Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

15th December

Dean

I n every generation there is a chosen one…and this December, it appears to be me.

To play Santa Paws…

I fold my arms across my chest as I regard my brother. We’re in his personal gym in the basement of his house for our regular morning workout. I’d missed a few sessions since Echo and I have gotten together. A fact Danny doesn’t hesitate to remind of me every time I see him.

“You want me to do what?” I’m glad I’d finished the weights before he dropped this bombshell on me.

My brother smiles at me brightly as he runs his usual 10k on the treadmill. “Play Santa Paws for the old folks and their doggies in Collier’s feed shop. You might get a few cats, but I doubt it.”

“No.”

“You know I’m gonna get what I want, Deano.”

I know he is, but I have to try. “Coercion is a nasty thing, Danno.”

“It’s a good thing it’s not coercion then. Heather Treebe was going to play Mrs. Santa Paws—you know how she loves the dogs—but she caught a chill at the Tree Lighting Ceremony and is in bed.”

Danny slows the treadmill to a walking pace and glances at me. “It’s an hour, tops.”

“Okay.”

He narrows his eyes as if he doesn’t believe what he just heard. “Okay?”

“You want me to do it. I’m not going to get out of this; I know that.” I stalk up to the treadmill. “But you listen to me. I’m not gonna be your puppet again, Daniel Hobart. You get me this month, and then I’m done.” I stop, waiting, expecting an argument. But he says nothing. “Did you hear me?”

“I heard you.”

“And?”

“Your man already told me to back off.”

My jaw drops. “What?” It comes out as a squeak.

“He came by my office last week and told me to get off your back or he’d have something to say about it.”

“I see you listened to him,” I drawl, but my mind is in a spin. Echo tackled the mayor for me? I even say ‘the mayor’ the way that he does in my head.

“You’re my baby brother. Like I’d let anyone tell me how to treat you. But he was fierce, I’ll give him that.” Danny broke into a smile. “It’s about time you had someone who has your back like JoBeth has mine.”

I nod slowly, knowing I’ve always envied my brother’s relationship, but I gained a sister. JoBeth had been a bright spot in a dark time. “You’ve always had my back, Danny. I know that.”

“And now you’ve got someone else. I can hand over the role.” He waves at me as if he’s handing over a baton.

I snort, and Danny smirks. Like he was ever going to do that. I foresee battles ahead between Echo and my brother. I can’t wait.

“What time do I need to be at the feed store because I promised Hebe I’d help at the facility today.”

“Two. The animals are due at two-thirty. I don’t know how many they expect.”

“I’ve been to Santa Paws at the feed store before,” I admit. “I take some of the residents from the assisted living facility. I had wondered why Hebe hadn’t asked me to do it this year.” At Danny’s lack of response, I glare at him. “This is another set up, isn’t it?”

Danny whistles as he heads to the rowing machine. He set up the gym when he moved into his own house. He encouraged me to join him once I recovered from the accident, confiding he liked the company. It took me months to realize it was his way of keeping an eye on me, to ensure I wasn’t going to do anything stupid. I never said anything, and our morning sessions continued. I wondered how he felt now I was missing them.

“I won’t miss every morning,” I say suddenly.

He smiles again. “Good. You can bring Echo too, if he wants.”

As Echo normally gets to bed after two when he’s working, I can’t see my guy dragging his ass out of bed at six to work out in the gym.

“Maybe when he has days off,” I say. “He works late.”

Danny nods as if he hadn’t thought of that. “Randy is working him hard.”

I bit my bottom lip, holding back the urge to tell I was working him hard too. My brother’s more open than the town gives him credit for, but there are limits. “You know Randy.”

Danny and Randy have a combative relationship at the best of times. They’re too much alike. But both want the best for Collier’s Creek, even if they don’t always agree on what that is.

I glance at the clock. “I need to move. See you later?”

Danny wrinkled his brow. “Do we have any plans? I don’t remember?—”

“You’re coming to Santa Paws, aren’t you? You’re always at community events.”

He scowled at me. “I thought you’d be taking my place today.”

“Nice try. But I’m Santa Paws. I’m there for the dogs. You’re the one representing the town.”

I laugh at his glower as I walk out of the gym. He’ll be there.

Back home, Echo is still flat out in bed. He doesn’t stir when I walk in. I stand in the doorway, admiring the long lines of his naked back and the curve of his spine. I want to kiss down it, but I don’t want to disturb him. He still looks tired from all the hours he’s working. Yet he still makes sure he sees me every day. I’d like to buy him something. If he were my girlfriend, I’d have bought him flowers. Do men even like flowers? I do, but would he think it’s odd?

“I know you’re staring at me,” Echo mumbles, not twitching a muscle.

“I like the view,” I say, my voice husky. “Muscles and smooth skin. What’s not to like?”

Echo rolls over and flops onto his back. “I don’t think I’m up to anything right now. I didn’t get to bed until nearly four.”

I wince. It’s only just gone seven-thirty. Now I feel guilty for disturbing him. “I’ll leave you to sleep.”

He holds out a hand. “Kiss me, then leave me alone.”

I walk over, bend down, and kiss him.

“Morning breath,” I murmur.

“Gym stink,” he counters.

Fair enough. “Go back to sleep. We’ll talk later. Oh…” I thought of something. “I’m sorry, I can’t meet for lunch. Danny’s roped me into another Santa gig.”

Echo cracks open one eye. “Where this time?”

“The feed store.”

He doesn’t bother to hide his smile. “Santa Paws?”

I sigh. “You heard?”

“I heard Geraldine and Barbie-Anne getting all excited about it in CC’s.”

“You could have warned me,” I grumble. “I don’t mind the dogs; it’s the humans I can’t handle.”

Echo gives a sleepy laugh. “Think of them as vampires.”

“What?”

“Or pumpkins. Whatever floats your boat.”

I shake my head. The man is clearly sleep-drunk. “Go back to sleep. We’ll catch up later. I might pop into Randy’s.”

Echo mumbles something and curls up like a hibernating squirrel.

I kiss his temple and head into my closet. I’ll shower in the guest bathroom. I grimace at the Santa suit. Santa Paws. Good gravy, what next!

I drive into the parking lot of Collier’s feed store, glad I didn’t leave it any later. The lot is mostly full already. This is where the farming community and the town meet, and most of the time it’s a sedate place. The farmers come in to order feed for their livestock, and Creekers who prefer somewhere quieter than the bustling town cafes to chat over coffee. I come here with residents from the assisted living facility, a couple of older men who’d worked on local farms and like being close to farming again. I sit at a nearby table and read my latest book as they argue about which feed was best for their cattle in their day.

The store holds events during the year to draw in trade. There are two Santa Paws events. One for families and the other for the older folk who are less steady on their feet. I thought this one would be quiet as it was for older folk. That’s stupid of me. I’ve been before, but obviously I haven’t paid enough attention.

I ease into a space between a Prius and an ancient Impala, then dial Echo’s number, feeling a pang of disappointment when it goes to voicemail. He must have gone to work early. I don’t bother to leave a message. I’ll go see him this evening at the bar.

I look in the review mirror and straighten my Santa hat. “Santa Paws, this is your moment.”

I lock my pickup and head toward the entrance. I’ve been promised someone will look out for me.

The automatic doors open, and two men bolt from the building.

“Don’t go in there, man,” one of them says. “Just don’t.”

The other one looks at me, then turns to his companion. “I think he’s meant to be here, Crusty.”

Crusty?

Crusty stares at me. “Thoughts and prayers, Santa.”

“Thanks,” I say.

How bad can it be?

I had no idea.

Then I walk into chaos in a snowy twinkling hell.

I love dogs…mostly. Even small, fluffy hounds from hell like Barky. Geraldine’s dog had rehabilitated himself in the town’s opinion by the way he adopted the sheriff and helped him win his last election. But a dozen hounds from hell in a confined space all barking and yipping?

“I should have brought noise-cancelling headphones,” I mutter.

“What?” Helena Dudek, the current owner of the feed store, bellows in my ear.

“Headphones,” I yell.

She shakes her head, and I give up.

I point at Santa’s seat. It’s bright red, surrounded by twinkling reindeer and stuffed penguins. “Ready?”

Helena can obviously lip read that because she draws me to one side and pulls out a large sack behind the checkout.

“Each dog gets a present depending on size. If you’re not sure, look at me. The owners will ask for a swap if necessary. One present only,” she emphasizes, waiting until I give her a nod to say I hear and will obey. “Some of the old ducks will take a handful if you let them.”

I wish I had Echo by my side as Mister Elf. He’s so good at handling people.

She peers around the corner to the grotto. “They’re all here. Let’s get started.”

I take a deep breath. I can do this.

She fixes me with a stern gaze. “Don’t show any fear.”

“Is that the animals or their humans,” I ask drily.

“Both.”

I force a smile. “I’m going to kill my brother.”

She snorts. “Where is he? I expected the mayor to be here today.”

So did I, Helena. So did I.

Unaware of my murderous thoughts, Helena steps into the center of the grotto. “Welcome everyone, to the first of our annual Santa Paws visits.”

I heave the bag onto my shoulder and stand next to Helena. “Ho ho ho, doggies and their humans.”

I’m faced with ten women and two men staring at me. Most of them I know, three of the women are strangers to me. I hoped Noel was going to be here with his dachshund, but I guess he didn’t want to be with the oldies.

One of those women, sorting a purple ‘do and a large pitbull wearing a Santa hat sitting placidly by her side, purses her lips. “Ooh. He’s better than last year. He fills out that suit very nicely.”

She’s elbowed by her companion who I recognize from the library. “Jools, I can’t take you anywhere.”

Jools laughs raucously. “Yes, you can. The second time to apologize.”

“What a lovely pitty,” I say.

She gives me a surprised look. “Most people are scared of Rina.” She sweeps a scornful gaze around the circle and most of the women clutch their dogs to them.

I remember the role I’m supposed to be playing. “I’m Santa Paws. I’m not afraid of any dogs, and she’s beautiful.”

I’m scared of at least three of the little dogs in here, but this beautiful old pitty is a doll. I love on her for a minute, and she soaks it up like the lovebug she is, then Helen coughs, and I remember I’m supposed to be here for a reason.

I pat the pitty one last time and take my seat on the throne.

They’re all staring at me.

I can do this.

“Who’s first to meet Santa Paws?” Helena asks when the silence stretches on awkwardly.

What happens next has nothing to do with me, I swear.

Echo cries out, “Santa Paws, you left me behind.”

Barky shoots across the room to say hello.

One minute Echo is on his feet, and the next the elf, my elf, is on the floor, red stockinged legs waving in the air.

“Fuck!” he says loudly.

There’s a stunned silence.

My brother, who for some reason has just arrived, has his head in his hands and his shoulders shake, obviously laughing.

“Where’s my Barky?” Geraldine says. “What did you do with him?

He isn’t anywhere to be seen. Echo rolls to his knees, looking hopelessly at me. Fortunately, Barky hasn’t been squished underneath him.

“Where has he gone?” Geraldine asks, as bewildered as the rest of us.

As everyone looked around, I see something wriggle behind the pitty. “Miss Jools, I think Barky is hiding behind Rina.”

Jools looks down and scoops up Barky. “He thought Rina would protect him.”

Echo collects Barky and cuddles him for a moment. “You’re a brave boy, aren’t you, Barky?”

Then he scratches Rina behind the ears. “Who’s a good girl.” He coos and fusses on her. She closes her eyes and thumps one leg in appreciation.

And just like that, everything is all right again.

I grin at Echo. “Goodness me, that’s a lot of excitement, Mister Elf. Is your ankle all right?”

He makes a big play of checking his ankle out and asking Barky to sniff it over. I have no idea why the dog cooperates, but he does.

Then we get on with the present giving, Echo and I taking it in turns to give the dogs their treats. I only receive one nip for my troubles.

I’m not surprised when Danny vanishes fifteen minutes after he arrives, tapping on his watch and waggling his fingers at Echo and me. At least he turned up.

I wave but Echo says, “Let’s give Collier’s Creek Mayor a festive goodbye.”

His clapping sets all the dogs off again. Danny grimaces at me, but at least he gets to walk out of the door. I’m still here.

But fifteen minutes later, Helena calls time on proceedings, which I’m relieved about, because Echo was going to have to leave me soon. “Let’s give Santa Paws and Mister Elf a round of ap-paws.”

There’s a collective groan but the applause is enthusiastic, and I hear more than one person say it was the most fun they’d had at one of these events. I say nothing when they suggest we should return next year. That isn’t gonna happen.

I thank Helena and everyone for coming, with a special thanks to the doggies for bringing their humans, and then it’s time to leave.

I’ve not taken more than five steps when Echo grabs my hand and hauls me out of sight of the grotto. We’re hidden between sacks of beef calf starter feed and a wall of boxes of lights for the festive season.

I put my hands on Echo’s chest. “What are you doing?”

“Kissing you before I go. I’ve wanted to do this all afternoon.”

My hands are trapped between us as he cups his hand around the back of my neck and kisses me. A moan is captured between us. I’m not even sure who moaned. All I know is I want his mouth on me forever.

“Oh my.”

I freeze at the voice, but Echo hangs onto me. “It’s okay,” he murmurs against my lips.

“Santa and the hot Elf are making out,” the woman says.

“Lucky for them,” another adds. “I haven’t had that much fun in thirty years. Not since my Tony passed.”

“Never mind, Jools. There’s always Jimmy.”

“Jimmy is half dead,” Jools snaps.

“So are we all, hon. At least we’re still breathing. It doesn’t stop me flirting with the fellas. Coffee?”

“Coffee,” she agrees. “I hope they have the ginger spice cake again.”

I hear shuffling footsteps as they leave us in peace and breathe a sigh of relief.

Echo chuckles against my lips. “I hope we get the chance to try for a long time.”

“Me too,” I agree. I kinda like the hot Elf, so I kiss him again.