Father Christmas (Kringle & Co #4)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

N oel Kringle's office was a fortress of festive chaos, the walls breached by stacks of paperwork and schedules scribbling across the whiteboard like holiday lights gone wild. Amidst this wintry whirlwind of organization, Noel sat at his desk, the phone cradled between his shoulder and ear, orchestrating his brigade of Santas with the precision of a conductor leading a symphony.

"Nick Seventeen, you're on for the mall gig this Saturday," Noel instructed with the warm baritone that had become synonymous with Christmas cheer in their line of work. "And remember, no beard trimming. We talked about this."

Number Seventeen, whose name was Micah, dropped his hand from his scraggly beard. "I'll wear the fake one."

Noel's silver beard caught a glint of sunlight from his snow-globe-cluttered window, as he shuffled through his meticulous notes, ticking off assignments. Each Santa would bring joy to kids from one to ninety-two, their merriment measured out by Noel's strategic planning.

The phone emitted a crackle of distress as a seasoned voice croaked on the other end. Noel's twinkling blue eyes narrowed in concern. "You sound like Rudolph with a sore throat. What's going on, Kris?"

"Bad news, boss," the veteran, who was Noel's Number Two St. Nick, rasped. "Doc says I've got the flu. I'm down for the count this weekend."

"Of all the nights," he sighed, running a hand through his beard, a gesture that often helped him think. The risqué adult Christmas party was notorious around town, and finding a replacement Santa who could handle its... unique atmosphere was akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

"Let's see..." Noel mused aloud, tapping a candy cane pen against his lips. "Who do we have on the naughty list that can fill these boots?"

He scanned the board, his finger trailing past names of Santas assigned to cookie-cutter neighborhood gatherings and quaint tree lighting ceremonies. None of them was quite right for the tinsel-tangled event in question.

The door to his office creaked open. His gaze lifted from the whiteboard's maze of commitments, settling on the figure framed in the doorway. A gust of frosty air announced her entrance with a swirl of snowflakes that danced around her like mischievous sprites.

"Hi, I'm Mindy Evergreen. I have an interview for the elf position?" Her voice was a melody that twirled through the room, her bright green eyes sparkling with a festive light.

It took Noel longer than a split second to recover from the initial distraction of her rosy cheeks and the cascade of chestnut hair tumbling over her shoulders. "Come in, please. I'm Noel Kringle."

"Kringle, as in…?" She pointed a playful finger at him, drawing a line in the air that connected his name to the obvious yuletide connotations.

"Guilty as charged," he replied with a chuckle, rising from behind his desk to shake her hand. The contact was brief, but it sent a jolt of warmth up his arm, despite the chill lingering from outside.

"Please, take a seat." He gestured to the chair opposite him, now acutely aware of how every move she made seemed to be in harmony with the season itself. The colors she wore were red and green with a touch of white as an accent.

"Thank you." Mindy settled into the chair, her posture as poised as a Christmas angel atop a tree. "I hope I haven't come at a bad time."

"Absolutely not," Noel assured her, clasping his hands together to prevent them from fidgeting. "I was just making some... adjustments to our Santa schedule." He motioned vaguely toward the whiteboard, cluttered with strategic scribbles.

"Looks like you have quite the operation here, Mr. Kringle," Mindy observed, her eyes sweeping across the room's festive chaos with genuine admiration.

"Noel, please."

Those rosy cheeks of hers went warmer as she inclined her head in agreement. Noel wondered what that heat might taste like against his tongue. Then he immediately shoved those thoughts down.

He did not mix business with pleasure. Aside from that, Mindy was young. Not young as in a kid. But definitely younger than he was. Inappropriate didn't even begin to cover it.

"Spreading holiday cheer is serious business." Noel leaned back in his chair, trying to channel the conversation toward professionalism. "Now tell me, Mindy, what makes you want to don the pointy ears and join Santa's crew?"

"Well," she began, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "I've always believed in the magic of Christmas. I think the holidays are not just about presents; it's about creating moments that stay with people, warm memories that outlast the coldest winters."

"Do you have any prior experience in... merriment management?"

"Does organizing my family's annual Ugly Sweater Contest count?"

"Family games are often highly competitive," Noel quipped, matching her playful tone. "But are you prepared for the rigorous demands of elfdom? Late nights, candy cane overdoses, unpredictable reindeer?"

"Bring it on," Mindy countered, her eyes twinkling with equal parts challenge and mirth. "I may look sweet, but I can wrap a gift with the best of them and sing carols that could thaw even the iciest heart."

He believed her. His own heart was feeling the effects of the sweet heat coming off her. And he hadn't even touched her. Would not, in fact, touch her. But he would hire her.

"Sounds like we might just have a spot for you on our sleigh," Noel said, a slow grin spreading across his face. He realized then, with a clarity as crisp as the winter air, that Mindy Evergreen was precisely the spark this holiday season needed.

"Really?" She shot up, her enthusiasm bubbling over like champagne. "I got the job? When do I start?"

"Can you start tonight?"

"Yes. Absolutely. What's the job?"

"It's a holiday party for adults. Do you think you can handle that?"

"No one ever got sent to the hospital after the Ugly Sweater Competitions. But that's because my aunt's a nurse."

Noel shuffled the papers on his desk, his gaze lingering on Mindy's expectant face. "I don't expect any hospital visits tonight. But there is a slight twist to the event you'd be working."

"Twist?"

"Think less Silent Night , more Santa Baby ."

Mindy's lips parted in surprise, a dusting of pink blooming across her cheeks. "Oh, I see. That's... certainly different."

Noel leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking under his weight. "It's festive folly with a touch of risqué revelry. We need an elf who can handle the naughty list as well as the nice."

"I always make the naughty list each year. But that's because I'm good at not getting caught by Santa. Speaking of Santa, when can I meet mine?"

The decision was barely conscious. Noah stood from his desk, rising to loom over Mindy. The grin he gave her belonged right at the top of the naughty list.

"You're looking at him."