Chapter 13 Tanner
TANNER
“Remember our Santa dilemma?”
I smacked Jax’s hand as he reached for a second peanut butter blossom. “Quit eating all the good ones. Have a thumbprint cookie. I don’t like those.”
“I heard that,” Gem singsonged from the file cabinets in the hallway of the main office.
Jax stuck his tongue out at me, like he did when we were little kids. “You’re in trouble now,” he whispered.
“I do like the thumbprints, Gem. It’s just that peanut butter is my favorite. And my dickhead brother is eating them all.”
“Sorry,” he said, biting a chocolate kiss off the top and flashing a mischievous grin.
“I know you do, honey,” Gem called out. “I have a plate of them just for you.”
I beamed, and yes, I channeled my inner five-year-old self and stuck my tongue out at Jax. “Thank you, Gem.”
“Kiss-ass,” he huffed.
“What were you saying about Santa?”
“I found a good one. Really good. He’s chubby, jolly, has white hair and a full beard, and he even smells like peppermint. Actually, he found us. He showed up out of the blue and volunteered to help out. Said he heard we were looking for a Santa.”
“That’s odd. I wonder how. We all agreed to go without Santa this year.”
Tanner shrugged. “It wasn’t me, but I think he’ll be great.”
I glanced out the window at the cows grazing in the field. “Okay, but…what are we gonna do with him? Will he wander around saying, ‘Ho ho ho’ and taking pictures, or are we doing something more formal where kids sit on his lap?”
“You don’t have to be a kid to sit on Santa’s lap, you know.”
I shook my head in mock censure. “Why do I think you’ve been looking at some naughty Santa porn?”
“Because I have,” Jax said, eyes twinkling merrily. “But this guy isn’t X-rated. He’s family friendly and Tanner-friendly. You’ll like him.”
“All right. The nice thing about the Holiday Light Show is that we don’t have to do much.”
“Unless you’re helping a sexy vet put lights up,” he teased. “I saw the tree in his window. Did you decorate that too?”
“A little,” I admitted. “We let Phoebe do most of it. She’s really excited about Christmas. I bought her an advent calendar from Moody’s store so she could count down the days. She loves it and—why are you looking at me like that?”
“No reason. It’s just…you’re gonna be a good dad someday, Tan.”
I thought he might take the opportunity to remind me that Phee was as temporary as her father and to not get overly attached, but Jax wasn’t cruel. And I’d bet he knew it was already too late.
Oak Ridge Ranch was decked to the gills. There were giant wreaths with red velvet ribbons on the wrought-iron gates and on the barns and stable doors. Garland-wrapped light posts and fences lined the pathways to the cottages.
Don’t get me started on the main lodge. Outdoor lights illuminated the roofline and every tree surrounding the estate.
Santiago had gone all out and had it professionally decorated by an interior designer from Santa Barbara who’d taken her job very seriously.
Every nook and cranny featured a Christmassy element.
The tree in the grand foyer was jaw-droppingly enormous, and there were another five scattered throughout for our guests’ enjoyment.
Personally, I liked the homier touches on the bungalows.
Every cottage was decorated to the nines.
The stark rolling fields were a pretty backdrop to the wintery ranch scene.
Guests parked in the gravel lot near the entrance and continued on foot onto the property.
There they could check out the elaborate light displays, go for a hayride, shop at the holiday booths for trinkets, a treat, or a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
Oh…and they could take a photo with Santa.
Jax hadn’t been kidding. Our Santa looked like the real deal.
“If he tells us he’s from the North Pole, I might believe him,” Hudson commented, his arm draped around his husband’s shoulders.
“Me too,” Moody agreed. “Where did Jax find him?”
“He waltzed into the office and asked if we were hiring,” I replied.
Moody pushed his glasses higher on his nose. “I wonder why he didn’t come to Christmas Town. We could use him.”
“That’s the truth. Talk to him.”
“Maybe I will. Good job here, by the way. It’s splendiferous and jolly. A perfect community gathering,” Moody gushed.
“Thanks.” I grinned and waved at Axel, who was dutifully following his daughter and her friends to join the group waiting for an audience with St. Nick. “I’ll see you guys later. Try the peppermint hot chocolate. It’s amazing!”
I was stopped a few times by friends and neighbors.
“What a fun night, Tanner! Well done.”
“Happy Holidays, Tanner!”
I nodded my thanks, high-fived and fist-bumped, then jogged to Axel, chuckling at his harried expression.
“Have you been on the hayride, hottie?” I sidled next to him, linking our arms.
“About fifty times,” he deadpanned. “I’ve also played tag, hide-and-seek, and I took the girls to see Nellie and the kids. We made a quick trip to check on Hazel too.”
“Lou says he’ll try to deliver the calf on the twenty-third. He’s got big golfing plans on Christmas Eve.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be here. At least till she’s had the calf.”
My smile faded slightly, but I wasn’t going to ask about end dates. Not now. I wanted to enjoy the hell out of the days leading to Christmas. No sadness, no sorrow, no what-ifs.
I cleared my throat and gestured toward the round man dressed from head to toe in Santa regalia.
“Let’s go meet Santa.”
Photos with Santa held up the line a bit, but within ten minutes, Phee, Abby, and Sydney had their audience. Their parents jumped in to take pics, then whisked them off. Soon, it was just Axel, Phee, me, and a guy who looked like the real deal.
“Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas. You’re Phoebe, yes?”
Phee’s eyes bugged open. “How did you know my name?”
Santa winked. “I just had a hunch. If you’re the Phoebe I’m thinking of, you’re new in town.”
“I…yes. I’m…yes.” She gnawed on her lower lips and blinked.
“You’ve met some nice friends, haven’t you?” More nodding, more blinking. “Ho ho! What’s on your list this year, young lady?”
“There’s a doll that has ballet shoes like mine,” she said shyly.
“I think I know that one!” He crouched low on one knee and handed Phee a candy cane. “Anything else you’re wishing for?”
Phee hesitated for a beat, then whispered in Santa’s ear. He smiled kindly and stood. I couldn’t hear what he said, and apparently, neither had Axel.
He leaned into Santa’s space. “What did she ask for?”
“Something magical.”
Axel frowned. “Like a unicorn?”
Santa patted Axel’s shoulder. Axel was so big that the gesture should have been comical, but the old man took up space. “More like the sort of thing you know when you see it. I have a feeling it’s the same thing you’re wishing for.”
“Me? I—”
“Candy cane?”
Axel took the candy cane with a grunt.
“That was fishy,” he said once we were out of earshot.
“No, it was sweet. The best Christmas wishes always have a mystical aura.”
He lifted his brows. “Did you spike that hot chocolate?”
I rolled my eyes and dragged him with me into the festive throng.
We stayed close for the rest of the evening, letting Phoebe lead the way. At some point, he laced our fingers and held my hand. He’d never done this. Never in public. If you asked me, this was the ultimate form of reclaiming what had been taken from him.
His freedom to choose…a man. To choose me.