Santa's Posse

by Rosemarie Naramore

  He shook his wearily. “Why didn’t they lock their purchases in their trunk?”

  “Said they covered the stuff with a blanket.”

  “Oh, yeah, that’s effective,” he said with a sigh. “All right. I’ll be right back after I walk Kellie to her car.”

  “Good to meet you,” the deputy told Kellie, his brown eyes passing over her delicate frame. He smiled with pleasure. “Hey, if we ever put together a flag football team, we’ll sure give you a call.” He flashed a quick grin. “You won’t get to tackle anyone, but…” He shrugged.

  Miles cleared his throat. “We really need to go.”

  Perhaps the deputy heard something in his commander’s voice that prompted him to give him an assessing glance. New to his position at the mall, he hadn’t heard the rumors about Miles’ interest in Kellie, or vice versa. It was apparent by the look on the boss’s face that he was interested in this young woman. He decided then and there to step away. The last thing he wanted to do was offend his new commander.

  Miles took Kellie’s arm and they walked together to her car. “Will you be all right?” he asked her.

  “Oh, yeah. I’m heading home and straight to bed.”

  “Good. May I call you later?”

  “Sure.” She started to climb in, but stopped. “Sorry I’m cranky, and … thanks.”

  “Anytime.”

  ***

  “You look better,” Jill said.

  “I should,” Kellie told her. “I think I slept the whole weekend.”

  “Did Miles stop by to see you?”

  “Yes, but I wouldn’t let him in. If he doesn’t catch this, it’ll be a miracle.”

  Jill beamed cheekily. “Oh, do tell!”

  “Nothing like that,” she scoffed. “It’s just that he was around me when my fever was at its highest, so he was exposed at the very worst time.”

  “He’s such a gentleman,” Jill mused. “Sacrificed his own physical well-being for you. The whole mall is talking about it.”

  “What?” she said, shaking her head in puzzlement.

  Suddenly, Jill’s eyes widened in alarm. “Oh, actually, I’m sure I’m wrong about that. Forget I said anything!”

  Kellie folded her arms and crossed them over her chest. “Jill, are you the little bird with the open beak you’re always talking about?”

  She gasped. “Of course not. It’s just…”

  “What?”

  “Well, I was having lunch with Carolyn the other day. You know, Carolyn who works at Best Belts and Bags? Anyway, she was saying that she was toying with the idea of trying to set Miles up with her daughter, but I nixed that idea post haste.” She nodded her head in measured intervals. “I told her, don’t waste your time, he’s sweet on Kellie.”

  “Sweet on me?” Kellie smiled at the archaic term, but shook her head. “He is simply a nice man.”

  “A nice man who likes you—a lot.”

  “He doesn’t know me very well.”

  “He wants to get to know you better.”

  Kellie narrowed her eyes and pinned Jill with a look. How did she know that? It could have been an assumption based upon his behavior over recent days, but he had actually told her that he wanted to get to know her better. She stroked her chin, like a detective sleuthing a hidden truth. “Who told you that, Jill?”

  “I really should get back to work,” she said, dropping her eyes to the folder on her desk top.

  “Jill…?”

  “Okay, look, Jessica from the candy store told me that she overheard Roxie from the cookie store tell Myrna from the shoe store—the one on the lower level by the arcade—that she overheard Donna at the Bath Boutique talking to Linda from Bras or Bust, who happens to be Meagan’s cousin—.”

  Kellie stared at Jill, mouth agape, her brows furrowed in confusion. “What? Who?”

  “You know, Meagan…” Jill asserted. “She’s the receptionist at the precinct… Anyway, she was apparently talking to Linda about Miles and how some of his coworkers were giving him a hard time about fabricating reasons to talk to you, and that after a lot of teasing, he admitted that he wanted to get to know you better.”

  Kellie shook her head as if to clear it. “Okaaay.” She frowned. “People are teasing him because of me?”

  Jill waved off the question. “He’s a good-natured kid. He’s not going to let a little ribbing get to him. Anyway, you see, I’m not a gossip. I just hear gossip.” She shook her head ruefully. “Can’t be helped. We’re like one big happy family at this mall. But,” she said, lifting a finger in the air, “it’s good news for you, since he likes you a lot and wants to get to know you better.” She grinned. “Aren’t you delighted to hear that?”

  “I already knew that. He told me,” she said, giving her assistant a dispirited look. She shook her head. “I’m just not so sure how I feel about being the object of so much gossip and speculation. I’m not sure how I feel about Miles being the object of gossip and speculation. I know for me, it’s important that people take me seriously in this job, and if all they think about when they see me coming is how Miles and I are getting along, then…”

  “Oh, don’t you worry,” Jill cut in. “Everyone thinks you’re doing a terrific job. Granted, some of the ladies aren’t too fond of…” Her eyes widened, as if she’d almost said too much.

  “What?” Kellie cried in a shrill voice. “You’re telling me people don’t like me?”

  Jill waved off her concerns again. “The men like you just fine, but some of the ladies are a bit upset that you’ve caught Miles’ eye, but they’ll get over it,” she assured her. “But anyway, you mentioned that Miles told you that he wanted to get to know you better. Fill me in…”

  She shook her head and waved a hand dismissively. It was simply inappropriate to be having this discussion at the workplace. She wasn’t being paid to discuss her personal life with a coworker. “Hey, I finally read through all those envelopes from Dolores,” she said, changing the subject.

  Jill gave her a scathing glance. “Okay, then, don’t tell me anything. You know, I wouldn’t have to listen to gossip if you’d start talking.” She shifted in her seat. “So, anything of importance in those envelopes?” she asked grumpily.

  Kellie nodded. “Turns out I have quite a few pickups to make at several businesses in the upcoming days. I’ve made a list of dates, times, and places, so I won’t forget anything. I feel like I have a better handle on this Santa’s Posse business.”

  “Well, that’s something anyway,” she said. “Now that Thanksgiving is over, time is going to fly and Christmas will be here in the blink of an eye.”

  Kellie gave a chagrined laugh. “Heck, by the looks of things at the mall, it’s already here.”

  “I love all the holiday decorations,” Jill commented.

  “I love the holiday cookies at the cookie store,” Kellie said, arching her brows. “Be right back.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kellie had just placed her cookie order when she felt a warm, gentle hand on her back. “How’re you feeling?”

  She spun around, her face registering pleasure at the sight of Miles’ handsome face. She squelched her enthusiasm post haste when the woman behind the counter gave her a hostile glare.

  “Your order’s ready,” she said in a monotone voice, but then to Miles, said sweetly, “Commander, can I get you anything? We have chocolate chip cookies hot from the oven. I know how much you like them.”

  “No thanks, I’m sure Kellie here has plenty.” He flashed a quick grin. “She usually does.”

  “Hey,” she protested. “Can I help it if I have a sweet tooth?”

  “Nope,” he said, taking her arm and leading her out of the store. “You look better,” he said, pleased. “I was worried about you.”

  “I do feel better, but I’m still worried about you,” she said, studying his face. “You look a little rosy-cheeked yourself.”

  He shook his head. “I’m fine. I don’t get sick.”

&n
bsp; “Hmmm,” she muttered dubiously, and began walking toward her office.

  “So, any word on how well the stores did Friday, in terms of sales?” he inquired, falling into step beside her.

  “Actually, the final numbers haven’t come in, but it looks pretty good.” She frowned. “Unfortunately, I didn’t get any shopping done.”

  “Ah, there’ll be more sales,” he assured her.

  “Any more trouble with would-be car prowlers?” she asked.

  He sighed. “As a matter of fact…”

  Miles words trailed off, as suddenly, Kellie was grabbed from behind by a very large man. Before either could register what was happening, she was flung in the air and spun around like a toy. Just as Miles was about the grab a hold of the guy and take him down, he heard the man’s jovial voice. “There you are, sis! We’ve been looking all over for you.”

  Kellie laughed, stumbling slightly when her oldest brother put her back on her feet. She was subsequently hugged by the remaining trio, as Miles looked on in shock.

  Another of the men said in an accusing tone, “We missed you on Thanksgiving, sis! Since when does a little inclement weather stop you?”

  She was about to respond, “Always,” but remembered Miles, who stood silently by, looking on. “Commander Miles Blake, these buffoons are my big brothers...”

  The biggest and apparently oldest of the group thrust out his hand. “I’m Keith, and these yahoos are Ken, Kyle, and Book.”

  Keith spotted the slight question in Miles’ eye when he’d introduced the youngest of the bunch. “Book, as in bookworm. Beats ‘Worm,’” the man said with a hearty chuckle.

  “The name’s Kevin,” the younger man said, giving his older brother a thoroughly disgusted look.

  Miles shook hands with each man. “Good to meet you all.”

  When Kellie had mentioned having brothers, he hadn’t imagined these guys. Two were as tall as him, the other two nearly as tall, and all but the youngest built like linebackers. Could she really be related to these guys? he wondered. She was so tiny in comparison.

  “Hey, sis,” the oldest said with a grin, “is it true you tackled some guy in the parking lot last week?”

  “Who told you?”

  “Oh, your assistant, uh, Jill, mentioned it when we stopped by to see if you were in your office.”

  “Oh, okay. Yeah, the guy was breaking into my car, so I chased after him. It was no big deal.”

  Kellie was sure she felt Miles stiffen beside her, but could have been mistaken as she was elbowed by one brother, which sent her stumbling toward another brother, who elbowed her, and sent her stumbling toward another brother. “Way to go, sis,” they echoed, as the manhandling continued. Only the youngest of the men appeared exasperated by his brothers’ behavior, however, he didn’t intervene.

  The horseplay came to an abrupt stop, however, when Miles reached a hand out and nonchalantly pulled Kellie toward him, depositing her safely at his side. He didn’t miss the almost imperceptible nod of approval from the youngest brother. Kellie gave him a questioning glance, as he draped a protective arm over her shoulders.

  Miles had little sisters too, but his father would have throttled him had he tossed them around like a football.

  “Hey, hey, what do we have here?” the oldest inquired, watching Miles through narrowed eyes, and then turning to Kellie. “Mom said she thought you had a secret.” He sent a glance at Miles. “Is he it?”

  Kellie’s face turned several shades of red. Miles, however, appeared unfazed by the question, though he still appeared rosy-cheeked to her.

  Ignoring her brother’s question, she asked, “Hey, did you guys just come to say ‘hi,’ or did you head this way for another reason?”

  “Actually,” Keith said, “Tyler wanted a new longboard for his birthday, and the one he wanted is special-made at a store in Portland. So, we decided to kill two birds with one stone.” Tyler was Keith’s oldest son and an avid longboarder.

  “You could have ordered it over the internet and had it mailed to you,” she told him.

  “I could have, but then we wouldn’t have gotten a chance to see you. What time do you get off work?”

  She tipped her head in thought. “I can manage to be off at five. Can you stay that long?”

  “Yep,” he told her. “How about a quick dinner out and then the boys and I’ll start back home?”

  “Sounds good,” she said.

  Keith gave Miles a speculative glance. “Care to join us, Commander?”

  Without missing a beat, he nodded in the affirmative. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

  ***

  Since her brothers wanted to check out the mall, and then her condo later, Kellie gave her oldest brother the keys to her place so they would have a comfortable place to wait for her until she got off work. As they strode off, she watched after them, and then turned to Miles. “Well, that was a surprise.”

  He nodded his head in measured intervals. “Yes, it was.”

  She smiled. It was good to see the boys again. She hadn’t seen them together in one place for some time. Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. “Miles, if you have plans for the evening…”

  He waved a hand dismissively. “I’m going to dinner with you.” He sounded so adamant, she couldn’t help but wonder why. He read her questioning gaze. “If they toss you across the room, I’d like to be there to catch you.”

  She laughed. “Just so you know, I can take any one of them—and with one hand tied behind my back.”

  “Well, sure,” he said with a chuckle, “one at a time. But there are four of them.”

  “Well, three, actually,” she said. “Kevin has always been kind of protective.”

  “I like Kevin,” he muttered, and then suddenly glanced behind him, and then frantically in all directions.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered with concern. “Is something wrong?”

  “Dolores Angles, twelve o’ clock. Run!”

  “Are you really looking for an escape route?” she asked with a chuckle. “Shouldn’t we just face the music?”

  “Do you want another big, fat envelope?” he inquired, grabbing her hand and pulling her into a nearby store. He ducked behind a circular rack of t-shirts, pulling her against him. “Sorry,” he murmured, when she bumped hard against his chest.

  Crouched down together, she felt the rhythmic beating of his heart, and his breath against her ear. She felt slightly disoriented, but managed to find her voice.

  “You’re about to be,” she whispered. “Sorry, that is. Dolores spotted us. Here she comes.”

  With a heavy sigh, he rose and stepped out from behind the rack. He turned and extended a hand to her. He pulled her up, and with a shoring breath, led her out of the store.

  She didn’t miss the inquiring stares of the store personnel behind her, or the way they hurriedly congregated at the register, putting their heads together for a gab fest—no doubt about her and Miles.

  Great. Just great, she thought.

  ***

  “Dolores, the Santa suit fits fine,” Miles said from between gritted teeth.

  She stood back, a finger on her chin as she studied the recently altered suit. “It’s still a little short,” she declared. “Did you grow?”

  “The suit’s fine!” he insisted. “And I’m roasting. I need to get out of this thing.”

  She watched him, her face contemplative. “You don’t sound right. Are you … sick?”

  “No!”

  Dolores turned to Kellie and aimed an accusing finger. “You’ve been sick.” Her eyes widened. “You got him sick!”

  Kellie was taken aback, glancing from Dolores to Miles. Finally, she found her voice. “Are you sick?” Before he could answer, she reached out and checked his forehead for fever. He was burning up. “Great. You are sick. I told you!” she said in an exasperated tone. “I knew this would happen. You should have listened to me.”

  Dolores watched the exchange, her eyes narrowed in susp
icion. “Swapping a little spit, eh?” she said.

  “No!” Kellie and Miles cried in unison.

  “Uh huh,” she said dubiously.

  “Look, Kellie wasn’t feeling well, so I heated up some…” His words trailed off, his face set in a frustrated scowl. “I don’t have to account for my actions. Neither does Kellie. We’re adults—consenting adults.”

  “Miles!” Kellie cried, aghast. “Do you know how that sounded?”

  He gave her a confused glance, and then his face contorted in frustration. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. We haven’t…” His words trailed off, and he shook his head. “I don’t feel so well.”

  Dolores turned accusing eyes on Kellie. “Don’t you know better than to kiss a man when you’re sick? Look what you’ve done to him! His face is rosier than the jolly old elf’s himself.”

  Miles began tugging at the belt around his artificially expanded midriff. “Dolores, Kellie did not…” He let out an exasperated growl. “Help me out of this thing! I’m warm!”

  Dolores pressed her lips together. “Miles Blake, you’d better be well by the evening of our Santa’ Posse deliveries, or I hold—” She spun around and glared at Kellie. “—You responsible.”

  She backed away, her hands in the air. “I…”

  “Kellie, please help me with this suit,” Miles implored. “I think I’m going to pass out if I don’t get some air.”

  She rose and studied his face. He was purple with fever. “Okay, let me help you with the belt.” She unfastened it, as he looked on in frustration. She tugged it away and hurriedly undid the buttons on the suit.

  “Thank you,” he uttered. “I can take it from here.”

  Just as he was stepping away, several deputies strode into the room. They let out a collective laugh at the sight of their boss in costume. “Hey, Commander Claus,” one said, laughing. “Your posse has arrived. Anything we can help you with?”

  He muttered an unintelligible response and disappeared into the restroom. He returned a short minute later in sweats and a t-shirt. Kellie noticed him shiver, as if he had the chills.