I'll admit it: I'm a damsel, and I'm in distress. It's Christmas Eve. It's snowing like crazy. My car's in a ditch. The only thing more distressing is the guy who stops to help me: good old Saint Nick. Obviously, it's a costume. Less obviously, underneath the fake beard is Grady, a guy I'd hoped never to see again. You know, after we got practically to third base on the dance floor at my best friend's wedding and then he never called. The real Santa would've called. I'm just saying. Grady takes me to his parents' house. He tells his mom I'm his girlfriend. He gives presents to foster kids. He finds an ugly sweater for me to wear, and I admit it: by the time we find ourselves under the mistletoe, I'm a lot less mad and a lot more interested in getting some of his Christmas spirit. 'Tis the season, right? Redneck Santa Saves Christmas originally appeared in the Winter Heat anthology, and is currently available for free when you subscribe to Roxie's newsletter.