Santa's Secret

by Heidi McLaughlin

  Luckily, the noise from the party animals is enough to wake everyone, except for Holly. Honestly, I think the girl ate so many cookies she’s in a food coma after her sugar crash. Aiden stretches and his shirt rises a little, showing off a small sliver of skin. I look away and giggle. The action is completely school girlish, but I don’t care.

  “What’s going on in here?” my mom asks as she comes into the room, making eye contact with each of us. I watch as she pauses on Holly before turning attention to Aiden. “Hello, Aiden.” She draws out his name, almost as if she’s surprised to see him. She shouldn’t be since I’ve done nothing but talk about him since I spent the night at his house. Sure, it was more of me talking to myself, listing all the reason why I should friend zone Aiden, and her listening, providing me reasons why I should give love a chance, and how Aiden and I deserve happiness.

  Thing is, we do deserve happiness, but maybe not with each other. I know I have a lot to offer him and Holly, but I also come with baggage. I’m gone for months on end. My hours are horrible. My life is constantly under scrutiny. Although, after his neighbor blabbed to the entire town that she saw us making-out, his life is too. The worse part is that Aiden and I weren’t doing anything wrong or anything at all for that matter.

  “Hi, Mrs. Du Luca,” he says groggily. Aiden sits up and rubs his hands over his face. He offers my mom a quick smile before turning his attention Holly.

  “Do you want some help?” I ask, even though I have no idea what I’m going to do to help.

  “Why doesn’t she stay here?” Mom offers.

  “Thanks for the offer, Ms. Du Luca, but I’ll take her home. We have a big day tomorrow.”

  “Yes, I suppose we’re all so busy with the festival.”

  “And we have the policeman’s Christmas party next week,” Aiden reminds her. “Surely, you haven’t forgotten.”

  “Oh, of course not. The Women’s Guild has been busy wrapping presents for all the children. Santa is so excited to be there. It’ll be so much fun.”

  It’s been years since I’ve been to the ball. When we were teenagers, we had cleanup duty since we were too old to participate. Nevertheless, I remember going when I was younger to sit on Santa’s lap. He always seemed to know what I wanted.

  Aiden scoops Holly up and I follow him to the door, where I help him slide Holly’s coat on. “She’s out cold.”

  “You fed her too many cookies,” he says, causing me to step away.

  “I didn’t mean to say it like that. She had a lot of fun here, Laney. I haven’t seen her this happy in a long time and that’s because of you.”

  “She’s a great little girl, Aiden. I really…” Do I like her? Care for her? Love her as if she were my own?

  “I know,” he says, filling in my missing words with whatever works for his life. I open the door for them and follow them out into the cold night air without a jacket. Aiden hurries to put Holly into the truck and runs around to the driver’s side to start it. He closes the door and comes over to me, using his hands to rub up and down my arms before pulling me into his embrace. “I had the best time tonight. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you for making Holly’s Christmas so magical. She hasn’t stopped talking about you since you came over the other night.”

  “She’s amazing, Aiden.”

  “So are you. And Calvin… I’m glad you brought him here. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him.”

  Is Aiden deflecting? Is he hiding his feelings from me by bringing up Calvin? “You and Calvin seem to be good friends.”

  “He’s great. He really cares for you, Delaney.”

  Does Aiden think Calvin has a thing for me? I certainly hope not. Relationships between employee and employer are common, especially in my industry, but Calvin is my best friend. He’s my confidant when I need to unload. He’s my protector when I have no one else. “Yeah, he is. He’s my best friend in Los Angeles. Honestly, I’d be a hermit if it weren’t for him.” I adjust slightly so I can look at Aiden, hoping he can see in my eyes, what I’m telling him.

  “He told me you were crying the other day. Why?” Aiden looks concerned.

  “I don’t even remember, actually. Probably something Dominic did to me. You know how he is.” I shake my head, hoping to convey my tears were for nothing. He doesn’t need to know I heard people talking about him and how he was romancing another woman until I arrived. Aiden and I may not have stayed in touch, but I can’t imagine his character has changed over the years. The Aiden Fisher I know isn’t a cad.

  Aiden brushes over my cheek with the back of his hand. Our eyes never leave each other’s. We’re so close. If I were to rise up on my tippy toes, I could kiss him right here and now, but not with Holly in the truck. I don’t want to put Aiden in a situation where he has to explain why he’s kissing someone other than her mommy. “Goodnight,” I say, stepping out of his grasp.

  Aiden pulls me back to him and kisses my forehead. His warm lips linger, burning into my skin, my thoughts and my heart. I close my eyes and wish for a time when everything would be perfect. Sadly, a time like that existed ten years ago. Things could’ve been different for the both of us or we could’ve easily ended up like many of the other failed relationships. It’s hard not knowing if you made one change in your life, how different things could be.

  I step away and head into my parents’ house. I do so without looking back to see if he’s watching. I want to think he is and want that to be my last thought of the night. Inside, the house is quiet, but the glow from the television tells me someone is still awake. In the den, my father’s in his recliner flipping through the channels.

  “Hey.” I sit on the couch, choosing the spot closest to my dad.

  “Aiden gone?”

  “Yeah, he is.”

  “You know he waited in line for a ticket to see you tonight. Told Maryann he wanted the last two.”

  “I heard. I’m not sure why though. All he had to do is ask me to meet him.”

  Dad sets the remote down and looks at me. “You know sometimes men like to take things slow. I know in your world, everything moves at such speed, but here we like to stop and smell the roses.”

  “It’s winter. There are no roses, unless men have some magical garden us women don’t know about, in which case you should start sharing because I know Mom loves red roses, especially at Christmastime.”

  My dad gives me the side eye and a sly grin. I just nailed one of the gifts my mom will receive in the next few days. For as long as I can remember, my dad has given my mom a gift every day during the week leading up to Christmas. I’ve always wanted this type of love and I’m still waiting to find it.

  “What I’m saying, dear daughter of mine, is sometimes us men like to take things slow. We want to enjoy the chase. We want our victory to be sweet.”

  “You make love sound like a game.”

  “Isn’t it though?” he asks. “Where’s the fun in walking up to a beautiful woman and saying ‘I want to take you on a date?’”

  “Sometimes being forward is the best way,” I counter.

  Dad shakes his head. “Nah. Sometimes getting to know the person you’re interested in makes dating so much sweeter.”

  “Why are we having this conversation? It’s not like Aiden and I are going to start dating.”

  “Oh!”

  I roll my eyes, knowing he can’t see them in the dark and won’t be able to chastise me for it. “Aiden and I come from two different worlds, as you mentioned. At the end of the month, I go back to my crazy, hectic life, and he stays here protecting the people of Ramona Falls and raising his daughter. I would never wish my lifestyle on him and Holly, and although Holly would love the glitz and glam, I don’t think Aiden would. Everything about my world is unpredictable and somewhat scary. I have a bodyguard for a reason. Being under the scrutiny of people, twenty-four seven is tiring. Aiden wouldn’t want this type of life.”

  “Have you asked him?”

  I scoff. “Daddy, we’
re not dating. We’re not even seeing each other. We’re hanging out, being friends and enjoying what little time I have here. Besides, the rumor around town is he already has eyes for another woman, and I’m probably in the way, always inserting myself into his life.”

  “You can’t listen to everything you hear around town, Delaney. If I did, I’d worry about whether or not I’m doing a good job.”

  “But you are.”

  “According to you, I am. However, not everyone feels the same as you. People like to stir pots.” He closes his recliner and gets up, handing me the remote. “Listen, all I’m saying is, things aren’t as they always seem. If a man is willing to buy the last two tickets to see someone, and wait in the freezing cold for his turn, he may be worth the chance.” Dad kisses me on top of my head and ruffles my hair. “Goodnight, dear. See you at your booth in the morning.”

  Ugh! Personal appearances on a lack of sleep never bode well for me. Still instead of going to bed, I lie on the couch and continue to flip through the channels until I land on the Sound of Music. For the life of me, I’ll never understand why this is a Christmas movie. No one sings any Christmas carols. There isn’t a tree, presents or even snow and it takes place in Austria, which surely has snow in the wintertime. I just don’t get it, yet here it is, on TV, before the holiday. I still watch it, though, and sing along to every song. Living here though has afforded many of us to grow up with the Von Trapps. I’ve even asked their great-grand children why their family’s movie is mostly shown at Christmas and they don’t understand it either.

  When the movie ends, I drag myself to my bedroom and fall onto my bed without changing my clothes. I do remember to set my alarm for the morning though, which then has me looking at Aiden’s contact information. Is my dad right? Does Aiden want to pursue something with me? I press the icon to send him a message and start typing.

  I’m often up late at night even when I have to be someplace early in the morning. I don’t know why I’m writing to you or if you’re even awake, but I am. Thank you for letting Holly come over tonight. She’s such an amazing little girl and I had the best time making cookies with her. Spending time with the both of you has been the best present a girl could ask for. Hopefully, I’ll see you tomorrow. If not, enjoy your weekend, Aiden. ~ Laney.

  I hit send before I can chicken out, and watch as the message delivers. I read it over, wondering if I should’ve said something different, but it’s too late. What’s done is done.

  Twenty-Four

  Aiden

  When my phone chimed in the middle of the night, I was wide-awake, thinking about Delaney. Telling myself I’m only imagining the feelings I’m having and there’s no way she’s feeling the same. Her message changed everything. It wasn’t a declaration of love, or a plea for us to take things to the next level, but a heartfelt note, which has given me clarity. The problem is, I don’t know what to do with it, which is evident by the way I’ve avoided the winter festival all day until now.

  As soon as I pull into the parking lot by the town’s ice rink, Holly jumps out of the truck. Her friend Shawna is waving rapidly for Holly to join her. The girls take off running toward the rink, both falling multiple times in the knee-deep snow.

  “I think they’ll be best friends for life.” The voice of Shelby catches me off guard, causing me to drop my gear onto the pavement.

  “Yeah, Holly talks very fondly about Shawna.”

  “We would like to invite you over for dinner tonight.”

  I run my hand over my stocking cap and nod. I’m not good at telling people no, and I know Holly would like some more time with Shawna. “That sounds nice.”

  “Holly is more than welcome to spend the night.” Shelby falls in step next to me as I make my way toward the rink where there are a few people already warming up for our game.

  “Yeah, sure. I think she’d like that.”

  Shelby starts to slip, and I catch her easily. Her hand lands on my forearm and mine ends up around her waist. She licks her lips and smiles. “Thank you. You’re my hero.”

  I nod again and step back, putting some space between us. Shelby doesn’t though, and links her arm with mine, holding onto me until we get to the rink. Being the gentleman I am, I make sure she’s at the bleachers before jumping over the wall.

  “Shelby Whittensby, huh?” James Alvarez holds out his fist for me to bump. I don’t. Instead, I look over my shoulder to find Shelby staring at me. She gives me a little finger wave, but it’s the sound of Holly yelling out Delaney’s name that has my attention focused elsewhere.

  “Nothing going on there,” I tell James, who happens to be on the force with me. He and his wife moved here a few years back when he was hired. “Our daughters are friends.”

  “That’s not what she’s been telling my wife.”

  “Can’t listen to everything you hear.”

  James slaps me on the back. “She’s the most eligible woman in town. You’d be a fool not to be with her.”

  Then call me a fool because the attraction isn’t there. Sure, Shelby is beautiful, but she comes on too strong and I don’t like that quality in a woman. Not to mention, she talks a lot about me as if we’re dating when we’re not. I’ve been over to her house once for dinner and nothing happened. Still, according to my sister, I’ve upset Shelby because supposedly Delaney and I were making out. This town, I swear.

  “Sorry to disappoint you, Alvarez, but there’s nothing going on between us.”

  “Does she know this?” He points over his shoulder, which causes me to turn around and see her in the stands, holding a sign with my name on it. Not only that, but Delaney sees the same sign and immediately looks at me, with an expression I can’t decipher. I open my mouth to talk to her, but she heads over to the other bench without giving me a second glance.

  “Wonderful,” I mutter as I slip into my pads.

  “Ah, I get it now,” James says. “You and the actress.”

  “That’s my sister you’re talking about, Alvarez.”

  James holds his hands up. “No harm, Du Luca. Only making an observation.”

  Dominic grunts as he sits down. I pull my skates on and bend over to tie them while Dom continues to make unintelligible sounds. “What’s up?”

  “You tell me. Delaney has been in a bad mood all day and warned me to stay away from her on the ice or I’m ‘going to get it.’”

  I look down the bench to find her talking with Calvin, who thankfully isn’t changing into any hockey gear. I can’t imagine him on skates. It’d be like going against Chára and I don’t think my body can handle it.

  With my skates tied, I hit the ice for a few warm-up laps. Tomorrow, I’m going to be hurting. I haven’t skated or played hockey since last year’s game, and honestly I spent most of the time on the bench because I wasn’t feeling it. It was our first Christmas without Heather and I had to force myself to feel the festive spirit when all I wanted to do was wallow in self-pity from losing my wife. Except when you have a child to look after, you can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to let her lose the magic of Christmas.

  I come to a skid in front of Delaney, spraying ice shavings all over her skates. Her hands pause, but only for a second. I expect her to look up or push me away from her, but she does neither. “What’s up?” I sit down next to her, our shoulders touching, only for her to stand and skate away.

  Dom stops in front of me, blocking my view of Delaney. “Man, what did you do?”

  “Nothing!” I throw my hands up in the air.

  “You sure? Because she’s upset and clearly at you.”

  My knees wobble a bit as I stand. “Why? What’d I do?”

  Dominic shrugs. “Don’t know, but I have a feeling she’s going to take it out on you once the game starts.” He skates away, leaving me there to watch Delaney and Mindy as they practices hitting the puck into the net. Every so often, Mindy looks over and glares. Perfect.

  My body’s sore. It aches in places I didn’t know existed. Never mind
the fact that I have bruises where I shouldn’t. I blame Delaney and Mindy. Every chance they had to hit me, they did. It was a tag team effort and one they executed flawlessly.

  At the end of the first period, I yelled for a team switch, but the girls refused to be on my team. That’s when I knew I was their target. The reason – I still have no idea but it didn’t matter where I was on the ice, they were coming after me. And forget it if I had the puck, they gladly took their penalties and sat in the sin bin for cross checking and tripping. I swear I think I saw Mindy and Delaney high-five each other after I went flying into the boards, head first no less.

  What’s worse I promised Holly we’d go over to Shawna’s for dinner. I’m all for her staying the night because it gives me a chance to sleep off the pain but I’m not in the mood to stay. I don’t care if Shelby is a good cook. I have a feeling she’s the one spreading rumors about our non-existent relationship, and I have no idea how to approach her about that. The last thing I want to do is upset her, but on the other hand I need her to stop.

  The hot spray from the shower does nothing to ease away the throbbing in my muscles. It might be time to face facts; I’m too old for this. Or I’m too old to play when Delaney is in town. I know it’s been ten years since I’ve seen her play, but I don’t remember her being this violent.

  I gingerly dry off, careful not to twist the wrong way. I can hear Holly singing Christmas songs, loudly and out of tune, but still I smile. She’s the best part of me, which is why I’ll keep my promise to her and go over to Shawna’s. As much as I want to drop her off, I also don’t want to be rude. We were invited to dinner and I said we’d go. If anything, I’m a man who keeps my word.

  After dressing and making sure Holly’s overnight bag is packed, we make one stop at the store to buy our host flowers or a thank you gift. My parents raised me right and never allowed me to show up empty handed. Although, bringing flowers might send the wrong message so Holly and I decide on a poinsettia. It’s Christmas and everyone seems to like them.