A Kiss From Kringle: Frosty's Snowmen, #2

By Rhian Cahill

Leah is about to discover the magic of Christmas is a kiss from Chris Kringle.

 

Leah would do anything for her sister and niece. Even squeeze into a too-tight elf suit. She never expected the boss to discover her deception. She definitely didn't expect him to be enchanted by her and decide all his Christmas kisses belonged to her.

 

Chris believes in the magic of Christmas, and he isn't about to ignore the magic flying between him and the woman pretending to be one of his elves. All he needs to do is convince Leah magic is real and their magic is the most powerful of all.

 

With Chris by her side, Leah doesn't have to believe in the magic of Christmas to feel it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rhian Cahill
• Release date: Nov 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781925375534

Rhian Cahill

Rhian Cahill is the alter ego of a former stay-at-home mother of four. With motherly duties rapidly dwindling Rhian is able to make use of the fertile imagination she used to keep herself sane for all those years of slavery. Having spent some years living overseas and visiting tropical climates has helped inspire some steamy stories. Multi-published in erotic romance and contemporary romance, Rhian, with the help of Mr. Muse, spends her days and nights writing. When not glued to the keyboard you'll find her book or knitting in hand avoiding any and all housework as much as possible.   To find out more, visit Rhian on her website and subscribe to her newsletter.  You can also follow Rhian on Facebook ,Instagram and Twitter. 

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Chris

Ilean against the picket fence in front of Santa’s house and watch the families enjoying a chilly afternoon in the Village.

I can’t keep the smile off my face.

It doesn’t matter how many hours of sleep I go without, the first day we open the doors and invite the children inside the icy wonderland of Santa’s Village I know the exhaustion is worth it.

Every year, Frosty’s Snowmen arrive with trucks full of equipment and spend three days—and nights—turning the arena into what is effectively a huge ice cave.

If the walls were glass, it would look like a giant snow globe with the North Pole inside.

Snow covers roofs on gingerbread houses. Picket fences border cobblestone streets. Matching cobblestone paths lead to Santa’s house, the toy workshop, the candy store, and past the stables, complete with live reindeer.

Elves with pointy ears and cheery smiles dressed in red, green and white. Mr and Mrs Claus in rockers on their porch listen to whispered wishes. Santa’s jolly laughter ringing out to join the squeals of delight from children racing down the thirty-meter ice slide.

Magic shimmers in the air giving the impression anything is possible if you believe.

I believe.

Have from the moment my father brought me to Santa’s Village when I was barely old enough to understand the visit.

Today has been my most anticipated day of the year—every year.

Not even Christmas morning beats the first day in the Village.

And now it’s mine.

Well, mine and Kandy’s and Jack’s. Before Jack’s return, it had been me and Kandy at the helm since our fathers’ decided to hand over Frosty’s Snowmen to the next generation a few years ago. Not that I want it any other way. Unlike Jack, I never lost my love for all things Christmas.

Frost, Kringle and Cane didn’t just built a profitable company—they built a legacy. One I am determined to keep going for generations to come.

My smile widens as I survey the streets and all the happy little faces running around.

From where I stand, I can see the line of children waiting for their turn on the slide. And one of our new employees supervising.

I don’t remember interviewing the woman and I’m the one who employs staff. With the return of the prodigal son last year, I have surrendered some duties to Jack, but I always deal with hiring and firing.

And I would not have forgotten hiring her.

Even separated by twenty or so meters, I feel the tug of attraction. Sitting across a desk from her in a confined space that isn’t sub-zero temperatures and crowded with people would have done more than get my attention.

It would have grabbed and squeezed.

I can’t decide if I should stay where I am or move closer. There are pros and cons to both actions.

Hey, whatcha doin’? Kandy slides her arm through mine as she sidled up next to me. Anyone up to mischief?

I glance down at her and arch an eyebrow.

She grins. Well, anybody other than you.

I tip my head in the direction of the slide. New girl? What’s her deal?

If anyone knows the gossip, it’s Kan. She has a way of ferreting out everyone’s secrets. But the creases in her forehead and downturned mouth say she doesn’t know this one.

You slipping? I ask.

No. I just have no idea who she is. Kan raises her eyes to mine. I’ve never seen her… No, wait. Her gaze swings back to the woman in question. I think I can guess who she is.

Guess? What the f—

Her gloved hand covers my mouth. Uh-uh. Watch your mouth.

How can we have someone working in the Village if neither of us knows who the hell she is? Dear God. If Jack finds out he’ll flip. Jack may have given up practicing as a lawyer, but there is no way his lawyer brain can be switched off. He’d run through all the possible legal ramifications in seconds. We have to get her out of here.

Wait. Kandy wraps her hands around my arm. Let me talk to her first.

Why? She knows something. I’ve known Kan long enough to know when she’s keeping something from me. I narrow my eyes and give her my most intimidating ‘tell me’ look.

Kandy sighs. Fine. But let me explain before you go charging over there.

I plant my feet shoulder-width apart, cross my arms and wait.

She rolls her eyes at me. Seriously? Jack is now Mr Easy-going-happy-dude and you’re Mr Grouchy-fun-police?

Kandy, we have someone posing as a staff member, in a place where every employee has to be run through the system and complete a Working With Children Check.

Okay, okay. She holds up her hands. I get it. But we’re fine, I promise you. If it’s who I think it is, she’s a school teacher.

"What do you mean who you think she is?"

I don’t know her—she waves her hand toward the slide—But I know who’s supposed to be there. Haylee Ward.

And that’s not Haylee?

Kandy shakes her head.

So who is it?

Her sister Leah. She looks different in the elf costume, but that’s who I think it is.

You’re sure?

Yeah. She sighs again. "Leah came with Haylee to the interview. She stayed outside in the parking lot watching Haylee’s daughter, so