Santa's Little Helper

by Melinda Barron

Chapter One

Madeline Denson stared at the Santa applicants sitting in the personnel office of her department store and wondered how she was ever going to find the right man for the job.

Not a one of the seven people currently filling out applications looked like they could be Santa Claus, even with the suit and padding. They all had frowns on their faces, and several of them were smoking, despite the signs prohibiting such activity. The last thing she wanted was a Santa that smelled like a pack of cigarettes.

She needed a Santa who could laugh, and shake and make nice with the children who came to visit. She knew her mom-and-pop department store had lots of competition from the malls around Denver, but she hoped a good, jolly Santa would pull kids, and therefore their parents’ money, into the store.

Denson’s held its own, for the most part, but this holiday season was going to be tough, she knew. Rising gas prices were taking their toll on the store. They needed this Christmas season to stay afloat. Especially with Jaxson’s breathing down their neck.

She thought of the letter from Jaxson’s attorney that now sat on her desk, making yet another buyout offer. How was it, she wondered, that Jaxson’s was doing so well in the face of competition. They weren’t that much bigger than Denson’s, at least she didn’t think they were. Sure they had more than one store, but honestly, they weren’t in the mall, either.

When she’d received the first letter from the attorney she’d politely told him thanks but no thanks. She supposed this time she had to be a little more firm, and just come right out and tell him to go to the devil. There was no way Denson’s would ever sell out to Jaxson’s. Her father would roll over in his grave if that happened.

Three of the applicants got up at the same time and handed their forms to the personnel manager. Then they moved to the back office to take the “applicant” test. They would put on a Santa suit and pose for photos, then they would laugh and talk with the group of children who were gathered, children of employees who gave up their Saturday morning only because they’d been promised free toys. The children’s reactions would help determine who got the job.

“Skimpy lot.” Maddy turned to her store manager, Vince Younger.

“True. But we’re not paying as much as the mall. Maybe we should up it a little.”

“We can’t afford to up it, Maddy. That would cut into our seasonal profit margin, and we need that money.”

Maddy nodded, and then sighed heavily. It would be hard for her to handle if she let the store go under a mere four years after her father’s death. Her grandfather had started Denson’s Department Store in 1951, and passed it on to his son, her father. When her father had died he’d passed it to her, his only child. She knew closing the store would let him down.

She tried to rationalize it, by saying that things were different now. People didn’t shop in smaller stores, they went to the mall where they could find name brand stores all in one location. Or they went to larger discount stores.

She’d been lucky that Vince had stuck with her through the hard parts after her father had died. If it weren’t for him, she probably would have closed several years ago.

“What can we do, Vince?”

“Keep on trucking, Maddy.” His voice was deep. “We’ll make it through. We’ll think of something. We always do.”

He patted her shoulder and headed toward the store floor. Maddy sighed again, her eyes widening as she watched a very handsome man, with a huge smile on his face, head toward the information desk. She stepped back into the hallway so he wouldn’t see her.

He looked to be about thirty-five years old, with short dark hair. He was built like a wrestler, very muscular with a barrel chest.

Please, please, please let him be applying for the Santa job. Her father would have called him stocky. She just called him buff. He would need padding in the stomach area, but she could see him in the suit, and she could see him interacting very well with the children.

He was perfect. She held her breath as Lisa at information pointed him toward personnel, then she pumped her hand in victory. Sometimes things just happened the right way.

*****

He didn’t know how the hell he’d been roped into this. The last thing he wanted was to spend the month before Christmas with little kids hoping on and off his lap, telling him they wanted everything.

Still, family came first, right? Even when you were not exactly part of the inner circle. He was still a Jaxson, even if his last name was Prescott. He still had a vested interest in Jaxson’s Department Store, even if he only owned a few shares. And he still wanted to please his mother, who’d asked him to do this favor for her favorite brother.

He jerked his head toward the desk where a young woman was now frowning at him.

“I’m sorry. Um, yes, I’m here to apply for the Santa job.” Actually, I’m here to spy on you, to find a kink in your armor so my uncle can take you over.

“Of course. Fill this out please, and then you’ll have to suit up and meet the kids. Do you have time for all that?”

“Sure. I’ve got all the time you need.”

“Great. What’s you name?”

“Garth Prescott.”

“Terrific. Fill this out, Garth, and I’ll need a copy of your driver’s license and Social Security card. We have to run a criminal background check on all our Santa applicants. I hope that’s OK.”

“Sure.” He pulled out his wallet and gave her the items she’d asked for. When she’d copied them and given them back he took the clipboard and sat down next to his fellow applicants. He cut his gaze to several of them and smiled to himself. Getting this job should be easy. Finding dirt his uncle could use might be a little harder.

Plus, he felt more than a little dirty. Being a corporate spy was one thing. He could find records and information they could possibly use in the buy out. But his uncle had made it clear that he wanted anything, which would include personal dirt on Denson’s owner, Madeline.

Garth wasn’t comfortable digging into the woman’s private life. Work was one thing, private was another. He planned to find what his uncle wanted in the records and leave Madeline alone, no matter what his mother and uncle said.

*****

Maddy stood in the wings and watched the children laugh and joke with the prospective Santas. There were four that looked promising, including the man she’d seen earlier. He looked perfect in the suit, and his laugh was infectious. The children were drawn to him. They always hired two Santas each year, so that one didn’t sit too long, or have to work overtime. She couldn’t afford overtime. And this year, she could only afford one Santa.

“Number four. I want him.”

Lola, her personnel manager, shook her head. “I did a quick background check, and it’s come back clean. But Frank from accounting wandered through personnel earlier and gave me some interesting news about him.”

“What was that?”

“He’s Richard Jaxson’s nephew.”

“Are you kidding me? Crap on a stick. That sneaky little bastard.”

“Yeah, we’ll waste his time this morning and then tell him thanks, but no thanks.”

“Why would he--? Crap.”

“Maddy, it’s obvious Jaxson knows you’re going to turn down his offer again and he sent his nephew in here to see if he could find some dirt he could use to make you sell. The fact that we’re less than solvent could be used against us, you know.”

“I know. I keep hoping, though, that the Christmas season will help us.”

“We’ll see. In the meantime, we’ll send the little jerk packing.”

“No.”

Lola shot her a shocked look. “Excuse me?”

“No. My father always said keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. Give him the job. Then we’ll watch him like a hawk and feed him the information we want his uncle to know.”

“I love it! You sneaky little devil.”

“Richard Jaxson needs to know that I can play dirty, too.”

*****

Black Friday

I need a break. If one more kid jumps on my lap I’m going to scream. Garth plastered a smile on his face. The glue from the beard itched and the padding around his waist felt uncomfortable. He’d arrived at noon, and was scheduled to sit until four, with two fifteen-minute breaks. Then he would take an hour for dinner, and be back from five to nine, with several more breaks.

He was surprised at the number of people who were at the store. His uncle had told him that Denson’s was doing poorly, but you wouldn’t know it by the number of shoppers who were out today.

Lots of people were buying gifts and milling about the store. Plus he’d had more than sixty kids sit on his lap, and the line was still huge. Despite his discomfort, he was enjoying himself somewhat. The kids made him laugh, and several had poked the padding around his stomach and pronounced him a fake, which had made him angry at first, and then made him snicker.

He’d told those kids if they weren’t careful they would find coal in their stockings, which had made their eyebrows lift, and improved their attitudes.

Garth fought the urge to look at the clock on the wall as twin boys who looked to be about two years old sat on his lap to have their photo made with Santa. He smiled for the camera as one of them laughed, and the other cried. The mother calmed the child, and they tried again, this time getting a huge smile from both of them.

There were only a few children left in the line when he saw Maddy standing near an endcap of toys, watching him. She was definitely a job perk. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected to find when he’d come to work here, but it wasn’t her. She was barely thirty, or at least that’s what it looked like. She had soft blond hair and the most beautiful green eyes he’d seen in ages. She also had generous curves, something he loved in a woman.

He nodded at her and she nodded back. Her smile was warm, but didn’t quite make it up to her eyes and he wondered if she knew who he was, and why he was here. Lots of people knew he was Richard Jaxson’s nephew. He fully expected her to find out before the end of the holiday season, but so far he was in the clear.

After taking requests from the last child in line, he stood and stretched. There were two women working as Santa’s helpers, both of them looked to be in their mid to late fifties. He’d been bad, and hadn’t asked their names. He didn’t want to get too involved with people here. That would just make his job worse. The one working the camera stepped back, while the one working the crowd stepped toward him.

“Fifteen minute break. I put up a sign, so we have to be back on time.”

“No problem. I’d love something cold to drink.”

“You know where the break room’s at?” When he nodded she continued. “Then we’ll see you in a bit, Santa.”

He headed toward the back of the store, stopping to talk to children as he went. He really did like kids, just not when they were jumping on and off his lap. He handed out a few candy canes, then walked into the break room and shut the door. He closed his eyes, exhaled loudly and leaned against the wall.

“Bad day?”

His eyes flew open and he smiled at Maddy.

“Not at all, just tiring. Seems strange to be so tired after doing nothing but sitting.”

“Sitting can make you tired,” she replied. “Especially if you’re used to being active. Where did you work before here?”

Garth swallowed hard. “Um, odd jobs.” No sense in telling her that he’d never had a real job. He’d worked at Jaxson’s for a while, and then decided that he didn’t need the money and there were people who did. Now he did things for his mother, and his grandmother, and spent the rest of the time skiing, or boating, or traveling and just basically having a good time.

“Well, we’re lucky you came along when you did. The kids seem to like you.”

“The feeling’s mutual. I enjoy talking to them. They’re a lot of fun.”

“That’s good to know. Had any strange requests today?”

“A few for ponies. I didn’t know anyone still wanted to own ponies. I figured they wanted game systems and electronic goodies.”

“Some people still want ponies, obviously. How do you answer them?”

“The way the personnel director told me. Santa will talk to mom and dad and we’ll make a decision together.”

“Good job.” This time her smile reached her eyes. “I have another job for you, if you’re interested.”

He went to the vending machine and bought a soft drink. “What would that be?”

“We’re having the office Christmas party in December. I was hoping you’d come as Santa to pass out gifts for me.”

Garth laughed. “I’d love to. That sounds like a lot of fun. Do I get to have the pretty ladies sit on my lap?” I could start with you.

“Only if you want to open yourself up for a sexual harassment suit, and since you’re a Denson’s employee, and it would leave us open, too, I would have to say no.”

Garth studied her. He’d talked to her a little bit after he’d been hired, but this was the first time they’d talked at any length, and his first impressions of her were fortified. She really was a very pretty woman, and he was more than a little attracted to her.

“I guess I can’t ask the women if they’ve been naughty or nice?”

“That would be a no.”

He cocked his head at her. “What about you? Have you been naughty this year?”

“Why do you ask, Santa? I haven’t asked for a specific gift.”

He gave her a hearty laugh. “No, but Santa always asks if you’ve been naughty or nice. So which is it?”

She leveled her gaze at him. “I’m always nice, Santa. What about you?”

His chest tightened as he thought about his real reasons for being at Denson’s Department Store. “Santa is a good boy, thank you very much. And I’m glad to hear you’ve been good, too. Cause, if you’d been naughty I’d have to spank your little —“

The break room door swung open and they both turned toward it. Vince stood there, a nervous look on his face.

“We have a problem. Barbara just fell outside the building.”

“Who’s Barbara?” Garth turned to Maddy.

“She’s one of your elves. How bad is it, Vince?”

“Bad enough for a trip to the emergency room. She doesn’t want me to call an ambulance, so I’m loading her into my car.”

“I’ll help.” Garth sat down his soda and followed Vince out. Maddy rushed behind them. They drew anxious looks as they hurried through the store, winding through to the back alley. Barbara leaned against the wall, a half-smoked cigarette in her hand.

“My daughter always told me these things were bad for me, but I don’t think she meant for my lungs, not my legs. I fell off the step. Old fool.”

Maddy knelt down next to her. Barbara’s ankle was already swollen, and from the angle it was at, you could tell it was broken.

“At least it wasn’t your hip,” she said patting the older woman. Garth felt great sympathy for the elf, and for Maddy. He knelt down on Barbara’s other side.

“I’ll get the car,” Vince said, taking off through the door again.

“Just relax,” Garth said. “Stay there until he gets back.”

“I’m so sorry, Maddy. I know you can’t afford to hire another elf.”

“That’s OK,” Maddy said quickly. “You let me worry about it. You worry about yourself.”

Garth’s conscious picked at him. This was the type of information his uncle wanted. One of the elves was hurt and Maddy couldn’t afford to hire a replacement. That meant Richard was right in thinking the financial situation at Denson’s was bad.

A large SUV came into view and Maddy stood. Figuring it was Vince, Garth leaned over and swept Barbara into his arms.

“Stop that, I can walk.”

“Doubt it. You just behave yourself, or it’s a lump of coal for you.”

She laughed, but he could see tears in her eyes. “Does it hurt?”

“Yes. But I’ll be back tomorrow. Maddy needs me.”

“No, you won’t,” Maddy said. “You’ll be at home, in bed. You’re off for as long as the doctor says you need to be. Understand?”

“But the kids. Who will be Santa’s helper? He needs more than one.”

Maddy opened the door to the car and Garth placed her gently on the seat. He stepped back and let Maddy get closer to her friend.

“I will be Santa’s little helper until you get back. Who taught you to work that camera anyway? I did.”

“So true. Thank you, Maddy. I’m so sorry.”

“No problem. Take care of yourself.”

Garth shut the door and Maddy sighed. “I guess I’d better go change my clothes.”

She rushed toward the door without waiting for an answer and Garth watched her leave. He knew he should take advantage of this time to call his uncle and tell him what had happened, tell him that things weren’t rosy here, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

He liked Barbara, and even worse for someone who was sent in as a spy, he liked Maddy. Helping his uncle to take over Denson’s suddenly seemed like a terrible, terrible job.

*****

Maddy pulled at the zipper on the elf costume. Since Santa’s elves were female, they wore skirts at Denson’s. Skirts that hit just below the knees. And Barbara was just a bit smaller than her, so the outfit was tight. She glanced in the mirror. It wasn’t that tight, she decided, but it did hug her curves.

She would have to ask Lola to see about getting her a larger size. There was no telling how long Barbara would be out, and she hated the idea of wearing something this tight for the five weeks until Christmas.

She pulled on the calf-high black boots and pulled her hair back into a ponytail, then stuffed the tail up under the hat.

“Not bad.” She nodded then hurried from the room. The store was packed with shoppers, and she was sure the line for Santa had built back up. When she’d left Garth she’d resisted the urge to look back and see if he was phoning his uncle, to see if he was reporting the mishap and informing Richard Jaxson that Denson’s couldn’t afford to hire a second elf.

She hadn’t hired the first two. They were long-term employees who gave up their sales jobs for the Christmas season just so they could play Santa’s elves. She had a hard enough time paying the extra employee she’d had to hire to play Santa.

And it irked her that it was a Jaxson, even if his last name was Prescott. The idea that her money, which was very tight these days, was going to line the pocket of a man sent to spy on her, made her sick to her stomach.

Still, she didn’t regret her decision to hire him. If she hadn’t done it, Jaxson would have figured out a different way to spy on her. At least this one she knew about, and could control the information he received. Mostly.

She’d had Frank prepare some false financial reports that showed they were doing well. After Garth had been here for a few days, she planned to call him into her office, where the papers would be conveniently sitting on her desk. Then she would be “called away,” on a store emergency, giving him plenty of time to look at them.

The plan would still work. She wasn’t sure, though, that she wanted to work so closely with the handsome man. The easy banter they’d shared before Barbara’s accident showed that he was a nice person, not something she’d expected. Still, how nice could he be if he were a corporate spy?

She hurried across the floor, ignoring hoots and catcalls from her employees. As she neared Santa’s Hut, she stopped. Garth was standing near his chair, talking to a young girl about four years old who was crying. She knew that was her job now, to make the children smile for the photos.

He picked the girl up and put her in Santa’s chair all by herself, kneeling down next to her and offering her a candy cane. The child laughed with delight and snatched the candy from his hand.

Then, she turned to her mother, who stood behind Elizabeth, the camera operator. The mother waved and the child waved back. She gasped when the flash went off, but Garth ruffled her hair. She smiled up at him and then tried to tear the wrapping paper off her candy cane.

The mother thanked Garth for being so nice, grabbed her child and the photo and left.

Maddy hurried to his side. “Good job, Santa.”

“Thanks, Elf Boss.”

They laughed together, and then turned toward the line of kids waiting to turn in their requests to the Big Guy.

*****

“So, Elf Boss, are you going to work with me at the Christmas party?”

Maddy turned toward Garth, who sat in his chair, his hat and hair off. His own dark hair looked strange next to the fake white beard he still wore. The store had been closed for twenty minutes now. Most employees scuttled home as quickly as they could. Elizabeth had left quickly, and Maddy and Garth were alone in the Santa Hut.

“I hadn’t planned on it. Why?”

“Well, will these gifts you want me to hand out have names on them? And if so, will the employees be wearing nametags? I won’t know everyone.”

“Crap. I didn’t think of that. Yes, the boxes have names. They’re bonus checks, so everyone’s is different, depending on how long they’ve been here.”

Was it her imagination, or did a guilty look cross his face? She hoped so. He needed to feel a little guilty about what he was doing. Of course he didn’t know that she knew who he was.

“I’ll stand by you and tell you who’s who. It’s a Denson’s tradition to give the checks as gifts.”

“I like that idea. Will you wear your cute little skirt?”

She shook her head. “Don’t think so. I’ve had enough of this skirt right now.”

He laughed. “Have we heard about Barbara?”

“Yes. The doctor put her in a full leg cast and then sent her home. No work for six weeks, so she’s going to miss the rest of the Christmas season. You’re stuck with me.”

“I wouldn’t call it stuck. Can you take that much time away from your other duties?”

“Yes. Although sometimes when it’s slow I might leave you and Elizabeth alone together. Can I trust you with her?”

“With her, yeah. With you? I’m not so sure.”

Maddy’s belly clenched. “Even though I’m the boss, I can still be sexually harassed. Watch it, buster.”

“Sorry, little Miss Elf, but in this part of the store Santa’s in charge. So be good, for goodness sakes.”

“And if I’m not?” Why was she flirting with him? He was the enemy sent her to destroy her. Still, she just couldn’t help herself.

“Well, you might get a lump of coal, and you might get a spanking. Depends on what kind of mood Santa’s in that day.”

“A spanking, huh? Don’t get your hopes up, Santa. Try to take me over your knee and you’ll get a pink slip instead of a lump of coal.”

Garth stood and put his hair and hat back on. “Santa always likes a challenge.”

Then he strode off. Maddy watched him, her stomach still in knots. She needed to keep reminding herself that he was the enemy, not someone she could flirt with, and get to like. Whether it was lumps of coal or spankings, things were bound to end badly where this Santa was involved.