Christmas Magic

By Colleen Key, Jamie K. Schmidt, Angela Scavone and 3 more

Escape into a world of pure holiday romance full of festive cheer and twinkling lights to warm your heart and leave you longing for more.

Christmas Magic features the following stories by these authors:

A Christmas Countdown by Angela Scavone
A Rockstar Wish by Colleen Key
The Christmas Spell by Lore Nicole
All I Want for Christmas by Bliss Stirling
Sugar Plum Fae by Jamie K. Schmidt
Tinseltown Wish by Nikki Fray

We hope you enjoy falling in love with our stories as you follow along with these charming characters and the stories they share with us.

Christmas Magic is a limited edition anthology full of stories where holiday magic overcomes the odds and happy ever after exists with a little help from Santa and his elves. You'll also find series starters for our Wishing for Love shared world. Grab it today and wrap yourself in holiday spirit!

• Language: English
• Publisher: 918 Publishing
• Release date: Jul 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224947164

Book preview

HEAT LEVEL ONE

A black and white design Description automatically generated

The Christmas Countdown

by Angela Scavone

A black and white design Description automatically generated

Chapter One

A black snowflake with swirls Description automatically generated

December thirteenth of this year was an interesting day; I worked at my grandma's quilt shop, I almost got robbed, I saved a man's life, and... I met the Devil.

The day started like any other. It was close to Christmas, and my grandmother’s quilt shop was decked out in decorations from the front windows to the back and everywhere in between. It was a simple country shop. The walls on either side were covered in shelves of quilt fabrics, and the wall to the left had a cutting table and the cash area. In the middle of the shop were six tables with two quilt machines each on them; this was for when Grandma Gigi gave classes or for those who didn't have quilt machines in the town to come and use one. The front of the store had floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass door right by the cash counter. The back wall was the same as the front, with a door that led to a back parking lot.

Audrey, darling, my grandmother said as she maneuvered herself through the back door with arms full of Tupperware containers, can you help me bring all this stuff in, please?

Of course, I tied my long, brown hair streaked with blonde highlights into a ponytail, went through the back door to her parked car, and grabbed the rest of the medium sized round Christmas tin containers. It was chilly out but I hadn’t grabbed my coat, there was minimal snow on the ground and I figured I would be okay without one.

It's going to be a great day! Grandma Gigi announced when I came back into the store. It was close to opening, and we had no customers in the store yet.

I put most of the containers behind the cash register counter as Grandma Gigi opened several of them and placed them on the cash counter.

There, she said as she proudly looked over all her homemade Christmas cookies and squares, anyone needing a treat this morning can have one.

Grandma, you always go overboard with these treats every year at Christmas.

Yes, but it makes people happy, that’s why I bring them in every day in December. We will put the rest on the cutting table before this afternoon's class.

That afternoon, as fate would have it, the store was having a hand quilting lesson. It was for anyone in the town to join in and either get help with their current hand quilting project or learn how to do it. Ten women signed up, so the class was pretty much full, which made Grandma Gigi very happy.

She stood in the middle of the store and just looked around with the most content smile I had ever seen on her. What a year it has been, she said. Who would've thought that after your grandfather died, I could have made something of this store.

Grandma, Grandpa died twenty years ago, and you've had this store for almost thirty years.

I know; I just like to be grateful every year around this time. This was another successful year, and I know your grandpa and your mother are looking down on us smiling.

I shook my head and laughed, Mom isn't dead, Grandma.

I know. Technically, she isn't, but we haven't seen her for years, so she might as well be.

I rolled my eyes. My parents divorced when I was young; my father disappeared, and my mother was supposed to work with my grandmother at the quilt shop. She opted to move to California to pursue an acting career and left me to be raised by my grandparents. She never became an actress but married a rich finance investor, and instead of having me move in with them, she opted to help raise his three children from a previous marriage. She sent money every month first to my grandparents to help raise me, and once I turned twenty, the money started coming directly to me. The money had put me through college, where I got my legal degree, but I realized I still wanted to help my grandmother with her shop. Now that I was in my thirties, I did help people around town with legal advice occasionally, but my focus was on the quilt shop.

Let's not focus on her, Grandma Gigi. We have much better things to think about. I tried to get her off the topic.

Good point. Let's unlock the front door and start the day.

A black and white design Description automatically generated

In the afternoon, I was sitting at one of the tables helping a woman with her hand quilting and showing her the basics when I looked through the front windows. I saw two guys in their thirties aggressively walking toward the store from across the street. I didn't recognize them, and I had a bad feeling.

Grandma Gigi, I called over to her.

She caught my eye from across the room, and I nodded toward the front window, but before I could say anything else, the two men were in the door. One was tall and lanky; he immediately went to the back of the store and blocked the back door, as the store was on the smaller side he was able to reach the door in seconds. The other man was tall and rather good-looking. He was blonde and had a classically handsome, movie star face. Both were wearing caps, but we could see their faces. The good-looking one went to the cash register. Then, both pulled out guns.

This is a robbery, the one at the cash announced to the store, everyone stay calm, and we will be out of here fast.

Chapter Two

A black snowflake with swirls Description automatically generated

Gasps could be heard from all the old ladies at the tables and they began to panic and all speak at once.

Quiet! The thief at the cash yelled as he held his gun above his head, Or I'll be forced to use this and I don't want to.

Everyone, please listen to him and be quiet. I was sitting at the table closest to the cash and I would likely be the first one shot, so I needed everyone to stay calm.

My grandmother sat down at the table she was at and gave me a look of utter despair.

This is just a simple small-town quilt shop, I said to the thief nearest me, we don't have a lot of money on hand.

No worries, he said as he expertly opened the register and started riffling through the money, this will do just fine.

Unfortunately, for my grandmother and I, it was the Christmas season and people were spending a ton of money at the store. There was easily over two thousand dollars in the cash register.

What's this? He pointed to all the treats on the cash counter.

Those are treats for customers! Grandma Gigi yelled from the other side of the room emphasizing the word customers.

Can I have one? he asked.

You're stealing money from the cash, I began, but, you're asking for a free baked good.

Oh yeah, he said as the realization came over his face at the irony.

He took one of the squares out of the tin. It was a three layer square with chocolate, graham cracker crumbs and coconut on the bottom, custard in the middle, and melted chocolate on the top.

Oh my God, he exclaimed, what are these?

In our family, we call them New York Special but the rest of the world calls them Nanaimo bars, Grandma Gigi answered.

They are incredible. Doug, he called to his partner, you gotta try one of these.

Doug gave him a nasty look, Ryan, I told you not to use our names.

Oh yeah, sorry.

I put my head on the desk. Clearly, we were working with morons here.

Ooh these are delicious too, Ryan cooed as he bit into a shortbread. Who made all of these?

I did, My grandmother proudly announced from where she was sitting.

You, my lady, are one hell of a cook.

My grandmother turned a light shade of pink and smiled.

If you like that, young man, you should try some of the cherry heaven bars I brought, Mildred Pennefather shouted from her place next to my grandmother, they're over there on the cutting table, the one in the green tin.

Ryan diligently went over and took a cherry heaven bar and bit into it, Oh my God. He closed his eyes as if in heaven.

See, Mildred responded, I told you they were good.

Suddenly all the ladies that had brought treats were piping up telling him what to eat next.

What was happening here? Did they all lose their minds and forget we were being robbed?

Okay, okay, Ryan laughed, putting his hands up, I'll try them all. Hang on.

Seriously what was going on?

The old ladies in the class started speaking to each other about what they made and how he liked theirs better. I took the opportunity to hurry the thieves along.

Uh, excuse me, Ryan? I had held up a pattern paper beside my face so no one else could see me talking to him.

Yeah? He asked with a mouthful of Christmas fudge. His partner Doug was now beside him sampling the desserts as well.

Do you think maybe you should get out of here before one of these old ladies calls the cops? I gave him a go-out-the-door look.

I can't leave until I've tried them all, I can't disappoint them, he whispered back to me.

Seriously, I plead, I just wanted them and their guns to go away, hurry up.

You know for someone whose store is being robbed, you're acting kind of nice to me. Why?

Honestly, I continued to loudly whisper, I just want this over with and you both out of here.

Yeah well, Ryan again speaking with a mouth full of cranberry lemon square, I don't want to leave until I've sampled all the goo—

Suddenly he was choking and grabbing at his throat, Doug not paying attention continued eating his way down the table.

Oh my God! I jumped up from the table and ran over to him. By the time I got to him, he was on the floor and starting to turn blue. Someone call nine one one, I shouted.

What's happening? Doug asked, leaning down on the floor next to me.

I tried doing the Heimlich manoeuvre but because he was lying down I wasn't sure how. Hold him up, I shouted at Doug.

By the time Doug and I fumbled through it, Ryan had passed out. I tried doing CPR and chest compressions on him but nothing was working. I checked his pulse just to make sure he still had one.

Oh no, I said, standing up and taking a step back, "he's dead.

Chapter Three

A black snowflake with swirls Description automatically generated

The lady on the phone, my grandmother yelled, says to keep doing CPR on him until the ambulance gets here.

I immediately fled into action and once again started CPR.

Come on, Ryan, Doug pleaded, you can't leave me here alone, man, come on.

There was a commotion behind me but I didn't stop, I was told to continue the CPR so that was what I was doing.

What the hell? I heard Doug yell, You called the cops too?

Well, I was on the phone with nine one one anyway. I heard my grandmother respond and then I blocked out the yelling and focused on my task.

Suddenly, Ryan was breathing again and his eyes flew open. He didn't move from his position and just stared at me.

They were playing funeral music, he said.

Yes, that tends to happen when you die, I said. But, no one here was playing music.

No, not here. Ryan slowly started to sit up, I helped him and held his shoulder while he leaned against me. Then this guy came, he continued, he was wearing a black suit with red edging all around it.

That sounds tacky. I tried to joke as the conversation was starting to feel creepy.

You'd think so, but it was actually quite classy-looking. He shook his head. It was so hot, like screaming hot. I was sweating.

Are you sure you want to tell me all this? I asked, but he seemed not to hear me and continued speaking.

The guy in the suit said I had one chance. If I did twenty good things a day between now and Christmas Eve, then I could stay here and continue my life.

My eyes widened. Was he for real right now?

Then he said, Ryan continued, if I don't complete those good things then I will immediately die again and go live for eternity where it was so hot. He looked at me. What do you think that means?

Uh, well, I stammered. I think maybe your heart stopped and you had a bizarre dream? I asked not wanting to think any of that had actually occurred in the time he was out.

He looked at the palm of his left hand. It's still there.

What is? I glanced at his palm but couldn't see anything.

Can't you see the light?

No. I was starting to think he was having some neurological issues from being dead.

Is he okay now? I heard a booming voice standing over us. I looked up to see two police officers standing behind Ryan.

Yes, he seems to have recovered but will need medical attention, I answered.

Okay, the cop waved someone over, once he gets checked out at the hospital we will then bring him into the police station.

No, Ryan was suddenly animated, I can't go with you, I have a job to do.

Kind of too bad, buddy, the cop responded, you shouldn't have robbed a store in my jurisdiction then.

No, seriously, Ryan started to pull away from the cop, pushing into my side, he turned to me. You have to do this for me please, until I can get out and finish it myself.

No, I answered, backing away, why should I?

Please, he begged. In his last attempt before the cop put him in handcuffs, he grabbed my left hand and rubbed his left palm into my palm and said, I am passing it to you, please do this for me. You are, literally, holding my life in the palm of your hand.

The cop then grabbed his left wrist and secured him in handcuffs. After he was dragged away I looked down at my hand, from the center there was now a bright, white/yellow light emanating from it.

What was that about? Grandma Gigi asked.

I showed her the light in my palm.

An empty hand?

You can't see the light? I asked her. How could she not see it? It was so bright, it looked like the Christmas star on top of the tree on the other side of the room.

What light? Dear, did you hit your head when you were helping him? she asked. The ambulance is still here. I can have them check you as well.

No, Grandma, it's okay I'm fine, I said and closed my hand so I didn't look ridiculous staring at it.

The rest of the afternoon was a blur. I gave a statement to the police about what had happened, but I left out the crazy part about the conversation after he woke up. My grandmother had to go down to the police station to officially identify Doug as one of the robbers, so I was left to clean and lock up the store. By the time I left around six o'clock, the sun was long gone for the day and a light snow had started falling. I began my walk through the small town business area and headed home toward the quieter streets. Almost all the shops had closed for the day except for Milly's restaurant and the Sheppard's grocery store.

All the shops had Christmas lights glowing in the windows, the town signs were all lit up and the town square was all decked out in lights as well. With the falling snow, it was a magical sight. I started replaying the day's events in my head and I was so grateful that things had worked out the way they did. It could've been a lot worse. When they robbed the store they could have shot someone. Ryan could've actually died or stayed dead—whichever you wish to believe—and they could have gotten away with the thousands from the cash register. However, none of that played out. The money was recovered, and my grandmother took it directly to the bank on her way to the police station, and more importantly, Ryan was alive. Not that I knew the guy, but I still didn't want someone dying on my watch.

So, you've taken on his tasks, have you? said a voice next to me, making me jump. Where had he come from?

He was a rather tall man, easily six foot five, with short dark hair, incredibly good looking and wearing a black suit with a red trim.

Chapter Four

A black snowflake with swirls Description automatically generated

What? You scared the hell out of me, I said.

That's my job. He smiled. It was the greatest smile I had ever seen, yet there was something dark behind it.

That suit does look classy, I said without stopping myself. I shook my head. What was going on?

It's a big task. Are you up for it? Twenty nice things a day for people from now until Christmas Eve.

Are you serious? This isn't really a thing, Is it? I asked, hoping he would say it was a joke. I started walking again toward the edge of town, to the residential area sneaking a peek at my palm. The light still there.

Sorry, Audrey, this is all too real. You are literally holding his life in your hand, so it's up to you.

Twenty nice things a day? How is that even possible? I have a full-time job, you know. I tried to find any reason to get out of this ridiculous situation. What happens if I say no?

He dies on Christmas Eve at midnight. He was point-blank in his response. This led me to believe that maybe this could be real, and I wasn't on some candid camera show.

I stopped walking and took in the enormity of what that meant. This man, who I don't even know, has asked me to save his life for a second time.

To be fair, you didn't save his life today, he said. I gave him his life back. That's the only reason your CPR worked.

How do you know what I was thinking? Seriously? He can read thoughts?

Yes, I can hear your thoughts,

I thought about this for a minute, as I knew someone was listening. If I ignored this light, then this man would die on Christmas Eve, or I could do some nice things for people and give him his life back, which involved robbing little grandmothers in small towns.

What he does is rather despicable. He stated.

What do you want with him anyway? I asked. Even though he hadn't introduced himself properly, for some reason, I knew I was speaking with the Devil, and I couldn't stop myself from questioning or challenging him.

He didn't respond. He just stared at me.

Okay, what if I say I will do this for him? What constitutes a nice thing? I asked. If I was going to do this, I had to know the boundaries.

What? he asked, sounding surprised.

What are the rules? I asked again, this time a little more slowly for him to understand.

He looked at me in disbelief. No one has ever asked about the rules before.

I want to make sure what I am doing is classified as being a nice thing or not. I don't want the next couple of weeks to think I'm doing nice things, and it ends up not being part of the rules. I want clear boundaries, and I want them written down.

I'm impressed, he said, staring at me with a slight smile. Alright, let's begin then.

A sparkling swirling light appeared before us and then a scroll formed from the light, floating in front of us above the street. It was lit in a heavenly glow, which was ironic, seeing as who I was talking to, and beside it was a feathered pen at the ready to write. My eyes widened, but I kept my composure.

Doing something nice for someone is determined by how it makes the other person feel, he stated.

This is all based on the feelings of the person I am nice to? I questioned.

Not nice to, he corrected, do a nice thing for. There's a difference.

And that is rule number one, I said, pointing at the scroll.

The magic pen began to write the number one and the rule beside it.

Okay, I continued, what if the person is a miserable human being, and nothing you do for them makes them happy?

Then you should try with someone else and not waste your time.

That's a bit harsh, I complained, doing nice things for unhappy people should still be considered.

No. He was being a bit unyielding, which was frustrating. It's December thirteenth. Starting tomorrow, you only have ten days to save this man's life. Do you seriously want to waste your energy on someone miserable?

I gave him an evil smile. And there's rule number two. Timelines. I pointed to the scroll. The time set is set as December fourteenth to the twenty-fourth. Challenging the Devil was somewhat fun. I knew I shouldn't have enjoyed it so much, but I did.

He stopped walking. You're a clever one, aren't you?

I smiled and continued walking with the scroll ahead of me, magically scribbling the new rule. I didn't need you to tell me at the end that I hadn't completed my twenty things on day one, being today, the thirteenth. I wanted to make sure tomorrow was the starting line.

Well played, my dear. He caught up to me and fell in step with me again.

Also, I think doing something nice for someone who isn't appreciative of it should count.

He began to rub the bridge of his nose. I think I may have been annoying him, but I was good with it. Fine, let's compromise, which, by the way, I don't often do; if you do something nice for a miserable human being and they appreciate it, then it will count as double.

That works. I pointed to the scroll, and it began to write. Am I the only one that can see the scroll?

Yes, you are the only one that can see me and the scroll.

Good. I want it here and counting the nice things. I demanded. I want to know that what I've done counts.

No.

Why not? I retorted.

Because no one has ever asked for that before, and it's not part of what I do.

I stopped walking and grabbed his arm to stop him beside me, and I faced him. Just because no one has ever asked for that before doesn't mean it can't be done. I'm asking for it now. I want to make sure that all will be counted and fairly.

He stood staring at me for a moment. Fine, he conceded.

The scroll once again began writing the newest rule.

I have to be going. I have other pressing matters.

No, wait, I pleaded. One more rule, please?

What do you want? He sighed. I started to think I really was annoying him.

I want Ryan to help me.

Absolutely not. Only one person takes on the task.

It's his life. Why can't he help? I asked.

Because you are the one holding his life force, not him, which means you are the one that has to complete them. He pointed to the scroll, and the pen wrote down the rule. You are in charge of his life. Do with it what you will.

With that, he was gone, he completed disappeared.

Chapter Five

A black snowflake with swirls Description automatically generated

Ten Days Until Christmas Eve

The next morning, I knew what I had to do. I found out what time Ryan's court appearance was, and I headed down to the courthouse. I told Grandma Gigi that I was going to be late for work.

I ran up the steps of the town courthouse with my magical scroll friend beside me and entered the courtroom.

Ryan sat at a table in front of the judge and saw me enter. He looked desperate to speak to me and started mouthing words. I just shrugged, mouthed I don't know what you are saying, and took a seat in the galley.

He pleaded, not guilty. This astounded me since he actually did rob my grandmother's store and would've walked away with the money if he hadn't died and gone to hell and back...literally.

Bail was set at three thousand dollars for him and Doug each. I went to the bailiff and asked if I could pay for Ryan's release, which was thankfully only half that amount.

You sure you want to do that? The bailiff asked.

Yes. I went and paid the fee and Ryan was released into my custody.

You paid my bail? Ryan asked when he was brought to me.

You are released into this nice woman's custody. Don't do anything stupid. The cop cut Ryan off as he handed him his belongings.

Why did you pay for me to get out? Ryan asked while we walked down the courthouse steps.

Because you are going to help me with these nice things I have to do. For you.

Well, I am so thankful to you for getting me out, he said as they got to the sidewalk.

I stopped walking and looked at the scroll.

The scroll did nothing.

Well? I said He is thankful and feels happy doesn't that count?

It sighed deeply as if it was reluctant but, it still scribbled the date December fourteen and a one underneath it.

Thank you. I started to walk down the sidewalk heading toward my grandmother's shop.

What the hell was that all about? he asked.

Oh right, you can't see it. I then told him all about the visit I had the night before and what the scroll was there for.

So you can see it right now? he asked.

Yes, it's right there. I pointed at it.

Shouldn't I be able to see it too so that I can make sure we are on track? It is my life.

I'll see what I can do in my next conversation with the man in the suit. I wasn’t sure how I knew he would come back but I hoped.

Where are you going? Don't you have nineteen more things to do today? He sounded desperate.

I have to work, I will try to get as many nice things as possible while at work.

That's your plan? He asked, sounding panicked.

Yes, I opened the door to the shop, it's amazing how many nice things you can do for people when you have an actual job.

What is he doing here? Grandma Gigi demanded as soon as we walked into the store. A few customers were milling about looking at fabric but didn't take any notice.

He is out on bail and will be helping us at the store every day now until Christmas Eve as part of his release conditions, I responded as I put my purse behind the counter and took my coat off.

He is?

I am?

They both asked at the same time.

Yes. I glared at him.

I don't know anything about fabric or sewing, he complained. Wouldn't our time be better spent out doing things for people?

No, we have to be here until five o'clock and we will try to get in as many things as possible during that time, I repeated. See those boxes piled up at the back?

Yeah.

Go unpack them and put the fabric in the empty cubby space on the wall, I ordered.

Seriously? He started to laugh. You can't be serious.

I gave him my sternest face.

Okay, okay I'm going. Off he went to open and unpack the boxes.

The tingling of the bells announced a customer's arrival, I turned to see who it was.

Mrs. Farnsworth, how can I do a nice thing for you today? I asked.

Hello dear, I am here to get some—Oh my.

What? What's wrong? I asked.

Is that the man that tried to rob the store yesterday? What in heaven's name is he doing working here? she asked.

It's part of his release conditions, I responded hoping his being in the store wasn't going to be an issue with the customers.

The courts these days, Mrs. Farnsworth began, In my day if you robbed a store they put you in a cell and left you there to rot. It was the best form of punishment.

My eyebrows raised at her. Well, nowadays they take a gentler approach to try and rehabilitate the offender.

That's the problem with this generation, all pansy asses. If he had robbed my store, I would've taken a baseball bat to his giblets. In fact, I still just might. She glared at him from across the store.

My jaw hit the floor. I had never heard her speak like that before, it was a bit unnerving. Vigilante old ladies running around town was not something I had thought of before

Isabelle, my grandma joined us, how are you today?

Gigi, I cannot believe you are allowing that man to work in your store. I hope that shelf falls on him. She then went to look at the fabric on the opposite side of the store as Ryan.

I gave my grandmother a shocked expression.

Oh ignore Isabelle, she's a bit feisty.

A bit? She threatened to beat his giblets with a baseball bat.

That makes sense, Grandma Gigi replied. That's what she did when she caught her ex-husband cheating on her.

Again my jaw hit the floor. I've lived here almost my whole life and didn't know that, what the hell?

Chapter Six

A black snowflake with swirls Description automatically generated

Mrs. Farnsworth, I called from the other side of the store, let me help you take all that out to your car.

She was saddled with several bulky bags of fabric and she seemed to be struggling.

Oh thank you, dear, that is very kind of you, she said as we went out the front door.

I gave the scroll a knowing look and the pen took a deep reluctant sigh and marked another one under the date.

If that thief gives you any problems, you know what to do? Mrs. Farnsworth asked as I was closing her trunk for her.

Yeah, I thought to myself, ignore the light and let him die on Christmas Eve.

I'm pretty sure he will behave himself, I replied, almost like his life depends on it. I smiled to myself and the scroll laughed.

How does a scroll laugh you ask? He bent over and jingled sparkles everywhere. I walked back into the store after saying goodbye to Mrs. Farnsworth, proud of myself that I made the scroll laugh.

The rest of the day was spent bringing packages and bags out to cars, helping people with their projects, entertaining babies in strollers while moms shopped and showing as much kindness as possible. The scroll had nineteen on the list by the time I closed up shop at five o'clock.

So? What's our total for the day so far? Ryan asked as we walked out of the store.

Nineteen.

Woot! He hollered and jumped up and down. Right on! Let's go to a bar and celebrate.

What are we celebrating exactly? I asked him as I turned left to walk toward home. I always closed the store and my grandmother would leave at three. She would go home to rest and then make her and me dinner. I know I'm spoiled. We still have one more task to do today, and it's only the first day. There are nine more days to go.

Yeah, but if it's this easy then this will be a breeze, Ryan said, almost skipping along beside me.

I don't think it's meant to be easy. I stopped walking and turned to him, I think it's supposed to teach you a lesson.

I know, be kind to others, stop being a douche thief. I get it. He rolled his eyes.

Do you? I asked, I did all the work today and not once did you offer to help me.

It doesn't count when I do them.

I took a deep sigh and began walking again, frustrated that he wasn't getting it.

Irritating isn't he? asked the man in the suit, who was all of a sudden beside me.

Incredibly, I responded. Why did you give him a second chance if he isn't understanding and it's only the first day?

What? Ryan asked. I forgot he couldn't see the other man.

It takes a while for some people to change. He isn't going to make this miraculous switchover on the first day. He laughed. You didn't think he would, did you?

Well, I thought he would at least see how hard it is to always do kind things for people and do them anyway regardless if they count for him or not.

You thought I would do what? Ryan asked again.

Shush, I replied to him. I'm speaking with someone else.

Oh my God. Ryan took a step back away from me and had a look of utter terror on his face. Is HE here right now?

Yes, and we're trying to talk, I scolded.

People like him don't see the error of their ways usually, the suited man said.

I stopped and stared at him. Do you always win these things?

He followed my lead and he held my gaze. Always.

I turned and looked at Ryan who was several yards back still looking terrified and not moving. I thought for a few seconds, he looked like he could change.

Look at how scared he is by his fate, I said, pointing to Ryan. I have faith he can change. But, I don't think he will unless some of the tasks can be counted by him.

No.

That's it? Just no? I demanded. I was getting angry at his tone. I thought this was a negotiation?

You thought wrong.

I folded my arms across my chest and glared at him, as good looking as he was he was very frustrating. He was around six feet tall, he had short, wavy dark hair and piercing green eyes.

Thank you for the compliment about my looks, but I will not change my mind. That isn't part of the deal. I’m already angry enough that he passed on the deal to you but now we are stuck with this situation.

I hate the fact you can read my thoughts. I retorted.

It's a fun part of the job. He smiled at me, a brilliant smile. I believe you have one more task to do today, so I will leave you to it. Good night. With that, he was gone.

He's gone, I called to Ryan.

He took a deep sigh and caught up to me. We stood facing each other on the sidewalk, Christmas lights on all the shop windows and light snow had begun to fall.

You realize how serious this is don't you? I asked him point blank. You do realize that if we don't complete these tasks every day as soon as midnight hits on Christmas Eve that man will come for you? If you are scared now, imagine what that will be like.

His eyes grew wide, That will not be good. He licked his lips. My mouth just went dry. I need water. He turned to see a convenience store ahead and bolted into it.

I followed him and by the time I got into the store, he was already paying for a bottle of water and drinking it at the same time.

Oh hey, Audrey, how are you? the young teenage girl behind the counter asked.

Hi, Charlotte. How are you?

She started doing a little dance. I have to pee like the dickens but my manager is out picking up dinner for us, so I have to wait.

I can watch the store for you while you go, I offered.

You would do that for me?

Of course. I stepped behind the cash counter. Go, I got this.

Oh my God, thank you. She sounded so relieved. Don't worry about putting anything through the cash I'll be back in a jiffy.

She took off running to the back of the store as Ryan glanced at the cash register.

Don't get any ideas, I scolded. It had been a long day and my patience was wearing thin.

I'm not. What? he stammered.

I can see the wheels turning in your head about robbing the store. Get that thought out of your head. I turned to the scroll. Are you writing?

The pen jumped into action and Ryan drank more of his water.

Chapter Seven

A black snowflake with swirls Description automatically generated

Seven Days Until Christmas Eve

You've been getting into a groove the past few days, said the man with the suit.

It was a few days later, and I was walking home alone. We had completed the twenty nice things early that night, and Ryan took off to a bar outside of town while the scroll disappeared for the night. He did that when we were done with the tasks and then reappeared the next day ready to work.

"Yeah, I think I'm starting