“I appreciate it,” she said earnestly. She realized she was in a real bind, and there were few people she could turn to. She decided she would talk to Jill first thing in the morning, since she was a long-time resident of the town and seemed to know a lot of people. With Jill and Miles on her side, surely she would be able to deal with those hams. “Thank you,” she added.
He smiled in response to her gratitude, and then with relief when she picked up and bit into the pizza slice. “It’s delicious,” she told him.
Later, when he kissed her goodnight at her door, his strong lips pressing against her softer ones with exquisite tenderness, she forgot all about the trucks and hams. And when he left, closing the door behind him, she briefly leaned against the door, sighing with pleasure at the memory of that kiss.
Unfortunately, later, as she settled into bed, the kiss was all but forgotten as visions of hams danced in her head.
Chapter Eleven
“Any luck?” Jill asked Kellie as the two sat in her office, phone books opened in front of them.
She shook her head. “No. Where do you look for trucks with refrigeration units? I mean, there are plenty of trucks and trailers to rent, but I haven’t found any businesses that have vehicles with cooling units in the back.”
Jill checked her watch. “We don’t have much time. Didn’t you say we have until five o’clock to pick up those hams?”
She nodded and shrugged helplessly. “We’re getting down to the wire. I was sure I would be able to make arrangements yesterday, but…”
Jill perked up. “Hey, we could always just rent a truck and fill it up with ice. It could work. It’s not as if we’ll have far to drive.”
“Unfortunately, they have those pesky laws about food being kept at a consistently cold temperature. We can’t have the hams transported in uneven temperatures.”
“Well, I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.”
Kellie sighed. “I’ll just have to call the store and see if I can postpone the pickup. I don’t know what else to do.”
Suddenly, Miles burst into the room. “Okay, problem solved,” he said, and it was evident by the rosy hue of his face and his breathlessness that he had hurried to her office. “Operation Pork is a go. I’ve got a guy picking up the hams in an hour. Did you talk to the restaurants in the food court?” he asked Kellie.
She nodded. “Yep, we have twenty on standby to take the hams,” she said with relief. “Miles, thank you!”
He smiled. “Not a problem.”
“Yeah, right,” she said drolly. “If you’ve had a morning like ours, you’ve been on the phone dealing with Santa’s Posse business. And if you’re anything like us, you have a thousand other job-related items to tend you.”
He acknowledged her words with a nod and a shrug, and then took a seat. “It’s all for a good cause. Besides, I couldn’t leave you holding the…” He chuckled. “Hams.”
“And for that, I am eternally grateful,” she said with a smile. “So the hams should be here in an hour or so…” She glanced off thoughtfully, and then turned her attention back to him. “I have a two o’clock appointment, but I’ll cut it short.”
“Why would you do that?” he asked.
“I’ll need to help unload and distribute the hams,” she said matter-of-factly.
He grinned, and she saw his eyes do a quick appraisal of her work wear. His eyes lit on her feet. She wore pumps an inch or two taller than her customary dress shoe.
“Okay, I should have worn my running shoes, but…”
“Really, I’ve got it covered,” he assured her.
She suddenly looked triumphant. “I’ll simply run by any one of the dozen or so shoe stores in the mall and pick up a new pair.”
He gave her a speculative glance. “Naw, don’t waste your money. My guys and I have it covered. Really, Kellie, no need to spend your money on a pair of shoes. My guess is, you have plenty.” He arched his eyebrows playfully, prompting her to give him a speculative look.
Had he noticed the scores of shoes in her closet when he’d help put her new bed together? Granted, she had several pairs of shoes, but no more than your average woman. She was about to say as much, when Jill spoke up.
“Did you two hear that a storm is headed out way? Weatherman is predicting snow.”
They glanced at Jill with alarm. “When?” they said in unison.
“Supposed to be sometime this evening.”
Miles sighed heavily. “Okay, well, we’ll probably have the hams situated by then.”
“What are your plans for Thanksgiving?” Jill asked him.
“I’m supposed to head south to Eugene for dinner with my youngest sister and her family, but…”
“If a storm comes in…” she said, letting the words trail off.
“It’s hard to say how long it could last, if we actually get snowfall,” he finished for her. He turned to Kellie. “Still planning on going to your folks’ place?”
“Yes.”
“Have you decided if you’re going to stay the weekend?”
She shook her head. “I can’t miss Black Friday at the mall.”
“Well, you could…” he mused.
She gave him a chagrined glance. “Well, I don’t want to,” she said lightly.
“Don’t want to what?” a gruff, female voice asked from the doorway.
The group turned toward Dolores, who was watching them expectantly.
“Oh, we were just discussing our Thanksgiving plans,” Kellie informed.
“Thanksgiving, schmanksgiving,” she said testily. “We have more important holidays to talk about.”
“Oh?” Miles inquired, watching her questioningly. “Personally, I’ve always rather enjoyed Thanksgiving myself.”
“You know which holiday I’m talking about,” she snapped. “And we have a problem. A big one,” she declared ominously.
“We do?” he said, frowning. “What’s the problem, Dolores?”
She walked briskly into the room and stood beside Kellie’s desk. She shook her head and her shoulders drooped. “We’ve lost our Santa Claus,” she said in a sorrowful voice.
Miles abruptly rose from his chair. “Craig’s dead!” he exclaimed. “How? When? Why didn’t someone tell me?”
She shook her head ruefully. “Craig’s not dead. He’s just…”
“What?” he said worriedly. “Is he ill?” He knew Craig Hogman would never give up playing the role of Santa Claus for Santa’s Posse, unless something drastic had occurred to prevent him from donning the red suit.
“He’s not ill. He’s going to…”
“Going to what?” Miles demanded. “What’s he going to do, Dolores?”
“It’s not what he’s going to do, it’s where he’s going,” she said with a frustrated shake of her head. “He’s going to Florida, that’s what. Over the holidays. He’s leaving on the sixteenth, which means he’ll be gone when we make our deliveries.”
“Oh, okay,” Miles said with relief.
“You sound relieved,” Dolores accused. “What have you got to be relieved about?”
“Well,” he said reasonably, “I’m relieved Craig isn’t ill. I’m relieved he’s taking a much needed vacation. I’m especially relieved he isn’t dead.”
She scowled at him. She quickly realized she wasn’t getting any sympathy from him. “Okay, well then, I’m glad you’re taking the news so well, since you obviously know what this means?”
He shrugged, glancing between Kellie and Jill uncertainly. He turned back to Dolores and lifted his shoulders. “What does it mean?”
“It means, Craig will be dropping the Santa suit by your office tomorrow afternoon. I told him if you’re not there, to drape it over the back of your chair.”
With a salute, she turned on her heel and hurried out of the office before he could utter a word of protest. Protesting wasn’t a real possibility, however, since he’d just lost the power of speech.
Chapter Twelve
Miles stood in front of a big mirror affixed to the door in the ‘Men’s’ restroom in the precinct office. He shuffled slightly, feeling uncomfortable and ridiculous in the Santa suit. Dolores, waiting outside, had insisted he wear the accompanying belly belt so she could see the whole ‘bowl full of jelly’ effect. Otherwise, it took some imagination to envision him as Kris Kringle, since he was lean and muscular and didn’t have an ounce body fat.
He had, however, refused to wear the beard, since it involved glue—and he didn’t have the time or inclination to have to peel the glue off his face for a meeting later in the day.
With a sigh, he stepped out of the restroom. He blinked as a series of flash bulbs went off in his eyes, and then startled when a chorus of catcalls erupted from the lobby. “Santa, baby!” a co-worker jeered.
“Yeah, yeah, make fun of me,” he mumbled.
“Santa, where’s the flood?” another male voice called out.
“Hey, he looks great,” a female voice said in his defense. “It’s not his fault he’s tall and the pant legs are too short.”
“It’s nothing that can’t be fixed,” Dolores mused, standing back and assessing the fit of the suit.
“Santa,” his coworker Tom said, “you need to cut back on the candy canes.”
“Yeah, yeah, okay,” he muttered, staring down toward his feet. He couldn’t see his feet. He glanced up and around the room at the expectant faces of his friends. “Don’t you all have work to do? Isn’t there a crime taking place somewhere?” He sought out Dolores within the growing crowd. “Okay, are we good? Can I get out of this thing? I’m roasting.”
“Don’t get your red suit in a bundle,” she murmured, approaching with a grimace on her face. “We’ll need more white fur around the hem of the pants. You’re taller than Craig.”
He sighed. “Okay, then we’re done?” he asked hopefully.
She shook her head. “No. Stay put. Those sleeves are a little too short too.” She stood back, studying the red suit with a critical eye. “I’ll have to alter them.”
He waved off the suggestion. “I wouldn’t worry about it, Dolores. Why alter it, when somebody else will probably be wearing it next year?”
She gave him a pointed look. “What makes you think it won’t be you?”
He gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Just the same, I wouldn’t make any alterations you may have to undo.”
“I’ll take my chances,” she said with a steely glint in her eyes.
He expelled a heavy sigh, glancing around the room. He felt awfully conspicuous in the suit, particularly when Kellie strolled past the precinct, only to back up and stop. She met his gaze, shook her head with a wide grin, and continued on her way.
“Aren’t you going to ask her what she wants for Christmas?” a voice called out suggestively.
“Quick. Call her back. Santa’s donned the suit and he’s ready for requests,” another voice said. “Get him a chair. His lap is at the ready.”
“I’m done,” Miles declared, turning on his heel and ducking into the restroom to change. He was eager to shed the suit, and more eager to catch up to Kellie.
Back in his uniform, he stepped into the lobby, glad to see the group had dispersed. He carried the Santa suit draped over his arm.
Dolores hurried toward him and tugged it away. “I need to get busy,” she said. “So much to do. You make a great Santa,” she added, eyes twinkling.
“Thanks,” he said without enthusiasm, and then strode out of the lobby and toward Kellie’s office.
There, Jill told him she hadn’t returned yet. He thanked her and detoured toward the food court to grab a soda. To his surprise, he found Kellie there, purchasing a smoothie.
Opting for one of the frosty beverages himself, he joined her in line. “Fancy meeting you here,” he told her.
“Seeing you in that suit made me warm,” she said with a shudder.
“It made me warm too,” he said. “It’s definitely North Pole wear.”
She nodded. “Doesn’t surprise me, you know.”
He furrowed his brow, unsure what she was referring to. “What doesn’t surprise you?”
“That Santa is a cop in his off season,” she said.
He laughed. “Yeah, well, keeping those elves in line is good training.”
“I’m sure,” she said as she ordered her smoothie. “What’ll you have?”
He ordered, and whipped out a ten to pay for both drinks. Kellie cocked her head, trying to remember whose turn it was to pay. “Stop that,” he said. “No need to keep score.”
“I’ll get it next time,” she assured him.
“We’ll see,” he mused. “Hey, walk with me.”
She nodded and together they strolled the upper tier of the mall. Kellie couldn’t help herself as she surveyed the storefronts, counting those that remained empty of renters. Miles couldn’t help himself as he instinctively surveyed the mall, looking for lawbreakers. The store owners and managers couldn’t help themselves gawking at the couple walking past and speculating as to the nature of their relationship.
Suddenly, Kellie broke the silence. “Thanks again for getting the hams yesterday, and unloading them for me.”
He waved off the gratitude. “Not a problem.”
She gave him a dubious glance and chuckled. “Yeah, wouldn’t count picking up one hundred fifty hams during your work day, and then unloading them, a problem…”
“Had to be done,” he said agreeably.
“Anyway, thanks again. Well, I should probably get back,” she said.
“I suppose you have to,” he said, meeting her gaze and mustering a smile.
She gave him a speculative gaze. “You seem glum.”
“Just tired. I’ll be glad when the holiday season is over.” He glanced off into the distance.
“I love the holidays,” she declared. “You’re working too hard.”
“You are too.” He stopped walking.
She paused to glance expectantly at his face. “What is it, Miles?” She followed his gaze to where a group of teens stood just inside a nearby store. The group was rowdy, particularly one teen who was speaking loudly and threateningly to another boy.
“Duty calls,” he said. “May I call you later?”
She nodded and headed back to her office. She found Jill on the phone, gave a wave, and hurried to answer her own ringing telephone. It was her mother on the line, inquiring as to whether or not she still intended to come home for Thanksgiving.
“Like I said, Mom, it depends on the weather. Barring a storm, I’ll be there.”
“But you won’t stay the whole weekend?”
“I really need to be here for Black Friday.”
She heard her mom’s sigh at the end of the phone line. “Just won’t be the same without you,” she murmured. “Your brothers are coming, you know.”
“I know. Hey, Mom, I have to go. My assistant just stepped into my office. I’ll call you tonight.”
Jill held an envelope in her hand. She grimaced as she passed it to her. “It’s from Dolores.”
“Of course it is,” Kellie said glumly, accepting the envelope that was even bigger than the first one. She eyed it as if it were a venomous snake, ready to strike. “I suppose I should look this over tonight.”
“Might want to have a look at the other one, too,” Jill suggested sweetly.
“Yes, I suppose.” She checked her watch. “It’s five ‘o clock. What do you say we get out of here on time tonight? Quick, cut the lights and we’ll pretend we’ve already left for the day.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Jill said, hurrying to her desk to gather up her coat and purse.
Kellie locked the door behind them and together the women left the mall, Jill heading left and Kellie right, both calling out goodbyes to one another.
Glancing up at the sky, Kellie was surprised to see that dusk had already settled. Days were definitely getting darker and shorter. Fortunately, the predicted storm hadn’t a
rrived yesterday, but the crisp chill in the air portended weather changes to come.
She hurried to her car at a clipped pace, eager to shed her work wear and ease into a comfy pair of sweats. There was something about fall in the Pacific Northwest that made her want to snuggle up with a good book and wile away an evening.
As she neared her car, she thought she saw something or someone move around the passenger side. She increased her pace to a jog and then a run when she realized that there was a person near her car. She could just make out a dark head poking up above the top.
She rounded the back of her car to the passenger side. The man or kid, she couldn’t see which it was, spotted her and took off running, holding something in his hand. “Hey, stop!” she cried, giving chase.
In her pumps, she couldn’t run as fast as she would have liked. If only she was wearing her sneakers, but she continued after him just the same. She reached up a hand to situate her purse strap over her head and shoulder, and then made a grab for her cell phone. She hurriedly punched in the code for mall security.
“Mall security. May I help you?” a male voice answered.
“I’m Kellie Sanders, mall director,” she panted. “I’m in the north lot, section B, chasing a man who was breaking into my car.”
“You’re … chasing after him?”
“Ye … yes,” she huffed. “Please send help.”
The call made, she felt a rush of adrenaline that prompted a burst of power in her legs. She ran like she hadn’t run since she’d been a track star in high school. Arms and legs pumping, she closed the gap between her and the perpetrator. If he managed to escape the lot, she knew she would never catch him—and she was going to catch him.
Sending a quick glance to see if help was coming, and seeing no sign of the cavalry, she knew what she had to do. The man was definitely tiring, since he’d slowed considerably. With a burst of speed, she closed the gap between them and tackled him around the middle, bringing him to the ground with a horrific smack. Fortunately for her, he braced her fall, but she did feel a stinging in her knees where they came into hard contact with the asphalt parking lot.
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