I had gone with someone, I would’ve been okay. My mistake was thinking no one would recognize me, let alone have the mob mentality once they did. I fully expected to sign a few autographs and pose for some selfies, but… Anyway, Aiden was there and he helped.”

  “The ex boyfriend?” Calvin glances at me and waggles his eyebrows.

  I roll my eyes. “Sometimes I wish I had never introduced you to my brother. I swear you both are worse than women with your gossip.”

  Calvin laughs. “It’s not gossip when he’s informing me you were accosted at the mall. If you hadn’t called, I would’ve shown up anyway.”

  “You deserve a vacation, Calvin. And time with your family.”

  He smiles. “You’re my family, Delaney. And it’s my job to protect you.”

  I reach across the console and hug his bicep. I feel bad I’m tearing him away from his parents during the holidays, and fully intended to give him a month off. “While you’re here, I have a few things to do. One of them is the booth, as you know, but I’m also helping out with the festival play. I know Dom wants to spend time with you. He talked about taking you to Boston for a Celtics or Bruins game.”

  “That’ll be fun.”

  “Other than that, it’s mostly hanging out at my parents’ and strolling around town.”

  “No singing Christmas carols, right?”

  “You’ve heard me sing. Do you honestly think I’ll subject my parents’ neighbors to my voice?”

  Calvin shrugs. “You force me to listen all the time.”

  “You’re paid to listen, buddy. I don’t want the neighbors running into their homes when they see me outside. You can guarantee, there will be no going door to door for any of us.”

  “Phew, what a relief.”

  I swat him in his arm, but he only laughs. He signals to exit and follows my instructions on how to get to Ramona Falls. When he turns onto Main Street, his mouth drops open in amazement. Garlands, white lights and red ribbons decorate every wrought iron light pole along the street. Every store has a holiday display and if he were turn the radio off, he’d hear music playing from the speakers set up outside.

  “This is like something out of a book or movie.”

  “It’s pretty special,” I tell him. The town looks like a Norman Rockwell painting came to life.

  Fourteen

  Aiden

  It’s been a few days since I’ve had any run-ins with Delaney and I’m sensing since her friend from Los Angeles is here, she’s stopped talking about me, as my locker hasn’t been decorated nor has Dominic sang to me. Honestly, I miss the teasing. Not because I enjoy being harassed by Dom, but because until Delaney’s return, my friend has walked on eggshells where I’ve been concerned and it’s nice to see him getting back to his old self. I suppose I have Delaney to thank for that.

  Dominic storms into the locker room, fully dressed and ready to go for the day. He sets his foot on the bench, resting his forearm on his thigh. “What’re you doing after work?”

  “Eating, sleeping, sanding my floors, homework. The list is endless when I get home. Why, what’s up?”

  “D scored some tickets to the Bruins game tonight. Wanna go? Eileen can watch Holly.”

  I do want to go. It’s been entirely too long since I’ve been out with the guys. When Heather became ill, our lives changed. They had to. Friends are there, but relationships take a backseat. Unfortunately, hockey tickets are expensive and there’s no way I can afford them. I start to shake my head, but his hand goes up.

  “I wasn’t clear,” he says as he pulls out his phone. He clicks a few times before he hands it to me. On the screen are his messages with his sister.

  Delaney: I have four tickets to the Bruins tonight.

  Dominic: For me?

  Delaney: For you, Calvin, Dad and Fish.

  Dominic: Does Fisher know?

  Delaney: Nope. Figured you can tell him or I can ☺

  I hand Dominic his phone back without saying anything. I don’t want the handout, but it’s nice she’s thinking about me.

  “As you can see, it’s non-negotiable. I mean, I could call my sister and have her talk to you.”

  “No need,” I tell him as I shut my locker. “I’ll have to see if my mom can take Holly.” Thing is, I already know she can. It’s Friday night and Holly often spends the night there so I can pretend to do something around the house, when really all I do is look through our photo albums because I fear I’m going to forget the smallest of details about Heather.

  “Like I said, Eileen will watch her or I’m sure D wouldn’t mind.”

  “I’m not pawning my daughter off on your sister. Besides, if they were to leave and have another incident at the mall, I don’t think I’d be able to forgive myself.”

  “My sister would protect Holly, Fisher. You have to know that.”

  I nod. “And who would protect your sister?”

  Dominic drops his foot from the bench and stands tall. “You’re right.” He pats me on the back and leaves his hand there until we’re at the door. “Calvin is going to drive. Delaney says we can take her rental.”

  “Her car? No way can the four of us fit in there.”

  Dom laughs. “Calvin rented an SUV when he arrived. It’s completely decked out. We’ll be riding in luxury.” Dominic heads into the station without realizing the weight of his words. Luxury… something I don’t have and can only experience when others take pity on me. It’s not that I think Delaney is taking pity, but it feels like it.

  Living in a small town has its benefits along with its drawbacks. One of the perks is I don’t have to
have a partner when I’m on patrol. I suppose being alone all day could make my day seem boring, but it’s not. I like the flexibility of eating when I want, stopping when I need to or hanging out at the station when the chief is in a good mood. The drawback is everyone knows your business.

  By the time I park my car and get out, people are telling me how jealous they are that I’m going to watch the Bruins tonight. I swear it hasn’t been ten minutes since Dominic asked me, and yet people already know. And when I step into the diner, after the bells have stop chiming, three others make comments.

  “News travels fast, sweetheart,” Wanda says as I take a seat at the counter. She pours me a cup of coffee. On weekdays, I can come for breakfast and eat for under five dollars. This diner has been around since the early nineteen hundreds and has been in the same family the entire time. A fire once threatened it, but the town folks came out in droves to help the local volunteer firefighters extinguish the flames before they did too much damage.

  “How come when someone commits a crime, people don’t know who did it before we do?”

  “Dunno, sugar. Maybe we only like to chatter about the good stuff.”

  That has to be it because we all know mums the word when we’re trying to find who stole a bike, smashed a mailbox or stole an inflatable snowman out of the Smiths’ yard. Wanda sets my breakfast down, but doesn’t leave a bill. “Where’s the check?” I ask. She points toward the other side of the restaurant, where Delaney is sitting, watching me. Delaney motions for me to join her. I hesitate for a moment before picking up my plate and cup of coffee.

  The tables I pass say hello, and one even makes a comment about me joining Delaney for breakfast.

  “You picked up my tab,” I say as I sit down.

  “I saw you sitting there and thought, why not.”

  “Because I’m capable of taking care of my own checks,” I tell her. Immediately, I realize how harsh my words are and shake my head. “I didn’t mean it like that. It just, first lunch the other day, the hockey ticket this morning and now this.”

  “I didn’t mean anything—”

  I hold up my hand in a silent plea for her to stop. I don’t want her apologies, not when I owe her one. “I’m sorry for what I said, Laney. I’m not used to people looking out for me. Not since Heather died.”

  “That’s how it works, right? When people get sick or die, others come out and help. They make food for weeks, they stop by and make sure everything is okay, and then it all stops. Everything you became dependent on disappears rather quickly.”

  I look at her for a moment, wondering how she knows this. Everyone in her family is still alive and as far as I can remember, she’s never dealt with a loss of any magnitude. “Did you play a widow in a movie?”

  “No, Mindy’s father died when we were in high school. I was there. I remember her mother saying something one time. I imagine it’s the same, right?”

  “Why are we talking about this?” I ask.

  Delaney leans back against the booth and shakes her head. “I don’t know. We can change the subject. I met your daughter yesterday.”

  “You did? Where?”

  “At school. I’m helping Mrs. Winters with the festival play, just like you suggested.”

  I can feel my cheeks getting higher and higher as my smile becomes wider. “That’s great. I’m sure the students will love having you on board, especially Holly, although I’m surprised she didn’t say anything to me about meeting you.”

  “Maybe she’s not as big of a fan as you thought.”

  “No, that’s definitely not the case.” I use this opportunity to finally take a bite of my breakfast. Wanda comes by to refill our coffee and drop off Laney’s order of pancakes, no syrup but with whipped cream. Wanda doesn’t stay to chat or ask if we need anything else before she’s barking orders.

  “Still putting whipped cream on your pancakes?”

  Delaney nods as she sticks a fork full into her mouth. Her eyes close as her lips wrap around the fork. “So good,” she mumbles with her mouthful. After she swallows, she points her fork at me. “You know, I like being home in Ramona Falls.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because no one cares that I’m here. I mean look around, this place is packed and yet not a single person… oh wait that guy is staring, but still.”

  I turn and look at the man she’s referring to. I haven’t seen him around before, which does seem odd since I know everyone in town. It’s clear he’s not from around here and by the looks of it, he’s alone. “People care, Laney. They respect your privacy.” Even as I say it, I’m not sure they do. “Where’s your bodyguard?”

  “Calvin?”

  I nod, wanting to know why she’s alone. Not that I can’t protect her, but she does pay someone to do it.

  “He’s running.”

  “In the snow?”

  Delaney laughs. “I know, I couldn’t believe it when he said he was going, but he laced up and took to the streets. I have a feeling he’s going to fall and hurt himself.”

  “Well, I hope not because Dom said he’s driving us to Boston in your fancy new rental. You know, if you had that to begin with you probably wouldn’t have been pulled over for speeding.” I wink at her. She covers her face with her hands, but not before I witness her cheeks turning pink.

  “You should’ve never pulled her over to begin with. Honestly, Aiden, what were you thinking?” Wanda asks, shaking her head. She sets her empty glass coffee pot down on the table and places her hands on her hips. I half expect her to waggle her finger at me as if she’s scolding me. Still, I do the only thing I can think of and point to Delaney.

  “She was speeding and talking on her cell phone, Wanda. If it had been anyone else, the town would be in an uproar. You know it and so does everyone else. I can’t choose who I pull over based on their career.”

  “He has a point, Wanda. I was breaking the law,” Delaney says in my defense.

  “Thank you,” I say.

  “Oh, that doesn’t mean I forgive you because I don’t.”

  I throw my hands up in the air. Both Delaney and Wanda start to laugh. “Women,” I mutter, only to hear a “here, here,” coming from another booth. I give a thumb up to whoever is supporting me right now.

  Wanda goes over to Delaney and puts her arm around her shoulder. “It’s just because we haven’t had her home in such a long time, and you had to give her a rude welcoming.”

  Laney crosses her arms over her chest and gives me a smirk. I toss my napkin down on the table. “What can I do to make it up to the both of you?” I ask, pleading for some mercy.

  Both women look at each other for a moment before Wanda opens her mouth. “I think you need to take Delaney here out to dinner.”

  “Um…”

  “Don’t um me, mister. What’s said is done, now make the plans before I make them for you.” Wanda takes her pot and starts hollering something to one of the cooks. Delaney and I look at each other, neither of us saying anything. The problem is, everyone else in the restaurant is looking at us as well.

  I clear my throat, wondering how I’m going to get out of this. It’s not that I don’t want to take her out. It’s more along the lines that I can’t give her what she’s used to. “I know you’re used to fancy—” I’m interrupted by the screeching sound of my radio. “This is 8 2 4.”

  “We have a situation over at the clinic and your assistance is needed,” Eileen says.

  “Roger that, I’ll be there in five.” I toss some money down on the table, not caring that Delaney has already paid for my breakfast. “I’ll talk to you later, Laney,” I say as I hustle out of the diner. The call couldn’t have come any sooner. I’m so far out of Delaney Du Luca’s league, it saved me from making a fool out of myself.

  Fifteen

  Delaney

  For the first time in a long time, I’m laughing. It’s a full-on belly laugh with achy sides and shortness of breath. It’s genuine and heartfelt. It’s being done with
out effort or a conscious decision to make sure I look my best for a camera. I don’t care if there are Santa’s on my leggings or that Rudolph's nose lights up on my sweatshirt. I finally feel free from the restraints of Hollywood.

  We’re in a lounge in New Hampshire, which is a short drive from Ramona Falls, and the ambiance alone is worth it. With the guys in Boston for hockey, it left us women all alone. Sure, we could’ve gone shopping or wrapped presents, but this is better. It’s nicer, and we can hang out.

  When we first walked in, very few people recognized me. Of course, I’m trying to throw people off by my attire because what self-respecting actress would be caught dead, out in public, with an ugly Christmas sweater on? This one! But now that we’ve moved from the restaurant to the lounge, people are watching. They’re documenting my every move with their cell phones and undoubtedly blasting my actions all over social media. I’m half tempted to find them all and comment, but I won’t. Doing so gives the privacy invaders the satisfaction they crave, and honestly, I’d rather read their friends’ comments, especially those who disapprove of the post.

  I think being home has brought this out of me, the ability to snort in a lounge full of people, in front of my friends and family, and not freak out. This feels good. This is how I should be all the time.

  “Thanks, Mom.” I put my arm around my mother and pull her close to me, kissing her on the cheek. She stays there for a brief moment before pulling away to look at me. If I’m not mistaken, there are a few unshed tears in her eyes. These are new, not the ones left over from one of our many laughing stints.

  “For what?”

  “For telling me to come home. I needed this,” I tell her. She hugs me back, but it’s different. It’s like she needed me too.

  “Astrid and Delaney, look at me.” My mom and I turn our heads at the sound of Mindy’s voice. Her phone is out, and she snaps the picture instantly. “I have a few others too,” she says as she sits down to show us. Mindy flips through her camera roll, showing us the images she’s taken. They’re of my mom and I hugging, looking at the camera, but my favorite is the one of us looking into each other's eyes. I can see how proud my mom is of me and I hope that she knows how much I love her.