Page 38 (1/2)

Chapter 1

Molly

This was going to be the best Christmas ever

Molly grinned as she pulled out her master key for the shop, slid it into the lock, and opened the door The scents of pine and cinnamon filled her nose as the Christmas spirit washed over her It was tiiving seeet better when she was in the store

Christmas Wishes was the best Christmas store in town and possibly in the entire United States Molly would even guess it ranked in the top five best Christmas stores in the world The only one that could possibly beat theht be a Christmas store in Alaska that was actually near the North Pole

As she closed the door behind her, she spotted Mrs Kerst the finishing touches on a display Christmas tree Mrs Kerstman was a thin wo the reddish warmth in her curls She played Mrs Claus every year for the children in the town and Molly couldn't iine anyone better suited to it Mrs Kerst back to adjusting the ornaments on the tree

“Mrs Kerst on an airplane?” Molly’s tone was accusatory yet good-natured as she stared up at Mrs Claus “I thought you, Santa, andsouth for the winter I was supposed to open the shop today That's why you planned for the trip this week I', so I can be here full time while you frolic in the sun”

“We're leaving! I pro from the back of the shop with an overstuffed suitcase “We were supposed to leave with your parents earlier, but Mrs Claus insisted on finishing up decorations around the store”

Mr Kerstman was tall and broad, and Molly suspected that he’d been an athlete in his youth He loved playing Santa for all the local kids He had a fluffy white beard that made him perfect for the part Today, with his Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, he looked like Santa about to go on vacation

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Molly!” Ms Kerstman called down from the store’s ladder “It’s just that I always have so much trouble with these tree displays I just wanted to save you some time”

“I fear that Mrs Claus has forgotten how to take a vacation,” Mr Kerstman whispered loudly to Molly “Hopefully she remembers how much she used to love the beach I think twelve Christmases back to back has turned her into a snow person”

“Hey! I' a snow person Snow people rock,” Molly said with a laugh “So, are you two going to go over the list of rules and a few eain?”

The Kert the weeks after Thanksgiving, but come winter break, Molly worked full time at the store However, this was the first ti the holiday period Despite the fact that Molly had worked at the store for years, they'd been nervous to go out of town This store was their pride and joy, so Molly didn't take it too personally that they were a little anxious about leaving it

“No rules No numbers You're are Head Elf You know this store just as well as we do Heck, maybe even a little bit more,” Mr Kerstman said with a fatherly smile “We trust you, 100 Well, I trust you 100 Mrs Clausaround 76”

“No, I trust Molly 100, too!” Ms Kerst her way down the ladder “But I certainly do not trust these difficult trees”

“Thank you for believing into let you down,” Molly said She loved that instead of being “store er” she was called “Head Elf” It just sounded soto be the best Christmas ever”

Molly was excited to have the store to herself for a week She had so that Mrs Kerstot back Those difficult trees had a future in Molly's mind

“And maybe with your parents out of your hair for a week, you could go on a date I heard that Mr Williao see that new superhero movie?” Mrs Kerstman asked in an innocent voice She stepped off the ladder and put her hand on Molly's shoulder “It just doesn’t le woman, dear Look at you”

Molly took athe shiny black shoes, the bright green stockings, the red and green skirt and its reen Elf hat, none of which screamed “date me” to sane men