Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
NICK
T he winter air tugs at my clothing as I walk across the snow-dusted lawn toward the small barn behind the main house. Its robin’s egg blue exterior stands out against the stark white landscape like a Christmas ornament on snow-dusted boughs. My boots crunch through the fresh snow, leaving a trail of footprints behind me as I approach.
It’s been four days since the Bazaar. Four of the best days of my life. Penelope and I worked to clean up the community center. Most of the people who had booths left their areas in order, but all the decorations needed to be taken down and put into storage. We put on music and danced and sang as we worked. I bought Noelle a bouncer on wheels, and she zoomed around the open floor in such a way that I’m terrified for when she gets her driver’s license.
I’m also thrilled that I’ll get to teach her how to drive .
It’s finally Christmas Eve. My gifts are wrapped and under my tree. Penelope is making Christmas Eve dinner, and I skipped lunch so I could eat as much as possible.
I pause for a moment, taking in the peaceful scene. The barn, with its weathered wooden structure and gambrel roof, looks like something out of a Christmas card. Icicles hang from the eaves, catching the late afternoon sunlight and sparkling like diamonds. The sweet scent of hay mingles with the sharp, clean smell of winter, creating a comforting aroma that reminds me of Christmases at the North Pole.
I sigh, and my breath puffs up around me.
Hazel went home last night. It’s a busy time of year for Kringles—all hands on deck, as they say. Robyn could use an extra supervisor over the new marshmallow machine, and Hazel took the opportunity to jet back to the North Pole. She did well yesterday, selling nuts. The money she raised will be a donation to the local school—though no one knew that last night. She didn’t want to draw extra attention to herself, even if it was good attention. She’ll get a cashier’s check and make sure that it gets to the right place.
Since Hazel is gone, I’m searching out Oliver.
He’s been quiet this trip, spending more time in his workshop than with me, which I didn’t mind because it freed me up to spend more time with Penelope.
But . . .
I need to talk to a Kringle.
I have to let someone know that I intend to stay in Founder's Grove. I want to marry Penelope, and this is her home. I’ve seen the way she takes care of her Grandpa, and he needs her, even if he won’t admit it. Stubborn old man. Good man. He took Penelope and Noelle in when they needed him. We can’t fly off to the Ice Castle and leave him here. I feel indebted to him for keeping them both fed and a roof over their head—not to mention the way he loves them to pieces. We need to be here for him.
I know it’s only been three weeks, but Penelope has my heart. She and Noelle. That little girl is the sugarplum fairy in my dreams. The way her face lights up is magical. No work I could ever do up North would compare to spending every day making her laugh.
Oliver must like having his own workshop because he decided to stick around until Christmas. I’ll have to send Rudy back with him. Then, I will get some kind of job here in town or maybe in Boston. I’m not even sure how to go about starting a life on my own.
I’ll also have to give up Christmas Magic. At least the chance to have my own special part of it. I can’t believe that I came here to prove myself worthy to wield Magic and I’m walking away from it all.
I’m not even sad about it. What I’m getting with Penelope is worth it.
The door creaks as I slide it open, the sound echoing in the quiet afternoon. I step inside, and immediately, the familiar scents of the barn envelop me—the sweet smell of fresh hay, the earthy aroma of reindeer, and the faint metallic tang of tools and oil from Oliver’s workspace.
“Oliver?” I call out, my eyes adjusting to the light inside the barn. Oliver has table spotlights set up that could light Santa’s sleigh on a foggy night. “You in here?”
A muffled response comes from the far end of the barn. As I make my way towards him, I notice Rudy peering over his stall door. The reindeer’s eyes light up as he sees me, and before I can blink, he’s floated over the door and landed gracefully in front of me.
“Hey there, handsome,” I laugh, reaching out to scratch behind his ears. Rudy leans into my touch, his eyes half-closing in contentment.
Rudy snorts softly, nudging my hand with his nose. I can’t help but chuckle at his antics. “You’re such a talented reindeer, you know that? The best flyer in the whole North Pole.” Reindeer love compliments and it’s so easy to doll them out to my fuzzy friends. A small pang of regret races through me as I think of not being able to visit the stables each day. Those reindeer are good listeners when they want to be.
Rudy’s nose begins to glow a soft pink. “Aw, look at you blushing,” I tease.
He lowers his head and butts me toward Oliver. I don’t need your sass.
I laugh as I saunter away. “Fine. Have a carrot.” I fish one out of the bag hanging on the wall, and he takes it back into his stall to munch on it in peace.
I find my cousin hunched over a workbench, meticulously organizing an array of tools into their designated cases. Aw shucks, he’s packing up his gear. Another pang goes through me as I think of being the only Kringle in town .
His short hair is slightly mussed, and there’s a smudge of grease on his cheek, but his blue eyes are focused. The sight reminds me of countless times, watching Oliver tinker with toys in Santa’s workshop. He has a gift of improving old designs and updating retired toys so kids like them again.
“Hey, Nick,” Oliver greets me, looking up from his work. “Come to help with the cleanup?”
I nod, leaning against the workbench. “Thought you might need a hand. That train of yours was quite the project.”
Oliver’s face lights up at the mention of the train. “It was something, wasn’t it? I’ve always wanted to tackle a project like that. Finally got my chance.”
“And you knocked it out of the park,” I tell him sincerely. “The kids at the Bazaar were over the moon. The planning committee is making it an annual thing. From here on out, the train will be part of children’s best Christmas memories in Founder's Grove. You left them a gift.”
Oliver beams, but there’s a hint of shyness in his smile that reminds me of when he was a kid and first came to the North Pole with Lux and Quik. “Thanks, Nick. It means a lot to hear that. Speaking of the Bazaar, how’s your mission going? Any luck with the Christmas Magic?”
I glance down at my wrist—more out of habit than anything—and see that I’m still not tinseled up. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. “Actually, that’s kind of why I’m here. I’ve made a decision about the wish. ”
Oliver sets down the wrench he’s been polishing, giving me his full attention. “Oh? Who are you going to give it to?”
“I’m going to give it to Penelope,” I say, the words coming out in a rush. “I’m going to tell her all about Santa, me, and the coin. She’s been through so much, she deserves it.”
Surprise and concern etch themselves across his features. “Nick, are you sure about this? Giving the wish to the wrong person could mean losing your chance at your own Santa Magic. You’ve worked so hard for this.”
I nod, my resolve firm despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach. “I’m sure, Oliver. If I can give her even a part of the joy she’s given me, even at the cost of my own dreams, then it’s worth it.”
Oliver’s brow furrows as he processes my words. He gestures around the barn at the cheerful brass lanterns casting a warm glow and the festive wreaths adorning the walls. “Nick, are you willing to walk away from Christmas? Grandpa and Grandma just adopted you.”
I meet his gaze steadily. “Penelope and Noelle... they’ve become my world.”I take a step closer, the soft golden straw crunching beneath my feet. “I love her, Oliver.”
Oliver shakes his head, worry clear in his blue eyes. He moves to the hand-carved wooden trough where Rudy’s water sits, running his fingers along its smooth edge. “You know what it could mean, right? Christmas Magic isn’t always logical. You could offend it and be banished forever. No more flying sleighs, no more Christmases at the North Pole with the family. Have you really thought this through?”
His words give me pause, and I feel a pang in my chest at the thought of losing my connection to the magical world I was adopted into. But then I think of Penelope’s warm smile, of Noelle’s delighted giggles, and I know in my heart that I’m making the right choice.
“I’m sure. And I’m telling her after Christmas Eve dinner tonight.”
Rudy ambles over to us, his head hanging low as if he understands the gravity of our conversation. I reach out to scratch behind his ears, my heart heavy at the thought of saying goodbye to my friend.
Oliver watches us for a long moment, his expression a mix of admiration and resignation. Finally, he sighs, his shoulders slumping slightly. “I can see your mind’s made up,” he says. “And while I don’t agree with your decision, I respect it. You’ve always had a big heart, Nick. It’s one of the reasons I thought you were meant to be a Kringle.” He steps forward, pulling me into a tight hug.
I hug him back, not knowing if this is the last time I’ll see him or not. He’s right, Christmas Magic works under its own set of rules and I’m not sure I understand them all. I don’t know if anyone does, really.
As we part ways, Oliver returning to his tool organization and me heading back towards the house, I feel a mixture of relief and anticipation coursing through me. The weight of the Christmas wish coin seems heavier in my pocket, a constant reminder of the finality of my decision .
For a moment, I imagine what might have been - the Santa Magic I might have gained, the adventures I might have had. But then I think of Penelope’s smile, of the way her hazel eyes light up when she laughs. I think of Noelle’s tiny hand in mine, of the trust and love in her eyes when she looks at me.
And I know that I’m making the right choice.