Santa's Posse

by Rosemarie Naramore

“I … may never come out,” she said.

  She heard him laugh. “Come on out. Nobody knows about the costume, except Jill and me. We can keep a secret.”

  “Yeah, right. Nobody in this mall can keep a secret,” she said in a pique of temper.

  He laughed again, but without humor this time. She detected the shift in his manner, despite the fact that she was separated from him by a metal door. “Well, I understand how you feel, and that’s something you and I really need to talk about.”

  She sighed. He wanted to talk. And now, when she really wanted to talk to him, she was too embarrassed to talk to him.

  “Kellie,” he prompted, “it’s okay. Come on out. You can be my number one elf in your work clothes. It’s not a problem,” he assured her.

  She finally stepped out of the restroom, relieved to see the precinct lobby empty of volunteers. She averted her eyes from Miles, but he reached for her and pulled her close to him. “We do need to talk,” he whispered against her ear.

  Suddenly, she felt like crying. She realized how much she had missed him. Her emotions were suddenly all jumbled, and she didn’t think she held much hope of sorting them out. He was simply too close and had such an odd effect on her thought processes and heart rate.

  She finally pulled back and really saw him. Or rather, she saw Santa Claus! It was the jolly old elf himself holding her in a tender embrace. That particular mental image simply did not compute. She started laughing. “Okay, I’m good,” she said, stepping away from him and lifting her hands. “Let’s make those deliveries.”

  “Okaaay,” he said, watching her face. “And then … we can talk?”

  Chapter Twenty-one

  “That was the last delivery,” Kellie told Miles, smiling with satisfaction. It had been a wonderful night—at least after they’d left the mall behind. The families they had visited had been so appreciative of the food and gifts, and the children so adorable in their excitement at seeing Santa Claus.

  “It has been fun,” he said, grinning at her before turning his eyes back to the road. “What time is it?”

  “Nearly ten,” she told him.

  “We’ll head back to the precinct, and then I was hoping…”

  She watched him expectantly.

  “Can we … talk?” he asked, bracing for her answer.

  She nodded with a smile, and he visibly relaxed. “And can we eat something? I’m starving.”

  “You didn’t partake of all those sugar cookies when you were filling baskets earlier?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “Naw, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to fit into my number one elf costume.”

  He burst out laughing. “I’m glad you’ve managed to see the humor in that, uh, particular situation.”

  “You saw more than my humor,” she accused.

  He really cracked up then, laughing until Kellie thought he was going to cry.

  When he finally stopped chuckling, he turned to her again, briefly. “I’ve really missed you.”

  She sobered suddenly. “I’ve missed you too.”

  He reached for her hand and she allowed him to hold it. She gave his hand a squeeze.

  When they returned to the mall, they entered through an exterior door that led directly into the precinct. “I will be so glad to get out of this suit,” he said.

  They noticed several volunteers had already returned to the mall, many milling around in the corridor outside the precinct. Dolores was there, as were Jill and George. When they spotted the returning couple, they called them to join the jovial group.

  After discussing their evening of deliveries with their friends, Miles announced he was changing out of the suit. Dolores, however, asked that he hold off until everyone returned. He gave her a puzzled glance, but agreed.

  He joined Kellie at one of the tables, heaving a tired sigh as he sat down beside her. He reached over and took her hand again, and the gesture did not go unnoticed by those around them. Kellie was certain she saw Jill smiling, as if relieved.

  Soon, the volunteers arrived, one by one, until the last entered wearing a weary grin. Dolores rose and moved to stand at the front of the center table. She raised a hand to silence the crowd. “Folks, thanks again to you all! Tonight was a rousing success, and as I said earlier, we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you.”

  Her eyes fell on Kellie then, and she extended a hand in her direction. “I’d like to give a special thank you to our new Mall Director. When drafted—and she was drafted—into the position of procurement specialist,” Dolores admitted with a grin, “she stepped up to the plate and I couldn’t be more pleased with her tireless work for us. She did a tremendous job, despite a very demanding workload here at the mall. Kellie, stand up, please.”

  Kellie gave Miles a stunned look, and then rose, surprised at the recognition. She certainly hadn’t expected to be singled out. The group applauded, until she raised a modest hand. “I couldn’t have done it without Jill,” she said, pointing out her friend, “and Miles, of course.” The group applauded until Dolores silenced them.

  “Speaking of our esteemed commander, and our Santa Claus,” Dolores said, “Miles, please stand up.” He rose with a questioning glance.

  She continued, “Like Kellie, Miles has been tireless in his efforts towards making Santa’s Posse a success. When anyone needed any help in completing their assigned tasks, he was always there to lend a hand—in addition to completing his own duties. Miles, you’re a gem. You really are. We love you to death.”

  He nodded and took his seat, and despite the faux facial hair and painted-on rosy cheeks, Kellie could see he was coloring under the praise. She studied him, realizing he had been such a good friend to her and hadn’t deserved the treatment she’d given him of late. He deserved an explanation for her behavior.

  He apparently sensed her watching him, since he turned toward her. “I really need to get out of this suit,” he whispered, making a comical face.

  She nodded, and he rose to leave when Dolores stopped him, calling him up to the front. He gave Kellie a quizzical glance as he stood beside the older woman, clearly uncomfortable in front of the crowd. Or maybe the suit was getting the better of him. He kept scratching at his arms and shifting his shoulders.

  Suddenly, a deputy slid a chair toward Dolores. She turned the chair toward the crowd and told Miles to sit down. He obliged, but still wore a bewildered expression on his face.

  Kellie wondered what was happening, when a different deputy appeared beside her. “Miss Sanders, will you come with me?”

  She appeared as perplexed as Miles, but rose when the deputy took her elbow. He escorted her to the front. Pointing, he said, “There’s Santa’s lap. Sit please.”

  She hesitated, but to her surprise, Miles got into the spirit of things and reached up and pulled her onto his lap. The crowed began chuckling and cheering, wondering what was happening. Kellie smiled nervously, and attempted to stand. He only pulled her back onto his lap, wrapping a strong arm around her.

  “Don’t go,” he whispered, and then said loud enough for the crowd to hear, “typically, the person sitting on Santa’s lap gets to tell him what he or she wants for Christmas.”

  The group echoed their agreement.

  “Kellie, tell ol’ Santa Claus what you want for Christmas!” a male voice shouted.

  Miles raised a silencing hand. “But today, Santa has a request.”

  “Go Santa!” a male voice encouraged.

  “You betcha, Kris Kringle!” a woman yelled.

  “Miles…” Kellie murmured. “What are you doing?”

  “You’ll see,” he whispered back.

  “We know you’ve got something to say to her, Santa?” a voice called. “Tell her!”

  “Yeah!” another voice urged.

  Miles gave Kellie a quick kiss on the cheek, and then eased her off his lap. He feared he might have just embarrassed her, and really hadn’t intended to. He did have something to say to the crowd, however,
and despite being surprised when he was told to sit in the chair, it gave him an opportunity to address some things that needed attention. He stood up and took Kellie’s hand. He smiled broadly at the crowd. “You know,” he said, “one thing I’ve realized working at the mall…”

  “Yeah?” several voices prompted.

  He grinned. “I’ve realized we’re like a family here. I see many of you everyday, and there are definitely many of you to see!”

  The crowd laughed, and echoed their agreement.

  “And like a family,” he said, “sometimes people perhaps talk to one another about things they really shouldn’t and cross boundaries they shouldn’t…” He flashed a quick grin. “You know, they speculate about others, or engage in gossip about others…” He sobered slightly. “It’s human nature, we all do it, but sometimes, people get hurt.”

  The group quieted. Many knew exactly what he was talking about.

  “I want you all to know, I appreciate your concern about me. I do. You’re my friends.” He turned to Kellie. “And Kellie is also my friend, although…”

  “What?” someone yelled.

  “Tell us, commander!” another shouted.

  “Although,” he said, drawing out the word and smiling cheekily. “The nature of Kellie’s and my relationship is…”

  “Yes, commander!” someone shouted in a voice rife with suggestive meaning.

  “Our relationship is…” He grinned again. “None of your business!”

  With that announcement, he grabbed her hand and tugged her away from the crowd and into the precinct. They heard the group’s collective groan behind them, followed by cheerful laughter.

  He hurriedly directed her to his office and ducked into the restroom to change. He was out in a matter of minutes, draped the suit over the back of a chair with a shudder, and then retrieved her from his office. “Let’s get out of here,” he said. “Quick!”

  He didn’t have to tell her twice and they hurried out to the parking lot and to his truck. “I’ll drive you to your car, follow you home, and then, if you’re still up for it, we could go to dinner.” He turned to her briefly, an expectant look on his face.

  She nodded, suddenly preoccupied with worry over what had just happened in the mall. She thought about what he’d just said to the group of volunteers. It had been embarrassing being put in front of the crowd. She had also been surprised to find herself in Miles’ lap, but she realized he had been trying to put a stop to the rumors. She feared, however, that his actions might have had the opposite effect, since he had certainly given them something more to gossip about.

  She sighed and he heard. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded, attempting a smile. Her thoughts remained tumultuous as she reviewed the evening. Had it been prudent for him to make it known to his friends and coworkers that he had feelings for her? But then again, they had all come to their own conclusions without his help. Was it really any secret? She couldn’t deny that she had feelings for him. She had confided as much to Jill.

  Back in her car, she drove home and parked. He met her at her car, and together they walked back to his truck. He paused before opening the door for her. “Not much is open this late,” he said, suddenly remembering it was a week night.

  “A burger from a drive-through sounds great,” she said with a yawn.

  “Sounds like a plan,” he said.

  Once they’d gotten their food, they decided to eat at her condo, and he held her hand as they walked to the door. Inside, they decided to forgo plates, but instead, dropped onto the couch and ate their food, leaning over the coffee table. Once done eating, Miles eased back onto the couch. He watched Kellie through heavily-lidded eyes, and she could see that, like her, he was exhausted. She pushed her burger away, feeling full all of a sudden.

  “You should go home and get some sleep,” she told him.

  He shook his head and smiled. “Uh uh. You’ve finally agreed to talk to me, and we’re going to talk. Can’t tell you what a blow it was to my ego, having you shun me over the past several weeks.”

  She smiled sheepishly, relieved to see the sparkle of humor in his eyes. “About all that…”

  He reached for her hand and held it. “So you know, I get it. I know about all the rumors flying around about us, and I’m sorry I didn’t do something to nip it in the bud sooner.”

  “I really don’t know what you could have done,” she said with a rueful shake of her head.

  He grimaced slightly. “I could have addressed each and every individual when I heard something, but … I didn’t. I tend not to care about what people say about me, but I should have taken your feelings into consideration. I should have realized how important your reputation is to you, and I should have anticipated and understood your fears as to how those rumors might impact your ability to do your job.” He held up a finger and shook his head apologetically. “I also should have thought twice about pulling you behind a clothes rack that day I was trying to avoid Dolores, because, I know now that that particular stupid move almost led to our undoing…”

  “Miles…” she said with a wince. “I’m sorry if I overreacted…”

  “No, I understand,” he interjected. “A little bird told me…”

  “Ah!” Kellie cried. “That stupid bird! If I had a shot gun, I’d put that big mouthed bird out of its big mouthed misery.”

  He watched her, his mouth agape. “Jill was just trying to help,” he said, biting back a shocked chuckle. “Please don’t shoot her. I’ve always liked Jill.”

  She fell back against the couch. “Oh, it was Jill who talked to you? Oh, okay. I won’t shoot her,” she said with a sheepish smile.

  He reached for her and pulled her close then. “Glad to hear it. Anyway, Jill tells me you were worried about your reputation, with all the rampant speculation going on about us. I get that. I really should have been more sensitive, but I was being selfish. I was so happy that I’d found you and…”

  She gasped. She suddenly remembered all the warnings she’d received from people. She had been cautioned so often about hurting him, the words still sounded in her ears. He saw the stricken look on her face and frowned with concern.

  “Kellie, what’s wrong?”

  “I … don’t want to hurt you,” she admitted. “Everybody warned me that you’ve …” She snared his gaze, and he nodded, urging her to continue. She swallowed. “Everybody, and I mean everybody, warned me about hurting you. I was told you’ve experienced…” She met his gaze again, afraid to continue, not wanting to bring up bad memories. But he only nodded again. “I’ve been told you went through a very hard time.”

  “I did,” he said, “and I’ve learned to cope with my past and I’ve moved on.”

  “But…”

  “What?”

  “One of your best friends warned me that…”

  “Warned you that what?”

  She emitted a sigh. “She told me you’re fragile, that…”

  He suddenly rose from the couch. He turned to face her, spreading his muscular arms and watching her with a thoroughly stunned expression on his handsome face. “Do I look fragile to you?”

  “No. But…”

  “What?” he said, still wearing an incredulous look on his face.

  “You don’t date.”

  He burst out laughing. “Sure I do!”

  “But the people at the mall said you haven’t dated in years.”

  “Do you think I’d tell them? You’ve met ‘em! Would you tell ‘em anything? Besides, as we’ve both learned, we don’t have to tell them anything. They’re more than content to fill in the blanks.”

  She chewed her lower lip. “Well, you do have a point.” She was silent for a moment, processing, but frowned again.

  “Kellie, what is it?”

  “I’m thinking that what you just did at the mall isn’t going to stop any rumors. I think you’ve just added fuel to the fire.”

  He weighed her point, but then shook his head. “No, I t
hink they’re appropriately chastened.”

  “Do you really think so?”

  “I do.” The timbre of his voice lowered and he smiled. “Kellie, come here.”

  She rose from the couch and took a couple slow steps toward him. She laughed shakily. “I should have talked to you long before tonight, huh?”

  “I really wish you had,” he answered honestly.

  “Where do we go from here?” she asked, hesitantly meeting his eyes.

  “Well, first, you come here,” he said with an impatient growl, reaching out and pulling her into his arms. He wrapped her in a tender embrace and sighed contentedly. “You want to know what I want for Christmas?” he asked. “What I really want?”

  She pulled back, met his gaze, and nodded.

  “I want you to give me a chance,” he said earnestly. “If someone says or does something that worries you, come to me please.” He searched her face. “Kellie, you wondered if I date? The truth is, I did—right up until I met you, and then, I just wasn’t interested in anyone else.” He smiled sheepishly. “I, uh—.”

  “Yes,” she prompted.

  “I love you.” He shook his head, as if he had discovered the most wondrous gift of all. “Do you think you could…?” He gazed at her, his eyes sparkling with expectation. “In time … could you…?”

  “Miles, I already do love you,” she assured him in a whisper. “You’re so darn loveable. Just ask your posse.” She cocked her head in contemplation, and then grinned. “On second thought, let’s leave them out of this.”

  He nodded in agreement. “Let’s.” He stared deeply into her eyes for a long moment, and then, kissed her.