Chapter 7
Wynter
We work for hours, and by the time we finally wrap up for the night, every strand of lights in the VA Hall is hung, the tree is standing tall, and all the decorations are sorted and laid out for tomorrow. It’s late, but Niko drives back to the cabin like he’s been making the trip his whole life.
One of the things I’ve learned about him is he’s focused, very organized, methodical, and surprisingly, kind of a perfectionist. He insisted on laying out all the decorations in quadrants so the tree would look perfectly balanced.
I would have been much more chaotic, but I have to admit the end results will be gorgeous.
And I’m convinced he enjoyed those stilts more than he let on.
He’s already volunteered to do the top of the tree in the morning.
Tomorrow we finish the tree, put up the outdoor lights, inflate Santa and the sleigh, and set out the reindeer.
The day after is for wrapping and labeling the children’s gifts.
That’s the part that has my stomach in knots.
What if I missed someone? What if there isn’t enough?
One year the candy canes and chocolate bags ran short.
I can still remember the looks on those kid’s faces.
“Wynter, what’s wrong? You’re breathing like you just ran a marathon.”
I blink and realize we’re already parked in the carport. “I—I need to make sure I ordered enough for the candy bags. I need to go through the lists again.”
I’m out of the car before he can answer. Inside, I shrug off my coat and boots, drop onto a stool at the counter, and open my laptop.
I hear Niko fussing in the kitchen, but I’m buried in spreadsheets and headcounts until a warm mug appears beside me and he gently lowers my screen so I can see his face across from me.
“Please, take a sip,” he says softly. “Talk to me. Something sent you into a panic. Let’s talk it through.”
“When we were little, Mom and Dad always brought us here for Christmas. At the end of the night, Santa and the Elves handed out bags with chocolates and peppermint sticks to all the kids.
“One year…they ran out. Some of the kids were turned away.” My voice cracks.
“They didn’t understand. Santa knows everything—how could he forget them?
The hurt on their faces…” I swallow hard.
“I gave mine away, but it wasn’t enough.
I can’t let that happen again, Niko. Not ever.
No child can go away without a gift and a candy bag. ”
“It’s alright, agápi mou” he murmurs. “We won’t let it happen. We’ll go through the list together.”
We double-check everything. When we’re done, I exhale in relief. “It looks like we should be about ten over on candy bags and gifts.”
“What I would like us to do is triple that,” Niko says.
“That’s not—”
He lifts a hand, stopping my protest. “When I was a kid, my cousins would join us for events such as this. No one ever accounted for the extra children—we just assumed. Guests come with families, Wynter. People visit during the holidays. We should prepare for that. Better to have too many than not enough. We already agreed, extra’s to the needy. A win-win.”
“I don’t have much left in the budget. And you already paid for extra toys and food boxes.”
“I like your little town.” He pauses, then adds, “You ever have a thought hit you so hard your heart says, that’s it!”
I snort-laugh. “You’ve watched me deal with those all day.”
“I like your town,” he repeats quietly. “It feels right. I’ve decided this is my last season competing. After this I want to settle down. I’ll always want to ski. I taught my brother, sister, and a few cousins. I think I’ll talk to the lodge about that instructor position tomorrow.”
“You’re kidding. You’ve been traveling the world for almost fifteen years. You’d really want to settle down here? In our little town?”
“Yes. I like snow. I have relatives in Albany. My family lives in Florida. I will never live in that heat.” He grins. “Besides they all ski. They’ll visit often.
“And…” His tone softens. “I like you. Maybe you’ll run for mayor next year and stay here too. I’d like that, very much.”
“Niko…”
“No worries,” he says, waving it off gently. “I just want you to know my plans, goals are changing.
“And I want to do something meaningful here. Growing up, my parents worked long hours. We weren’t always able to be with extended family for the holidays. Helping this town feels right to me. So please, let’s get the extras. For the children.”
I swallow, overwhelmed. “Alright. I got everything at Mal’s, she shares space in the coffee shop in town. I bought the first batch from her.”
“Good. Call her. Tell her a full re-order, whatever she has. Once you have the total for everything I asked you to add, I want to send you the funds tonight.”
“Nico, are you sure? I feel like I’m taking advantage of you.”
He stands and circles the counter. Lifting my chin with his cupped hand, he smiles.
“Take advantage of me however you want, omorfiá mou.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Wha-what does that mean, what you called me?”
“My beauty.”
He leans forward and gently presses the softest kiss to my lips. “Make the order, go shower, and I will have dinner ready when you’re done.”
“Wait, the tree. We have to bring in the boxes from the shed for the cabin tree. I’ll help. There aren’t many. We use a fake tree when we can’t get here early enough to buy a potted Christmas tree that we plant later.”