Blame It On The Carols (Sugarplum Falls #6)

Twenty-Seven | Aiden

Twenty-Seven

Aiden

S hopping with Makayla at Frosty Fest was fun, but I couldn’t stop worrying about the possibility of Kevin making a move today. Without knowing what he looked like and so many people visiting from out of town, he could easily get close to her.

Tony and Patrick did their best to blend in as they followed right behind us, but everyone in town knew they were there for Mak. I knew there were at least twenty other security guys dispersed throughout the mall, but I didn’t know who they were or what they looked like. We were supposed to just carry on as if there was nothing to worry about, which was incredibly hard to do.

This morning during the parade, I spotted at least one security guard every few feet as they kept an eye on Makayla. Not only was her team present, but the Sugarplum Falls Sherrif’s department was there as well. I had expected the heavy police presence to make people nervous, but everyone was so caught up in the charm of Frosty Fest that they didn’t seem to notice.

“I need to make a pitstop real quick,” Makayla said, pointing to a store across from us. “By myself.” She held her hand up and pressed it against my chest to keep me from going with her.

I frowned and was about to object when Tony caught my eye and gave me a subtle nod.

“I’ll be fine. I promise. I’m sure Tony and Patrick don’t mind doing some shopping with me, do you guys?” She turned and smiled at them over her shoulder.

“No, ma’am,” Patrick said, standing straight and rigid as his eyes scanned the room for any signs of a threat.

“I told you to stop calling me ma’am. You make me feel old.” She playfully swatted at his arm, but he didn’t respond.

“Come on, let’s go shopping. I’ll meet you in the food court in half an hour?”

“Sure. Sounds good.” I sighed heavily and shoved a hand through my hair, hating that she was going off on her own. Yes, technically, she had her security team with her, but I wasn’t there, and that made me feel uneasy.

I watched as she walked to the store and gave me a quick wave before heading inside. My jaw hurt from how tight I was grinding it, so I forced myself to turn around and head back toward the food court so I could keep an eye on things until Makayla got there.

The makeshift aisles between the booths were packed as I tried to make my way through. I was almost out of the maze when I heard someone call my name. I turned around and found Hadley waving at me from the Sugarplum Gifts booth.

“Hey, Hadley. What’s up?”

“I am so sorry to bother you, but I really need the restroom, and my help hasn’t arrived yet. Is there any way you can watch the booth for a few minutes while I run real quick?”

“Absolutely. Take your time.”

“Thank you! You can let people know I’ll be back in a minute to ring them up if anyone wants to buy something. Santa and Mrs. Claus just got on stage, so a lot of people took off to get in line for that, so I figured now was my chance.”

“You got it.”

She smiled and ducked out the back of the booth, rushing to the restroom.

I was relieved there was no one in line because I had no idea what I would even say. I was used to talking to people about drinks and what kind of whiskey I liked, not what these delicate-looking ornaments were made out of.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and looked around, wondering if I would even know Kevin if I saw him. Would he be obvious by looking suspicious, or would he try to blend in with the tourists and pretend to shop while looking for Makayla?

“Hi,” a woman said, coming up to the booth and startling me.

“Good morning.” I offered her a smile, which was returned before she started looking at the selection of jewelry in a locked display case. “These bracelets are beautiful. Do you know what they’re made out of?”

I leaned in closer to take a look, frowning when I realized that I had no clue. I also didn’t have the key, so I couldn’t open the box to take one out to see.

“I’m sorry, I don’t. I’m just covering for Hadley. She should be back in a few minutes and can answer that for you better than I can.”

“No worries. Thank you.” She smiled again and moved to the other side of the booth, where the ornaments were on display.

I sighed and felt relieved when Hadley slipped in beside me.

“I’m back,” she said, smiling at the woman who was still shopping the ornaments.

“She was curious what the bracelets were made out of,” I said, nodding to the display case.

“They’re all 24-karat gold,” Hadley explained, grabbing a key and unlocking the case. She pulled out one that was rose gold and had a heart with a diamond in the middle that rested on top of three solid bands.

“Umm, can I see that one?” I asked nervously, hoping it wasn’t the one the lady was wanting.

Hadley smiled and handed it to me while the woman turned her attention to the display case and pointed to another bracelet.

My heart leaped into my chest as a wave of excitement rushed over me as I pictured Makayla wearing this. I’d seen her wear jewelry before and knew rose gold was her favorite.

“Can I get this?” I asked Hadley once she was done helping her customer.

“Of course. Let me grab a box for it real quick.”

She reached under the table and grabbed what she needed before ringing it up and giving me my total. I handed her my credit card and looked around for Makayla, unsure how much time had passed while I was distracted by the bracelet.

“She’s going to love it,” Hadley said, smiling as she tucked the black box inside a small gift bag and handed it to me.

I felt my cheeks flame with heat as I lowered my eyes and took it from her.

“Thanks, Hadley. I hope so.”

I gave her a quick hug and then snuck out of the booth as a new wave of customers approached.