Chapter 2
two
Tessa
I love my job. Even when it’s a challenge. Maybe especially when those seemingly insurmountable challenges occur. As my hometown’s sole member of the tourist commission, I’m responsible for the community’s image and for bringing in tourists to boost the area’s financial security. Sounds impressive but it all boils down to coming up with new, creative ideas then working my ass off to implement them.
Guess I’m not working hard enough because my ass is just as round and soft as it’s always been. And that’s okay. The size of my body doesn’t affect how well I do my job. Or how I live my life. Not much anyway. Besides, I’m pretty sure I’m happier alone right now.
Our latest event is a day long celebration of Krampusnacht, and it was a tough sale to the community leaders. First I had to explain the history of the event—how on the night before Saint Nicholas’ day, the Krampus would roam the towns looking for the misbehaving children. I did gloss over how he treated those kids, and focused instead on how other celebrations were handled.
Our day has a charity hockey match for kids, a beer garden for adults, crafts, food, and ends with a parade featuring our Krampus.
Only problem is we’re a week out from the event and I don’t have a Krampus. None of the locals want to don the heavy, hairy suit, and truthfully I’ve always wanted an outsider to play the role. Someone unexpected. A surprise. I haven’t had any luck convincing nearby celebrities. I am amazed, however, at how many famous people really do live in the area. Not that it’s done any good.
My small office in the town hall is decorated top to bottom for the holidays. I’ve always loved Christmas and all the trappings so I spent a lot of time creating this ambiance at work.
Home is another story. I inherited my Granddad’s house on a small plot of land just outside of town when he passed earlier this year. He overdid on Christmas, too. I suppose that’s where my joy in the season came from. Without him here, it’s not the same. I can pretend at work. At home? I’ve pulled out the box with the old silver aluminum tree. The box remains in the corner where the tree and it’s colored light wheel always sat. I haven’t had the courage to even open the box.
Whether or not I decorate the house just for me doesn’t matter. Until I get this Krampus issue solved there’s no time for anything else. In a way, I’m thankful for that.
One week before the Krampusnacht event, I’m shuffling through my notes vainly trying to come up with a new idea. The phone interrupts my useless struggle and my voice is sharp when I answer. Then as the caller speaks, my bad mood morphs into amazement then relief. I hang up with a smile.
I have my Krampus.
Seems one of the players of the local hockey team, the Linoma Lynx, needs to show some connection with the community and has reluctantly agreed to be a part of the day. I can fit him into a number of our events. The kids at the hockey match will go apeshit when they find out who’s going to join them on the ice. Maybe instead of the kids actually having matches, our celebrity guest could help the kids with making shots or something. And I think I can improve on the enjoyment the ladies might have during the parade if I alter the costume a bit to accentuate the player’s physique.
I stare at the name I’ve written in my planner and chuckle. Hometown boy Ethan Carter. The boy whose mere presence tormented me all through high school. He’d join in when others teased me in the lunchroom or in the hallways. He made my life miserable.
Mostly because I hated myself for liking—wanting—any attention from him. He had everything. He was popular. Athletic. Oh so handsome. All the girls chased after him. The bitchy head cheerleader had caught him.
Well, not all. Not me. Even though he was my first real crush. The one I’d vowed I would never forget. But he crushed my spirit more than once and once he left town for college, I got over him.
Then why do my lady bits tingle at the thought of him being in town? Of working closely with him through the day of activities? I cross my legs, squeeze my thighs together and sigh. He’s a hockey player for shit’s sake. A damn good one if what I’ve read is true. He undoubtedly lives that popular athlete lifestyle. Plays hard, parties hard.
Probably has a whole stable of those puck bunnies waiting for his call.
That thought doesn’t make me sad. Hopeless. Really, it doesn’t. He’ll be here for a day. That’s it. Then I won’t ever have to deal with Ethan Carter again.
Ignoring what my body seems to want, I allow myself an evil grin. Maybe there can be a little satisfying payback for some of those high school stunts he pulled on me. The grin falls away. Why bother. He probably doesn’t even remember me or what he did. Why dredge up the past when there’s no chance for that satisfaction?
No, I’ll be nothing but professional in dealing with my reluctant Krampus.
Mostly.
Today’s the big day. Krampusnacht. Everything and everyone is ready—except for the hockey player. He’s not arriving in town until this morning. I know he lives only three towns over but I would have preferred having him here yesterday to give me time to go over the activities and expectations with him. It’s probably a good thing I didn’t have time to alter the overly large costume so we won’t need any fitting time.
I glance at my watch, then double check the time with my ipad. If he doesn’t get here soon—no, I’m not going to panic.
The weather notification tone sounds on my tablet. Shit, I don’t need that, too. I’ve been watching the forecasts for the past few days and holding my breath. Looks like the weather guys are right this time. A winter storm watch has just been issued for the area. Leaving the desk, I peer out the window at the dark sky.
A little snow wouldn’t be too bad. Other than the parade, the activities are all inside anyway. It definitely looks like snow. Please, just stay away for today. It can snow all it wants once the parade’s over and everyone is safe at home. I send a quick email to the committee heads for each activity confirming we’re still on and will make decisions later as the weather warrants. Bad weather is always a concern in the winter.
Noise from the hallway draws my attention and the door I’d left open a crack bursts open. My assistant on this project steps into my office with a huge, star-struck grin brightening his face. “He’s here. Crunch Carter is in the building.”
With a flamboyant spin, he rushes away. I roll my gaze and return to my chair to wait. From the excited chatter it sounds like the popular defenseman is gathering a crowd around him as he moves through the building. The noise stops right outside my door.
“Hey, thanks for the welcome, everybody. I’ll be glad to talk and sign stuff for you later. But it took me longer to get here than expected and I need to meet with your event coordinator to find out where I’m supposed to be first. Catch you later.”
A tall, broad-shouldered man backs into the room and closes the door. With one hand still on the doorknob, he rests his forehead against the wood and takes a deep breath. Then he squares his shoulders and turns. The smile he’s obviously pasted on fades as he stares at me.
Darn it, my lady bits cheer at the surprised interest I imagine in his gaze. Like my body hasn’t forgotten a single one of my teenage fantasies now that he’s standing just a few short feet from me.
His mouth drops open. There’s a slight widening of his dark eyes. “Tessa?”