Free A Kiss From Kringle (Novella) (Frosty's Snowmen Book 2) by Rhian Cahill Page B

hand. “All right, Jessie. Let’s go.”
    Guiding Jessie ahead of her on the stairs, Leah made sure the little girl didn’t trip on the hem of her dress or stumble on the steep climb.
    When they got to the top, Leah placed the canvas mat down in one of the marked spots and positioned herself on it before holding her hand out to Jessie. “Ready?”
    “Yes!” The little imp bounced a couple of times then stepped between Leah’s spread knees.
    “Wiggle all the way back against me.” Leah helped Jessie sit snuggly in the V of her legs. “That’s it. Now hold on to my legs and I’ll wrap my arms around you.”
    “I want to go fast.” Jessie turned her head to smile at Leah. “Please.”
    Leah laughed. “Most definitely.”
    “Yay.”
    “Hold on now.” Leah tightened her grip around the tiny waist. “Ready. Set. Go!”
    She pushed off and the canvas slid over the ice with ease. They tipped off the launch platform onto the slope of the slide and away they went.
    Cold air rushed over her cheeks and Leah grinned when Jessie let out a laughing squeal of pleasure. Holding on to the little girl, she concentrated on getting them to the bottom without tipping over. They zoomed over the thirty metres of ice so fast it took Leah’s breath. Gasping and laughing, they hit the level area at the bottom and their speed slowed.
    The ten metres of horizontal surface reduced their momentum so they hit the padded barrier at the end with only a small jolt. Leah used her legs to cushion their impact further. As soon as they came to a stop, Jessie jumped to her feet.
    “Did you see me, Mummy? Did you see me?”
    The little girl’s glee brought a smile to Leah’s lips until she saw the man standing by the exit, a frown marring his mouth. Oh shit! She’d kept a low profile all day. No one had realised she wasn’t Haylee, but Leah recalled seeing this man briefly when her sister had her interview for the job.
    Chris Kringle.
    She still wanted to giggle when she thought his name. Haylee had shushed her last time, but her sister wasn’t here to do that now. Although any laughter was immediately squashed when she looked at him. Judging by the scowl on his face, he knew she wasn’t who she should be and wanted answers.
    “Can we ride again? Can we? Can we?” Jessie bounced on her feet beside Leah.
    “Jessie. That’s enough. Thank the nice elf for riding down with you.” Jessie’s mother smiled at Leah and mouthed her own ‘thank you’.
    “But Mummy…” Jessie whined in typical little girl style.
    “No buts, young lady. Say thank you and let’s go. We’ve got to visit the reindeer yet.”
    “Rudolph!” Jessie raced for the exit, her feet slipping on the ice in her rush.
    “Jessie.” Her mother grabbed her hand. “Where are your manners?”
    Leah made her way to the exit at a more sedate pace and dropped the mat on the pile near the gate. She smiled at the mother and crouched down to Jessie’s level. “Is Rudolph your favourite reindeer?”
    “Oh yes. He’s the one who helps Santa the most.”
    Leah wasn’t going to get into the whole team-effort explanation with Jessie, so she smiled and said, “Will you give him an extra pat from me?”
    “Okay. Thank you.” Jessie threw herself at Leah, her arms wrapping tight around Leah’s neck. “And you can have a hug for being my favourite elf.”
    Leah closed her eyes and breathed deep. The smell of little girl surrounded her, filled her, making her smile. “Thank you for letting me slide with you. You be good for Mummy now. Remember Santa’s watching. Looking for who’s naughty and nice.”
    “I will.” Jessie slipped from her arms and ran to her mother. “Let’s go.”
    Leah stood, smiling as she watched the mother being towed along behind her daughter.
    She was putting it off. Knew she had to turn and face the man who could fire her sister before she’d managed to put in a single day’s work.
    Sucking in a breath of cold air, Leah made sure her smile