Free Santa's Posse by Rosemarie Naramore Page A

sound
nonchalant.
    She smiled
triumphantly.  “Okay, I’m going to put you out of your misery, since you’re
probably over there thinking he isn’t interested in you, which couldn’t be further
from the truth.”
    “ What ?” Kellie
said, shaking her head in puzzlement.
    “The man’s busy,
that’s for sure,” she said.  “A little bird told me…”
    “A little bird?” Kellie
repeated with an exasperated sigh.  “Just exactly where is this little bird and
does it happen to nest at this mall?”
    Jill waved off the
question.  “Anyway … a little bird told me that Miles is bogged down with some
big work thing.  Commander business is my guess.”
    “Commander
business, eh?”
    “Well, yes, the
man has responsibilities, you know.”
    “Don’t we all,” she
said with a sigh. 
    “Stop worrying
about that Barnes fellow,” Jill said, leaning forward to pat her on the arm. 
“You know he’ll be back.  He said he’d call soon.”
    “He said he’d have
an answer for me last week,” she reminded her.
    “It’s a big
decision,” she pointed out.  “He doesn’t want to make a mistake.  This is a
tough economy, and he’s understandably cautious.”
    She sighed.  “I
know you’re right.”
    “And on a positive
note, you managed to rent out that downstairs space, beside the arcade.”
    Kellie smiled.  “I
count that a minor miracle.  I wonder how the owners of the perfume shop are
going to feel when they realize they’ll be listening to that infernal racket
coming from the arcade eleven hours a day.”
    Jill winced, and
did an impression of the noise.  “Beep, beep, beep, kaboom!  Didn’t mention that to them, did ya?” she said with a smile.
    “No, I didn’t, but
they have ears,” she said in her defense.
    “Anyway, TGIF.  Any
big plans for the weekend?”
    Kellie shook her
head.  “No.  You?”
    The older woman
smiled widely.  “Going to the coast with George,” she declared.  “There’s a
sandcastle building contest this weekend.  We’re taking his youngest
granddaughter with us.  She’s six and as cute as she can be.”
    “Oh, that sounds
like fun,” Kellie said wistfully.  “I haven’t been to the beach for so long.”
    “Well, then, you
should come with us.”
    Kellie grinned
widely.  She and Jill had become good friends in only a few short weeks, and
she truly appreciated the invitation.  “Thank you so much for asking, but…”
    “What?” Jill
prompted.  “Plans with Miles, per chance?”
    “No,” she scoffed. 
“Plans to unpack the rest of my boxes.  I can’t put it off much longer.  I seem
to have misplaced a couple boxes containing my fall and winter wardrobes, and
considering how cold it’s getting outside, I’d better find those clothes soon.”
    “That, or you
could go shopping,” Jill said, gesturing toward the mall outside the office
doors.  “Could be fun.”
    “Could be
expensive,” she said.  “But, no, I’d better stick close to home and get busy. 
Maybe I’ll see if Daniel is available to help me finish off the boxes once and
for all.”
    “I’m sure Miles
would be happy to help,” Jill said cheerfully.
    “I’m sure he has
chores of his own to deal with.”  She glanced at her watch.  “One hour until
freedom.  Hey, do you want a treat?  I’ve been craving a chocolate marshmallow cookie
since lunchtime.”
    Jill patted her midsection. 
“Trying to watch my weight,” she informed.  “Besides, I can’t wait to get to
the beach and fill up on seafood.”
    “That does sound
good.  Sure you don’t want a cookie?”
    “I’m sure.”
    “Be right back
then.”
    She hurried to the
cookie store, only a stone’s throw from the mall’s executive offices.  She
purchased half a dozen cookies, and then detoured to the large, empty retail
space nearby.  If only Mr. Barnes would call…
    “Where does she put it?” a male voice inquired.
    She glanced up and
met Miles eyes, noting they were sparkling