“He probably hasn’t said anything,” Becca grumbled. She bent down and smoothed a lock of hair off Libby’s brow. “Why don’t you go see if your daddy will win you a stuffed snowman, baby girl? We can come back for Santa. I know he’ll want to see you.”
“Okay! Bye, Miss Mckinney!” Libby waved and dashed off, disappearing into the crowd.
Amy smiled nervously at the people waiting and then leaned in toward Becca. “Do I look okay?”
“You look great,” Becca reassured her. “Nice and flat up top.”
Whew. She’d texted Becca a picture after she’d taped down the girls, making sure that nothing could be seen, but it was nice to get reassurance. “Good.”
“The hair’s a nice touch.” Becca reached up and fingered one of the fake white curls on Amy’s head. “Glasses, too. It’s all really cute and you look adorable. Are you having fun?”
“I will soon,” she reassured Becca. Just as soon as Caleb got here.
Becca leaned in. “Any word on your gift giver?” When Amy shook her head, Becca gave her a knowing look. “I found out who it is.”
That had Amy’s attention. “You did?”
“Yeah, and he’s going to be here tonight. Are you . . . sure you want to know?”
Uh-oh. Amy swallowed hard, willing down the knot in her stomach. “I guess I do now. Is it bad?”
“All I can say is that I’m sworn to secrecy about the fact that Greg sent you those roses.” Becca fluttered her lashes innocently. “So I can’t tell you that.”
Amy groaned, wanting to stomp her feet like a child, but the pinching boots hurt too much for that. “Greg? Really?”
“That’s what I heard from the florist.” Becca shrugged. “I mean, it’s really generous of him. When we were together I had to really drag any sort of gift out of him, so the jewelry is a nice touch. The good news is that it’s not a stalker. The bad news is that it’s Greg.”
Amy bit back a sigh. It wasn’t that she disliked Greg. It was just . . . she was hoping for someone more exciting. But that was unfair of her, wasn’t it? She’d said in the past that if her Santa wasn’t a stalker, she’d go out with him if he asked. After all, wasn’t she lonely and wanting to get to know people in town? And yet . . . she hadn’t felt all that lonely this week with Caleb’s company every day. It had been easy to forget that she’d vowed to try to date more.
Strangely enough, she thought about shirtless Caleb and felt her cheeks grow hot. “Greg’s perfectly nice,” Amy admitted. “If he asked me out, I probably wouldn’t say no.” She’d have a nice dinner, see if there were any sparks . . . and maybe find out what the deal was with the maintenance guy that never showed up.
“Well, I can tell you that I dated him for ten years and he is absolutely not worth the effort, but maybe he’s turned over a new leaf.” Becca shrugged. “You deserve to be happy, and he’s not a stalker, so I’m just happy for you.”
Amy laughed. “You think he’ll ask me out, then?” She tried to be excited about it and not think about Caleb’s shirtless chest again.
“If he doesn’t, then he’s crazy. Who wouldn’t want to date Mrs. Claus?” She winked at Amy. “And speaking of, I think your Prince Charming has arrived.”
Amy turned as Becca moved away, but instead of Greg approaching, it was Caleb—or rather, it was Santa Claus. He swept into the school with authority, all swagger despite the bright red-and-white costume. He’d figured out how to wear it, apparently, the belly stuffed to roundness, and his face concealed by a big, fluffy beard. He wore the Santa hat with the same authority he wore his cowboy hat, and when he approached, he gave a big, hearty laugh.
“Ho, ho, ho, look at all these little ones waiting for me!” He put his hands on his big fake belly and gave the best Santa laugh she’d ever heard.
Oh my lord.
She’d been hoping—at best—for Caleb to just get through the night. That he wouldn’t be the best Santa the kids had ever seen, but he’d do the job and she’d be grateful for it.