The Eggnog Chronicles (29 page)

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Authors: Carly Alexander

BOOK: The Eggnog Chronicles
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“You were a lovely Mrs. Claus,” Karl told his wife. “How many years did you do it? Six? Seven?”
“Until Meredith was born,” Ev said.
“She was in all the papers, written up every year, the only Mrs. Claus in town,” Lenny said, his fingers splayed for dramatic effect. “Let me tell you, it didn't hurt Rossman's great reputation as a Christmas store. When people shopped Christmas, Rossman's was the place they wanted to be.”
“And still is.” Evelyn neatly folded the red velvet jacket and let her fingers smooth over the lapel. “You know, it wouldn't be a bad idea to reinvent Mrs. Claus this year.”
Rahiella's jaw dropped with a gasp. “Exactly what I was thinking! And wouldn't it be charming if she were played by a Rossman?”
All eyes turned to Meredith, who was scratching a note on her clipboard. “What do you. . . . You mean
me?
”
“Do you want to give it a shot?” Evelyn asked, hoping her daughter might muster the desire to play a whimsical, fantasy role just once in her life.
Meredith paled. “Of course not . . .” she sputtered. A year of grad school at University of Chicago and they expected her to play a cartoon character at Christmas? What did she need to do to be taken seriously around here? She didn't see anyone asking Daniel to play Santa.
“Of course not,” Ev said, her disappointment apparent.
“
Hello?
Can we just let it go?” Daniel cut in, fed up with the sentimental wave that captivated everyone. “That thing's been sitting in dust for a decade. Time to retire the moth-bitten old rags. Besides, who cares about Mrs. Claus? What power does she have? Kids wouldn't even get near Santa himself if they didn't think he was the conduit of toys.”
Evelyn looked at her nephew as if he were speaking an incomprehensible language. “You know, Daniel, marketing is not your forte.”
“But who will be Mrs. Claus?” Karl asked.
“It doesn't have to be Mer-mer.” Lenny shrugged. “So we hire an actress.”
“I was just thinking we should send it to the new store in Baltimore,” Meredith suggested. “They're opening next week and it might be fun to advertise a special visitor in their Santa Land.” In addition, she suspected it wouldn't hurt to have that suit thousands of miles away—remove it from sight and take away the family pressure to follow so closely in her mother's footsteps.
“Of course! Excellent idea,” Lenny agreed, flipping open his cell phone. “I'll notify the store manager. They'll be thrilled, I'm sure.”
“I'm sure,” Daniel added sardonically.
Evelyn shook out the garment then refolded it with expert precision. “I'm so glad you found it, Rahiella,” she said, tucking the lid on gently.
Karl checked his watch. “We need to get this wrapped quickly if we want to overnight it to Baltimore.”
“Overnight?” Lenny barked, lowering his cell phone. “That'll cost a fortune. Make sure it goes by two-day express. Such a savings.”
Inside the silver box, the fabric glowed, rich dark red, ready to warm the heart of its next occupant . . .
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
 
Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
 
Copyright © 2004 by Rosalind Noonan
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
 
 
Strapless and the Strapless logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp. Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-0-7582-9119-6
 

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