Santa Soldier Bear - Meg Ripley Page 0,1

looked around the room. Getting a wink from Amar, she took her son’s hand and brought him over. “Yes, sweetie. It’s Santa.”

Roman bent down to look at the boy. He tipped his head from one side to the other, pretending to think. “You’re Lucas, aren’t you?”

“My name!” Lucas squealed. “That’s me!”

As ridiculous as he’d felt in the red, fur-lined outfit and big boots, seeing the delight on Lucas’s face made it all worth it. His chest heated with a warmth that had nothing to do with the costume. “I hear you’ve been a very good boy this year. You know, Lucas, I’m pretty sure I have a present for you in this bag.”

The boy didn’t waste time, darting over to an empty wingback chair near the fireplace and patting the seat. “Sit, Santa! Sit!”

“Please have a seat,” his mother corrected gently.

Roman did as the boy asked, sitting and digging through the bag until he found a gift labeled for Lucas. “My elves and I have been keeping a close eye on you, so I know you deserve this, buddy. Here you go!”

Lucas grabbed the box and immediately fell to the floor as he ripped off the paper. His face illuminated with glee as he tore a strip from the end of the package. His tiny fingers went searching for further purchase to continue the unveiling of his gift.

Everyone was staring, but Roman felt a specific set of eyes on him more than the rest. He dragged his gaze through the room, trying to be casual as he looked. His chest tightened as he spotted a gorgeous woman near a buffet table. Her curly red hair had been tamed into a high bun, a sprig of holly stuck festively in the side, but Roman could tell it was wild and unruly when she let it down. Her tortoiseshell glasses made her look prim, but the pale brown eyes behind them were intriguing. As beautiful as her face was, Roman couldn’t help letting his eyes drift down to take in the gentle curves of her slim body. His polar bear fluxed and swelled inside him, and if he’d let it rule, he would’ve been at her side in a flash.

“I believe Santa brought gifts for everyone else, too,” Amar said, dragging Roman’s attention back to the real reason he was there. He gestured toward the overflowing bag of gifts.

“Of course!” Roman tore his gaze away from the redhead and began pulling more presents out of the bag, glad to focus on something besides that temptress across the room. He lifted a small box wrapped in green paper and tied with a gold bow. “Emersyn?”

The boy’s mother took the gift, giving Amar a smile. “That’s very kind of you, Santa.”

“Merry Christmas.” Roman’s cheeks burned under the ridiculous white beard. He’d spent his entire adult life in the service, and while he’d pulled plenty of crazy stunts, none of them had made him feel like the spotlight was on him as much as this. Had Amar told anyone else that he’d set this whole thing up? Were they all wondering who this mysterious stranger was? It’d be easier if he could’ve just come in, said hi, had some eggnog, and blended into a corner somewhere. He was just there to visit, after all, not to play the jolly old elf from the North Pole.

Purposely, Roman retrieved a specific package from the bag. “This one is for Amar.”

He came through the crowd, one hand in his pocket and a big smile on his face. “It’s good to see you, Santa.”

Roman shook the package in his hand, holding onto it tightly. “I’m not sure you actually made the good list this year, little boy,” he warned.

“Sit!” Lucas was only halfway through tearing the colorful paper off his toy train, but he stood and eagerly patted Roman on the knee. “Sit, Uncle Amar!”

Emersyn pressed a hand to her lips, not quite covering her smile. “I think he wants you to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him you’ve been good. He’s already been to the mall once, and it’s made quite the impression on him.”

Lucas nodded eagerly and patted Roman’s knee once again.

Roman knew how serious Amar was. He was never the type to head out on a weekend of leave and party until it was time to report for PT on Monday morning. He was the only one who ever came back sober, as far as Roman could remember. He was a stodgy old dragon, and