by penny watson
“I don’t like you insulting her, Dad. Kick it down a notch.” Sven could feel the vein bulging in his forehead. His dad had the exact same one, and it was throbbing, too.
Alena threw up her hands. “That is enough! Stand down, boys.” She pulled Andi close for a hug. “Hello, Miss De Luca. Nice to meet you. I’m Alena Klaus, Sven’s mom.” She punched Santa on the arm. “Nicky. Do you have something to say? To Andi? The woman who the Council just assured us is trustworthy?”
Santa grumbled.
“What was that? I couldn’t hear you.”
“Fine. Hello, Miss De Luca.”
“Nicky!”
Santa blew out a breath. “Nice to meet you.” He gestured to Hector. “Are you sure she’s okay?”
Hector nodded. “Positive. She was on the fence yesterday, but her aura has changed. She will not betray us.”
Andi blushed. “You could see that about me?”
“Yes. But it looks like a decision has been made about keeping our secrets. Your aura is clear and focused now.”
She snuggled tightly against Sven’s side, and then glanced at Santa. “I’ve fallen in love with Glasdorf, Mr. Klaus.”
Santa’s expression eased up. “It is a special place, isn’t it? I feel very protective of everyone who lives here, Andi. You have to understand that.”
“I understand. And I realize there are things more important than getting the story. You can trust me.”
Santa scratched his head. “Fine. If Hector and Sven and the Council think you’re pure of heart and intent, I’ll go along with their decision.” He pointed at Sven. “But we need to get cracking, son. Christmas orders are coming in fast and furious! And you have your hands full. December twenty-fifth is right around the corner, and you have a new studio opening up soon in Manhattan. No time to waste!”
Sven’s mouth hung open in shock. “What did you just say? You know about my studio?”
Andi clutched Sven’s hand in solidarity.
“Of course I know. I know everything. I’m fucking Santa Claus.” He shot Sven an exasperated look.
Andi started to giggle. So did Alena.
Sven shook his head in disbelief. “You’re not mad at me?”
“No, I’m not mad. I knew a long time ago you were losing interest in doing the standard Klaus designs. You kept replacing our furniture with new tables and chairs, you kept trying to change the old tried-and-true Klaus designs. The elves were horrified.” Santa chuckled. “They’d been doing it the same way for countless generations. As it should be. But I also like the idea of having another section of Klaus Toys dedicated to innovation. I don’t want you to feel suffocated or unhappy, son. If you need to branch out, you need to branch out.”
“You’re sure?” Sven rubbed his forehead. “I don’t want you to be disappointed.”
“Disappointed? How could I be disappointed? Your designs are spectacular. You’re a Klaus, after all. There are enough elves in the toyshop to guarantee a successful holiday season every year.”
“Andi and I were just talking about that. I’m sure Ulrich could manage the Glasdorf Toyshop. I…I can’t believe you’re okay with all of this.”
Santa frowned. “Not all of it. I’m not happy you neglected to tell me about this new business venture. You should have included me, your mom, all of your brothers. For God’s sake, Sven, if you can’t trust us, who can you trust? We want to be part of your plans next time. Got it?”
“Yeah, I got it. I apologize. I should have trusted you from the beginning. It’s just sometimes…you lose your temper.”
Alena patted Sven’s arm. “It’s true your father sometimes loses his temper. Sort of like a big grizzly bear.” She winked at her husband. “But you boys can take it. We’re so proud of you, honey. This new furniture studio is really exciting. You have our support.”
“And what about the Überholen?”
Santa pounded Sven on the back. “We’ll deal with that later. It will all work out. You’ll see. Let’s just focus on one thing at a time. Right now, we have a holiday season coming up and a new studio to launch.” He squeezed Sven in a huge bear hug.
After all these months of worrying about his father’s reaction, Santa already knew. And supported him. Gregor had been right. Sven felt like an enormous weight had just been lifted from his shoulders. He exhaled a pent-up breath of relief and fist-bumped his father. “Thank you, Dad.”
Santa smiled. “You’re welcome. No more secrets, okay?”
“I promise.”
Santa turned to Hector. “Is the Council really kosher with Sven bringing a reporter to the North Pole?”
Hector nodded. “Yes. He was forced into a corner, and he made the right choice.” He winked at Sven. “He chose to protect this woman’s life, and he risked his own skin to do it. Repeatedly. You’re a good man, Sven Klaus.”
“And Andi is a good woman. She saved my life, too.” Sven gazed down at her and was filled with pride. His feisty little warrior had battled frost flowers and Yeti, and was now preparing to conquer a new career. She was perfect for him.
He was never letting her go.
Alena nudged her husband. “Santa? Don’t you have something to say?”
He gritted his teeth. “Sure. Welcome to the family, Miss De Luca. Even if you are…a reporter for The Scoop.”
Andi laughed. “If it makes you feel any better, Mr. Klaus, I’ve decided to retire from tabloid journalism. I’m looking for a more respectable job.” She glanced at Sven who smiled at her encouragingly. “And…I’ll be working on my book of poetry, too.”
Sven kissed the back of her neck and whispered, “You go, girl.”
Andi beamed.
Santa stroked his goatee and leaned down to Andi’s eye level. “That does makes me feel a lot better. You can call me…Santa.”
Secrets and lies.
All of Andi’s expectations and beliefs had been blown to bits over the past week.
Santa was real.
Elves were real.
Yeti was real…unfortunately.
Sometimes dreams did come true. For children on Christmas morning. For struggling writers daunted by the journalism business in New York City. For woodworkers trying to fulfill family obligations.
She’d been convinced she was nothing more than a tabloid reporter.
Who knew that The Pulse of New York would make her an offer to join their team?
She’d believed Sven Klaus was a laid-back hippie hiding nefarious family secrets.
Instead he was a man of honor, courage, andskill.
He was also the man Andi had fallen hopelessly in love with. It was time to admit her true feelings to Santa’s son.
The past week had flown by in a blur. After returning to New York via magik sleigh—a huge improvement over the former flight—she’d unpacked her meager belongings from the trip. The toy from Dietmar was stashed in her closet and would be wrapped for Christmas. She’d already demolished the gingerbread cookies from Klaus Küche and was wearing the peppermint socks every day. She’d flung the spy-cam into a drawer at work, never to be used again. Good riddance.
Andi was interviewing, writing, and texting Sven every chance she could. He’d been right about her ability to hack an honest job. She could do it. Surprisingly, skills she’d picked up working at The Scoop were proving helpful in the legitimate world. She loved research, interviewing real people, and reporting the news without any false embellishments. Sven had given her the nudge she needed to take a chance on a new professional life. And he still had her back. Even with his strict work schedule, he chatted with her frequently. Tonight they’d made plans for dinner. At Uncle Gino’s Pizzeria. He said he needed to try the Best Pizza in New York City, according to the De Luca family.
In just a few hours, she was going to spill her guts to Sven. Andi was ready to trust someone with her heart. He hadn’t professed his love, but he had risked his life to save her, and she felt a special connection when they made love. At least she hop
ed it was special.
One way or another, she would find out the truth this evening. A brand new sensation was blossoming inside Andi’s soul—the feeling of dreams taking root and beginning to sprout. For the first time ever, she believed anything was possible.
The only thing bothering her was Hannah. She was being extremely evasive about what had transpired with Gregor Klaus. The two sisters typically shared all their secrets, but Hannah refused to talk about Greg. She told Andi to butt out. That hurt, but Sven convinced her to back off. Evidently, Gregor was pulling the same silent treatment with his brothers.
Andi raced up the steps to The Scoop. Time to clean out her cubicle and start a new chapter of her life. She wrenched open the door to the tabloid office and practically sprinted to her desk.
This is it!
“Andi, you’re breaking my heart. Tell me you’re not really leaving.” Her boss, Steve McGovern, cornered her in the cubicle.
“Sorry, Steve. This is good-bye. I know you won’t have any trouble finding someone else to concoct your Bigfoot stories.”
“Not true, honey. Your Bigfoot stories are the best. The cream-of-the-crop. No one else spins a yarn the way you do.” Steve chomped on a toothpick and shot her a forlorn look. “I’m begging you. Don’t go.”
Andi packed the last of her things into a cardboard box. “Too late. I’ve already accepted a job at The Pulse of New York.”
Steve scowled. “The Pulse of New York? Going hoity-toity on me, are you? Well, no matter what they’re paying you, it will never compare to us. Is it worth it? Just to get a byline in their paper?”
Andi lifted the box in her arms. “It’s worth it,” she answered softly. “Yeah, it’s worth it. Time for me to grow up, Steve. No more alien abduction series.”
“Fine.” Steve huffed out an aggravated sigh. “I guess a couple of our rookies can step up and take over for you when you leave. Tony Standish already impressed me with today’s piece. We used your last photo. From the spy-cam.”
Andi froze. Her heart started to pound.
“What photo from the spy-cam? What are you talking about?”
“I saw it in your desk yesterday, so I downloaded it. Too bad there was really only one good pic. I won’t ask how you got it to look so real. It scared the crap out of me when it popped up on the computer screen.”
A bead of sweat trickled down the side of Andi’s face. She walked in slow motion to the front of the newsroom and grabbed a copy of today’s paper.
I BATTLED YETI AND WON!
The photo took her breath away. It was blurry, an action shot of her worst nightmare. The schneemonster roared with clear intent. Bloody saliva dripped off his teeth. His eyes glistened with rage.
Steve shuddered behind her. “Christ. How’d you do it? With the computer or did you manipulate a drawing? I swear, that thing looks real.”
Andi tried not to hyperventilate. “Is my name on this article?”
Steve shrugged. “Tony got writer’s credit. But I did give you a shout-out for the photo.” He smirked. “Nice job, De Luca. Always good to go out on top.”
Andi shut her eyes and prayed.
Would the tiny seedlings of hope that had just sprouted survive this disaster?
Sven took a long drag on his beer. He was settled comfortably at the corner booth in Uncle Gino’s Pizzeria. He couldn’t wait to see Andi. After spending so much intense time together—filled with frustration, hostility, and then off-the-charts attraction—he’d become addicted to her. Addicted to her sass, charmed by her enthusiasm, impressed by her courage, and enchanted by her lush sensuality. Andi De Luca was an addiction without a cure.
They’d been texting non-stop over the last several days, sending pictures and updates and reassurances. She’d finally quit The Scoop and found the guts to interview for a real journalism position. There was no way she’d fail. Not with her relentless determination and drive. He had every confidence her new career would be a success.
Thanks to Andi’s suggestions and his family’s support, he was managing fairly well at multi-tasking. Ulrich had the toy schedule under control, the Klaus Studios grand opening was imminent, and Sven felt optimistic about the upcoming year. There was just one little detail left hanging.
His relationship with Andi.
They hadn’t spoken about their future yet. No terms of endearment, no promises made. But that was going to end—tonight. Sven was ready to grab onto the most important part of his future right now. And that was Andi De Luca. He wanted a ring on her finger, a promise from her lips, a vow of commitment. He didn’t really care if they lived in Glasdorf or Manhattan, in a cottage or apartment, with elves or nosy New Yorkers.
Andi was his destiny.
The family next to him got up to leave. They left a newspaper spread out on the table. He glanced at it quickly and then looked away. Then looked back.
Sven stood up and walked slowly to the table. He picked up the paper and shook his head to clear it.
It couldn’t be.
But it was.
Not possible.
He’d trusted her. He’d believed her.
She’d promised him.
The grisly face of yeti stared back at him. The photo was blurry, but still effective. Scary enough to chill the blood in his veins. Frightening enough to remind him how close they’d come to dying.
How close she’d come to dying.
For this?
For this horrifying photo, for the story of the century? For the chance to crush his family and their future?
I BATTLED YETI AND WON!
His eyes shot upward, and he saw her standing there, white as a ghost.
“How could you do this?”
“Sven, it’s not what you think—”
“Really? ’Cause it sure looks like you changed your mind.”
“You’re wrong. I did not change my mind. I didn’t write that. Anyway—”
He peered down at the paper. There were two names on the byline. She had photo credits. “So what? You gave them the photo and the details and let someone else write the story? Did you think that would get you off the hook? Revealing my family secrets using someone else to do it?”
“No! You’re not listening to me. Please—”
He barked out a laugh. “You knew. The whole time. It was all lies, wasn’t it? Your fear of flying? You pretended to be interested in Dietmar’s project. You faked it. With my parents. How did you pull the wool over the eyes of the Council? I want to know. That takes real talent.”
She shot him a haunted look. “I didn’t fake it.”
“You even slept with me? To get the story? Was that painful, or just a perk of the job?”
“I can’t believe you just said that. You can’t honestly believe I made love to you for a story. I would never do that. Never.”
“I have no idea what you’re capable of. You lied at the gala, you sneaked onto my plane. Who knows what you’d do for the big pay-off?” Sven pulled on his hat and coat and scarf and stared at her, wondering how he could have been so stupid. How he could have been such an easy mark.
“Will you just listen to me? I have a very good explanation for this. Give me a chance—”
“Give you a chance for what? To play me for a sucker again? I don’t think so.”
She threw up her hands. “So that’s it? You’re not giving me a chance to defend myself? All that talk about me being filled with sweetness and goodness. What happened to that? You’re so quick to judge me now. Did you ever really believe in me? Or was that just bullshit?”
“You have some nerve, De Luca. Trying to turn this around and getting mad at me. It’s not about me. It’s about you selling out for a story. Again. I guess some things never change.”
She jerked and turned even paler at that comment. Sven didn’t care.
“Was it all a lie? The sob story about your family, your dreams to be a writer? The princess bed? Sad little tabloid journalist, toying with me while we almost died? Christ.
I hope it was worth it. But you know, this isn’t over. Klaus Enterprises will just discredit you, make you look like a wack. No one will believe a word you say.”
Her hands fisted at her sides, and one single tear ran down her face. “To be honest, I only care that you believe a word I say. Sven, I did not betray you. This was a mistake. I…I…I love you.”
Her voice cracked at the end of her false declaration.
He sighed. “Well played, De Luca. You really had me going.”
He stomped to the exit and thrust open the door. He was vaguely aware of the tinkle of bells, Christmas music blaring from the speakers, a television screen crackling in the background. And the sound of Andi De Luca’s sobs.
He left the restaurant and ice pelted his face.
He felt nothing.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Sven lifted the wooden mallet and struck the chisel with too much force.
Crack!
The piece of walnut split and shards of wood flew through the air.
“What did that lumber ever do to you?” Oskar leaned against a worktable in Sven’s studio and popped a peppermint candy into his mouth.
“Not in the mood, O. Get lost.”
“Sorry, no can do. Word on the street is you’re a mess.”
Sven peered at his brother through long strands of straggly hair. “Yeah, well. I got no one to impress. Get. Lost.”
Bang!
“I think that wood is already dead, Sven.” Wolfgang walked past him and sat down on a bench.
“You’re worrying us. Could you please take a break so we can talk?” Nicholas sauntered over to Sven’s side and patted Noelle as she gurgled on his shoulder.
Sven stopped hammering. “It’s not safe for Noelle to be here, Nick. She’s a baby.”
“Yes, I know she’s a baby. That’s why she’s wearing safety equipment.”
Sven glanced at his niece and smiled in spite of himself. She wore cap-mounted earmuffs and thick goggles.
Oskar laughed. “Nick, I think you forgot her shoulder pads and spiked boots. I could loan her some.”
“Sven. Put down the mallet.” Gregor approached from behind and crossed his arms.