Secret Santa

Ryan, Zach

Citation (APA): Ryan, Z. (2024). Secret Santa [Kindle Android version]. Retrieved from Amazon.com

A taste of christmas

Page 19

The only issue, truly the only aspect of my life I find lacking, is that my wittiness is about as quick as an Olympic runner of the special variety.

sterling silver bells

Page 36

If you ask me the entire décor is tacky and tasteless, the veneer of a man who lucked into wealth with no credible sense of refinement or culture. All of this is only made worse, of course, by his hubris. Give a man a taste of wealth and the first thing he acquires is a pompous attitude.

you better watch out, you better not cry

Page 43

The snow was coming down so intensely it turned the once bright blue sky a blinding white. But as soon as I turned down the long, windy road to Mr. Keeler’s place, it abruptly stopped, as if this place exists in a world all on its own. Like this house and the area surrounding it refuse to abide by the rules of the rest of the universe. Almost like I had crossed some threshold where reality ceased to exist and I was suspended into a place beyond the existence of truth and functionality, into a world of written fiction…

Page 44

“Ahh, Harriet,” He spreads his arms to greet me, which I take as an invitation to hug him. I’m not really a hugger, but I’m also not one to deny my boss’ request. I accept his invite and wrap my arms around his waist. Strangely he does not return the gesture, his hands remain elevated at his sides. I lean away from him to find a very confused look on his face. I realize with a great sense of horror that his open arms were gesturing toward his house, and not a petition for my embrace. A very uncomfortable silence falls between us before Mr. Keeler finally breaks it.

a gathering of the elves

Page 77

I’m the painter who curated this beautiful work of art. I would compare myself to Rembrandt or Michelangelo, but they could never in a million years create something as exquisite as what I’ve done here. I can’t help but sit back and admire the work I’ve done.

sirens we have heard on high

Page 152

I’m stunned. Truly stunned. A Himalayan snow dance is no joke. Here we were thinkin’ our biggest worry was bein’ in the presence of a murderer, little did we know that we are about to experience a blizzard of untold, epic proportions. We are truly up shit’s creek without a paddle, and now it turns out that that creek may very well freeze over, trappin’ us here for some time. Hell, we may never leave this place.

it came upon the night unclear

Page 165

People may be able to move their lips to the beat of a lie, but their eyes will always betray them with the truth.

He sees you when you're sleeping

Page 177

At last, the lights come back on. Not that I’m afraid of the dark like Miles, but when there is a killer on the loose it’s hard to still feel safe losing one of your primary senses. Out of instinct, I check my body for any stab wounds or bullet holes. I know it’s silly—finding a bullet hole in my flesh would be inconceivable. If a gun had been fired in the dark, surely we would have heard it. Still, my crippling paranoia won’t allow me not to check.

he's a mean one

Page 213

Not everyone is an exact projection of the impressions they emit.

Page 213

Take yourself, for example. Your harsh tone, daggered eyes, and venomous attitude toward the male gender would insinuate that you castrate men for fun, yet here four men stand all with their yogurt-slingers intact. Sure, you may have Phillip’s jingle bells tucked away in your purse, but I imagine the rest of his yule-tide log is still attached. Now if that doesn’t give cause for a little good faith, then what does? Honestly, Susanne, I know there must be a heart buried somewhere beneath that padded bra, try putting it to good use.”