Free Christmas Kisses (Romance on the Ranch Series #5) by Verna Clay Page A

to Sean. "This is my nephew, Harris. Since you, Toby, Preston, and
Harris are all about the same age, I'm sure you'll become good friends."
    Sean doubted that. He was in no mood to make
friends, especially in this hick town.
    Cecelia rubbed her hands together. "Are
ya'll ready to make Santa's workshop a reality?"
    Everyone in the group answered excitedly in the affirmative
and Sean frowned. What was with these people? Were they "happy"
clones or something?
    An hour later, the room was transformed. Cecelia
had purchased wall to ceiling 3-D murals that looked awesome when viewed from
different perspectives. On opposite sides of the room, the murals depicted a
workshop filled with elves making toys. In one setting Santa sat on a stool
inspecting a bicycle while an anxious elf looked on. The other mural had an elf
sitting on Rudolf's back lifting a glider into the air, as if coaxing Rudolf to
fly.
    From the ceiling above the glass case of
pastries, Preston and Toby were hanging a paper mache sculpting of Santa in his
sled pulled by his reindeer. Rudolf's nose glowed on and off.
    Sean glanced across the room at Harris who stood
on a ladder hanging large, dangling snowflakes. Climbing his own ladder, Sean
did the same. They would meet in the center of the room.
    Tessa caught his attention when she tried to
hang an ornament on a high branch of the Christmas tree that had been placed in
the farthest corner of the shop. He jumped down from his ladder. "Here,
let me get that."
    Another voice said, "I think I'm a little
taller. I can get it for you, Tessa."
    Sean turned to see Preston behind him. He turned
back around and grabbed the bulb. "Not a problem, Preston. I can reach
it." When he stretched to hang the bulb, it brought him close to Tessa.
She blushed that pretty pink again. He missed the branch and almost fell. Her emerald
eyes widened and she said, "Oh, be careful." Now he blushed.
    Preston said, "Like I said, I'm
taller."
    Sean hung the bulb and stepped back.
"There. Got it."
    Tessa glanced from Preston to Sean and said
shyly, "Thank you."
    The "Annie Get Your Gun" lady stepped
to the tree with an ornament. Sean didn't know who she was talking to, but she
said, "Yep. Things should be quite interesting in a few years." She
winked at him. He figured she must have a few screws loose.
    There was a banging noise and everyone looked
toward the counter. Cecelia was hitting a spoon on a pan.
    "Listen up, Santa's elves…"
    Sean rolled his eyes.
    "It's time for refreshments for our North
Pole workers. The counter is open. Order whatever you want, compliments of Mr.
and Mrs. Claus. Who will be first?"
    Everyone glanced at each other and when no one
said anything, Cecelia clanged the spoon on the pot again. She grinned,
"Now don't be shy. Elf-barista Justin awaits your orders."
    Sean rolled his eyes again. Were these people
for real?
    Toby called, "I'm not shy. I'll have a Peppermint
Razzle-Dazzle."
    Cecelia said, "That's what I like to hear…a
man who knows his mind. Anyone else want a Razzle-Dazzle?"
    Harris said, "I'll have one of those,
too."
    Cecelia waved the spoon in the air. "That's
two, anyone want to make it three?"
    Tessa shyly lifted her hand.
    Cecelia continued the joking until there were
four Razzle-Dazzles ordered. The fun continued with Sarah ordering a Lumpy-Luscious-Blueberry
Frappe. After everyone had ordered, Cecelia turned her attention toward Sean.
"Journeyman-elf Sean, what can we make for you?"
    Sean had been so engrossed in listening to the
craziness that he hadn't ordered anything. "Ah." He glanced at Tessa.
"I'll have whatever Tessa is having." He heard Toby snicker and
glanced from him to Preston, who was frowning at Sean. He looked from Preston
to the crazy old lady. She winked at him again.
    Justin called, "First Razzle-Dazzle is
ready!"

Chapter 17: Wrecking Ball
    Mac listened to Cecelia recount their day
decking out the coffee shop. He glanced at his son and when she got to the part
about serving