Sweet Inspiration (22 page)
Authors: Penny Watson
Love, Lucy
Nicholas reread the note about a dozen times before the meaning of the words began to sink in. A scroll neatly tied with string was next to the coffee machine as well. He slowly untied the bow.
I wish I could get you something amazing for Christmas.
You deserve it. This is all I can think of to give you before I
go...please think of me when you make them...Lucy Anne's
Sugar Cookies
...
What followed was a list of ingredients and the directions for Lucy's delicious cookies. The ones that had instantly captured his attention the first day he visited Sweet Inspiration. He read through the list and smiled suddenly as he reached the end.
"Orange blossom water. That's the secret. I should have known." Nicholas laughed as tears splattered on the recipe, turning the ink into a blotchy mess. That was just like her. To include something unexpected, something unique and fun to a traditional recipe to make it her own. The citrus brightened up the flavor, made it perfect.
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Nicholas sank down onto the floor. He stayed there for a long time, long after the last rays of sun disappeared and the blackness of night descended over Glasdorf. Many hours later, he finally dragged himself to bed. The last rational thought he had before sleep relieved him of his pain was that the council was wrong. The red sphere was wrong. He and Lucy were not meant to be.
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"Holy shite, Nicholas looks bad." Oskar shook his head as he watched his oldest brother slumped at the bar.
"You're telling me. According to Dag, the poor guy's been here for days. Bartender is starting to water down his pitchers. Worried he's going to get sick all over the joint,"
added Sven.
"I can't believe it's been a week since the carnival and he's still a mess." Wolfgang peered anxiously at his brother from the back of the room. He, Oskar, Sven and Gregor sat at a table in a darkened corner of the bar, so that they could observe Nicholas discreetly.
Gregor whispered to his brothers. "I heard the council gave him crap about playing Santa at the carnival. They told him he has a lot of work to do before the Uberholen.
Truthfully, I've never seen Nicholas as the Santa Claus type.
He's too uptight and obsessed with food."
"I know he's been dreading the Uberholen for a while. I thought maybe he would rustle up a little enthusiasm for the job, but it just doesn't suit him, you know?" Sven commented.
Oskar agreed. "He's gotten more and more depressed about it. I feel for the guy. Dad's definitely a hard act to follow. It seemed like Lucy snapped him out of his funk for a bit. It's the happiest I've ever seen him."
"I really liked her. They were good together. Nicholas needs someone to lighten him up a little bit," said Gregor.
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Oskar laughed. "And the girl has spunk. Nicholas fell for her pretty fast. He's usually so cautious about everything. For once he took a chance, and he got burned—bad."
Wolfgang nodded. "I can't believe that Lucy left. You could tell she was nuts about him. Her whole face lit up every time Nicholas looked at her. It doesn't make any sense."
"Markus told me she thought she was an impediment to Nicholas embracing his new role as the Weihnachtsmann. He thinks some of the council members may have talked to her, made her feel guilty," said Gregor.
"Damned meddling elves. They should mind their own freakin' business. Nicholas and Lucy were doing just fine,"
Oskar's voice raised in anger.
"Look," Wolfie interjected, "we can't let him suffer like this.
We have to do something."
"What do you suggest?" Gregor asked.
"I sort of agree with you about Nicholas not being the Santa type. What if someone else took the job?"
Oskar, Sven and Gregor regarded Wolfgang in silence.
"Just what are you suggesting, brother dearest?" Sven's gaze was riveted on Nicholas' depressed expression.
Oskar looked at his brothers expectantly. "Wolfie's right.
There's no reason that Nicholas has to be the one, except for some dumb-ass tradition that makes no sense. Anyone should be able to do the job, as long as he's willing and able..."
"And likes to boss people around..." added Gregor.
"He'd be revered as the coolest guy on earth," said Sven.
"It would be a chance to travel and meet fascinating people," observed Wolfie.
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"We've been watching dad in action for long enough, we know the drill. It's not that bad. He has a ton of help and support from us and the elves. And once Christmas is over, it's vacation time!" Oskar smiled.
"Okay, so who's going to do this?" Gregor eyed his brothers thoughtfully. "Who's the best suited to play Santa?"
Wolfie laughed. "Actually, we don't really have to decide this now. The Uberholen isn't for another twelve months. That gives us some time to figure out which one of us is going to win the lottery. In the meantime, it lets poor Nicholas off the hook, and he can make up with Lucy before he jumps off a bridge."
"Good point, Wolfman. Do you think the council will go for it?" Oskar asked.
Gregor nodded. "I do. I think they've been worried about Nicholas not cutting it. They'll probably be relieved to hear someone else is gunning for the job."
"All right. Let's go talk to dad and the council. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I don't want Nicholas' holiday to be ruined by all this melodrama." Sven watched as Nicholas rubbed a weary hand over his closed eyes. "It's making me sick to see him so bummed out."
Wolfgang opened the door for his brothers and the four of them filed out of Dag's bar. He gazed one last time at his brother's wilted form.
Hold on, Nicholas. We're getting you a
Christmas present you'll never forget.
"I'm telling you, Mr. Klaus, Lucy was madly in love with you. It was obvious to everyone." Max, the elf in charge of the Pfefferkuchen room, watched in alarm as his boss took 207
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another swig from the flask in his fist. Nicholas sat on the floor of his office, legs splayed out in front of him on the oriental carpet.
"I saw her with you at the carnival. There was love in her eyes. She couldn't hide it," added Greta, one hand resting on her plump belly.
"Sir, I think maybe you've had enough spirits. It's only 8:30 a.m., after all. It's Christmas Eve, sir. We have quite a lot of work to get done today."
Nicholas shook his head at Markus, who was sporting a perturbed look. He knew he looked somewhat the worse for wear—well, much worse. His shirttails were untucked, and some mystery stain was decorating the front of his apron. He hadn't showered in days, and his hair was greasy and itchy.
He sniffed an underarm. Smelled a bit ripe, too. Nicholas burped up his scotch, and then hastily covered his mouth.
"Well, excuse me. This scotch is rather good. It's Lagavulin, you know, aged thirty years. Wanna try some, Markus?"
"No thank you, sir. I really think you've had enough." He sat down next to Nicholas on the floor. "I think it's time for this pity party to end. The sleighs have to be loaded up today.
Santa is counting on you, Nicholas. So are the children."
"I wonder what Lucy is doing today? Probably cooking an enormous holiday roast for that annoying Mrs. Henderson."
Birgit sat down next to Nicholas and patted his leg. "Mr.
Klaus, I wanted to thank you for the gifts you got for the employees. We were all very touched. It's the first year you remembered..."
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"Yeah, I know. I've been a real ass, haven't I, Birgit? Sorry about that. Did your daughter like the Russian doll? Dad says they're really hot this year."
"Oh, yes, she loved it! And my son loves the cookie cutters. He's been busy as a little bee baking honey cookies for us."
Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "Your son likes to bake, does he? That's good to hear. I've been thinking about offering children's cooking classes at Klaus Kuche. What do you think about that?"
Max responded, "That's a wonderful idea. My kids would enjoy that very much, Mr. Klaus. They loved making the funnel cakes at the carnival. It was the highlight of their day."
"Too bad Lucy's gone. She would have gotten a big kick out of that." Nicholas peered into his empty flask. "Damn it, I need a refill."
Markus shook his head emphatically. "Absolutely not. It's time to pull yourself together, Nicholas. Go splash some cold water on your face. We're heading downstairs to pack the sleighs."
Birgit stood up and offered Nicholas her tiny hand. "Do you need some help, Mr. Klaus?"
Nicholas started to laugh. "I'm at least three feet taller than you, little one. And probably a couple hundred pounds heavier. Do you honestly think you can pull me up?"
"Maybe we can help." Startled, Nicholas looked up to see his four brothers enter the room.
"What the hell are you doing here? I hope to God this isn't an intervention because there's no way..."
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"Cool your jets, big brother. We're not hauling you sorry drunken ass off to rehab. We're here with some very good news." Oskar cracked a big grin at Nicholas and offered him a hand. "Let me help you up. I think you might want to be standing for this conversation, okay?'
As Nicholas stood up, he heard his parents in the hallway.
"Where's Nicholas? We want to see him." Nicky Sr. barged into the office with Alena trailing behind. He inspected Nicholas from head to toe and raised an eyebrow. "Good God, what are you up to, Nicholas?"
Markus answered, "Having a pity party, sir."
Greta added, "A big pity party, sir."
Nicholas hissed, "Traitors. See if you get any presents next year..."
There was a commotion out in the hallway, and then all seven elves from the council forced their way into the room.
Nicholas rolled his eyes. "It's getting a bit tight in here, folks.
Not really the best place for entertaining. Maybe you should all head over to Dag's. I hear there's a ZZ Top marathon today, courtesy of Monie."
Hector walked up to Nicholas and wrinkled his nose.
"Lagavulin?"
"What else? Only the best for the future Weihnachtsmann."
Nicholas looked around the room at the growing crowd in alarm. "Not that I'm not thrilled to see all of you, but what the hell is going on?"
Hector smiled at Nicholas. "We have some important things to discuss, young man. Perhaps your employees should return to their work stations..."
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Nicholas shook his head. "They can stay. For some unknown reason, they've been hovering over me like a bunch of mother hens. I think maybe we're...friends?"
Max, Birgit and Greta smiled at Nicholas. "Friends look out for each other, Mr. Klaus."
"Even when they're having an alcohol-fueled pity party,"
Markus whispered under his breath.
"What was that, Markus?"
"Nothing, sir. Why don't we find out why the council is here?"
Nicholas turned to Hector and sighed dramatically. "All right, Mr. Ischman, am I in some sort of trouble? I'm not really following any of this."
"No, Nicholas. Not at all. Your brothers approached the council yesterday with a proposal. Your father and mother both approve. We would like to discuss it with you."
"What sort of proposal?" Nicholas examined his brothers'
huge grins warily.
"After much consideration, we have decided to part with tradition," Achim announced.
Ebbe nodded. "In the past, the eldest son of the Klaus family would accept the title of Weihnachtsmann when the current Santa was ready to retire."
Johan smiled at Nicholas. "For many years this tradition has served Glasdorf well. However, we have decided that it is not necessary for the eldest son to inherit this position. More important than birth right is the proper enthusiasm for the job."
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Tobias took a step forward. "The Weihnachtsmann must embrace this role with the utmost joy. It is a great honor, but also a complex and difficult task."
"We have come to appreciate your talents, young Nicholas.
Your passion for cooking is something that brings great pride to all of Glasdorf. No one else in the world can create such delicious Christmas cookies and treats. And it was apparent at the carnival last week that your true gift comes from this ability to bring people joy through your craft in the kitchen, not as Santa Claus." Gerd looked down at his feet. "I apologize to you for not being more understanding about this issue. Sometimes I fear I am set in my ways."
Hector put his arm around Gerd's shoulders. "One hundred and ninety seven years is a long time to get set in one's ways, my friend."
Ebbe concurred. "I, too, owe you an apology young man. I fear that I may have inadvertently been too harsh with Miss Brewster when discussing the huge responsibility of Santa's wife and partner. I didn't mean to scare her away."
Nicholas felt as though he were in a fog. "I'm confused.
Lucy was afraid?"
Markus shook his head. "Not afraid, Nicholas. She believed that you would not be able to take over for your father if she remained in Glasdorf...that she posed too big of a distraction.
She felt that she must sacrifice her own selfish desire to be with you for the good of children who were counting on Santa Claus."
"I know, she told me in her note. That's ridiculous."
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"I agree. I tried to tell her, but she insisted that leaving was the right thing to do." Markus finished softly, "She was not convinced you loved her, Nicholas."