The Secret About Christmas Read Free Page B

look of irritation splayed across her face, causing my irritation with her to quickly dissipate. I wasn’t sure why, but my first instinct was to be protective of her. If I wouldn’t have had a child on my lap at the current moment, I would’ve ran right over there to her defense, but judging by the look on her face, and the hand on her hip, I could tell she didn’t need any help.
    I refocused my attention back on the little girl that was sitting in front of me, trying to ignore the entire situation that I really didn’t want to get involved in. “So what would you like for Christmas?”
    The little girl began to bounce up and down on my knee while letting out a small giggle. “I want a rocket ship.”
    “A rocket ship, huh?” I was a little confused as to why a little girl would want such an obvious boy toy, but I let it go.
    “Yes, and I want it to be pink, and purple, oh and it has to have a unicorn tail, oh oh and it has to have seats for all of my pretty princesses.”
    It was quite the laundry list of things, but my job was to please the kids. “I think I might be able to do that for you. Now do you promise to be a good little girl?” I was waiting for her to answer, but just then Elf Christmas decided to raise her voice an octave too loud, because the entire line of people and store were staring in her direction. I looked down at the bouncy little girl on my lap. “Time to go to your mommy, cutie. Santa has to go have a talk with his elf.” I placed her on the ground and stood to wander off in the direction of the commotion, but I felt a small tug at the hem of my jacket. As I glanced down, the little brunette was smiling wide.
    “Make sure you are stern with her. My mommy says that is the only way kids will listen when they are in trouble, and I am guessing she is in big trouble.”
    “She sure is, and thank you…”
    “My name is Chloe.”
    “Thank you, Chloe. Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
    “Bye Santa.” She gave a quick wave, and then disappeared into her mother’s waiting arms. Now it was time to get to business.
    I slowly approached the two that were going at each other, trying not to offend her, and really trying not to piss off Arnold Schwarzenegger Jr. “Hey, do you guys realize that you are causing quite a scene in front of all of these people.” I whispered as I glanced around at our growing audience.
    “It’s not my fault.” She was quick to shout out.
    “Honestly, I don’t care whose fault it is. I just want you to stop fighting in the middle of the store. You’re freaking all the kids out, small fry.” I instantly cringed as the nickname she made extremely clear that she hated, came flying out of my mouth.
    She turned in my direction, finger pointed straight at my chest. I was waiting for her to get all huffy and pissy with me, but for some reason, she was at a loss for words. Though I had only known her for less than twenty-four hours, I did know that if she wasn’t reacting to me, then it was definitely serious business. She dropped her finger and turned towards the officer.
    “Please leave.”
    “I didn’t even do anything wrong.” He pleaded.
    I wasn’t about to offend an officer of the law, given the fact that I most definitely didn’t have the best track record with them, but he was being a bit aggressive. “Look officer, I’m not sure what’s going on, but I think it would be best if you left.”
    “I’m sorry, Santa , but I’m pretty sure this is none of your god-damned business.” Disdain dripped from every hasty word he spoke.
    “I don’t think I heard you correctly, buddy . Who the hell do you think you are?” I pushed his shoulder lightly to get my point across, and he took that as an invitation to full on push me. His hands pressed roughly against my shoulders, sending me back a few inches. In all fairness, this guy had at least four inches on me, and probably eighty pounds of muscle as well.
    “Stay out of it, fat guy.”
    Adrenaline rushed