“I don’t have anything against Christmas, if that’s what you mean.” Brad leaned against the doorjamb and looked at her. What was her name again? Oh yeah, Sage. The name suited her. She had an earthy, chill vibe. He could picture her doing yoga in a flower garden. Why he imagined that, he didn’t know. He mentally shrugged.
Her silky blonde hair was accentuated by the emerald green sweater she wore over her utilitarian work pants. Her brown eyes snapped with fire.
“I meant, do you like Christmas and do you enjoy charity work?” Her brows squinched together giving her the look of a doubtful mother.
“I don’t have a problem with either. I’m part of the station’s snow shoveling program and I help mow lawns for seniors.” What was she driving at?
“Are you going to be okay delivering gifts to children? You’ll need to be cheerful and upbeat in some pretty sad circumstances. The holidays are hard for children with cancer and those stuck in the hospital. You’ll have to dress up as Santa…” she trailed off as if daring him to back out of the task.
Well, he’d show her. He could make himself the cheeriest elf on the planet. He smirked. “Why, Miss Sage, I do believe you doubt my abilities?” he did his best Doc Holiday impression and almost laughed when she rolled her eyes. She had spunk.
“Why, Brad, I do believe you’re funning with me,” she threw his cheap movie reference back at him. “Come on, Brad, where’s your Christmas spirit?”
He didn’t need Christmas spirit. He wanted to tell her that as a bachelor with no immediate plans for a serious relationship and no family left alive, he wasn’t particularly enamored with the holidays. He didn’t dislike them, but he didn’t celebrate them either. Holidays were when he racked up overtime so the rest of the crew could be with their families.
Instead of arguing about the beauty of holidays, he said, “I’ll be the best danged Santa you’ve ever seen. Trust me.” Her doubt annoyed him. How could someone with such a sunny smile and shining eyes make him feel so … inadequate? “Christmas is for kids. I’m all in for giving them a great one.”
She leaned back in her chair and sipped her cocoa. The flavor was smooth and complex. Nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate, cream, and something she couldn’t quite place. She toasted him with the mug. “This is wonderful. I’m glad I tried it.” She looked him up and down, a slight frown turning down the corners of her luscious lips. Abruptly, she smiled. “You know what, I believe you will be a great Santa.”
That lovely smile warmed him all the way to his toes. Maybe working with this spitfire wouldn’t be all bad, which was a good thing, because he knew the chief wouldn’t let him back out of it. He was stuck. He might as well make the best of it.
She smiled at him again, joy and excitement flashing in her eyes. She was lovely in her happiness. Yeah, this wasn’t going to be bad at all. What man didn’t like spending time with an attractive woman, and Sage ticked off a lot of his dating boxes. Not that they were dating.