Cozy Up to Christmas (The Cozy Up Series Book 5) by Colin Conway

Author:Colin Conway [Conway, Colin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Original Ink Press
Published: 2021-11-08T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“I want a pony,” Lauren said.

Ed stared at the little dark-haired girl sitting on his knee. She wore a long red coat, white leggings, and black boots. He estimated her to be four years old.

“A pony?”

“A really big one.”

“So, you want a horse?”

The little girl laughed. “A pony!”

“Uh-huh.” He nodded and looked up. Susan Roskam was behind the camera. It appeared that she was having a tough time getting a photograph. Her face pinched as she jiggled the camera.

In the waiting line were seven kids. That wasn’t too bad, but it was still early. The line would surely get longer as the day went on. With children around, things could always get worse.

From overhead, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” played throughout the mall.

Ed eyed the little girl. “Anything else?”

“A pony as big as this.” She lifted her hand high above her head. She strained to get it higher and almost slid off Ed’s knee. He caught her and moved her back into position. Lauren said, “Bigger than my dog, Oscar.”

Susan’s face relaxed now as it appeared the camera might be working again. He’d only have to keep the little girl talking for a couple more minutes.

Ed glanced over to Lauren’s parents. They were about the same age as him and stood arm-in-arm. The two looked like they were in an advertisement for some winter fashion promotion. Their clothes appeared new and were vibrant colors. They smiled brightly as if the little girl on his knee was the center of their world. Because of that, Ed imagined them to be boring conversationalists.

His gaze returned to the kid. “What kind of dog do you have?”

“He’s a Great Dame.”

“Dane.”

Her head bobbed. “Uh-huh. And I want him to fetch like Oscar.” She mimed throwing a stick.

“Ponies don’t fetch.”

Lauren met his eyes. “The one you bring me will. He’ll be a magical fetching pony!”

“I’m not sure that will fit in my sleigh.” He hoped no one he knew ever heard those words come out of his mouth. Maybe his dinner conversation would be on par with Lauren’s parents.

The kid laughed. “Have my pony pull your sleigh with the other reindeers.”

“Ponies don’t fly either.”

“Mine will.”

“Right,” Ed said. “Because it’s magical.”

Lauren giggled as she pushed her hand out into the air. “Swoosh!”

“A magical flying pony that fetches.”

“That I’ll name Riley.”

“You want a unicorn.”

“No.” Lauren shook her head. “They have a horn on their head, and that’s weird.” She put her hand against her forehead and stuck her pinkie out. She wiggled the finger at him. “Don’t you think it’s weird, Santa?”

He did. He thought the kid was weird, too.

“Got it!” Susan called out. From behind the camera, she raised a thumb into the air.

Ed lifted the girl from his knee and set her on the ground. “A magical flying pony,” he announced.

“That fetches!” Lauren shouted as she ran by Susan.

Lauren’s parents eyed Ed with apparent confusion. The parents waiting in line all seemed distraught, but sudden excitement built within the children. Magical flying ponies that fetched were now in play for the holiday.

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