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Authors: amanda m lee

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“I did.”

“What is it?”

“You can’t have it until I’m sure you believe in me,” Terry replied. “Those are the rules.”

Bay narrowed her eyes. “Who makes these rules?”

“My elves.”

“Aren’t you the boss of your elves?”

“I’m not the boss of anyone,” Terry replied, his eyes landing on me for a moment and then returning to Bay’s. “It seems everyone tells me what to do and I do it.”

“That doesn’t seem like a very good job,” Bay said.

“It’s the best job in the world,” Terry countered. “I’m Santa Claus. I get to bring joy to the world, even if you don’t believe in me.”

“Maybe I do believe in you,” Bay said. “I … .”

“If you believe in me, you have to say it,” Terry prodded.

“I believe in you,” Bay mumbled.

“I can’t hear you.”

“She said she believes in you,” Clove yelled.

“Thank you, Clove,” Terry said. “I know you believe. Your present will be coming as soon as Bay tells me she believes.”

It was the moment of truth. Bay knew it. Everyone in town knew it. Now she only had to admit it.

“Fine,” Bay said, crossing her arms over her chest. “I believe in Santa Claus.”

“I still can’t hear you,” Terry said, staring her down. “You need to say it louder!”

“I believe in Santa Claus!” Bay practically screamed the words and Terry broke out in a huge grin.

“That’s better,” Terry said, leaning over and rummaging in the bag at his feet. When he turned around, he held a puppy. The black menace had a huge bow tied around its neck and it wriggled crazily.

Bay’s eyes widened as she took another step forward. “Is that for me?”

“That’s for you, Clove and Thistle,” Terry replied.

Bay took the puppy, her eyes filling with tears. “Thank you.”

“You have to take care of him,” Terry said. “You girls have to feed him and walk him and love him. Do you think you’re up to the task?”

“You bet we are,” Clove said, rushing to Bay’s side so she could pet the puppy. “Wow.”

“How did you know to get us a puppy?” Bay asked.

“One of my elves told me.”

“How did the elf know?”

“Your Aunt Tillie has a huge mouth,” Terry replied, smiling at Bay one more time before turning his attention to the rest of the children. “Who wants presents?”

The squeals were deafening as the surged in around him. Terry didn’t put up a fight as they started climbing on his lap and telling him their most fervent wishes.

Off to the side, my great-nieces were enamored with their gift. They didn’t even glance at the other kids as they raced around in the snow with the puppy.

“I can’t believe you got them a puppy,” Winnie said, moving to my side. “You told me in no uncertain terms that a puppy was out of the question.”

“I did not get them that puppy.”

“Oh, really, then who did?”

I pointed at Terry. “You just saw Santa Claus give the girls that puppy,” I said. “You can’t possibly blame this on me.”

“I’m not blaming you,” Winnie countered. “I’m thanking you. Look at them. Have you ever seen them so happy?”

I hadn’t. All three of them beamed and screamed as they raced around with our newest family member. “I’m glad they got the Christmas they deserve.”

“Where did you get that puppy?”

“In addition to horses, Henry Hall had exactly one leftover puppy from his dog’s most recent litter,” I replied. “I think it was meant to be.”

“You’re a softie,” Winnie said, smirking. “I had no idea you were such a softie.”

“I am not a softie,” I argued. “Santa Claus is.”

“Well, you’re the best Santa Claus ever,” Winnie said, resting her head against mine for a moment. “Now I know we didn’t get you a big enough Christmas gift.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” I said. “Henry Hall also had a used snowplow and truck he was selling. I bought it for myself. We have to pick it up on the way home.”

“What are you going to do with a snowplow?”

“Is that a trick question?” I asked.

“No, but … you know what? If you want a snowplow, go nuts,” Winnie said. “I think you’ve earned whatever crazy gift you want to give yourself this year.”

“I have, haven’t I?”

“Aunt Tillie, come and see the puppy,” Bay beckoned. “Come on. You have to help us name him.”

I smiled. “I’m coming.”

Winnie stilled me with a hand on my arm. “Thank you.”

“There’s no need to thank me,” I said. “You need to thank Santa Claus over there. I promised him a nice Christmas dinner tomorrow. He’ll be over in the morning to watch the girls open their gifts, too.”

“You invited Terry to Christmas dinner? That’s a great idea.” Winnie smoothed her hair as she studied Santa. “He looks hot in that suit, doesn’t he?”

“You have very strange tastes, my girl,” I said, patting her arm.

Apparently I took too long, because Bay raced up to me, her eyes sparkling. “You saved Christmas!”

“I told you I would.”

Bay threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “I love you, Aunt Tillie.”

The words humbled and surprised me. “I … .”

“You don’t have to say it back,” Bay said, pulling away. “I can read your heart. Uncle Calvin told me you would save Christmas when he stopped by today.”

“You saw your uncle?” Winnie asked, surprised.

“I didn’t see him,” Bay replied. “I heard him whispering. I didn’t realize it was him at first. He told me I had to be nice to you and apologize for being such a brat.”

“He did not call you a brat,” I argued. Calvin would never say that to a child.

“He didn’t,” Bay agreed, glancing at her mother. “Someone else did, and I think she was right. It’s time for me to do something nice for someone else on Christmas.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Can we take leftovers to Mr. Hill tomorrow so he has a nice Christmas, too?”

“I think that’s a fine idea,” I said, pushing Bay’s hair from her face. “Maybe this time we’ll get to see some actual crazy people.”

“I have you,” Bay shot back, smirking. “I don’t need any other crazy people in my life.”

“I love you, too, rug rat,” I said, tugging her hair. “Now go play with your puppy and the snow. I think you’ve finally gotten the Christmas you deserve.”

Actually, I think we all did.

Author’s Note

I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my novels. I have a particular brand of humor that isn’t for everyone – and I know that.

If you liked the book, please take a few minutes and leave a review. An independent author does it all on their own, and the reviews are helpful. I understand that my characters aren’t for everyone, though. There’s a lot of snark and sarcasm in my world – and I know some people don’t like that.

Special thanks go out to Heidi Bitsoli and Phil VanHulle for correcting the (numerous) errors that creep into a work of fiction.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

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