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  Joy

  Shawn Bailey

  Joy

  Copyright © 2019, Shawn Bailey

  Published by Painted Hearts Publishing

  About the Book You Have Purchased

  All rights reserved. Without reserving the rights under copyright, reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or any other means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. Such action is in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law.

  Unauthorized reproduction of distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Joy

  Copyright © 2019 Shawn Bailey

  Author: Shawn Bailey

  Publication Date: December 2019

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2019 by Painted Hearts Publishing

  Cover design by E Keith

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  Chapter One

  “Help!”

  The cry for help resonated across Kringle’s Department Store as Kristopher walked with his older brother, Lucas.

  “Help!”

  The Marine in him jumped into action. Kris broke out running in the direction of the pitiful sound. When he arrived at its source, he saw were two men dressed as elves hopping around and pointing up at something.

  “Oh my lord, it’s Jessie,” Lucas said.

  Kris looked up just in time to see a ladder move and something came torpedoing in his direction. All he could make out at first was a pair of red and white striped stockings. Someone had fallen off the ladder and would be hurt if he didn’t do something fast. The ladder hit the floor first. Kris stretched out his arms a moment before a body slammed into him. Kris kept his balance. The sound of people applauding broke his concentration. Kris looked down to see was holding a red-clad elf. The young man had his eyes closed tightly. “You can open your eyes. You’re safe.”

  Ivory lids slid back, revealing light green peepers.

  The thud of his own heart matched the one he felt from the elf. Kris gazed down into the face of the person he knew he would spend the rest of his life with.

  “Thank you for saving me.”

  That melodic tenor voice made Kris weak in the knees and powerful in another area below his belt. He saw the moment Jessie realized that something was prodding him in his hip. The elf’s look went from surprise to a shy smile. Jessie’s cheeks flushed pink. Kris gently put him down. The elf tried to adjust his costume to cover his own arousal. Kris lifted his gaze to give him some privacy and not call attention to the situation.

  “What were you doing up there?” Kris asked as his heart filled with great joy.

  “I was trying to put the star on the top of the tree.”

  Lucas rescued the ladder and stood it up.

  Kris frowned. That tree had to be at least ten feet tall. “No offense, but that’s a job for someone taller.”

  The other two elves were fan-boy gazing at Kris like he was some type of super hero. Both were really cute and shorter than the elf dressed all in all red that he had held in his arms.

  “I’m five-foot eight,” the red elf said arrogantly and in defense of his careless action.

  “I’m six-two. The next time you’re looking for a topper, call me.”

  The other two elves and Lucas chuckled.

  Bad choice of words. Red did that blush thing again.

  “I’ll keep you in mind should the need arise.”

  Kris swore this one was the cutest thing, even when he was frustrated. His silky hair reminded him of doll. The rest of him wasn’t bad either. He was shapely with just a little muscle. And he was just Kris’s type…arrogant and gorgeous. He wouldn’t mind waking up with this kitten cuddling next to him.

  “We better get back to our tour so Santa’s elves can finish decorating the store,” Lucas said.

  Kris hated to leave, reluctantly following Lucas away from the scene. The red elf had literally stolen his heart. He peeked back once. The elves were walking in the opposite direction. Red looked good from the back, too.

  “His name is Jessie James and he’s twenty-two years old,” Lucas said.

  “Why are you telling me about him?”

  “Because you’re interested in him.”

  “He’s one of our employees.”

  “Yes, he is. He’s been working for us since he turned fifteen. He’s part-time and is a senior at New York University, where he majors in music.”

  “He’s a musician?”

  “Yes, he’s a very talented entertainer. He’s an actor, a singer and dancer, and will be staring this holiday season in his first Broadway musical.”

  “Why do you know so much about him?” Kris asked.

  “Because I hired him,” Lucas bragged. “He’s a hard worker and he’s a dedicated employee.”

  “And?”

  “There’s no and. He reminds me of someone. He’s a good kid and you must admit he’s easy on the eyes.”

  “Hadn’t noticed,” Kris lied.

  Lucas chuckled sarcastically. “Sure, you didn’t.” They continued their walk.

  ****

  Jessie James hauled ass to the employee’s lounge with his two friends, Emmerson Taylor and Carl Davidson. They were all students of NYU and were about to perform their first show with Santa in a few days. They were wearing one of their costumes to get into character while they decorated the store. The other two elves he used to perform with had graduated and gone on to other jobs. Jessie had recruited Emmerson and Carl to take their places this year.

  Emmerson was a twenty-one-year-old dentistry student. Carl, also the same age, studied to be an elementary school teacher. He was the shortest of the three and came from a big family. Emmerson, like Jessie, was an only child. They were all seniors who sang in the choir and would be graduating in June.

  Jessie’s heart finally calmed down.

  “Man, you shared me half to death,” Emmerson said as they got hot chocolate and Christmas cookies to snack on. “I thought you were going to hit the floor and break your neck.”

  Carl agreed with him. “Me, too. You were lucky that guy came along when he did.”

  “Yeah,” Jessie said, still thinking about the way he felt in the man’s arms and pressed against his powerful chest. If he didn’t already know he was gay, getting an erection just looking into the guy’s blue eyes was proof. “He was walking around with Mr. Kringle. Do either of you know him?”

  Carl and Emmerson shook their heads. “Never seen him before,” Emmerson said.

  “Me either,” Carl said. “But the two of them favored, except one has brown hair and the other has black hair. Maybe he’s his brother.”

  Another brother? Jessie had met Lucas’s older brother, David. Could this one be a brother, too? He bit his cookie, then sipped his hot chocolate. The taste brought back fond memories of when his mother was alive. She used to bake cookies for him all of the time. “We better hurry up and eat this stuff. Our break is almost over and we have to finish decorating.” When they weren’t at school or participating in the choir, they worked as sales clerks and stocked the shelves for the Christmas season, which began in September. They were responsible for making the displays, unloading the trucks, an
d pricing the merchandise. They did everything together. When he could squeeze in some time Jessie rehearsed for his upcoming Broadway performance. He didn’t mind the hard work because he needed the money to support himself since he was an orphan and his parents hadn’t left him a big inheritance when they died. He had used that money to help pay for some of his college education and to keep a roof over his head. He polished off his snack and he Emmerson and Carl left the lounge and headed to the stockroom. He stayed off the ladder the rest of the day. He always learned a lesson the first time.

  ****

  On Tuesday morning the employees of Kringle’s Department Store got introduced to the company’s newest manager, Kristopher Kringle, who was the store owner’s youngest son. Cute name, Jessie thought, although he knew he shouldn’t make fun of other people’s names. He’d heard every Jessie James joke invented.

  “Kris has been away the last twenty years, serving in the United States Marine Corps,” Anderson Kringle explained. “He has recently retired and has decided to join his brothers and me in the family business. He will be working as the finance manager after his training.” The employees clapped. Anderson turned the floor over to Kris.

  There was a remarkable family resemblance, Jessie noted. Kris had brown hair like his brother, David, and they both had blue eyes like their father, Anderson. Lucas had black hair, but green eyes like his mother, Rosemary. Kris and David took their brown hair after her. Rosemary Kringle was a very nice woman and a great cook. She was always baking and sending desserts and snacks to the employees.

  Kris told a joke about having to live with the godawful name his parents gave him. “Thanks Pop. Every person I meet tease me and call me Santa Claus.” That got a big laugh out of the employees. “I’d like to thank everyone for the warm welcome. So, as my father explained I’ve been in the Marine Corps since my eighteenth birthday. That means I’m thirty-eight years, single, and have no sales experience. But I was a budget chief for the last four years, so I know a thing or two about bookkeeping. In order to appease my mother, I’m here to learn.” That got another laugh.

  So, he’s single? Their gazes met as soon as Jessie lifted his. Kris smiled at him as he spoke. He continued on, telling the employees more about himself and his Marine Corps career. There was one more round of applause before they all went back to work, with the exception of Jessie, Carl and Emmerson.

  Anderson Kringle called them aside. “Kris, these are our three youngest employees, Emmerson Taylor, Carl Davidson, and Jessie James.”

  Apparently, the senior Kringle did not know that they had met.

  “Fellows, Kris is going to be your new supervisor for a few weeks while he trains.”

  All the fantasies Jessie had been having about the youngest Kringle came to a screeching halt.

  “Jessie James?” Kris asked.

  Jessie nodded. “My parents also had jokes.” He shook the man’s hand. It was bigger than his and wielded a lot of power.

  Kris shook Carl and Emmerson’s hands too. “No elf costumes today?”

  “They’re Santa’s little helpers,” his father said. “Jessie is our head elf.”

  “That means he gets to boss us around,” Carl said.

  Emmerson playfully disagreed with him. “No, that means he’s taller than us and older than us by a few months.”

  “They also work in stock and on the registers,” his father continued to explain. “I need you guys to help teach Kris the ropes.”

  “You came at the right time,” Jessie said to Kris. “We’re just entering the busiest shopping time of the year.”

  “I’ll try to remember that. I better let you guys get back to work,” Kris said. “If I don’t see you before the end of the day, have a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow.”

  “You too,” all three younger men replied.

  Kris and his father walked away.

  Jessie checked out the son. He looked just as good from the back as he did from the front.

  “You like him, don’t you?” Carl teased.

  Jessie tore his gaze from Kris’s broad back and shoulders. “Who? What?”

  Carl and Emmerson were watching him.

  “Mr. Kringle’s bouncing baby boy,” Carl answered.

  “Don’t be silly,” Jessie said. “Come on, let’s go back to work.”

  Jessie saw his new boss off and on most of the day. He had removed his suit coat, put on a Kringle’s apron over his dressed shirt and pants, and was paying attention while Lucas taught him how to put together end counters and make signs. He worked hard and he was a quick learner. Jessie wondered why Kris had decided to join the Marine Corps instead of following his brothers into the retail business. He guessed the younger son had his reasons. Later Kris joined them up in the front of the store when it got very busy and the lines grew longer. Jessie taught him how to bag.

  “You guys worked hard today,” Kris said to them as everyone was preparing to leave for the evening. “Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving and I’ll see you on Friday.”

  “You too,” the three youngest workers told him.

  “I can’t wait until then,” Carl said like an excited child.

  Carl reminded Jessie a lot of himself of the first time he played an elf with Santa. He was sure that Carl would feel different after eight hours of dealing with screaming and crying kids. “Have a nice evening,” Jessie said to Kris as the trio of elves left the store.

  The men carpooled together, and Carl dropped Emmerson off at home first.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to join me and my family for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow?” Carl asked Jessie after he drove to Jessie’s place.

  “Thanks, but I’m dieting. Besides trying to squeeze into that elf’s costume I have to get into my stage costume on Saturday.”

  “You know you’re always welcome.”

  “I know,” Jessie said. He was used to being alone on holidays. He got out of the car and waved goodbye to Carl. . Jessie entered the building of his off-campus apartment and quickly made his way into his place on the first floor. After a shower, he ate some instant noodles and then went to bed.

  Chapter Two

  “Do you know that your elf sweetie is the lead in that upcoming Broadway musical I told you about?” Lucas asked Kris on the way home to have dinner with the folks for Thanksgiving.

  “What elf sweetie?” their older brother David asked.

  “Kris has the hots for one of our elves. In fact, the cute meet could rival any romance novel. He fell from a ladder and landed in Kris’s arms.”

  “An employee fell from a ladder and this is the first time I’m hearing about it?” David asked.

  David worked in upper management and no longer had a sense of humor.

  “He didn’t get hurt,” Kris said.

  “That’s not the point. Which employee?”

  “Jessie James,” Lucas answered.

  “Oh,” David said.

  “Why did you say it like that?” Kris asked.

  “Jessie is one of our best employees. He’s been with us since his sophomore year in high school, and I really don’t want my totally gay brother messing around with him,” David explained.

  “I’m not messing around with him. I saved his life. Plus, who said I’m interested in him?”

  “You’re interested,” Lucas said.

  “How do you know this?” David asked Lucas.

  “He had this big goofy look on his face that men get when they fall in love. Kind of like you did when you fell for Patricia.”

  David frowned at Lucas and shook his head. “Jessie’s like a little brother to us.”

  “I’m like a little brother to you guys,” Kris reminded them.

  “Don’t do it,” David said. “We don’t need an EEO case to ruin our reputation if you trifle with him.”

  “You don’t have to worry about me. I only date gay guys,” Kris said.

  “He’s gay,” Lucas replied.

  “How do you know that?” Kris asked, tr
ying to feign disinterest.

  “Because he’s been with us for several years and I’ve seen guys walk into counters checking him out.”

  That got an unexpected chuckle out of David.

  “That does not prove anything,” Kris said.

  “He is,” David said. “He wanted us to know before the rumors started. Carl and Emmerson are, too.”

  Kris scratched his head. “Three gay elves?”

  “I didn’t know that when the other two were hired,” David said.

  “Birds of a feather do flock together,” Lucas said.

  “Is that why you want me to hang out with them for a while?” Kris asked.

  “Partially. I thought you would be more understanding, not fall in love with one of them the moment you met.” David paused. “Besides, Jessie is special.”

  “How?”

  “He doesn’t have a family. His parents died in a car accident, and Lucas and I have kind of been keeping an eye on him since we found out.”

  Kris sighed. Darn, and he is so cute. “You say he’s the lead in this Broadway play?”

  Lucas nodded. “Yes, it begins on Saturday. It a limited engagement, just during the holiday season.”

  “I’ll have to make sure he’s not on schedule so he can rest on Sunday,” David said.

  The driver finally made it to their family home. The three of them got out and entered the stately mansion. David and Lucas’s wives were joining them for Thanksgiving dinner as well. And, as usual, Kris was the only brother who didn’t have a date. He hoped Lucas wouldn’t bring Jessie up around the family. But David was right, he shouldn’t try to date Jessie because he was his boss.

  The old home looked the same as when Kris has left for boot camp, except there were some updated shutters and doors. The lawns, trees and shrubs had a fresh coat of snow. It used to be Kris’s job to shovel the sidewalks and the driveway when they were growing up. David used to cut the grass, and Lucas was responsible for taking out the trash. During the summer he and Lucas took turns washing the dishes. David used to always boss him and Lucas around because he was older. Lucas was the mild-mannered one, the tattle-tale and the cry-baby. Kris was considered the hard-headed one, the one who always got punished even if David or Lucas done something. He was also the tough one. The one who had come out of the closet at seventeen, and who had decided to join the military because David and Lucas teased him and called him, sissy. After twenty years of military service, getting a martial arts black belt in several disciplines, and kicking much ass in bar fights, no one else would dare to call him that now.