"Hang on, son. Let me go to my office."
While he waited for his dad to come back to the phone, he endorsed the back of the check for the sale of the Ducati over to the “Carmelita Hernandez Medical Fund” and added the bank account number Candice's uncle provided. He put it and the deposit slip her uncle gave him into the bank envelope and stuck on a stamp. Before he dropped it in the mail box, he rubbed his thumb over the artist's rendering of his dad making the Christmas Eve run. Considering how as old as he was, he found it a little weird to be missing his folks the way he had the first year he went to the all boys summer camp.
As his dad moved through the main workshop to his office, Noel heard the background chatter of elves and human workers prepping for the coming Christmas. Finally, he heard the wooden chunk of his dad's office door shut, then the creak of his leather chair conforming to his dad's body.
"Still there?"
"Yes."
"I probably should have just called you back, but I was afraid if I hung up, I'd get distracted by everyone else's issues and forget to call."
Noel heard the hiss and then the sucking, puffing sound of his dad starting his pipe.
"I've always regretted that this time of year, you children always get the short end of my time."
"You always made time for us. Even if it was just a quick hug at night before bed. You and Mom are the best."
"You're a good boy. Your mother and I are proud of you. Now, what can your old dad help with? You still want that new Ducati for Christmas?"
"No. In fact, I just sold mine. Dad, I need advice."
"What's the problem, son?"
"I've met a really great woman."
"And why is this a problem?"
"There's a problem."
"Apologize to her."
"Wait just a minute. What do you mean apologize? You don't even know what the problem is."
"I've been married to your mom for a lot of years. In all my years of Santa, I've met a lot of people. Sure, I don't know what the problem is, but with the female of the species—be it human, elf, or those purple critters from out Andromeda way—if there's a problem, the male caused it. So, say you're sorry and make amends. Fast. Diamonds are usually your mother's favorite way for me to make amends."
"Dad, she's a stripper."
Noel heard his dad blow out smoke and knew by the exasperated sound he was in trouble.
"I was afraid that was going to bother you when you found out."
"You knew?"
"About Candice Hernandez Craig being an exotic dancer? Of course, I knew. There's not much about a person in the database of the Naughty and Nice list that I don't know. I didn't tell Holly, of course, when she came snooping through my computer trying to figure out my password to get Candice's address for Joy to give to you. Joy said Clay told you about their engagement, by the way."
"Yeah, he did. I'm going to be his Best Man. But, how can I bring a stripper home to meet you and Mom?” Noel's mouth blurted out before his brain had a chance to stop it.
"Ho, ho, ho,” his dad laughed. “It's come to ‘meet the parents’ already, son? Your mom's going to be so happy. She thought you were never going to settle down. Bring Candice up here. Even if you tell your mother about this part-time job, she won't care what Candice does any more than I do. We just want you to be happy. You do know why she's an exotic dancer?"
"Yeah. That's why I sold my Ducati. I just mailed the check to be deposited into the account to help pay for her mom's treatments."
"You're growing up. Now you need to decide why Candice's part-time job bothers you so much. Once you've figured that out, you'll know how to fix things with her."
"I just wish she didn't do it. Dad, I know you don't have enough magic to heal Candice's mom, but can I have my Christmas wish be a fund to cover her medical expenses? I don't know how much it's going to be or how long."
"Sure, I'll be happy to arrange it. Now, I'd like you to fulfill a Christmas wish for me."
"You? A Christmas wish for you?” Noel swallowed, totally stunned at his dad's request. “Dad, you've never asked for anything for Christmas."
"First time for everything.” This time when his dad puffed out smoke, he sounded contented and pleased. “Here's my wish from you. Once you figure out why Candice being an exotic dancer bothers you, I want you to figure out if you're trying to rescue Candice the way you've always done for your sisters or if you have other reasons to want to see to her mom's comfort. It's an admirable Christmas wish you've made and I'm happy to grant it. I just want you to know why you want to do it. In the years I've been Santa, I've learned I can't rescue everyone, as much as I want to. So, for my Christmas gift from you, I want you to do some soul-searching and decide why you want to do this."
"Can't I just give you a kidney or a lung or something?” Noel did his imitation of the whiney kids who begged at the mall. “It would be easier."
"Ho, ho, ho."
His dad's laughter warmed him the way it had since he'd been little.
"Dad?"
"Yes, Noel?” his dad answered between chuckles. It amazed Noel that never once did his dad slipped from ‘Noll’ back to the old ‘No-el.'
"I love you."
"I love you, too. Take care of yourself. And fix that problem with Candice. Your mom wants another daughter to love."
* * * *
Candice stepped from the club's back door and pulled on her gloves, ready to make the walk to the El. The money belt she wore under her clothes was stuffed tonight. Someone had even tossed her some hundred dollar bills. It always made her a bit sad to take the money men threw on the stage at her or tucked under the strings of her brassiere or thong. As much as she needed the money for her momma, it worried her some of these men might be giving her money that their own wives and children needed.
"Hi, Candice. Can I give you a ride home?"
Candice looked at Noel, holding his knitted cap in his hands. The long black hair was gone. In the streetlight, short blond—almost white-blond—hair gleamed.
"When did you cut your hair?"
"This afternoon after I left the Santa gig. I'm sending eleven inches to Locks of Love."
"That's kind of you. Is this your natural color?"
"Kind of. The stylist stripped out the black, then colored it match my natural color so it won't look weird when it grows in. Matched the eyebrows, too."
"That's nice.” Candice stepped around him and started down the street. She needed to hurry to make her train.
"Candice, please. Let me take you home."
"I think it best we keep things work related. I'll see you on Monday night."
Noel put an hand on her arm. “I'm sorry for my attitude this past week. I'm sorry we've been nothing but polite to each other."
"I rather expected it.” She shook off his arm and continued on her way, her boots ringing on the sidewalk and echoing off buildings.
"I'm sorry I confirmed your low opinion of me."
That stopped Candice. “I actually didn't have a low opinion of you. I thought you would understand. I'm disappointed in myself for getting my hopes up."
"Candice, please. I need to talk to you. If you won't let me drive you, I'll ride the El with you. I'd rather not leave the car here, because as junky as Clay's car is, I really don't want it stolen and stripped. If he loses this car because of me, he might choose someone else to be his Best Man when he marries my twin sister."
At the rumble of a train passing overhead, Candice checked her watch by the street light. “That's my train getting into the station. You've delayed me so long, I'll never make it now. I'll have to wait a half hour for the next one and it's too cold. I guess I'll have to go home with you."
Candice huddled into her coat in the inadequately heated car. She finally tucked her feet under her body as opposed to leaving them on the floor where cold air blew on them from the so-called heater.
"Hold the wheel for me, please?"
"Why?"
"I'm going to take off my coat for you to wrap around yourself. I should have asked your uncle to repair the heater, too."
"I don't need your coat."
"I'm taking it off anyway.” Noel stuck a knee against the underside of the steering wheel while putting his right elbow against the top of the wheel.
In disgust at men and their single mindedness and Noel's in particular and, she had to admit, a bit in fear for her life, Candice leaned over and steadied the steering wheel while Noel pulled his left arm from the coat sleeve. She resisted the magnetic pull to lean against his warm body but concentrated on keeping them straight on the road.
He took the steering wheel again and stuck his right arm out. “Pull my sleeve off for me, please?"
She got it off, then pulled the entire coat from behind his back. Still heated from his body and smelling of his clean, fresh scent, Candice found herself wrapping it around herself the way she wanted Noel's arms around her.
"I talked to my dad—."
"Oh, you called Santa Claus?"
"Yes. He granted me my Christmas Wish. Every year, he gives all of us a chance to wish for the one thing we want with all our hearts."
"How nice for you. Are you getting a new Ducati?"
"No, I'm not. I'll explain in a minute."
"You know,” Candice watched the glow of the passing street lights on the grubby snow. “This is another thing I'm annoyed with you about. I told you my darkest secret and you walked away from me. But you don't bother even telling me your parents’ names—"
"Mary and Nicholas Claus,” Noel interrupted.
"Of course. The perfect names for Santa and his wife. Why do you still keep pretending you're Santa's only son? I don't give a damn you won't ever introduce me to your parents, but this Santa stuff is ridiculous."
"I'd like to take you tomorrow to meet my parents. I can get substitutes for our Sunday afternoon mall jobs, if you'll come with me."
"Oh, joy, I get to meet the real Santa Claus and his wife? What fun! Are they in town or are we going to the North Pole and back in one day?"
"With Christmas coming soon, it's hard for Dad to leave the workshop right now and Mom's busy in the kitchens. Besides, I think you'll believe us easier if you actually see our place at the North Pole. I just need to let the Transportation elf know when we're ready to leave."
"Gee, gosh. A Transportation elf. Why don't we get magicked there right now?"
Noel ignored her sarcasm and quietly asked, “Will your mom be okay if you don't come home tonight? Do you need to get one of your aunts or cousins to stay with her?"
"Are you crazy? I'm not calling anyone and telling them I'm staying with you. They'll think we're sleeping together."
"Then,” Noel continued calmly, “how about if I spend the night on the couch in your apartment and we'll leave for my parents’ place first thing in the morning?"
"Why don't you go back to your own place and leave me alone?"
Noel swung the car behind the apartment building and drove into the parking slot she'd directed him to when the car door had fallen off. “Because I love you and I want to make amends for my behavior."
"You—?"
"I love you. I figured out the reason I was mad about you being an exotic dancer was mainly because I didn't want other men to see your body. I don't want to share you.” He paused, then said, “I was at your shows tonight."
Candice thought of the money in her belt. “Were you the one tossing the hundred dollar bills? Because you felt sorry for me and Momma?"
"No. I tossed a couple of twenties, but not any hundreds. I can tell you why you earn more money than any of the other girls dancing."
"Speak, oh wise one."
"Not wise, just observant. When the other girls danced, they looked like they were disassociating themselves from their bodies. They just went through the motions. But when you danced, you shared your joy in life with everyone. And yet there was something in your eyes that made every man there want to take care of you and help you be happy just for the privilege of sharing your happiness with him."
He stroked her hair and laid his palm against her cheek. “I knew the sadness came from worry over your mom. I realized I'd had the chance all of them wanted and blew it. I want to take care of you and your mom and help you be happy, just for the privilege of sharing your happiness with you."
Candice blinked back tears at the sincerity in Noel's voice.
"My Christmas wish from my dad was a fund to pay for your mom's medical costs."
"Your dad's going to pay for my mom's medical expenses?"
"Not by himself. But he has a lot of influence. He'll make the arrangements. I'm not sure how he's going to do it, but very soon you won't have any medical bills to worry about."
"Your dad may not be the real Santa Claus, but he's definitely close enough to the real one for me.” This time Candice didn't bother to blink away the tears. Noel put his arms around her and she laid her head against his sweater while she cried with gratitude. She finally got herself under control and dug a packet of tissues from her coat pocket. Noel took the tissues from her and wiped her face.
"You do that so well,” she said with a sniffle, “like you've had lots of practice mopping up sobbing women. I got your sweater all soggy. I'm sorry."
"Hush.” He put a finger over her lips. “With four sisters, I've had soggy sweaters before and definitely have cleaned up many a teary face."
She laid her head back on his shoulder, happy to have Noel hold her.
"I need to tell you about the rest of the conversation I had with Dad. His Christmas wish from me was for me to figure out why I wanted him to take care of your financial burdens to take care of your mom.
"I've got a habit through the years of rescuing my sisters. Actually, they consider me extremely over-protective."
"They're lucky to have you.” Candice felt his lips brush the top of her forehead.
"I'm the lucky one. Anyway, I realized I wasn't asking him to take care of the money situation because I wanted to rescue you. I just want you to be happy. You're happiest when you're with your momma. I wanted to give you the opportunity to quit these extra jobs so you can spend as much time as you can with her. That's why I asked Dad for the funds. So you can have quality time with her to build the memories to keep her alive for you for the rest of your life. I love you. I really do. And I'd be honored if you'll let me spend the rest of your life with you sharing your happiness with me. Will you marry me?"
Candice answered him with a kiss.
When they came up for air, Noel dug in the pocket of his coat still wrapped around Candice. “I hope this fits.” He slid a princess cut diamond ring on the third finger of her left hand. “Not that I want to pressure you or anything, but will you be comfortable getting married soon? I'd really like to be married to you."
Candice looked at the ring sparkling in the parking lot's security light, then lifted her face to Noel's again. “My momma's not going to live much longer. I'd like her to be at our wedding."
"We can see my parents tomorrow and tell them, then Monday get the license and get married Tuesday. If you don't mind a Justice of the Peace wedding."
"I don't care as long as you're there and my momma's watching. Will your parents be able to come?"
"Christmas is important, but their children are more important. They wouldn't miss it. Invite your whole family. If I know my mom, she's been planning a guest list for my wedding and my sisters’ weddings for years. Plus she's a whiz at organizing. She'll come up with a great reception even if it is on the spur of the moment."
"I bet if she and my aunts can get together on Monday, even the Queen of England will be envious she's not invited to the party."
"As long as you're happy."
"I'm always going to be happy with you."
"I promise I'll do my best to help you stay happy."
About the author...
Betty Hanawa writes paranormal erotic romances, filled with snarky humo
r that frequently slips into the ironic. Her books are receiving high praise and are eagerly anticipated. Her aunts are delighted with her success. Her children are embarrassed to discover their mother knows about sex. And she really enjoys being the scandal of her small town.
The Christmas Star
Roni Adams
Chapter One
"Chrissy? Chrissy Star?"
Chrissy looked up and frowned. She didn't recognize the man standing at her table. His brown eyes, jet-black hair, and olive skin didn't ring any bells. Neither did the broad shoulders and muscular chest hidden beneath the deep green polo shirt. Nope, definitely not a guy she would have forgotten. So how did he know her name?
"I'm sorry, have we met?” she asked.
The stranger smiled. “You don't remember me?"
Feeling her cheeks warm, she looked at him even harder, but still nothing. “No, I'm afraid I don't."
"It's ok. It was at least five years ago.” He held out his hand, “Nick Christopoulus. We met at the CPA convention in New York."
Furrowing her brow, Chrissy thought back to the boring conference and the stuffy people she'd met. Suddenly a vivid image of a man with dark heavy glasses and a pocket protector materialized. Her mouth fell open as she stared back at him. The Nick she'd met was at least fifty pounds heavier, and considerably nerdier than this man. “Wow,” was all she could manage to get out.
He laughed and slipped into the chair across from her. “Lasik eye surgery, and a nasty illness.” He shrugged. “I was sick for a long time, but I lost a lot of weight so I guess I can't complain too much."
Chrissy couldn't stop staring. She was looking at a real life before and after photo. “You look fantastic. I mean, not that you looked bad before, but..."
Nick laughed. “Its okay, I know how bad I looked before. Getting sick was a good wake-up call."
"And the Lasik?"
He shrugged. “Once I changed all that fat to muscle I figured I might as well keep going and ditch the glasses too."
Chrissy took a drink of her cocktail still unable to get her head around the two men being the same guy. “So what brings you here? Vacation?"
Tales From Christmas Town Page 6