Three Christmas Wishes. Sheila Roberts

would be nice,” Noel admitted. “But I’ll settle for a house.”

      “You don’t believe in love?” Santa asked. “Or maybe you don’t believe in Santa.”

      Noel’s face turned as red as the old guy’s suit.

      “That’s fine,” he said. “We’ll make a believer out of you. I have the perfect man in mind.”

      “There’s no such thing,” Riley muttered.

      “The one I have in mind for you will be,” Santa said, drawing her onto his other leg. “You be on the lookout. You’re going to find yours in quite a memorable way.” He smiled at Noel. “You’ve already met yours.”

      Noel gaped and he chuckled.

      “Oh, you’re really good,” said Jo.

      “I try to be. Now, as for you, young lady.”

      She cut him off. “I already have a man.”

      “Yes, you do, and he’s the perfect man for you. But you have another one who’s going to arrive any minute.”

      Okay, this guy was creepy.

      “Oooh,” Jo wailed and Riley turned to see her looking down at her wet pants in disgust. “My water broke,” she announced.

      “What!” Riley jumped up.

      “Get me out of here!” Jo demanded.

      “Don’t panic,” Riley said. Where had she parked her car?

      “We can be at the hospital in ten minutes.” Noel took Jo’s arm as if she was an invalid. Riley took her other arm and they rushed her off the platform.

      “Ho, ho, ho,” chuckled Santa. “Hope he waits that long.”