Tales From Christmas Town

by Betty Hanawa, Roni Adams, Allie Standifer

  Damn him for a seven-toed troll. Jack wouldn't allow his one chance at happiness to desert him. If Krista didn't love him now, then he'd love her more until she did.

  He turned, sped up the steps and ran straight into the object of his love.

  "Krista,” he started.

  "Jack,” she said breathlessly at the same time.

  Both elves backed slowly away from each other, emotions rich and ripe in the air.

  Questions were asked with seeking eyes. Answers were given in hesitant body language.

  "You first,” Jack offered, as his heart pounded within his chest.

  She looked flustered by his offer. “Um, right ... okay."

  Krista looked at the floor, the ceiling, and the wood grain in the stairway banister. She looked, in fact, everywhere but at him.

  "Is there something you wish to say?” he tried to help her start.

  "Yes,” she took a deep breath. Jack couldn't help but admire the way her sweatshirt rode up and showed the delightful stretch of flesh between the materials.

  "I was going to hunt you down and tie you to the bed,” she said in a rush.

  Jack wasn't sure what to think. If she intended to join him there, then he was all for her bondage game. But if she wanted to leave him alone to suffer, he would dissuade her. “Huh,” was the only answer he felt safe with.

  With the first declaration out in the open, Krista gained speed and confidence. “You see I had it all wrong. I thought if I loved you, I had to let you go. If you came back it meant you loved me too. But then I thought, who gives a dumpling if you come back. I want you now."

  "I see."

  Krista's logic was confusing and completely jig sawed but somehow he gleaned hope from her message.

  "So you were coming to hunt me down?” The spark of hope grew brighter and bigger in his chest.

  Hands on hips, chin tilted, Krista glared at him. “You bet your stocking, buddy. I don't care if you are the big bad of the North Pole. You were able to touch me for a reason. So I'm going to be the only woman you ever touch. First, last and always. Got it?"

  Oh how he loved her like this. Green eyes flashed temper and wariness, chest heaved with nerves and temper, and her lickable, kissable lips pursed with pique.

  "I believe I understand. Now would you like me to explain why I was coming up those stairs as you were racing down?"

  The thought must not have occurred to her because her face lost its mulish expression. “You were ... um..."

  "I came back up to tell you I loved you. I don't need to sow my frozen oats with other women to find that out. I've loved you for more years than I can recall."

  Hope shone brightly out of her evergreen eyes. “Really?"

  "Really,” he said, and closed the distance between them. “Why do you think it's taken me all this time to be able to touch someone?"

  "I don't know. I don't care.” Fiercely she wrapped her arms tight around his waist.

  "My heart was as cold as the ice I create. It took someone with a special gift to unlock the warmth of my heart. Someone with the gift of Christmas in her soul."

  "Oh Jack,” she whispered, and lifted herself to touch his lips with her own.

  Yes, Jackson Frost had finally found his Christmas Spirit and he was never letting her go.

  About the author...

  It came as no surprise to anyone when Allie decided she wanted to write humorous adventure-filled romance stories. After all her life has been one of constant adventure. From surviving the wilds of oft-flooding South East Texas where she lives to growing up in Saudi Arabia where her brother tried to sell her to Bedouins (for what amounts to less than $1.50), it's been non stop. And she loves every minute of it.

  When not writing the stories of all the people in her head, Allie can be found fighting off her demonic cat, chasing a dog with a penchant for purple underwear, avoiding the kitchen and grocery stores at all costs, and trying not to think about her next deadline.

  Far From Silent Night

  Bev Oz

  Chapter One

  Holly removed her hand from its resting place under the red velvet blanket and brought her wrist within inches of her face. The snowfall was so hard she could barely make out the time on her watch.

  Two minutes. He had already been down there two minutes.

  That much time might be needed for a house with two adults and five kids. But this house—no, cabin—was small, and only one guy lived here. Something must be wrong.

  She shifted her bottom on the leather seat and strummed her fingers on the shellacked wooden sides of the open sleigh. Though her nails weren't long, the tips drummed out a fast cadence mimicking that of a death roll on a snare drum.

  What could be taking him so long?

  A blast of wind whipped through the trees and blew icy snow pellets in her face. She winced and clamped her eyes shut. How did humans deal with such intense cold? Being an elf sure had its advantages. If her adopted sister Chrissy were here instead, the poor girl would be frozen like a Popsicle out in this weather.

  She turned her back to the pelting gusts and checked her watch again. Narrowing her eyes, she could just make out the time. Three minutes. That was just too long. According to the Naughty and Nice list, they should already be at the next stop by now.

  Images of her father splayed out on the floor of the cabin raced through her mind. A pool of his deep red blood that matched the color of his suit and hat was spreading out from his chest.

  The man who lived in this tiny place probably had a gun and had shot Daddy. She hadn't heard a gunshot, but that didn't mean anything. Maybe the guy had a silencer.

  She huffed. The moisture in her breath instantly formed a frozen mist and then blew away.

  Why did she stress like this whenever Daddy was away? The whole shoot Santa Claus paranoia was absolutely over the top and ludicrous. Yet that knowledge never helped. It didn't stop the intense pressure pushing down on her chest or her heart from beating like the Energizer bunny on crack at being left alone for so long.

  According to Daddy's list, the man living here, David White, had been good all year. The guy's name and address was even underlined in red ink and had three asterisks. Whatever that meant.

  What in the world was Daddy doing down there?

  Holly threw off the blanket and tugged at the white fur lining the bustier top of her Christmas elf uniform. The outfit was too tight, and she was practically spilling out of the damned thing. Either her boobs were getting bigger or she was eating way too many Christmas cookies. Probably both.

  With her hands gripping to the sleigh, she jumped onto the steep angle of the roof. Her feet and legs sank into three feet of snow. She lifted her thigh-high black boots as high as she could get them and shuffled her way around the reindeer toward the chimney.

  As she passed Blitzen, the stupid deer shoved her butt hard with his nose. She slipped and the weight of her body teetered back and forth on her pointed boot heels. She frantically waved her arms like deranged windmills, trying to stay upright, but gravity won out. She fell flat on her back, buried in the snow's depths.

  Blitzen shook his head and snorted. The sleigh bells attached to his harness jiggled in mock laughter.

  Frustration warmed Holly's blood. If the arrogant reindeer didn't watch himself, he might have an ‘accident’ and end up on the Claus family dinner table. The egotistical flying nuisance would not be missed by many, except maybe, Dad. Not even the other reindeer liked the alpha-deer bully.

  Holly pulled herself up and brushed off hunks of snow attached to the velvet of her uniform. “Paybacks are Hell, Blitzen.” Pushing by the wayward deer, she grabbed hold of the chimney. She turned back and gave Blitzen one last glare. “No matter how much Santa likes you, he loves me ten times better. I'm his daughter. You are replaceable; I'm not. Put that in your corn and chew on it, buddy.” Then, laying a finger on the side of her nose, she slipped down the chimney.

  The inside of the rustic cabin was dark.
Holly blinked, adjusting her eyes to the lack of light. She scanned the small room, seeing nothing but a couch, rocking chair, and a coffee table. “Daddy?” Her whisper was barely audible over the blowing storm outside.

  From behind the sofa came a low groan.

  Fear-induced adrenaline flooded Holly's belly. She dashed behind the couch and stopped cold.

  Santa Claus lay motionless on the floor.

  A black dog the size of a small pony lie beside Daddy. The Great Dane lifted his head from where it rested on her father's lap and moaned. He tilted his massive face and perked his silky ears as though asking what he should do.

  Bending to Daddy's side, Holly could feel the heat radiating from his body before she even touched his cheek. His skin was on fire.

  "Holly?"

  He sounded weak, confused. For the first time ever Daddy seemed helpless and frail. Her stomach tightened, and air wouldn't fill her lungs. Surely he would be all right once he got some rest.

  "Don't worry, Daddy. I'll get you home and into bed.” Holly grabbed hold of his too-warm hands and helped him to his feet. “You're sick and you've got a fever, just like everyone else at Christmas Town. We never should have allowed you to come out tonight."

  "My sweet child. Just see me to the sleigh.” He staggered to the stone fireplace.

  The large canine joined them, apparently not wanting to leave Santa's side.

  "There's a good lad.” Daddy rubbed behind the animal's ear. “When we get home, we'll have Noel take over and finish the job. It's Christmas Eve, we can't let everyone down."

  Holly bit her tongue. Noel might be a changed person these days, but trusting him to complete the Christmas run might be more than big brother could deliver.

  Santa placed a chubby finger next to his red nose, and they both rose up the chimney. A blast of snowy wind met them at the top, nearly knocking him down.

  Though the reindeer didn't move a muscle, their gazes followed Holly as she helped Daddy into the sleigh.

  Santa slumped on the leather bench. His eyelids hung heavy and his face was a bright shade of pink.

  "My bag. I need to go back and get it.” Making a great effort, he scooted himself forward, but quickly sat back. Santa swayed in the sleigh's seat. “Holly, my dear, my bag is still below. We can't leave without it."

  Go down there?

  By myself?

  Like a vice, terror gripped her heart and squeezed mercilessly.

  What if something happened and she couldn't use her magic to get back up the chimney? What if the over-grown pony waiting by the fireplace decided to have her for breakfast? What if the guy living here woke up and caught her?

  Holly glanced at her ailing father. Slumped in the corner of the sleigh, he looked so weak.

  There was no other choice. She had to take care of this situation herself.

  She forced a smile and swallowed hard. “Okay. I'll go get it.” After tucking the velvet blanket over Daddy's waist and placing the leather reins on his lap, she added, “Then we'll go home."

  Daddy struggled to keep his eyes opened and nodded. “Hurry. There's much left to do this Christmas Eve."

  Turning her face back into the blowing storm, Holly scooted by the patient deer and stopped at the front of the reindeer team. “Listen up, guys. Santa's very sick. We've got to get him back home A.S.A.P."

  All eight reindeer lifted their heads. Concern filled their big brown eyes.

  Blitzen jerked his snout high, pulling at the reins. The sound of sleigh bells filled the blistery night's air.

  "I'm going to go back inside and get Santa's sack. Then we're heading straight to Christmas Town.” Bolstering her courage with a deep draw of cold air, Holly closed her eyes and scrambled down the chimney.

  The Great Dane stood waiting at the fireplace. Once he saw her, he barked and set his tail a wagging. The whip-like appendage whacked against the cabin wall. The loud banging sounded as though he was trying to chop a hole through the rough-hewn logs.

  Holly's heart pounded in her chest. How the heck was she supposed to find Daddy's bag and slip out with Fido making enough noise to wake a passed out New Year's drunk?

  While patting the dog on the head, she scanned the room. Anything to get the animal to be quiet. Last thing she needed was to wake up the homeowner. Goodness knows what kind of trouble that would cause.

  Daddy's big velvet bag lay draped over the rocking chair. All the way on the other side of the living room near the only interior door in the entire cabin.

  Holly's shoulders slumped and she rolled her eyes. Nothing about this evening was going right. Except maybe that the door by the chair was closed. Quiet as a mouse, she tiptoed on the ends of her boots, careful not to let the heels clump on the floor.

  The mammoth dog barked and raced ahead. When he tried to turn his tremendous body back her way, he slipped on a woven rag rug. Rather than moving forward, momentum carried him backward. His entire muscular body slammed into the closed door.

  "Chaos, what in the Hell are you doing out there?"

  Holly froze mid step, her hand reaching out to grab the couch for balance.

  The raspy voice came from the other side of the door, and it didn't sound full of Christmas spirit.

  A short burst of clatter and jingling bells came down the chimney, and then faded.

  Panic seized every muscle in her body. Her breath lodged in her chest, and her muscles locked tight.

  Daddy left her behind.

  Chapter Two

  The first bark startled him.

  The second bark and crash had David up and out of his nice warm bed before his eyes were even open. He threw back the door, tripped over Chaos, and landed on his face with a horrible thud.

  Ohhhh ... that's going to leave a mark.

  He reached up and placed a cool hand on his aching cheek. Thank God he wasn't on television right now. Falling on his face in front of millions of couch potatoes would have ended up being played over and over on not only his reality show, but every entertainment and news program in the United States. Last thing he needed now was to have his mug plastered over the airwaves. Too many people looking for his stupid ass already.

  David lifted himself up on his elbows and squinted into the inky darkness.

  What the...

  Some kind of red blur whizzed past the couch and flew up the chimney.

  He shook his head, wincing at the intense throbbing in his cheek. His weary mind must be playing with his vision. After pulling himself up to a sitting position, he rubbed his eyes. Time for a visit to the ophthalmologist.

  Something heavy thumped up on the roof. Then, what sounded like an anguished scream of “Blitzen” pierced through the roaring storm outside.

  Blitzen?

  David checked Chaos.

  The big black dog jumped to her feet, both ears at the alert. Her long, wet tongue hung out and her tail wagged so hard her entire body shook.

  The noises weren't just his imagination. He actually had heard something.

  David rose from the floor, scrambled out the front door, and plowed into a three-foot high pile of snow. The icy barricade immediately stopped his pajama-covered legs, but the rest of his body continued forward with enough force to bend him forward at the hips. His face and bare chest made a less than graceful swan dive into the frozen white powder.

  Why, oh why, did every Christmas have to be this way?

  "Daddy!"

  The feminine yell was clear this time, and had definitely come from his roof. Who in the world would be calling for Daddy in the forests of Colorado during a blizzard?

  David pulled himself up the snowdrift barring his doorway and crawled on the surface of the hardened mound. Intense cold stung the bared bottoms of his feet. The blowing winds were on the attack, barraging the entire area with pure white. When he was far enough out, he cupped his hands around his eyes and fought the gusts long enough to see a petite, barely dressed woman standing next to his chimney.

  She faced the N
orth, looking away. She jumped several times and waved her hands as though trying to get someone's attention.

  The poor girl had to be freezing. Though he could only see her from the back, it was clear the little Christmas elf dress she was wearing didn't cover much skin. The short red skirt lifted with each gust of wind, revealing a well-rounded bottom in white panties. Black leather boots reached her thighs, protecting at least the majority of her legs from the frigid weather. Other than the red hat covering her head, there wasn't another stitch of clothing in sight. No coat, muffler, or mittens anywhere.

  David raised his eyes to Heaven and sighed. Since being cast as the star of television's Marry a Single Guy, a lot of desperate women did some crazy stunts to attract his attention. Each of them clinging to the hope she might be his choice for a wife and win a million dollars.

  This particular act of stupidity topped them all.

  Though he was at the cabin to get away from the show, the women, and the press, he didn't have much of a choice of what to do with this lady. If he didn't do something fast, the provocatively dressed woman on his snow-covered roof would end up dead.

  David stood on the packed snow and waved his arms in the air. “Hey! You found me. Now get inside before you turn into a human ice kabob."

  The woman turned her head and her jaw dropped. She let out a shriek and raced behind the chimney.

  "It's colder than the North Pole out here.” Freezing himself, he wrapped his arms around his chest and jumped around on his bare feet. “Get down here now before I have to come up and get you."

  The woman peeked around the bricks, her eyebrows shot up on her forehead and her eyes widened.

  A long, stinging shiver ran over every inch of his exposed skin. “Damn it, woman, don't make me lose my temper. I might seem like a nice guy on TV, but I've got a nasty streak a mile long.” His heated words came out on a frosty puff of air.

  She frowned, squinching her nose, but nodded.

  The petite little thing scooted down the top of the cabin to its lowest hanging point. Her agility and balance on the snow-covered roof was amazing, especially since she was wearing sexy thigh-high boots. Those leather things couldn't be easy to maneuver in.