When they finished eating and the bill was paid, Declan led Raquel from Santa’s Cafe and out into the snow to the waiting limousine, quickly opened the door, and let Raquel slide in first.

“Where to, Mr. Jones?” the driver asked, looking at him in the rearview mirror.

Declan sighed. “To the North Pole Lodge.”

“Yes, sir.” As the driver pulled away from the curb, Declan knew that the fairy tale day with Raquel was about to come to an end.

Declan looked over at Raquel and one corner of his lips curled into a smile. “Well, I think we’ve played hooky long enough. Time to go back and face...