Page 84

Michael’s gaze shifted from the video game box to Kian. “Wait, Santa. Can I ask you something privately?”

“Ho Ho, of course,” Kian said, leaning in as Joy and his mom walked to the other side of the room.

She couldn’t hear what they were whispering about, but she knew it had to be important.

“Thank you so much for all you do with the kids. When the nurses told Michael you were coming, he refused to join in the fun. I appreciate that Santa was willing to sit with him for a bit and help him open up. By the way, my name is Sheila.”

“Nice to meet you, Sheila,” Joy said, giving her a gentle hug. “I’m so sorry this has happened to your family.”

“Thank you. I feel terrible for not listening to him, but he didn’t seem sick. The doctors tell me his behavior changed because of his illness. He’s getting good care here and will be okay after treatment. At least as okay as you can be with an autoimmune disease. The diagnosis could have been worse, so I’ll figure it out.”

“Where do you work?” Joy asked curiously. “Do you have health insurance?”

“Nowhere now,” she said, her chin trembling. “I worked as a restaurant manager. When I missed three shifts in a row, they fired me. They always kept me just below full-time so I couldn’t get health insurance for myself, but Michael is covered by the state.”

“That’s so unfair,” Joy said, rubbing Sheila’s shoulder to comfort her. “My real name is Joy Brady, and I’m the general manager at Snowcap Ridge Outlet Mall. Once the new year begins, I’ll need several assistant managers. The hours would be flexible, and if you need time off for his appointments, we can work that out. No late nights. Would you be interested in that?”

Her face crumpled as she nodded, wiping away her tears as though she should be ashamed to cry. “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much of a weight that is off my shoulders. I know I’m not hired yet, but at least there’s something on the horizon.”

“You’re hired, Sheila. Once Michael is better, we can sit down to work out the details. I’m about to lose my assistant GM to a new position, so I’ll need someone to fill that role. We can get by until Michael is back at school, so don’t worry.”

“That’s such a relief,” she said, her shoulders sagging. “I have one paycheck left from Rosie’s, and I’m hoping it covers most of the January rent. If not, we’ll figure it out. I always do.”

Reaching into her back pocket, Joy pulled out her card. “That’s my number and email at the mall. Send me your landlord’s information, and I’ll get your rent squared away for a few months. We’ll call it a sign-on bonus.”

“No, Joy, I can’t accept that,” she said, pressing the card to her chest. “The job offer is more than I had dreamed of when I woke up this morning.”

“I insist,” Joy said firmly. “You need a warm, safe place to bring Michael when he’s released, somewhere he’s comfortable and happy. I grew up with a dad who had a chronic illness, and he passed it down to me. I understand what you’re going through. Your pride is taking a hit and you don’t want to be a burden to anyone, but you’re doing the hard work here. Let me do this for you.”

Tears streaming down her face, she nodded. “Okay, but I will pay you back,” she said, laughing as Joy handed her a tissue. “Sign-on bonus or not.”

“Really, Santa?” Michael asked, drawing their attention back to the boy in bed.

“Santa is a giver, not a taker,” Kian said, pushing the box back to the boy. “You keep the gift, and I’ll see what I can do about your final Christmas wish, young Michael.”

“Remember, her name is Sheila Thompson. Her last name is different than mine,” Michael whispered.

Santa nodded and winked as he pretended to write it down on the scroll.

As Sheila walked toward the bed, she was practically floating. “Guess what, Mikey,” she said, ruffling his hair. “I got a job offer!”

Michael’s mouth fell open as he stared at Santa. “How did you do that so fast?”

“HO-HO-HO, Santa has magic,” Kian said with a shrug, then shot her a side-eye. Joy smiled and nodded. “Remember what we said. Christmas is the season of miracles. Get better soon, okay, Michael? Maybe I’ll see you at Snowcap Ridge Outlet Mall next Christmas.”

“Wait,” Sheila said. “How did you know that’s where the job offer came from?”

Kian just laid his finger aside of his nose and winked before tossing his bag over his shoulder. “Sheila, Santa knows everything about the good girls and boys, even once they’re adults. I hope you feel better soon, Michael, so you can get back to school and see your friends.”

“Merry Christmas,” Joy said as she followed Kian out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Without a word, they walked to the end of the hall and stepped into the elevator. “Why, Mrs. Claus, I think you just stole Santa’s thunder in there,” Kian said, nuzzling her neck with his bearded lips.

“More like I remember being a kid and always wondering where my next meal would come from or whether we’d have enough to pay the rent. I don’t want Michael to worry about that while he’s trying to get better. Besides, I will need a new assistant manager, so it’s a win-win.”

Kian reached out, hit the stop button on the elevator, then pulled her into him. “You know what else is a win-win?” She shook her head, fighting a smile. “The two of us working together. We made a great team today.”

“We sure did,” she agreed. “You know who else will be happy you got to the bottom of naughty Michael Melland’s issues?”