Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
NICK
T he afternoon sun filters through the high windows of the community center, casting long shadows across the floor as I walk through the space. The familiar scent of pine and cinnamon fills the air, a comforting reminder of the Christmas spirit we’re trying to create.
There’s a lot to be proud of in this room.
The long tables, draped in cheery red and green cloths, stand in neat rows, ready to showcase the local crafts and treats. Handmade paper snowflakes dusted in glitter dangle from the wooden beams overhead, catching the light and sending shimmering patterns across the walls. The stage at the far end of the hall looks charming, with its backdrop of painted winter scenes and the small Christmas tree adorned with ornaments clearly made with love by the local children.
Even with all this Christmas cheer surrounding me, a nagging feeling grows in the pit of my stomach. Something’s missing. The garlands of greenery and strings of popcorn and cranberries are quaint, but they don’t quite capture the wonder and excitement I want people to feel when they step into this space. Everything is done, but none of it has that wow factor I desperately need to take this Bazaar from sugar cookies to frosted sugar cookies in specialty flavors. I’m a Kringle, for goodness’ sake! Our specialty is going above and beyond to bring the world joy. If I can’t do what every other member of my family can do when they’re sleeping, then I don’t deserve the last name.
I run a hand through my hair. This Bazaar isn’t just about creating a fun event for Founder's Grove - it’s about infusing the town with enough Christmas spirit to carry them through the year. And right now, I’m not sure we’re hitting the mark.
My fingers brush against the Christmas wish coin in my pocket. Not only are we in the meh stage of ready, I haven’t found anyone to give this coin to. I’ve tried. I asked an old man what his Christmas wish was, and he said he wanted help shoveling his walk.
I couldn’t waste a wish on that and ended up shoveling the walk myself.
I asked the third-grade teacher what her wish would be, and she said she wanted art supplies for her classroom.
I didn’t think it was worth using one of the last remaining wish coins in existence on Crayons.
Her cupboards are stocked, by the way .
The list goes on.
I close my eyes for a moment, drawing strength. There is so much to do here, and decorating is not within my skill set. Don’t even get me started on what is in my skill set. While I’ve managed to organize this event, I’m no Rye who keeps the elves and their schedules straight in his head. I can make a good meal, but I’m not Robyn, whose food literally feeds a person’s soul. While I may be kind and a bit of a charmer, I can’t charm people into a good mood the way Isabella can.
I’m just me. And right now, as much as I hate to admit it, I’m not the man for the job. I pull out my phone and dial my best friend. “Layla? It’s Nick. I need your help.”
I quickly explain the situation, and I can practically hear her grin through the phone. “Say no more. I’ll be there in a jiffy!”
True to her word, just a few minutes later, I hear the unmistakable sound of sleigh bells and reindeer hoofs on the roof. A puff of glittering snow bursts from the fireplace in the corner, and suddenly, Layla is standing before me, her caramel-colored hair slightly windswept and her gray eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Whew! What a ride!” she exclaims, brushing snow from her shoulders. “Did you know Douglas has a blind spot? He almost dumped me over Niagara Falls.”
I grab her into a hug. She was my first long-time, true-blue, pinkie swear friend and I can’t believe I haven’t seen her in almost a month. She hugs me back. “You said something about allowing me to unleash my magical decorating abilities on an entire community center?” Her voice is muffled by my Frosty the Snowman ugly sweater.
Before I can respond, three more figures emerge from the fireplace in quick succession: Gail, Robyn, and Lux. A jolt of excitement goes through me. Lux is kind of the end-all when it comes to lighting displays. She once knocked out an entire town’s electrical grid, but we don’t talk about that.
Robyn shakes her head at Layla, her auburn waves bouncing. “You fly like your Auntie Stella,” she says, her tone suggesting this isn’t a compliment. It is in my mind. Stella is like a NASCAR sleigh driver and is able to take on even the most willful reindeer. To her sisters, she seems wild and out of control, but if you watch her, you know that she’s calculating and skillful.
Layla just laughs, lifting a shoulder in a carefree shrug. “What other way is there to fly?”
I can’t help but smile at their banter. Layla looks around the room, her eyes already dancing with ideas. She rubs her hands together, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Are we alone in here?”
Oh boy! She’s really going to release the Kringle. I nod, feeling a surge of excitement. “Yep, I’ve locked up for the night. The place is all ours.”
“Perfect!” Layla claps her hands together. “Let’s get to work, people. This place needs the full Kringle treatment!”
She turns to Robyn and Lux, her enthusiasm contagious. “Ladies, I’m going to need some items from those magical purses of yours. Let’s start with something simple—how about some baubles? ”
Robyn reaches into her purse, her brow furrowed in concentration. But when she pulls her hand out, instead of baubles, she’s holding a bunch of carrots. She grits her teeth. “That’s... not right.”
Lux tries next, but instead of lights, she produces a rubber duck. One by one, they try again, each attempt resulting in increasingly random items—a clock, a pair of fuzzy slippers, a watering can.
I feel my heart sink as I realize what’s happening. The wish magic isn’t working right because of me. This could be a disaster for the Bazaar. Before I can spiral into worry, Layla’s laugh cuts through the tension.
“This is perfect!” she exclaims, her eyes shining with delight. “It’s like a decorating puzzle. Let’s see what we can create with what we get. Robyn, wish for a red and white beach ball, and let’s see what happens.”
Robyn closes her eyes, a look of concentration on her face. When she opens her purse this time, out pops a life-sized snowman.
Layla bounces on her toes, delighted. “Fantastic. We’ll put him right by the ticket booth. He’ll be the first thing people see when they come in. Now, hit me again!”
As I watch, amazed, Layla and Robyn fall into a rhythm. Robyn pulls item after item from her purse, each one seemingly random and unrelated to a theme. But Layla, with her boundless creativity and enthusiasm, finds a place for everything. The carrot becomes a nose for the snowman. The fuzzy slippers are filled with small gifts and hung as stockings .
Meanwhile, Lux has been staring intently at the pathway leading from the entrance to the main hall. I recognize that look in her eye. It’s the same one she gets when she’s drawing plans in her head.
I move to stand beside her and fold my arms. “What are you thinking?”
She grins, her eyes lighting up. “I’m thinking of a walk-through light show that leads to the food court. What do you think?”
“Go for it.” I encourage, feeling a surge of excitement. This is exactly the kind of magic we need. “Just don’t blow a breaker.” She checks her watch. “I have time to rewire—don’t be a Grinch.”
Lux pulls items from her purse and arranges them along the pathway. Like Robyn, she’s getting unexpected items, but she doesn’t let it deter her. When a stuffed armadillo emerges, instead of the string of lights she was hoping for, she simply adds it to the pile of gifts.
I can see the frustration in her eyes each time she reaches into her purse, but I’m struck by her determination. She pushes the items that won’t work back into and tries again, never giving up.
As I watch my family transform the space, a thought occurs to me. Could the reason for the wish magic being off be because I haven’t given away the wish yet? The coin feels heavy in my pocket, a reminder of my unfinished task.
My mind wanders to Penelope, her warm golden eyes and gentle smile. She’s been through so much in her life— maybe she could use some magic. The thought takes root, and I find myself pondering it as I continue to oversee the decorating frenzy.
Hours pass in a whirlwind of activity. Gail, ever the voice of elegance and refinement, directs the overall aesthetic, ensuring that even with the mismatched decorations, everything comes together in a cohesive and beautiful way. Robyn’s nurturing nature shines through as she creates cozy nooks throughout the space, perfect for families to rest and enjoy hot cocoa. She adds a sugar sculpture in the middle of the food court that’s sure to amaze.
I step back to measure what it looked like before they came and what it is now. The community center has become a winter wonderland beyond my wildest dreams. The mismatched decorations, far from looking chaotic, have created a whimsical, magical atmosphere that captures the true spirit of Christmas.
The snowman stands proudly by the ticket booth, now joined by a family of snow-people made from various white objects Robyn pulled from her purse. Layla’s creative touch is evident everywhere—from the “North Pole” made of mismatched candlesticks to the “reindeer stable” crafted from an old bookshelf and some stuffed animals.
Lux’s light show pathway is a triumph. Using everything from fairy lights (which she eventually managed to produce) to glow-in-the-dark stickers and even a few strategically placed mirrors to reflect and amplify the light, she’s created a magical journey that will guide visitors through the Bazaar that’s timed to a playlist that pipes through the speakers.
The whole space sparkles and shines, filled with the warmth and joy of the season. It’s more than I could have ever imagined, and I feel a swell of gratitude for my family and their incredible talents.
“Well, I’d say our work here is done,” Layla announces, brushing glitter from her hands. “What do you think, Nick? Will this do?”
I shake my head in amazement. “Do? Layla, this is... it’s perfect. Thank you. Thank you all.”
Gail wraps me in a warm hug. “This is what family does, dear. We’re always here when you need us.”
Once they’ve gone, leaving behind only the faint scent of peppermint and a sprinkling of magical snow, I pull out my phone. My fingers hover over the keyboard for a moment before I type out a message to Penelope:
Me: Hey, the Bazaar’s all set up. Want a sneak preview? I’d love to show you around.
Her response comes quickly.
Penelope: I’d love to! I can be there in 15 minutes.
I. I can be there, she typed. I gulp. She’s coming alone to the most magical place in Founder's Grove to be with me. I glance up at several sprigs of mistletoe hanging around the room.
I pause by the “Reindeer Rides” section, where Oliver’s train has been set up. He’s been working tirelessly, and the result is spectacular—a beautiful, old-fashioned train that will carry children around the perimeter of the Bazaar. I make a mental note to thank him again for his hard work .
My thoughts drift to Hazel, imagining her zipping around the world on her nut-gathering mission. From the pecan groves of Northern Mexico to the hazelnut orchards of Turkey, she’s going above and beyond to make sure her Christmas nut stand is perfect.
The sound of the door opening pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to see Penelope step inside. She’s bundled up in a cozy sweater, her chestnut curls slightly windswept, and her cheeks pink from the cold. The sight of her makes my heart skip a beat.
“Nick?” she calls out, her voice echoing slightly in the large space. “This is... wow.”
I make my way over to her, unable to keep the grin off my face. “What do you think?” I ask, suddenly feeling a bit nervous. Her opinion means more to me than I care to admit.
Penelope’s golden eyes are wide as she takes in the scene before her. “It’s magical,” she breathes. “Absolutely magical. How did you do all this?”
I chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck. “I had a little help from my family.”
“I’ll say,” Penelope agrees, her gaze falling on the snowman family by the entrance. “Oh, Noelle is going to love this!”
The mention of her daughter brings a warm feeling to my chest. “I hope so. I wanted it to be special for everyone, especially the kids.”
Penelope turns to me, her eyes soft. “Nick, this is more than special. You’ve created something truly wonderful here. The whole town is going to be talking about this for years to come.”
Her words fill me with a sense of accomplishment. This is why I’m doing all this—to bring joy and magic to Founder's Grove, to create memories that will last a lifetime. And so I can have Christmas Magic pulse through my veins like a real Kringle.
I find myself watching Penelope more than the decorations. The way her face lights up at each new discovery, the soft gasp she makes when she sees something particularly beautiful—it’s all so enchanting.
We end up back at the entrance, standing before the snowman family. Penelope reaches out to touch one of the snowmen’s carrot noses, a soft smile on her face.
“Thank you for showing me this, Nick.”
I feel a warmth spread through me at her words. “I’m glad you like it,” I say softly. “Your opinion means a lot to me, you know.”
Penelope’s cheeks flush a deeper pink, and for a moment, we just stand there, gazing at each other. The Christmas wish coin feels heavy in my pocket, and I’m struck by a sudden urge to give it to her right then and there.
Penelope turns to face me, her golden eyes reflecting the twinkling lights around us. The soft glow illuminates her features, making her look almost ethereal. For a moment, I’m struck speechless by her beauty.
I take a step closer to her. “I’m glad you came tonight.”
Her eyes widen slightly at my approach, and a blush creeps across her cheeks. We’re standing so close now that I can smell the faint scent of cinnamon and apples that always seems to cling to her.
Slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wants, I reach up and gently cup her cheek. Her skin is soft and warm under my touch. She leans into me, her eyes never leaving mine.
I close the small distance between us, my heart racing in anticipation. Our lips meet in a soft, sweet kiss that makes the world around us fade away until there is only this perfect moment. The kiss is gentle and warm, filled with all the unspoken feelings we’ve harbored for so long. I pour every ounce of my affection into this tender embrace. I want her to know how wonderful she is.
The kiss lasts only a few precious moments, but when we finally part, it feels like everything has irrevocably changed. Penelope’s eyes flutter open slowly, and the look of wonder I see reflected there makes my heart soar to new heights. Her face is radiant, glowing with happiness and a newfound connection between us.
“Wow,” she breathes, her smile radiant.
“Yeah,” I agree, unable to keep the grin off my face. “Wow, indeed.”
We stand there for a moment longer. It’s a perfect, magical moment.
Penelope’s phone beeps. “Oh, I should get going.”
I nod, pushing down the disappointment that she has to go. “Of course. Will I see you tomorrow at the Bazaar?”
Penelope smiles. “Wild reindeer couldn’t keep us away.”
She bundles up and slips out. I take one last look around before locking up for the night. The twinkling lights reflect off the shiny ornaments, creating a magical, starry effect. The whole space hums with potential energy, just waiting for the crowds to arrive tomorrow and bring it to life.
Or maybe that’s just me, humming songs about love.