“You win a wifey all for yourself.” Sawyer joined us in the kitchen. “I think he’s ready now, Aunt Victoria.”
Everyone in the room froze. Sawyer had just blown all of their minds with that comment. It was as if a magic spell had stopped everything and I was the only one able to move about the room.
Chapter 17
Paige
Ididn’t understand it myself, but on the way to work with Kim I turned on the cell I’d found. I had a message, so I played along. I was beginning to agree with Kim that this had to be a guy. I’d said I would take some pictures. Actually, I’d given a clue as to where the phone was by saying “taking pictures”, but the owner clearly hadn’t figured it out.
Now I have to take some pictures without giving myself away.
“Kim, last night was fun. Are we definitely doing it again tonight?” I asked before we got out of the warm car at the mall.
“For sure. I had fun too. Besides, I wanna see what the cell phone says tonight.” Kim turned off the car. “Ready to run?”
We bolted for the mall entrance, being careful to not slip on ice. Toby was standing at the doors with his usual big smile.
“I’m letting everyone know that the new owners are offering a hot chocolate to all mall employees,” Toby boasted. “Just go over to the burger place, they know all about it.”
“Toby, I could kiss you for that info.” I grabbed Kim by the hand and pulled her along with me. “I really, really need it.”
“You didn’t like the coffee I made?” Kim’s brow creased. “The staff is fired if you didn’t.”
“Ha ha, it was good. I just got myself chilled and hot chocolate is a comfort drink for me.” I looped my arm through hers.
We got our hot chocolate and walked arm in arm to the workshop. Santa Aaron was already sitting in his throne with a hot chocolate. I waved bye to Kim and took my place behind the counter. I didn’t have to hide my purse or personal items this morning and it felt so good. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
One more night of being normal, then back to the tiny workshop.
I’d learned years ago to not dream too big or want too much. Most of my life I had a bag full of things that were mine and that was it. I’d been staying at a women’s shelter back in Texas after my last foster home sent me out when I turned eighteen.
Darn, I forgot to take pictures.
I snapped a picture of the big Christmas tree, then ran over to the food court and snapped a few pictures. I looked at the pictures. They seemed a little boring. I went back to the food court and yelled for Brad to make a silly face. Then I yelled to Taylor to do the same.
These are much better.
The big tree was just pretty, so I kept that picture. I sat back in my stool behind the counter and sent the pictures, then waited for a response.
“Were you eating or just visiting food?”came the reply.
“I was full, so I stopped by to say hi to random people.”I texted back.
“Go easy on the liquids. I’d hate for you to get water damaged.”
“No drinks for me. I don’t like being stuck in rice.”I texted.
“Maybe you haven’t tried the right kind of rice.”
“Paige, we have customers,” Aaron called out from his throne. “Tell your boyfriend you gotta work now.”
“Not my boyfriend.” I turned the cell off and tossed it in my purse. “Here goes the first of many. I hope.”
In past weeks, Saturday in the mall wasn’t much different than any day of the week. They were equally empty, but today there were more people walking around. I glanced over to Kim at the jewelry store. She had two customers. The clothing store on the other corner had a few customers, and now I saw we had ten customers in line.
“Good morning. Santa is excited to see you all.” I smiled to the first family. “Follow me.”
“Can we get all of us in one picture with Santa?” the woman asked. “The kids want to tell Santa what they want individually after the family photo.”