Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson

Author:Melody Carlson
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: ebook, book
ISBN: 9781441213587
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2010-06-26T16:00:00+00:00

Despite the cold temperatures and freezing rain, Lena came back to Harrington’s a bit before three. She had a feeling she was on a fool’s errand, but her curiosity – and desperation – forced her to return. She was coming up the escalator when she heard a voice call out, “There she is, Mom. I told you she’d come back.”

Lena stepped off the elevator and smiled at the mother and daughter. “I’m not sure why I came back, because I heard you’re not hiring. But I was compelled.”

“I’m Ms. Harrington,” the woman told her in a slightly irritated voice.

“I’m Lena Markham and my friend Mrs. Stanfield told me – ”

“You seem to have met my daughter Cassidy already. And she is insistent that that I give you an interview, Ms. Markham.”

Cassidy winked at Lena.

“Thank you,” Lena told Ms. Harrington. “I really do appreciate you taking the – ”

“Right this way, please.” Ms. Harrington smiled at her daughter. “And you will kindly wait in the employees’ lounge for me. And start your homework. And make sure you have one of those protein drinks and not soda.”

Cassidy nodded, watching as her mother led Lena into her office.

“Please, have a seat.” Ms. Harrington gestured to a pair of black leather chairs across from her desk. “I’ll cut to the chase because I’m sure your time is as valuable as mine.”

Lena wasn’t so sure, but she nodded then sat down, folding her hands in her lap.

“Cassidy seems to think that you’ve been sent here by angels or God or maybe even Santa Claus.”

Lena blinked. “What?”

“She thinks you’d be perfect to play Mrs. Santa.”

“Mrs. Santa?”

“I suppose it’s that coat.” Ms. Harrington frowned. “And the curly hair. And I guess you have the right sort of face too.” Now she laughed. “But I’m also guessing that is not the sort of work you’re looking for.”

Lena was too dumbfounded to respond.

“Yes, I’m not surprised. It’s what I told Cassidy would happen – that you’d be insulted. Please accept my apologies. Unfortunately, I’m fully aware that most Santa jobs usually go to drunks and degenerates. In fact, that’s why we lost our last Santa.”

“And that was a woman?” Lena ventured. “Mrs. Santa?”

Ms. Harrington waved her hand. “No, no, we’ve never even had a Mrs. Santa. That was totally Cassidy’s idea. I don’t even know where she came up with it or why. But not only was her heart set on finding the perfect Mrs. Santa, she’s equally determined to play Mrs. Santa’s helper as an elf this year.” She sighed in a tired way. “Not that I’m encouraging her to do that.”

“I see.” Lena wasn’t sure what to do. Of course she had no desire to play Mrs. Santa, and yes, it was somewhat insulting. Did this mean Ms. Harrington thought that Lena was a drunk or degenerate too? Not that she’d expected to be hired as a bookkeeper or anything too impressive. But Mrs. Santa?

And yet, who was she to be choosy? She was desperate for a job.

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