Looking for Mr. Claus

the long version

Santa isn't coming to town . . . or is he? A mysterious copycat Santa is making the rounds in a small town in northern Canada. Hotshot L.A. reporter Mike O'Brian, banished to this wilderness by a disgruntled boss, figures he can nail the story within a week. Or he could, if Claudia Paquette would cooperate. She seems to know more about this pseudo-Santa than she's letting on. In fact, Mike almost has the impression that she doesn't want Santa unbearded. But that makes no sense. Claudia has as much at stake in this story as he does. The future of her newspaper depends on it. Still, the idea of moving in with her and her eccentric oversize mutt for the duration of his exile is rather appealing. He could keep an eye on her. And since she's just about the best-looking woman he's ever seen, it's actually a very pleasant prospect ....