Free All She Wants for Christmas by Jaci Burton Page B

seen him downing at McGuffey’s Tavern prior to the start of the parade.
    The Santa float was always the biggest hit with the kids, since Santa’s “elves” tossed candy. There was Tori dressed as an elf in her green stockings and short skirt, her flaming red hair a perfect compliment to the whole elf gig.
    “Damn,” Brody whispered. “Her skirt is short enough that every time she bends over, you can see—”
    Brody whistled instead. Tori shot him an evil glare and threw candy at his head.
    “Maybe you shouldn’t look.” Ethan suggested.
    “And maybe I should.” Brody unwrapped the candy, popped it in his mouth and walked away.
    The parade over, the crowds milled around for a while. Zoey amused herself by playing a few games, ice skating and, of course, eating. Chairs were being set up at the town center gazebo area for Riley’s concert. The television crews were in hot turnout today, no doubt because it was the weekend and that meant people from surrounding areas would come, increasing attendance.
    Great. Good for the town, Ethan supposed, but it just meant more crowds.
    “Riley Jensen is going to sing today, Daddy.”
    He smiled indulgently at his daughter. “I know.”
    “There’s no backstage today, because she’s gonna sing on a stage that has no back.” Zoey giggled.
    “So I noticed. We’ll just hang out here and listen, okay?”
    “Do you think Riley Jensen will see us all the way back here? It’s kinda far.”
    “I think she’ll probably be a little busy, but maybe she’ll be looking for you. You can stand on your chair and wave to her while she’s singing. But no talking, because that would be rude.”
    “Okay, Daddy.”
    When it looked like people were starting to claim seats, Ethan moved in with his parents and brothers. Tori had joined them, too, along with one of her friends. They made it about three quarters of the way back since it was pretty well packed in. Damn there were a lot of people here.
    “Daddy, I can’t see,” Zoey whined.
    His kid needed a nap. As soon as Riley finished singing, they were outta here.
    “It’s the best we can do, muffin,” he said, tugging on one of her pigtails. “Sorry.”
    Then his phone buzzed, an unfamiliar number.
    “Hey, Ethan, it’s Joann, Riley’s publicist. Are you here at the festival?”
    “Uh, yeah.”
    “Riley has the front row saved for you and your family if you want to watch the concert.”
    “Oh. We’re already seated, kind of in the back.”
    “Then come on up front. I’ll be waiting here to seat you.”
    “Okay.”
    He hung up and turned to his mom. “That was Riley’s publicist. She has the front row saved for us.”
    “Oh, isn’t that nice,” his mom said, then herded the family up and out of their chairs and toward the front row.
    Zoey, of course, was thrilled. And the view was much better up here in the front row. What he didn’t care for was having to endure knowing looks, encouraging nods and smirks from everyone as they made their way up there.
    Great.
    “Hey, didn’t know you and Riley were back together.” Mark Roberts patted him on the back. “Nice going, man.”
    “We’re just so thrilled for you and Riley, Ethan,” Callie Roberts said.
    Ethan half turned. “It’s not like that. She likes Zoey and wanted to make sure she could see. Plus she’s known my parents for a long time.”
    Callie gave him a sly grin. “Sure, honey. Whatever you say.”
    Ugh. Zoey was bouncing in her seat waiting for the concert to begin and telling everyone around her that she was Riley Jensen’s new best friend. Even his own mother had gotten into the act, sharing that he and Riley had “gone out” alone together the other night.
    Maybe Ethan could just slip out and go home.
    But then Riley and her band came out, and damn if his libido didn’t tie him to the chair, because she looked gorgeous in tight blue jeans, sinfully sexy thigh high boots, a wide-open suede jacket and a shirt that clung to her curves.