I'm Your Santa by Dianne Castell Read Free Book Online

“I went around to the back of the house in the direction the woman had pointed. There was an enclosed porch and a fancy hot tub, and sure enough, I found Brandon there.”
    Kent plunked the coffee cup back down. “With company, I take it.”
    â€œHe was making out with a woman I’d met several times, but didn’t know well.”
    â€œOne of his colleagues?”
    â€œAnother doctor. They might have had their underwear on, but with the churning water, it was hard to tell. They sure weren’t wearing much more than that.” Beth flopped back in her seat. “I saw them, they saw me, and the woman screeched.”
    â€œScreeched?”
    â€œLoudly.” Beth snorted. “Then she started scrambling out of the tub. I don’t know if she thought I’d cause a scene or attack her or what, but she was wrapped in a towel and running away before I could blink.”
    Her father coughed, probably to hide a laugh. “I reckon Brandon was surprised, all right.”
    Beth smirked, too. “No kidding. You should have seen his face.”
    â€œComical?”
    â€œOh yeah. I’ve never seen him look like that because he’s usually so self-assured. But then, I guess my face looked pretty ridiculous, too. And I had to go back through that whole room full of people so that I could leave. It was like walking the gauntlet. I could feel everyone watching me.”
    As the memory of it scoured through her, Beth squeezed her eyes shut.
    â€œThat was the worse part of it, the fact that everyone there saw me as this sad victim. Most of them were mutual friends.”
    â€œWere?”
    â€œI don’t think I could ever face any of them again.”
    â€œThen they must have been more his friends than yours.” Kent put his muscled forearms on the table and gave her a direct look. “Just think about the fact that the other woman went through there first, wet and in a towel.”
    â€œBelieve me, I’ve thought of it. It helps only a little.”
    Kent reached for her hand. “Want me to sic Noah and Ben on Brandon? You know they’d be happy to show him the error of his ways.”
    Beth shook her head at his teasing. Whenever possible, her father had always allowed her to fight her own battles. This time wouldn’t be any different. “No. Brandon’s not worth the trouble, especially during the holidays.”
    He nodded acceptance of that. “So where’s Levi fit into this?”
    Looking away at nothing in particular, Beth said, “I don’t know yet.”
    Kent squeezed her hand. “I hope you’ll give him a chance to help you figure out that one.”
    Beth didn’t want her father to know she’d be spending the night with Levi, so she hedged a bit saying, “Levi and I will talk more when it’s not so crazy.”
    â€œTell me a little about Levi. Other than playing third wheel with you and Brandon, what does he do? What do you know about him?”
    â€œI know…everything.” As soon as Beth said it, she realized it was true. She knew Levi as well, and in some ways better, than she knew Brandon. “What do you want to know?”
    â€œStart with what Levi does for a living.”
    Finally, a neutral subject that Beth could discuss with enthusiasm. “He’s a physical education teacher at a middle school, and he coaches the soccer team.”
    â€œHow about that?” Kent nodded in approval. “Teaching’s a tough job. He has my respect.”
    Easier, happier memories filtered into Beth’s discontent, helping her to relax. “You should see him with kids, Dad. He loves them, and they love him. He has this easy camaraderie that really reaches out to people of all ages.”
    â€œI must’ve missed the camaraderie when he chased you in the door.”
    Beth could tell by his wry smile that he only teased. “That really didn’t make the best first