Kissing Santa, A Clover Park Novella (Clover Park, Book 4) Contemporary Romance (The Clover Park Series) Read Online Free Page B

outfit in his arms, and shut the door. He looked down at the red velvet suit with the huge white beard. Ay Dios mio . And ho-ho-ho.
    So it was that Rico found himself putting on the big red suit early Saturday morning. He told no one and prayed no one recognized him. It would just be a bunch of kids, he reassured himself. He stuffed a pillow down the front to look more like ol’ St. Nick. He went to the bathroom mirror and put on the beard, wig, and Santa hat and burst out laughing. There was no way he could pass for the pasty, white-skinned Harold. He put on the round spectacles. Nope. Still looked like Santa Stud. Couldn’t be helped. Ah, well. It was just a few hours. He didn’t want to disappoint all the kids.
    He got in his truck and drove to Clover Park High. He was sweating already. He should’ve waited to change when he got there. He always ran hot, even in the winter. The wig was itching like crazy over his short-cropped hair, but he was afraid if he showed up half dressed, he’d ruin the magic for the little ones, so he suffered through it.
    When he walked into the cafeteria, he was greeted by the joyous sound of The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, belting out “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” over the loudspeakers. He bobbed his head in time to the music. If you had to play Santa, no one better to have sing about it. Rico was from Jersey, and in Jersey The Boss was king. None of the kids had shown up yet. He checked the big clock on the wall. Fifteen minutes until they officially opened.
    He breathed in the scent of brewing coffee and pancakes and took a moment to appreciate how Christmasy it looked in here for the kids. His nieces and nephews would love this. There was a large wooden throne with dark green velvet cushions at the far end of the cafeteria, sitting on a frayed red rug. That must be for Santa. Near the throne was a Christmas tree twinkling with multicolored lights, silver garland, and red ball ornaments. An angel perched on top of the tree. Taped to the wall nearby was a painted fireplace. All the long cafeteria tables alternated red and green tablecloths, with a bowl in the center filled with round peppermints with candy canes hanging off the edges. He grabbed a mint. Might as well have fresh breath for the kiddies.
    He spotted Shane O’Hare, Trav’s younger brother, and his fiancée, Rachel Miller, getting breakfast started in the back. He debated braving the ridicule for a cup of what he knew would be awesome coffee. The pair owned Something’s Brewing Café in town and brewed the best coffee he’d ever had. A few volunteers he didn’t know were running around setting out plates, utensils, cups, and assorted condiments.
    “Oh, look, Santa’s here! Hi, Santa!” Rachel waved.
    He walked over. “What’s up?”
    “Rico?” Shane asked. Then he cracked up.
    Rachel peered at him. “You’re Santa?” Then she cracked up too.
    “Very funny,” Rico said. “I’m helping out my neighbor Harold. He was too sick to do it. Can I get some of that coffee?”
    “Wouldn’t you prefer hot cocoa?” Shane asked.
    “And cookies?” Rachel asked.
    They dissolved into laughter.
    “Forget it,” Rico huffed. “Geez, try to do the right thing. I’ll be over here on my throne.” He headed over to the large velvet throne, ignoring their peals of laughter.
    Barry Furnukle from The Dancing Cow, a frozen yogurt shop in town, showed up in a green elf costume complete with pointy shoes with bells on them and a pointy hat. Rico felt a little better about the Santa duds.
    “Merry Christmas, Santa,” Barry said. He peered closer. “Rico?”
    Rico sighed. “Yeah, it’s me.”
    His brows scrunched together. “I never expected you—”
    “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
    Barry stood straight as a soldier. “I’ll be your helper and photographer.”
    “Great,” Rico said. “Nice costume.”
    Barry preened and did a little jig that had the bells on his pointy shoes jingling. “Thank you. So I thought I’d let