Santa's Helper Read online

  Santa’s helper

  An Insta-Love Holiday Story

  Kori Hart

  Santa’s Helper Copyright © 2019 by Kori Hart. All Rights Reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  Cover designed by Kori Hart

  Editing by EmCat Designs

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Kori Hart

  Visit my website at www.korihart.com

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  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing: Dec 2019

  CONTENTS

  Author note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Epilogue

  About The Author

  Author note

  Our main hero goes undercover in this story. He gives the fake name of Sam when it’s really Nick. That’s why you’ll see both mentioned. I tried not to make it too confusing but I wanted to warn you in advance!

  Please enjoy!

  Chapter 1

  Melody

  It wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I’d been looking forward to going home for Christmas. I pictured putting my feet up and eating more than my allotted amount of sweets.

  “Your father won!” my mother had said on the phone. I guess he had entered a contest through work for an all expenses trip for two to some inclusive resort on an island in the Caribbean.

  I was thrilled for them. I truly was. But for me, I was disappointed. I’d have to stay in town and come up with Plan B. The university was shutting down in a couple of days. Almost everyone would go home or head out on some adventure.

  Before we hung up, my mother promised to make it up to me, and I told her to have a good time. They didn't need to worry about me. I wasn’t a little girl anymore. I didn’t need to wake up Christmas morning and see the tree lit up with presents underneath it.

  There was a little part of me that loved that feeling. It wasn’t exactly the same as when I was a little girl but there were hints of it there. Maybe I was just being nostalgic.

  After having spoken to my mother, I decided that I needed to get out of my apartment. A walk would help me clear my head. With a clear head, I could come up with plans for the holiday break.

  The streets were lined with decorations and lights. All the little shops had Christmas music playing. Some had trees decorated in the window or right outside their front door.

  It was a view from a postcard.

  I passed by a few of the small shops and greeted those that were putting up last-minute decorations. Everyone was so festive. It made me wonder if I should decorate my apartment, especially now that I’ll be staying.

  There was a slight crisp to the air, and I wondered if it would snow for Christmas.

  As I got closer to downtown, the decorations got bigger; the music got louder and the number of people on the sidewalk doubled in size.

  I weaved around a few groups of people and even stepped out into the street at one point. I never realized how serious some were when it came to Christmas shopping. I wanted to remind them they still had time, but I figured that there was no talking sense into some people. A deal was a deal, and they had to have it. I got that way whenever my favorite designer shoes went on sale.

  My mind was drawing a blank as to what I should do about my situation. There was no way I would invite myself to any of my extended family members’ houses nor was I going to tag along with a friend while they went home to spend time with their loved ones. I knew I wouldn’t have a problem being alone on Christmas but that didn't mean I didn't want to do anything.

  Instead of worrying about it, I would finish up my own Christmas shopping. There were still a handful of people I needed to find gifts for.

  The closer I got to the large department store on the corner, the more people seemed to have filled up the sidewalk. It was only midday, and I wondered if everyone got off work earlier or perhaps they were employees from the nearby shops.

  I know the large department store always did a big window display. People would gather around to see the reveal. I didn’t realize it was happening right then.

  It took a few minutes of me saying “excuse me” before I could get past everyone. I smoothed out my jacket and then pushed through the revolving door.

  “Good afternoon.”

  I glanced up when met with a friendly greeting and smiled at the older man standing nearby. He was in a black suit with a black bow tie. I knew this place was on the higher end, but I didn’t realize it was that high.

  “Good afternoon,” I replied. “Are they doing the window reveal today?”

  The man looked at the door and then back to me. “That isn’t for at least another week,” he answered. “That line is for everyone wanting tickets to have breakfast with Santa.”

  I looked back at the crowd through the window. “I don’t know if I would call that much of a line. You have your hands full if they come through that door.”

  The man nodded his head. “It will all sort itself out. Have you come to apply to be part of the Christmas event?”

  “I…” I started to speak but then wondered what it'd be like to join the biggest Christmas celebration in town. “Actually, I was.”

  It was a white lie and one he probably detected. No way was I dressed for an interview.

  “Excellent,” he said cheerfully. “Just follow the escalators up to the third floor and turn right. If you keep walking, you’ll come to a hallway. From there, you’ll see the signs.”

  “Thank you,” I said with a smile.

  I walked further into the store, looking for the escalators. They were on the other side of the jewelry counter and I had to stop by to look at a few of the pieces. One of them caught my eye. It would be perfect for my mom, but the price tag was less than perfect.

  I looked at it again, biting my lower lip. I could use up a good amount of my savings, but I knew she wouldn’t want me to do that.

  But if I got the job at the store, I could save up my money and hopefully pay for it before they returned from their trip.

  I went up to the third floor as instructed but started to wonder if the old man had gotten his directions wrong. There was nothing around but bedroom furniture, couches to one side and a lot of linen. The lighting was a bit dimmer. It seemed like they used this floor as storage.

  “Hello?”

  Silence. I looked around and it seemed as if I was the only one on this floor. Things were getting a bit eerie when I noticed movement from the corner of my eye. I turned and saw a young woman standing near a hallway I didn’t notice before.

  “Are you here for an interview?” she asked.

  I nodded.

  “Come this way.” She waved her arm to encourage me to follow.

  The woman disappeared into the hallway and I quickly followed her. When I reached the hallway, there was only one door open. I immediately went to it but stopped in my tracks.

  “I’m so sorry!”

  The half naked man in the room stood up from tying his shoes and looked at me. A smile spread across his lips and I felt my heart skip a few beats.

  “It’s no problem,” he replied.

  “You should really…” I glanced around the room and realiz
ed it must be the store’s break room. “Think about closing the door if you're going to do… well whatever it was you're doing.”

  “Tying my shoes?”

  I nodded and then heard the woman’s voice. She was further down the hall, having stepped out of another office. Without saying another word to the man, I left the room and went further down the hall.

  “I’m sorry about that. I thought you had gone in there,” I said with a smile, hoping the woman accepted my apology.

  “It’s okay. I should have waited,” the woman said as she sat down at a desk. “My name is Margie.”

  “I’m Melody… Melody Banks.” I glanced around her office for a second before looking back at the woman. Nerves suddenly hit me. I had no idea what positions were open or if I was supposed to bring anything. Doing things on a whim was not my style.

  She motioned towards the two chairs in front of her desk and I immediately took a seat. Margie started to speak about the event and the different roles everyone would have. But I didn’t hear any of it. In fact, I didn’t hear much of anything she said because my mind went back to the shirtless hunk in the break room.

  Chapter 2

  Melody

  I must have done a good job during the interview because I walked out of the building with a position. I was half excited and half terrified. The woman informed me I’d be taking the last spot. I’d be a helper and honestly, I really didn’t mind. I didn’t need nor want to be the star of the event. Moving things around and making sure people were where they needed to be sounded pretty good to me.

  After returning to my apartment, I made some hot chocolate and reheated some leftovers. It would be a night of vegging out on my couch before my first day.

  The next morning, I woke up excited and eager to start. Classes were out, and I was going to fill my free time bringing holiday cheer to as many people as possible.

  As soon as I was ready, I headed out, walking down the street with a bagel in hand. There wasn’t anything that could wipe the smile off of my face.

  “Good morning,” I said to the older man that was once again at his post. He was wearing a pin-striped suit today, and it made him look like he had walked out of an old gangster movie. My dad loved to watch those.

  The man tipped his head at me with a smile as I walked by. I knew my way this time. I made it up both escalators and to the hidden hallway before I heard Margie’s voice.

  “We’re meeting in the conference room,” she said, and I followed.

  I reached the end of the hallway and took a left. There were a lot more people mingling around and I wondered how many of them were also new. I watched one girl walk by wearing a reindeer costume before I froze in the doorway to the conference room. There was a man sitting at the table and he made me forget that there were people around me

  “Melody, I want you to meet Sam.” Margie motioned towards the muscular man sitting near her. He turned his head and pushed some blonde hair from his face. I saw his blue eyes and knew him instantly.

  “We’ve met,” he said with a smile, standing up to offer me his hand.

  I hesitated before I stepped into the room and took his hand.

  “You claimed you were tying your shoes,” I said with a smirk.

  He grinned at my tease and I got lost in his eyes. The man was beautiful. He had the type of body that a girl could get lost in. At only 5’2, he towered over me, but I found it sexy.

  Clearing my throat, I looked away from him and glanced at Margie. I knew I had to stop looking at him like I was about to rip his clothes off.

  “So…” I started to say.

  "You two will work together." Margie dropped the bomb, and I didn't know what to say at first.

  I looked to Sam as I found my voice and gave him a polite smile. “So, you’ll be a helper too?”

  He shook his head with a smile.

  “Sam will be Santa and you’ll be his helper,” Margie explained.

  My jaw dropped.

  Nick

  The brunette was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I wanted to tell her, but I knew I couldn’t. She was just given my fake name. Both Margie and her would probably think I was some sort of con artist if I mentioned what my real name was.

  I’d lose this job. Everything I had planned would be for nothing and there was no way I could risk that.

  I smiled at Melody and took in the way her eyes seemed to light up. I was a definitely a goner, but I had to keep my composure. We’re paired up now and by the looks of it, this was an unexpected twist.

  “Should I call you Mrs. Claus?” I asked jokingly.

  Melody looked a bit mortified, and I had to bite my lower lip to keep from laughing.

  “We have an outfit for both of you,” Margie cut in. “You’ll both need to be measured so our in-house tailor can do any necessary adjustments. In fact, let’s head over there now so we can get everything taken care of.”

  I motioned towards the door with my hand and encouraged both women to walk ahead of me. Margie went first, leading the way, and Melody glanced at me before following the older woman. I gave her a smile and then fell in line behind her.

  The three of us walked single file down the hallway and around a corner before we went into a good size work room. There were mannequins stationed throughout, a cutting table in the middle of the room and a few sewing machines here and there.

  A few heads looked up when we walked in and I gave them a polite smile. I couldn’t wait until I got my Santa costume on so I could hide behind the beard. Anything that kept me from being recognized the better.

  One woman ushered me to one side of the room while someone else pulled Melody in the opposite direction. As we were both getting measured, our eyes continued to connect, and I wondered what she was thinking. I hoped she was looking forward to this as much as I was. Knowing she would be by my side through this made the whole experiment worth even more. Hopefully she understood why I had to do this all under cover.

  I looked back at her and gave a smile. The way my heart fluttered in my chest made me wonder if there was such a thing as love at first sight. If there was, then I was definitely there.

  Melody was perfect.

  Chapter 3

  A Week Later - Friday

  Nick

  Everything was going perfectly. I don’t think I could have imagined pulling this off as well as I was. There were many grumblings from people about my age and why the store didn’t hire someone older, someone rounder. The fat suit I was wearing wasn’t fooling anyone, apparently.

  Then there was Melody. She was shining in her role as Santa’s Helper and I often watched her more than I was paying attention to the children. Her smile lit up the whole room and every child she interacted with walked away with a matching glow.

  She was intoxicating.

  The store had set it up so Santa met with the children twice a day. Once in the morning and then again later in the afternoon. Throughout the day, there were viewing times. Melody, myself and the others in costume would put on different performances in either the display window for those passing by or in the toy section of the store.

  Melody seemed once again surprised when she was told that she would be on stage. I told her she would do an amazing job, and I was right. Margie praised Melody frequently. I’m assuming that helped with her fear of performing in public.

  The crowd on the sidewalk grew in numbers. People were lining up ahead of time to get a good seat. I much preferred to keep things indoors. Less chance of someone I know walking by. I said nothing to Margie about it because she was looking a little stressed. Her job was to get more people through the doors. People in the store meant more chance they buy something. Selling merchandise was the goal of any store.

  All it took was a mention on the local radio station to draw in the people. Kids lined up to see Santa and his friends put on a show. Parents were busy shopping. It was exactly what the store wanted.

  We had finished up another show, and I was loo
king over at Melody while she touched up her makeup. Santa would visit the children soon and I knew that there would be a line. The crowd had overflowed from the toy section into the kids’ clothing and beyond. The closer we got to Christmas, the more fired up the kids got and the more desperate the parents were to find last-minute gifts.

  “Ready?” I asked, stepping up beside Melody. She was leaning over, looking in a mirror and applying some clear lip gloss.

  She looked at me and smiled. “I am. Are you?”

  I gave her a nod and fixed my beard. I glanced down and made sure everything was in place before walking back to where Santa entered. The door led out to where Santa would sit next to a prop wall painted to look like it was the inside of his workshop. There was a digital fireplace with fake flames cracking in the wind and stockings hanging from the mantle.

  Melody moved to stand beside me and I gave her another smile. It was the highlight of my day, seeing her. She was such a happy person all the time, and I liked to think it was rubbing off on me.

  “Time to go,” Margie said, and I opened the door to step out. I waved at the kids and they went bananas. It was incredibly heart warming and adorable to see all of their excited faces. Whether or not they believed I was the real Santa, I resembled something important in their young life.

  I took my seat and one elf moved the velvet rope at the start of the line. The elf moved down the line, giving each kid a candy cane. Melody went to the first kid in line and leaned down to speak to the little boy. He whispered his name to her, and she smiled at me as she walked hand in hand with the youngster up to visit Santa. As she helped him sit on my lap, she whispered his name in my ear.

  “Good afternoon, Billy. I’m so glad to see you today.” I spoke with in a deeper tone. I deemed it my Santa voice.

  The little boy’s jaw dropped as he looked at me in complete surprise.

  “You know my name?!”

  I nodded my head with a chuckle. “I know lots of things.”