Most of the kids were eager to visit Santa, while others clung to their mothers, terrified of the man in the red suit with the long white beard.
“Do you have a special Christmas wish for Santa?” she asked the next child in line, who waited patiently. The little girl, who looked to be about five, nodded enthusiastically. “It’s a secret; I can only tell Santa.”
“He’s a good listener,” Lindy assured her.
“I wrote him a letter, too.”
“So did I,” Lindy told her.
“Did he read it?” she asked, her eyes round and curious.
“He did,” Lindy said with a smile.
When it was her turn, she raced up to Santa and leaped onto his lap. Lindy couldn’t hear what the child said, but Santa got a big belly laugh out of it and gave her a gentle hug before he sent her on her way.
One little boy stuck out in Lindy’s mind. He seemed sad and preoccupied.
“My sister is sick,” the little boy said. “If you can help her get well, then I don’t need anything for Christmas.”
Santa nodded, as if he was well aware of the sick little girl. “I’m sorry little Anna needs surgery, but you know what?” he said, “I believe she is going to get the very best care possible and that she’ll be home soon. Don’t you worry.”
“Thank you, Santa.”
“And, Buddy, I think you need to check under the Christmas tree later. Santa hasn’t forgotten you.”
Hearing the conversation, at first Lindy was alarmed that he might be giving the child false hope, but then she saw how the little boy brightened with the news. At least he would have hope for Christmas. Silently, Lindy sent up a prayer, asking God to heed Santa’s words.
There wasn’t any need for a photographer, as all the parents had phones, snapping dozens of pictures in the few minutes their children spent on Santa’s lap. The lack of a photographer made Lindy wonder how Santa was being paid for his time and energy, and then realized the store probably compensated him.
Santa’s patience with the children amazed her. Even the crying, squirming ones. He comforted each fussy child in a way that soon had them staring up at him with faces filled with wide-eyed wonder.
Santa was booked for three hours, and the time flew. It felt like Lindy had been assisting him for minutes when the shop owner announced the time was up. The store was closing early for Christmas Eve.
“We can’t thank you enough, Santa,” the woman said. “You don’t know what this means to us and our small shop.”
“I enjoyed every minute,” Santa returned.
“Are you sure you won’t take anything…We did a number of big sales while you were here.”
He held up his hand, stopping her. “It’s my pleasure.”
So Santa wasn’t being compensated. He’d volunteered his time. That he would do this for the children on his own deeply impressed Lindy.
She handed Santa the bucket with only a few remaining candy canes. “You were wonderful,” she said, in appreciation of his patience and charm with each one of the children.
“Been at this awhile,” Santa said, as he stood and stretched, working his shoulders back and forth.
“It shows.”
“Now, my dear, it’s your turn.”
“Are you sure? You must be exhausted.”
He checked the time. “Not at all. I loved seeing the children, but I’ll need to watch the clock. I’ve got a busy night ahead of me.”
Santa must have a long list of appearances lined up.
“Let’s grab a cup of hot chocolate and chat for a bit.” He led the way, even before she could refuse.
The small coffee shop across the street was open, and he held the door for Lindy. She should have realized Santa would be nothing less than a gentleman.
“Allow me,” Lindy said, as she started toward the counter to place their order.
“Nonsense, I owe you for your help this afternoon,” he insisted. “Besides, Santa rarely gets charged. People seem to think one good deed will wipe out all their transgressions for the year.” He chuckled and escorted her to a table, pulling out the chair for her to take a seat.
As he approached the counter to order their drinks, Lindy mulled over what she could possibly tell him, or if she should say anything. And like Santa, she needed to watch the time. Billy had asked her to stop by the Wine Press that afternoon, plus she needed to get home early enough to help her mother set up for the church group following the evening candlelight service.