Christmas Bonus

By Autumn Piper

Christmas is in the air at the World's Greatest Christmas Festival. People come from all over to drink hot cocoa, see Santa, indulge in treats on sticks, and take photos with elves. One elf is not what she seems. Every morning, Luci dons her colorful elf costume to hand out maps and hobnob with festival-goers, but her real goal is to serve court papers to a man who doesn't want to be found. If she succeeds, she'll earn a sweet Christmas bonus.

 

Luci needs to stay alert so she doesn't miss her target, but she faces a daily distraction in the form of a Hot Dad—a fringe benefit of the elf gig. His mere presence warms her from pointy ears to curly-toed shoes. Not only is he cute, but his jokes leave her laughing, and his little girl? She's the icing on the cake. Sometimes Luci has a hard time focusing on the guy she's tracking, which can't happen; she forfeited family Christmas celebrations this year in order to get this bonus. She won't come away empty-handed.

 

Single dad David walks the grounds daily, because he's the one funding the event this year. With his wealthy family expecting him to make the event a success, he needs to keep his head in the game…and keep his eyes off that sexy elf. Even though he's technically her boss, seeing Luci in her elf-getup on a daily basis quickly becomes the highlight of David's holiday season. When Luci leaves town after the festival, both he and his daughter are going to miss her terribly.

 

Or maybe Santa will bring them what they're wishing for…and more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Autumn Piper
• Release date: Dec 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201053918

Autumn Piper

Born and raised in itty-bitty Rifle, Colorado, Autumn Piper studiously avoided trouble…but is now inclined toward it, particularly in her novels. She thinks the best things in life are funny, and the runners-up, romantic. An admitted carb addict, Autumn writes, edits, and cares for her two grown kids, a cat, a box turtle with a huge personality, one husband and many supersize houseplants, and does the cooking and cleaning when forced to.

Book preview

Christmas is in the air at the World’s Greatest Christmas Festival. People come from all over to drink hot cocoa, see Santa, indulge in treats on sticks, and take photos with elves. One elf is not what she seems. Every morning, Luci dons her colorful elf costume to hand out maps and hobnob with festival-goers, but her real goal is to serve court papers to a man who doesn’t want to be found. If she succeeds, she’ll earn a sweet Christmas bonus.

Luci needs to stay alert so she doesn’t miss her target, but she faces a daily distraction in the form of a Hot Dad—a fringe benefit of the elf gig. His mere presence warms her from pointy ears to curly-toed shoes. Not only is he cute, but his jokes leave her laughing, and his little girl? She’s the icing on the cake. Sometimes Luci has a hard time focusing on the guy she’s tracking, which can’t happen; she forfeited family Christmas celebrations this year in order to get this bonus. She won’t come away empty-handed.

Single dad David walks the grounds daily, because he’s the one funding the event this year. With his wealthy family expecting him to make the event a success, he needs to keep his head in the game...and keep his eyes off that sexy elf. Even though he’s technically her boss, seeing Luci in her elf-getup on a daily basis quickly becomes the highlight of David’s holiday season. When Luci leaves town after the festival, both he and his daughter are going to miss her terribly.

Or maybe Santa will bring them what they’re wishing for...and more.

Copyright 2021 by Autumn Piper

All rights reserved . Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

Edited by Mary Murray.

I seldom dedicate books to any specific person. But this one has to be dedicated to Connie Johnson, for making me excited about writing again. Girl, your (very contagious) excitement honestly inspired me.

Thank you.

Chapter 1

6a.m. Black Friday . St. George, Utah

Here you go. Changing rooms are right through there. The Human Resources attendant in a Santa hat pointed to a bright red sign that read, North Pole Staffers ONLY. Staff and vendor orientation’s at seven. Breakroom behind the changing area has free brunch so you can mingle and get to know everybody until then.

Thanks. Luci looked through the bag at the brand-new elf costume she’d just been issued. Black velvet vest and a red velvet skirt—a bit on the short side, but with a cute white fur trim, and she’d have on tights underneath. Black velvet fur-trimmed pointy hat, pointy ears, and red curly-toed shoe covers. A small cross-body satchel was pre-loaded with map brochures she’d be handing out to help people navigate the World’s Greatest Christmas Festival. A name tag designated her Cookie. Last, a refillable water bottle imprinted with the festival’s logo. A note hung from a string on its neck read, Keep your-elf hydrated! ;)

She sighed. Much too early for puns.

The place was pretty quiet, but lit to the max with twinkle lights and bright LED bulbs hanging in previously-erected, fully stocked booths. This early, most people were shopping, or—if they were smart—snuggled in their beds sleeping off Thanksgiving pie. Later, the place would be packed, or so she’d been told.

The changing room was a bit warmer than outside, and felt nice. Southern Utah wasn’t bad this time of year, but early morning in November was chilly. She stepped behind a curtain of—what else—red velvet—and worked her way into the costume. Wow. In her wildest imaginings becoming a licensed PI, and a bond enforcement agent, she never would’ve imagined she’d be dressed like this. Another sigh. It would be her main clothing for the next month, so she’d better get used to it.

Bacon. She smelled it as soon as she stepped around the corner to the break area. Also, free cinnamon rolls, hot cocoa, and, thank God, coffee. Her day instantly improved.

IT WAS EIGHTY DEGREES out, but his daughter wanted hot cocoa. Kids. David shelled out the three bucks and let his blond, blue-eyed five-year-old, Rachel, hand the money to the attendant. If it made her happy, he’d get it for her. Now what, Bug? he asked as they stepped aside so the next bemused parent could make their purchase.

Santa! she cried.

He groaned inside. The line for Santa would be ridiculous today. But he didn’t have anywhere better to be. Okay. I think he’s this way. They followed candy-cane striped arrows painted on the mock-cobblestone street.

Santa, Santa, Santa... Rachel chanted. She took a big swig of cocoa. Claus! One hand held her drink, and the other held his, swinging it with excitement.

He deliberately slowed and made her pull him along.

Daddy! she giggled. Come ON!

They made it to the end of the Santa line, or the beginning, if he were taking the optimistic view. Either way, they’d be there at least an hour. While Rachel craned her neck to see Santa, and busied herself studying the compilation of Santa photos in the mural beside them, he looked around. Things seemed to be running smoothly. Crowds flowed from one attraction to another. Staff seemed helpful and... Whoa. Speaking of attractions. That elf! She smiled and handed a brochure to a mom. Great smile. Great legs, great set of...

Ahem. Well, this was new. He hadn’t had stirrings down there in...

He looked at his daughter. She needed him, his full attention. He had to provide the love and care of both parents now.

Still, he stole another glance at that elf. She was going to be a distraction.

LUCI WALKED THE MAIN pathway from Santa to the shopping avenue, following one heck of a dadbutt. Today was her third day, and she’d seen this guy all three days. She’d begun calling him HotDad in her mind, and, well, in all honesty, in her dreams the night before. Today he had his little girl on his shoulders, and it sounded like she was practicing her ABC’s, her curly blond hair bouncing as he walked. The little one’s hands grabbed at his shoulders in between moving up to clap, and sometimes burying her hands in his mass of thick dark blond hair.

And just where was Mommy in this picture?

Were they here visiting for the weekend, or did they live nearby? She hoped they’d keep coming in. Mmm, mmm, she hummed to herself. She wouldn’t mind getting a nice handful of that butt. Not at all. She sped up to follow closer, hoping to get a whiff of cologne. Good-smelling dad? Mmm, mmm.

She took a peek in the Christmas Antiques booth as they passed. Surely her target would show up there sooner or later! A couple of ladies were in there today, bartering with Arnold, the proprietor. She’d have to go see him soon and try to find out if—

Mmph! She’d walked smack into the back of HotDad. God. Oh, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?

When he whipped around, his little girl’s Nike whacked Luci right in the nose.

Oh! She backed up, hoping against a bleeder.

Sorry, she and HotDad said at the same time. He set his daughter down, and bent a little to look in Luci’s eyes. Are you alright?

It’s my fault. I’m fine. Nope, no getting around the bleeding this time. It had already started. Oh! She started to back away. Needed to find a restroom.

Here. He handed her stack of