Santa's Daughter (1st bk of Santa Series) (Completed)

Chapter 23 (Edited)

"So how did it go?" Mom asked, jokingly as I climbed into the truck. There was a tick in her jaw, and something told me that she didn't like it that I had been alone and close to them.

"It went fine, I guess," I said, frowning at the way she tensed. "You aren't telling me something." I hoped that she would, but something told me that she wouldn't by the fact that she pressed her lips together.

"So, why is it that Miss Perfect got to talk to the new guy and not me?" Madison asked, sounding rather jealous.

I turned to look at her, shocked at her behavior. She knew that I loved someone, even though I wasn't going to try anything first. She should, also, know that I was not perfect in any way. "Wait, what?"

"You heard," Madison said. "You were talking to Cale, and you got pissed-"

"Because, I do not trust him," I interrupted. I moved a hand through my hair, feeling annoyed with her and for the fact that I couldn't seem to understand why I didn't trust him except for the fact that Mika said he smelt like "magic". "I do not want you to get hurt, and I am not perfect."

"Oh, yes you are," Madison replied. "You can ride like the wind. You can talk to horses and other animals. You can-"

"I am an overly conceited ass who doesn't know how to be a Clause and know if I will even try to help make toys and take over my father's "business"," I replied, bluntly, causing Tyan to snicker. "I have made more mistakes than anyone, trying to prove that I am a good person when in reality, I do not know what the heck I am doing most days. I am too prideful to admit when I have made a mistake and will try to do something to make it better but make it worse."

"But-"

I shook my head. "There are no buts, Madison. I am not perfect. I have never been perfect." I moved a hand through my hair, again, and sighed. "I just want to make sure that the people that I love are cared about. I do not want to see them get hurt." A headache appeared out of nowhere and rubbed my forehead. "And, I am sorry that I seem to be pushing him away, but my gut says not to trust him."

Madison sighed and tossed something into my lap. "And, I guess that means that I can't trust him either," she muttered, causing me to nod my head. "I don't understand why because he is so cute."

I rolled my eyes and looked to see that Madison had given me a granola bar. "Oh, young love," I said, sarcastically eating it. "Don't do anything stupid that will cause me to risk my butt to save yours."

"Hey, my butt doesn't need to be saved from some random guy that tried to hook up with you," Madison shot back, making me turn around to look at her with a raised eyebrow. "Hey, I am just saying that I have goods as well."

"Madison Claire!" I exclaimed, my face turning bright red. I turned towards the front, covering my face.

"And we all have an "innocent" friend," Madison laughed, causing John to snicker. "But, come on, we all know that you have an eye for someone."

I bit my lip and looked down, blushing a bit more. Ya, except for the person that I like, I thought, clearing my throat. I looked up and grinned when I saw the sign indicating that we were at the sale barn. "Finally," I breathed in relief. "I hope that Big Henry isn't here and not his brother."

Mom snorted. "I am sure that they are both here, Mary," she said. "So, I expect you on your best behavior."

I gave her a pointed look. "Not with Barney, Mom," I replied. "Not with Barney."