A Kiss From Kringle by Rhian Cahill

Author:Rhian Cahill
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781925375534
Publisher: Rhian Cahill

CHAPTER 9

Chris

Pacing beside the employee entrance I glance at my watch.

Eight fifty-five.

“What’s got you all riled up?” Jack asks as he heads in my direction.

“Nothing,” I grumble.

Jack laughs. “Uh huh. Sure. Nothing has you wearing a hole in the corridor beside the employee entrance.”

I eye Jack’s knowing smile. “Kan opened her mouth, didn’t she?”

“Not before the rumors started.”

“Rumors?”

“About you and a certain new employee,” Jack explains.

“The staff are talking?”

“According to the mill, you were all over this woman in the elevator.”

“I was not. Nothing happened until—”

“The car park.”

I’m speechless for two seconds. “Shit.” I run a hand back and forth on my neck—squeeze. With a sigh, I ask, “What exactly are they saying?”

“Not much. Just that you were seen with Haylee—”

“Leah,” I correct.

“Ah yeah, that bit Kandy clarified for me, but the staff know her as Haylee.” Jack steps closer, lowers his voice. “You didn’t think I should know about that little switcheroo?”

“There was no need to tell you. Nothing happened and Leah explained why they did it.” The last thing I want is for Jack to make a big deal over the situation and insist on firing Haylee. If that happens, Leah will never forgive me. Or trust me. She’ll think I’m a liar, that my word is worthless.

“Care to share?”

I turn as the employee door opens behind me. Leah and Haylee carrying a cute little girl come in. “Later,” I mutter to Jack then move toward the women. “Hey.”

“Oh, hi.” Leah’s smile wobbles a bit when she sees Jack.

“How is Meggie today?” I’m not an expert, but she looks fine to me. “Fever gone?”

“She hasn’t had one since around lunchtime yesterday,” Haylee answers. “And I want to apologize for yesterday. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble, and if you want to fire me I’ll understand.”

“No. Nobody’s getting fired.” I glance at Jack with narrowed eyes. “There was no harm done.”

“Meggie, come to Aunty Leah so Mummy can go to work.” Leah holds out her arms, but the little girl doesn’t go to her. Instead she throws herself at me.

“Whoa.” I catch her with ease and pull her close. “Hi there.” I smile down at the rosy-cheeked cherub.

She looks at me with big, bright blue eyes and bats her eyelashes. “See Santa.”

My smile grows. She’s already worked out how to use her womanly wiles on a man. “Yes. We can go see Santa.” I turn to Leah. “She’s not afraid of strangers?”

Leah stands beside her sister, both of them motionless, their mouths open, eyes wide.

“Ah, okay. I take it this is unusual.”

“She normally shies away from people she doesn’t know,” Leah says as she moves closer and tries to take Meggie from me.

“No.” Meggie wraps her little arms around me neck in a death grip. “See Santa.”

“We’ll go see Santa as soon as you come to Aunty Leah.”

“She’s okay where she is,” I say. “Unless you don’t want—”

“No.” Haylee steps forward, a smile on her face, and nudges her sister out of the way. “Mummy has to go to work now sweetie.

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