“You sound convincing, but I’m pretty sure there’s a full-bodied elf under there.” I laughed at her mumbling to herself. “Do you need some help out?”
“No, I think I’ll just stay under here until everyone has gone home for the night,” she called out. “Go ahead and do whatever you need to do. Don’t worry about me.”
“Come on, no one saw it but me.” I lied.
“Really, no one else is out there?” She sounded hopeful. “Because I can make sure the decorations look good from the inside.”
“Well, me and the crew are here, but I’ve sworn them to secrecy for fear of getting on the naughty list for telling.” I reached my hand under the tree. “Take my hand, I’ll help you out.”
She seemed to hesitate but eventually took my hand, and I was able to slowly pull her free of the tree. She sat on the floor coughing and wiping pine needles from her elf outfit. It was then that I saw the piercing blue-eyed elf from yesterday, except maybe not, because this one had blonde hair. I contemplated asking if she was the one from yesterday but, at that moment, she looked up and gasped.
“You again. Did you set this up to get me back for yesterday?” She raised her eyebrows in accusation. “If so, then that makes us even.”
“Didn’t you have red hair before?” I sat on the floor next to her. “I would never do that. Yesterday was an accident.”
“Are you saying this was on purpose?” She glared at me. “I don’t even know what hit me.”
“No, no. This was also an accident. That just came out wrong. Actually, I was across the hall when the two guys holding the tree up backed up too quickly,” I laughed. “It was pretty funny to see elf legs sticking out after you landed. I should have taken a picture of it.”
“I’m sure it was funny. Maybe it’s my turn to find the cameras and get rid of the evidence,” she smiled.
“I already searched the whole mall. No cameras,” I assured her. “It’s my word against yours. I’d say your word will be taken though. Who doesn’t trust a Christmas elf?”
“You’re Asher, right?” she asked, standing up. “What are you doing back in the mall again? Do you work here?”
I wonder why she dodged the hair color question.
“I’m overseeing this tree, and a few other things.” I nodded to the tree. “What do you think?”
“It’s nice. Would have been nice to be near the workshop. Maybe people would find it, then.” Paige placed her elf hat back on. “We don’t get a lot of customers way back there in the corner.”
“I’m changing that, actually. The whole thing is getting moved to right here next to the tree.” I gestured to an area just to the side of the tree. “It will make it a centerpiece.”
“When are you moving the workshop?” she asked. “Are you moving the snow machine and everything?”
“You have a snow machine?” I was surprised I hadn’t seen that. “I’m not sure we want that here in the middle. I may have to rethink this.”
“If you’re open to an opinion, I have a few.” She wrinkled her nose and looked shy.
“Let me hear what ya got.” I leaned on the nearby chair, ready to listen. “What does the wise elf have to say?”
“I think there should be something fun for the kids and the families to do on their way to the workshop,” she paused then went on. “Maybe a valley of gum drops with interactive Christmas games or riddles. Maybe have it leading from this tree.”
“I like it, what else? I sense there’s more.” I smiled to encourage her.
“An ice-skating rink would be fun, or a bunch of trees where people can buy an ornament to sign, then they can hang it on the tree.” She shrugged. “Maybe the money could go to a charity like toys for kids or homeless people.”
“I really like that. We could advertise it as a winter wonderland.” I stood, seeing Johnny approaching. “I’ll tell the right people and see if they like it.”
“Okay, I have to get back to taking pictures. Stop by and I’ll show you how the snow works.” She waved and walked away.
“Sounds good, see you around,” I said.
See you around? What is this, amateur hour? Say something clever.
I pulled my other cell from my pocket and dialed Sawyer.
Darn, I forgot to ask her about my cell.