Sweet Inspiration (19 page)

Too bad the elves can't market those in the Sudenwelt. We'd be billionaires."

Nicholas scooped some of the sugary treat onto a paper cone, and watched as swirls of colors danced around the ice.

"Here you go, Dad. Enjoy."

"Do you mind playing Santa for a little bit while I enjoy my cone? You might as well get some practice in, since the job will be yours soon."

Nicholas swallowed. "Uh, sure. Lucy and Markus can hold down the fort." He untied his apron and hung it on a peg behind the booth. Nicky Sr. presented him with a floppy red hat trimmed with lush white fur.

"Here you go, Nicholas. Try to enjoy yourself. It's not that bad."

Nicholas wasn't so sure about that. As he approached the children, offering gifts, he felt like an imposter dressing up for Halloween. He chose a little red fire truck from his sack for Eben Stuart, and the boy howled with misery.

"What's wrong, Mrs. Stuart?"

"Oh, Nicholas, Eben hates loud noises. Fire trucks aren't his favorite toys. Do you have anything else?"

"Uh, how about a honey stick?"

Eben crushed the honey stick in an instant, spewing sticky amber fluid all over his mother's jacket.

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She sent Nicholas a blistering look before dragging her son away.

Nicholas found a group of giggling girls watching the Ferris wheel and offered them some charm bracelets. Five minutes later the girls were pouting and arguing over whose bracelet was the prettiest, and Nicholas slunk away with sweat beading his forehead.

A little girl named Anya tugged on his jacket and asked if he had any dolls. "Yes, of course. Let's see what we have..."

Nicholas' stomach clenched in panic as he realized there were no more dolls in the sack. "Hmm, how about a lollipop instead?"

Anya's face scrunched up into a frightening display of disappointment, and then an ear-piercing wail filled the air.

Nicholas felt short of breath. "Dolls, dolls, let's see if I can find some..."

Anya's mother shook her head in sympathy at Nicholas'

predicament. "Don't worry, young Nicholas. Your father has his work cut out for him, teaching you the ropes of the Santa business, eh? A word of advice...don't run out of the dollies!

The girls love 'em." With a pitying look on her face, she towed her screeching child away.

Nicholas let out a ragged sigh and slumped onto a bench next to the teacup ride. A rambunctious set of twins raced to his lap. "Santa, Santa, what do you have for us?"

Nicholas took a deep breath.
Just relax. You can do this.

"Let's see. How about a kite for you, little girl, and a toy boat for your brother. My brother Sven made those toys.

Aren't they amazing?"

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The little girl shook her head so violently that her braids whipped around and swatted Nicholas in the eye. "I like boats!" She grabbed the painted sailboat from her brother and dashed away.

The little elfin boy looked at Nicholas with a bewildered expression. "She always does that. It's okay. I'll take the kite."

Nicholas had half a mind to pick the little girl up and give her a good spanking.
That would go over real well, Nicholas.

Santa Spanks Naughty Little Urchin. I can see the headlines
now
.

"Well, I have a better idea. Do you like funnel cakes?"

The little boy brushed a mop of red hair away from his eyes and nodded. "Yes, sir. They're delicious. My mom said we can have some if we behave today."

"How would you like to make some funnel cakes? You can be...my assistant today. A master chef-in-training. What do you say?"

Nicholas was thrilled to see the little boy's eyes light up.

"Really, Santa? I didn't know you knew how to cook."

Nicholas chuckled. "Well, this Santa sure knows how to cook. Come on, let's get started. What's your name, little one?"

"Lukas."

"Okay, Lukas. Here we go." Nicholas swung the little boy onto his shoulders and carried him to the food booth. He helped Lukas pour the batter onto the sizzling oil, and watched in satisfaction as the happy tot sprinkled powdered 178

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sugar on the cake. Lukas was beaming with pride when he offered the confection to his mother.

"Thanks, Santa. I like being a chef-in-training."

"And you're doing a wonderful job, Lukas. Merry Christmas." Nicholas lost track of time as a band of little munchkins clamored for a turn with the funnel cakes.

Gerd watched solemnly as Nicholas held up another child for a turn in the food booth. "I hate to say it, but I don't think it's going to be that easy for Nicholas to give up his hobby."

Ebbe nodded at his friend's remark. "It's more than a hobby. It's in his blood. The real problem isn't his passion for the culinary arts. It's his complete lack of talent as Weihnachtsmann. He's awkward with the children and too rigid by half."

Achim agreed, nervously scratching his head. "Santa must be patient and non-judgmental."

"A good listener, filled with joy and spirit," said Tobias.

"Able to go with the flow, not get flustered when things go wrong." Hector nodded thoughtfully.

"He must focus on the task at hand. Make it effortless,"

added Otto.

"Have a sense of playfulness. Be a child at heart," Gerd announced.

The seven elves contemplated Nicholas intently, frowns marring their faces.

"Young Nicholas does not seem to possess these traits."

Johan stated the obvious.

Tobias surveyed the future Santa interacting with the children. "He was clearly uncomfortable with the children in 179

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the role of Santa Claus. But he's wonderful with them in the food booth. Truthfully, I have never seen this problem before.

In the past, the eldest Klaus son has embraced the position of Weihnachtsmann with gusto."

"The children adore Lucy. Hopefully she will be an asset to Nicholas and help him on his path," Otto pronounced as he observed Nicholas.

Ebbe grunted. "I disagree. I fear that Lucy will distract Nicholas from his responsibility. Her talent lies in the kitchen, and Nicholas will never forget that. He seems besotted with the girl. Look at him, he can't stop touching her." Ebbe shook his head in disgust.

Johan chuckled at his fellow council-member. "Ebbe, don't you remember young love? We are not
that
old, are we?

Things will settle down after the Uberholen."

Hector scrutinized the scene unfolding in front of him. "I fear you may be incorrect, old friend. I have a feeling that Nicholas' talents have blossomed in an arena that is not well suited for Weihnachtsmann. I am at a loss about what to do with such a dilemma."

Otto turned to Hector and sighed. "How do you propose we tell Nicky Sr. about this?"

Hector patted Otto on the back and smiled. "Something tells me he already knows."

At that moment, Nicky Sr. approached the council, shaking his head. "Not such an auspicious start, was it?"

"Hmm, we have been viewing your eldest son, also. It appears he is somewhat stymied by the responsibilities of 180

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Santa Claus." Hector raised an eyebrow at the Weihnachtsmann.

Nicky Sr. stroked his goatee as he observed the food booth. "Even as a child, Nicholas was always different. His room was always neat as a pin while his brothers tore apart the house. When Alena was flustered with the children's antics, Nicholas would help to settle down the troops. I remember the other boys playing with rocket ships and dressing up as pirates, but Nicholas always had his head buried in a recipe book while he experimented in the kitchen.

I guess he wasn't very 'child-like.' But the kids are having a ball learning to cook."

Hector looked at Nicky Sr. "There is no doubt that Nicholas is a talented chef. But he must be prepared for the Uberholen. There are new skills that he must learn. Skills that may not come naturally to him. Do you think that he will embrace this challenge, Nicky?"

Santa continued to watch his son with the children. "I think he will do what he must. Duty comes first." He crumpled the paper cone in his hand and walked away, his face curiously devoid of expression.

Johan leaned toward Hector. "He's worried, Hector."

The head of the council turned to his friend. "It will all work out. Let's wait and see what happens. How about a caramel apple?"

"Dipped in honey?" Johan nodded his head in agreement.

"Great idea. Why should the kids get all the treats?" He and Hector laughed as they stood in line to wait.

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Lucy was well aware that Nicholas had not been favorably judged by the small group of elves who witnessed his first attempt to play Santa. She watched, infuriated, as they shook their heads in disapproval while Nicholas struggled to follow in his father's footsteps.
Who cares if he's not the 'perfect
Santa?' He is such an amazing man. It's not fair for them to
judge him.

She was so proud of Nicholas. An animated crowd of elfin children swarmed about their booth, anxious for a cooking lesson with 'Santa.' A little girl was hanging onto Nicholas'

neck, her eyelashes coated with powdered sugar. Noisily she chomped on a bit of funnel cake, her eyes wide with delight.

"This is the most delicious thing I ever ate. I can't believe I made it myself."

"Pretty good, eh? Always remember to have an adult help you with the hot oil, sweet pea. I don't want you to get burned, okay?"

"Yes, Santa. I promise." She hopped to the ground and ran to her mother's arms. "Mama, I'm a baker now!"

Nicholas wiped sweat from his brow and turned to Lucy.

"How are we doing with supplies? I think we might need some more confectioners' sugar soon."

Lucy gently dabbed his forehead with a bandana, and handed him a cool drink. "Okay, Santa, I think you need a break. You look exhausted."

"I don't mind. It's actually a lot of fun teaching the kids.

They love it." Nicholas beamed with pride at the mob of children waiting for a turn in the kitchen.

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His father approached the booth and spread his arms wide.

"What's this I hear about Chef Santa? The kids certainly approve. But I think I'm going to need my hat back, son. I have to finish handing out toys."

Nicholas chuckled and removed the red felt hat. "Here you go. I don't think I did such a hot job today distributing toys.

I'll try harder next time."

Lucy was livid. Nicholas had no reason to feel like a failure.

He was an incredibly talented man. If only his family respected his abilities in the kitchen as much as she did.

"I'll go get the sugar, Nicholas. I'll be back in a minute."

Lucy left the booth still fuming. It just didn't seem fair that Nicholas had to sacrifice a profession he loved for the role of Weihnachtsmann.

As she collected assorted sacks of sugar and candies onto a transport cart, several of the elderly council members approached her in greeting.

"Hullo, Miss, I thought I would introduce myself. I'm Gerd, a member of the council. You must be Miss Lucy. We've heard a lot about you."

Lucy hesitated before shaking his hand. "It's nice to meet you. Thank you for your kindness to Nicholas yesterday."

A second elf inspected her warily. "The council is always just, my dear. We take our duties very seriously. I am Ebbe, also on the council. It is an honor to meet the future wife of Weihnachtsmann." He bowed formally to Lucy.

"Oh, well, actually Nicholas has not asked me to marry him." Lucy's gaze became focused on the food cart. She 183

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cleared her throat nervously. "We haven't discussed my future role here at all."

Ebbe jerked back. "Well, that is most unusual. I thought there was already an agreement between the two of you."

"No, not yet."

"I hope you will not refuse his offer when it comes, Miss.

The boy has sacrificed a great deal for you. He saved your life, ignoring the laws of Glasdorf." There was a note of censure in Gerd's tone.

Lucy's head snapped up. "I have no intention of refusing an offer from him, if he makes one. This all seems like a very personal issue between me and Nicholas, if you don't mind."

Ebbe shook his head. "It is an issue for all of Glasdorf.

Nicholas Jr. will be the next Santa, and his wife will have an enormous responsibility. The choice of wife for the Weihnachtsmann is a subject of great interest to all of the elves on the council." The elf's voice shook with authority.

"You know, it wouldn't hurt if you helped to turn young Nicholas' attention away from his little cooking hobby. By encouraging this diversion, it will only make his transition to Santa more difficult." Gerd gave Lucy a disapproving look.

Ebbe added, "I agree. He must buckle down and focus on the task at hand. It will require great concentration and hard work. Any distraction must be avoided. His wife and partner must be a source of strength and conviction, completely supportive of his place in this realm."

Lucy could not hold back the tears gathering in her eyes.

"I appreciate you telling me your concerns, gentlemen. Now, 184

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if you will excuse me, I have some hungry children waiting for me."

There was no way she could return to the food booth right now. Hot tears poured down her cheeks. Lucy fled from the carnival, down the snowy street toward a steeple in the distance. Her feet slid on the slippery sidewalk, and she wished she had a coat. Her apron was not much protection against the brisk wind. By the time she found herself at the end of the block, her hands were beet red and nearly frozen, and she was hiccupping as she tried to catch her breath.