Chapter 3 Emily
EMILY
Ipeeked around the corner, peering into the living room where all the kids and their parents were gathered.
Vance had rented out several cabins in this mountain resort to host a Christmas retreat for friends and family.
We were in the main cabin where everyone joined for dinner, which would follow with an appearance by Santa and his helper.
Vance and his family, including Charlie’s grandparents, would bunk in this cabin since it was larger than the rest. Their friends and children would retire to their own lodgings at the end of the night.
I had a cabin all to myself—the smallest on the property—that I was supposed to share with Josh.
Now, I’d be returning to my cozy little retreat all alone.
I was sure Vance would let me stay here if I wanted, but every room and bed were occupied, so I would have to sleep on the couch. Besides, I wanted to build a fire in the fireplace of my one-room cabin and crawl beneath the handmade quilt that was draped across the bed.
Three loud knocks sounded at the front door, and the room fell silent. “I wonder who that could be,” Delilah announced in faux surprise as she rocked baby Ellie in her arms.
“Ho, ho, ho,” came a booming voice from outside, and all three of the older kids—Harper, Elijah, and Charlie—gasped, looking at each other with eyes wide in excitement.
It warmed my heart knowing they still believed.
Harper and Eli were old enough now that we weren’t long off from them figuring out Santa was really just Mom and Dad with different wrapping paper.
Hudson and Josiah were too little to recognize what was happening, so they looked to their parents curiously.
Vance strode to the door and grasped the knob, turning to the captive little faces watching him. “Should I open it and see who it is?” he asked, and a choir of tiny voices rang out with an exuberant “yes.”
He swung the door wide and Donovan, disguised as Santa, stepped inside, a large burlap sack slung over one shoulder. It was like a scene out of a movie. His large frame filled the doorway as snow flurries swirled around him. It was downright magical.
The room erupted in chaos. The kids bolted to him, throwing their little arms around his waist and legs as they peered up into his face in wonder. He let out a hearty chuckle.
“Santa!” they cried nearly in unison, and my heart melted at the pure joy on their sweet faces.
“Charlotte, Elijah, Harper,” he acknowledged, patting them gently on the head before squatting in front of the three youngest. “Hudson, Josiah, and little Eleanor,” he continued, looking each of the toddlers in the eye before rubbing Delilah’s newborn daughter’s cheek.
She cooed, blowing spit bubbles at him, and my ovaries nearly burst. It was so sweet but also kinda sexy at the same time.
“You know our names?” Charlie asked, her tone laced with awe.
“Of course, I do. You all are on the very tippity top of my nice list,” he announced. I smothered a giggle with my hand. He was being over-the-top, and the kids were eating it up.
“We are?” Harper asked, yanking on his sleeve.
“I’m Santa,” he proclaimed. “I cannot tell a lie.” Snickers broke out among the adults, and I shook my head. He was playing Santa, not George Washington.
Donovan crossed the living room and took his seat next to the fireplace, resting the bag at his feet.
“I have a special treat for each of you, and since you’ve been such good boys and girls, you get your Christmas presents early this year.
” Cheers erupted from the audience, and the little ones bounced on their toes in anticipation.
“But first,” he continued, holding up one finger, “I need my helper.”
That was my cue. I stepped out from my hiding spot, and everyone followed his gaze as it locked on mine. My knees went weak, and I almost tripped at the heat in Donovan’s eyes. They raked over my body, sending a shiver of delight coursing down my spine.
“Aunt Emily!” Charlie ran to me and threw her arms around my waist, tilting her face up to me. “You work for Santa?”
“Who do you think reports to him about how good you’ve been all year?” I lifted a brow, and a sly grin pulled across my lips as I waited for that info to sink in. The way she regarded me with wonder sparkling in her cool blue eyes filled me with warmth.
She released me and bolted toward Donovan, joining the rest of the kids clambering around him. I stepped up next to Donovan, his magnetic pull drawing me in. “Emily,” he greeted, forgetting for a moment to mask his voice. The deep timbre heated my skin, and a flush crept up my neck.
“Santa,” I replied, my voice breathier than I intended.
He cleared his throat and straightened his spine, slipping back into character. “Thank you so much for being my helper. Are you ready to pass out the presents?”
“Yes, I am!” I replied excitedly, clapping my hands together. We were really selling it.
As I bent to open the bag and retrieve the first present, Donovan addressed the children.
“I received all your letters and have brought something special for each of you.” I straightened and handed him the first festively wrapped box.
When his palm grazed my knuckles, a zing of electricity ran up my arm, and I nearly dropped the gift.
His breath hitched, and his eyes flashed to mine. He felt it too.
His gaze dropped to the name tag, and I breathed a sigh of relief. If he’d looked at me any longer, he would have seen how affected I was by him. He would’ve seen that lingering crush I never truly got over.
We dispersed the rest of the presents, and the kids tore into them. Wrapping paper and ribbons went flying as shouts of excitement filled the air.
“This is just what I wanted!” Elijah announced, springing to his feet, a skateboard gripped in his hand.
Harper and Charlie echoed his sentiments as their gifts were revealed.
Hudson and Josiah were more interested in the wrapping paper and cardboard boxes than the actual toys inside, and Ellie was fast asleep in her mother’s arms.
Once the kids had unwrapped all the gifts, they thanked Santa and tackled him in a hug.
The force of their collective embrace nearly knocked him out of his chair.
A deliciously low chuckle left his lips, and the sound settled in my lower belly.
I never knew a laugh could be so sexy. I needed to get a grip before anyone noticed Santa’s little helper was ready to help him right out of his jolly red suit.