Some links may be affiliate links. We get money if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these links on our site.

Christmas All The Time is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You’d Think He’d Be Taller

11/20/2023

“Okay, so who are they sending?” Mayor Mercer barged into the meeting room that served as Carol’s project workspace.

“I don’t know yet. I’m meeting Jeb over at the bakery in a few minutes to find out.” Carol waved to draw her closer.

“Have you spoken to Pastor Greg about associating his Christmas Eve Ball with the Jingle Bell Jubilee?”

“Better.” She leaned over Carol’s shoulder to see what she was studying. “I spoke with Meghan about it. You want something blessed, talk to the pastor. You want something done, talk to the pastor’s wife.”

Carol snickered and pushed back from her laptop. “Okay, I needed that. Thanks, Maggie.”

“So, apart from the mystery guest, you’ve got the rest of the details nailed down?” Maggie’s golden-brown eyes scanned the laptop’s screen.

“Of course. We’ve got the sponsors lined up. We’ve got the extra help for streets to get the decorations up. We’ve got the paperwork for most of the street vendors.”

“Most?”

“Dumbrauskas isn’t in, but they promised to have it here by tomorrow.” Carol swept a long lock of honey blonde hair behind her ear. “Don’t worry. Everything is under control.”

“I know. I know.” The mayor winced as she straightened up. “God, it sucks getting old.”

Carol locked her laptop and folded it into a case. “What are you talking about? You’re only—”

“Twenty-nine.” The mayor pursed her lips and shot a glance at Carol’s assistant.

Sarah grabbed her coat and headed for the door. “Gotta freshen up before we visit the bakery.”

“I’ll meet you outside.” Carol called after her. “Do you get a kick out of scaring her?”

“She needs to toughen up if she’s going to go into business for herself.” Maggie tugged at her blazer. “I like her, but it is fun watching her jump out of her skin.”

“You’re terrible.” Carol slid into her long coat. “I’ll let you know who it is as soon as I find out. Okay?”

“I don’t see why it has to be so hush-hush.”

“Who knows? They’re world-famous superheroes. I’m sure that even the hint of a rumor that one of them is going to show up sets the paparazzi and the superfans into high gear.”

“Ah, nuts.” The mayor grimaced. “Are you sure this is a good idea? I didn’t realize it was going to draw a bunch of yahoos.”

“More hotel rooms filled means more revenue for local business. More revenue for local business means more taxes to pay for next year’s Jingle Bell Jubilee. Maybe we should invite a movie star to be MC.” Carol shouldered her laptop case and headed for the door.

“Hmm, we’ll see how we get through this year’s entourage before we invite that kind of trouble.” She shook her head. “I just can’t get that nagging feeling to clear out.”

Carol studied the mayor. “Come on, Maggie. I’ve got this. What’s to worry about?”

“You heard about what happened in Wyoming Pass.”

“Sure, and so has the Chief, the Staties and the Feds. Nobody heard from the Krampus Gang last year. Slipstream zoomed in and they all got arrested. I’m sure word got around not to pull that kind of trick again.”

The mayor flicked the light off as she followed Carol out of the room. “Honey, the Chief couldn’t catch a cold. If somebody tries something—”

“There will be a full-fledged Sentinel right here. We won’t even have to wait for Slipstream to zip in from Empire City. Whoever it is will be right here, ensuring our safety. That’s part of the reason we tried getting a Sentinel to be our master of ceremonies. Right?” Carol headed down the hall.

The mayor shrugged and watched her go. “Bring me back some cookies.” Carol disappeared through the double doors to the foyer of City Hall.

“Waiting outside was not an option.” Sarah stood up from the cushioned bench near the front doors.

“It’s not that cold.” Carol led her outside. “Oh my, it is that cold.”

“The wind picked up since this morning. Want me to drive?”

“It’s only two blocks or so. We can make it.”

“Really? It’s five blocks if it’s an inch.” Sarah pulled a forest green knit cap over her bright red hair. “I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not have Rudolph’s red nose when I meet an actual Sentinel.”

“Good point, but it’s a shame to lose a decent parking spot.” Carol tugged her collar up around her cheeks.

“Best foot forward, boss.” Sarah darted for her car. “You’ve got shotgun.”

Carol smiled as she followed her assistant to the sporty little coupe. They gunned the heat before she put it in gear and headed down to the bakery.

“So, who do you think it will be?” Sarah watched the traffic light, waiting for it to turn green.

“I don’t know one from the other.” Carol dropped the sun visor to check her lipstick. “Jeb and Aundrea are friends with them somehow. They did all the legwork on this. I asked for a superhero and they ran with it.”

“And they did you a huge favor by putting whoever it is up at their place for the month. The per diem would have taken a massive bite out of the budget.”

“Green. Okay, now you have me anxious about it. I wonder who it is going to be.”

Sarah cruised up the block, scanning for a parking spot near the bakery. “Not sure.”

“You know these guys?”

“I looked over their site a few times.” She pulled in. “Got a quarter?”

“Sure, I’ve got it.” She opened a Velcro pocket on her laptop case. “Gee, I’m getting nervous now.”

“Don’t sweat it, boss. We’ve got this.” Sarah opened her door.

“Ah, this wind!” Carol hurried from the car to the door of Angel Kakes. She shivered as she scanned the bakery for a familiar face.

Jeb was a hard guy to miss. He was a mountain of muscle tucked in a flannel shirt. The guy standing beside him was studying the cupcake display. He was of average height with a slim build. His black hair contrasted with his fair complexion.

Sarah elbowed her. “Wow, that’s Megaman.”

“Who is?” Carol leaned in to whisper in her ear.

“The guy standing with Jeb.”

“He’s a superhero?”

“Yeah, you’d think he’d be taller.” Sarah tucked her hat in her pocket.