Kissing Kris Kringle Read Online Free Page A

eyes. She’d tried to sugar coat the reality of Martin Sloan and pretend that though he was absent, he still loved his daughter. But Joy was a smart girl and she saw right through the bullshit. A dad that never came to see her, never called, never sent a birthday card—let alone a gift—didn’t care. All Holly could do was try her hardest to convince Joy that it was Martin’s loss, not hers.
    She wiped her eyes and felt Kris’s gaze on her. “Santa will see what he can do, sweetheart,” he told her daughter.
    “Does that mean I get what I want?” Joy demanded.
    With equal fervor, Holly silently begged him to tell the truth and to lie. She hated that reality was so cruel, hated that even Christmas came with hollow promises. But just once she’d like her daughter’s dreams to come true.
    Kris gave one of those impressive ho ho hos and told Joy that Santa never showed his cards before he played them. Joy wasn’t quite sure what he meant by that, but she took it with good grace, gave his puppy one last hug, and as Holly propped the sign up at Kris’s chair, she took her mother’s hand and led her in the direction of home.

 
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
    The minute Joy hopped off his lap, Kris knew he’d be able to get out of the stupid chair. Gingerly he stood, expecting stiff muscles and a sore ass. But actually he felt good, better than he had in years. He stood for a moment, puppy at his feet, and gazed at the tree sparkling so brightly in the night. People all around him began to emerge to join him in their silent perusal. A feeling of comfort settled deep inside. He’d known these people his whole life. Having their kids tell him all of their hopes and dreams today had made him feel a part of this community in a way he never had before.
    He lifted a hand to Nick, who stood on the other side of the tree, admiring it. He wondered what had made his buddy decide to go to work on the Christmas tree today. An uneasy feeling shifted down his spine. Could Nick have had a day like Kris had, filled with the inexplicable? And what about Rudy? What had he been up to today?
    Kris thought about trudging over to Nick and asking, but just then a woman approached his old friend and Kris decided the conversation could wait. He had more important things on his mind.
    Moving quickly, Kris made a quick detour for some puppy chow and headed home.
     
     
    ***
     
    Less than an hour later, Kris stood at Holly’s front door. When he’d arrived home, he’d had no troubles changing out of the Santa suit. He’d had the undeniable feeling that the suit was somehow satisfied with the job he’d done and had allowed him his freedom. He knew that sounded crazy, but hell…the whole day had been crazy.
    He looked down at the puppy. “Okay, Cupid,” he said, grinning at Joy’s silly name for it. “Best behavior. Got it?”
    “Wruff,” Cupid agreed.
    Kris rang the doorbell, shifting the bag of carryout Chinese food he held as he waited. From behind the door, he heard thunderous footfalls, which had to be Joy racing and Holly calling for her to wait and not open the door.
    Seconds later, he heard the lock clunk back and then a tug on the door. Another mighty tug, muffled cursing, and then more jerking that inched the shut door open a crack. His flashback on this morning’s antics froze him for a moment until it finally opened and he realized that Holly’s door legitimately stuck. He eyed the wood speculatively, seeing the jagged edges and warped shape. He could fix that with a plane and a level.
    The thoughts fled though as he caught sight of Holly standing in front of him, her face in shadow. She’d changed out of her shapeless sweater and skirt and now she wore a clingy warm-up suit—the kind that came in soft fabrics and lovingly hugged every curve. Holly had many of those, soft curves that a man could get lost in. Curves he wanted pressed up against him in the worst kind of way.
    “Kris?” she said in surprise, staring at