“Hello?” she called out. “Is anyone here?”
A bright, cheery face popped up to peer over the edge of the counter. “Anyone isn’t, but I am.”
Kris immediately recognized the elf. She smiled. “Hello Candy.”
Candy grinned widely and came around the end of the counter with arms outstretched. “Well, hello Kris Kringle! What a lovely surprise!” She enveloped Kris into a huge hug. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you, Candy. It feels very nice to be back.” As she spoke the words, Kris realized it was true. She felt good. Relaxed even. She smiled. “Where is everyone?”
Candy smiled. “Well, it’s the strangest thing. Cookie and I came in early this morning to begin prep work for breakfast. And this is what we found.” She waved her hand toward the wrapped trays. “Voila…instant breakfast laid out for several hundred. How’s that for a treat?”
“Wow, talk about Christmas magic.” Kris looked around curiously. “Has this ever happened before?”
The elf shook her head. “No, but I wouldn’t mind if it happened again.” She grinned. “It’s given Cookie and I a chance to work on inventory. We’re getting close enough to Christmas to put in a large food order that will see us through the twenty-sixth.”
“I’d love to help,” Kris offered. She wasn’t sure how much Santa had told the elves about her return. She watched Candy’s face to see if the elf registered any resistance but Candy smiled brightly.
“The big guy told us that you were coming home. We’d love, love, love to have you back in the kitchen as lead chef.”
Tears of gratitude welled up in Kris’ eyes. It felt so amazingly good to know that she was wanted. “Are you sure there won’t be any hurt feelings if I take over? I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.”
“Not to worry, Kris. You couldn’t have come at a better time. We really need you.” Candy smiled. “Cookie told me this morning that Santa has arranged for you to have another chef here full-time. That way you’ll still have plenty of time to spend with Noelle. Isn’t that amazing?”
Kris’ eyes widened. She did not just hear that. “My uncle has hired an assistant for me?”
Candy shook her head. “Not an assistant, a co-chef.”
“Oh.” Kris didn’t know what to say but she knew she neither needed nor wanted another chef underfoot. There were more than enough elves to help her. But this needed to be handled diplomatically. It wouldn’t do to come back home after so many years away and pull rank on her first day back. “I’ll be sure to thank Santa for his thoughtfulness.”
“Have you seen your uncle yet?”
“Not yet.” Kris glanced up at the clock on the wall. “I’ll wait until Noelle is up and take her to meet him.” She walked over to inspect one of the pre-prepared breakfast trays. “So what’s on the magically appearing breakfast menu?”
“The usual balanced food groups,” Candy assured her. She pointed to a crispy marshmallow cereal bar. “We have our vitamin and mineral fortified breakfast cereal here. Next to it is a chocolate covered strawberry which covers our fruit requirement.”
It sounded as if creative nutrition was still the rule. Kris pointed to a small rolled ball covered in coconut flakes and what looked like brown sugar. “What might that be?”
“Delicious is what that is,” Candy said. “I’ve already had my breakfast and that was the best part. Yummy. At first Cookie and I couldn’t figure out what it was but we think it’s a coconut covered mashed potato ball. Which is a very clever way to get in our daily vegetable requirement, I must say.”
Clever wasn’t the word Kris would have used. She could easily see that the dairy and calcium was provided courtesy of the small pint sized cartons of chocolate milk neatly lined up by the trays. She picked one up and noted the calorie count. High, no surprise there. She drummed her fingers on the kitchen counter while she thought.
If Candy’s reaction to breakfast was anything to judge by, the elves would be delighted to eat such a sugar laden breakfast. But it wouldn’t do. Not at all. Surely these menu choices weren’t her new co-chef’s idea? “You have no clue who snuck in here and did all of this?”
“My hope is that it’s Santa’s new hire.”
Precisely what Kris didn’t want to hear. But she wasn’t going to lose hope. She would talk to her uncle and trust that Santa would put everything straight after she shared her concerns with him. He was nothing if not a good listener.
Candy motioned to one of the trays. “Would you like some breakfast, Kris honey? I could make some peppermint tea for you.”
“That’s kind of you, Candy, but I’m good.”
The elf’s face crinkled with concern. “Some hot chocolate and sugar cookies instead? Cookie and I whipped up several big batches of frosting yesterday.”
Kris reached over and squeezed the elf’s arm affectionately. “Really, I’m not a big sweet eater. Noelle and I usually have Greek yogurt with fruit for breakfast, or a strawberry and spinach smoothie, something like that.”
“Blech.” Candy scrunched up her face in distaste.
Kris grinned. “I’d forgotten how much you liked to beat around the bush.”
“Well, I hope you haven’t forgotten how much I like my sugar.” Candy winked conspiratorially. “Now, how about if you stay and help me serve breakfast before you go find Santa.”
“You’re on,” Kris agreed. Even though the meal wasn’t one she’d ever have planned to serve, she felt energized being back in the kitchen. “I might have to dash out if my daughter texts me. Otherwise, make use of me.”
“You won’t have to ask twice,” Candy laughed. “I hereby crown you ‘Queen of the North Pole Kitchen’. Now grab an apron, Your Majesty.”
Kris smiled. It was good to be home.
* * *
“So what do you think of our little operation?”
Kyle grinned at Nicholas Claus. “It’s mind blowing.” He stood next to Santa’s son and surveyed the Christmas Central command center. Hundreds of elves sat in front of computer screens working feverishly. “The frantic energy reminds me of Wall Street. It’s amazing anyone can get anything done in all this chaos.”
“It’s not always like this,” Nick said. “But as we get closer to the big day things start to heat up.” He reached out for a clipboard and ran his fingers down a print out. “Do me a favor and wait here, would you? I need to check with my lady boss about something and then we can finish up our tour.”
“Your lady boss?”
Nick’s smile was infectious. “My wife, Holly, although you’ll usually hear her referred to around here as Mrs. Saint Nick. She’s an organizational genius. Just give me a second.”
Kyle nodded. He was more than happy to wait. It gave him the perfect chance to observe Christmas in the making. And it was thrilling. He loved the holidays, always had. As a child, his favorite part of Thanksgiving was the knowledge that the Christmas season was right around the corner. All of his childhood memories were good ones. He’d been one lucky kid. But the Christmas memories were the best. And now here he was, at the North Pole, witnessing the miracle of it in person. Amazing.
Nick materialized at his side. “Thanks for waiting, man. Have you seen enough?”
“Not on your life, lead on.” Kyle liked Santa’s son. “I haven’t seen the reindeer yet.”
Nick laughed. “Let’s go.”
Kyle followed his guide through a twisting corridor that was a beehive of activity. He tried to imagine what it was like for Kris to grow up in such an amazing place but the mind boggled. It was no wonder that she’d never said much about her childhood. In fact, she’d been downright evasive when they’d first met. Now he knew why. Who would have believed her if she’d said she grew up at the North Pole? He certainly wouldn’t have.
The two men paused outside of a set of double doors painted in a bright red and white Nordic design. “You can’t imagine how many times I got caught sneaking in here when I was a kid,” Nick said.
; “You were mischievous?” Kyle shook his head in mock wonder. “I never would have guessed.”
When Nick pushed open the doors, an arctic blast of cold air hit Kyle square in the face. He was grateful he was wearing a thick wool sweater.
Nick beckoned for Kyle to follow him. “So this is it, a huge part of our Christmas miracle. All eight of our main pulling reindeer are housed over here,” he pointed to the left side of the stables. “Our up-and-coming pullers are housed here to the right.”
Kyle peppered Nick with questions as they toured the stables. The reindeer were so much larger than he’d imagined they would be, shaggier too. They glanced up from the hay they were munching as he passed by, their expressions free of any curiosity. He didn’t wonder at that. These creatures circled the earth in a single night. What would they find interesting about a six foot, one hundred and ninety pound man with dark brown hair and hazel eyes? Their expression answered that question. Nothing. But he thought they were magnificent.
“Okay, my friend,” Nick said as they reentered the main corridor. “What would you most like to see next?”
“Kris.”
“I thought as much.” Nick pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Let me get her for you.”
“No, not yet,” Kyle hastened to interrupt him. “I want to find just the right moment to surprise her.”
Nick’s laughter rang through the corridor. “She doesn’t know you’re here yet? I love it.”
“Let’s hope Kris has the same pleasant reaction.” Kyle sincerely doubted it. “She’s not one for surprises, you might say.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Nick concurred. “She’s my cousin, we grew up together. I know how much she likes order.”
“Structure.”
“Exactly, that’s our Kris.” Nick glanced down at his watch. “You cross country ski by chance?”
“Absolutely, I’d love to get out and stretch my legs. But are you sure you have time?” Kyle looked pointedly at the rushing elves. “I don’t want to take you away from anything pressing.”
Nick waved a hand dismissively. “There’s always time for fresh air.” He pointed in the opposite direction from where they’d come. “Let’s go. It’s about to get Christmas crazy around here so we might as well get in some R & R while we can.”
* * *
Mrs. Claus stared at her husband incredulously. “Santa, are you telling me that Kris doesn’t know Mr. Masterson is here at the North Pole?”
Santa looked up from his slice of pecan pie. “That’s exactly what I just said. Why? What’s wrong with that?”
His wife plopped into the chair next to him. She shook her head and sighed. “My dear husband, don’t tell me you can’t see a problem here.”
Santa pushed the dessert plate closer to his wife. “Trust me when I say that this Kyle fellow is not going to be a problem. He made this pie last night. It’s a slice of heaven on a fork. Try it.”
His wife gently pushed the plate back toward him without so much as looking at the pie. “I’m sure it is, dear. But what about your niece? If Kris didn’t invite Kyle to visit the North Pole, she won’t be thrilled to find him here.”
Santa’s bushy white eyebrows rose. “I hadn’t considered that.”
“You know how Kris is, she’s not overly fond of surprises.”
Santa set down his fork. “Well, maybe it’s about time she learns to appreciate a good surprise then. Kyle seems like a nice enough chap. He certainly knows his way around a recipe.”
“Well, if that were all that mattered, we’d be set.” Mrs. Claus reached for her husband’s mug of peppermint tea and took a sip. “But his culinary skills are not the issue. How are we going to handle this?”
They sat in thoughtful silence for several long moments before Santa spoke. “I say we just let the two young lovebirds find their way back to each other. Both Kris and Kyle will be dining with us this evening, won’t they?”
Mrs. Claus nodded. “The whole family will be there, including Kris and Noelle. I asked Nick to invite Mr. Masterson as well.”
“Splendid.” Santa threw his napkin on the table and stood up. He leaned down to kiss the top of his wife’s head. “Now don’t worry about a single detail. You know I’m never wrong about these types of things.”
After the door closed behind him, Mrs. Claus sighed. “Almost never wrong, Santa, almost never.” She pushed back from the table and began to gather up the dishes. She fervently hoped there would be just enough extra Christmas magic to help the course of true love run smooth.
Chapter Three
“Santa, I wish you would have let me prepare dinner for everyone.” Kris looked up into her uncle’s twinkling blue eyes. “I would have been happy to.”
“That will be delightful at another time, my dear. But you’re just settling in, and Mrs. Claus and I thought you’d be able to relax and enjoy your meal more if there was nothing for you to do but sit and visit with us.”
In truth, nothing relaxed Kris more than spending time in the kitchen putting together a healthy meal but she appreciated her aunt and uncle’s thoughtfulness. She gazed down at the dining table laid with brightly polished silverware and gleaming crystal goblets. It didn’t escape her notice that Mrs. Claus had brought out her finest gold rimmed china for the evening. Kris reached down and gently touched the antique cream lace table cloth. “Everything looks just as beautiful as I remember. It’s like nothing has changed.”
Santa laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Quite a bit has changed for you though, hasn’t it?” His gaze settled on Noelle who was sitting on the sofa with Mrs. Claus. Their heads were close together as they flipped through a photo album filled with old family pictures. “I enjoyed meeting Noelle this morning. She’s a smart, sweet girl.”
Kris smiled. “Noelle is a constant source of joy. She’s the best part of my life.”
“Your life down below is precisely what we want to hear about during dinner.” Santa motioned for everyone to gather around the table before he took his seat at the head, flanked by his daughter Carol and son Nick. At her aunt’s bidding, Kris sat to the right of Mrs. Claus. She motioned for her daughter to take the vacant seat across from her.
Noelle shot a pleading look at Mrs. Claus. “Did you ask my mom?”
“Ask me what?” Kris looked between her daughter and her aunt.
Mrs. Claus slid an arm around Noelle’s waist. “Hillary and Patrick want Noelle to eat with them in the kitchen. Jolly and Tinsel are making pizza and the three children wanted to help.”
“What great fun,” Santa chimed in. “Maybe we should all join them. I love pizza.”
His wife shot him a quieting glance.
“Well, save me some then,” Santa graciously conceded.
“Please may I, Mom?”
Noelle’s eyes sparkled with such excitement that Kris had to give in. “Okay, have fun and be sure to help clean up.” She managed to refrain from reminding Noelle to select veggie toppings. The introduction of vegetarian meals at the North Pole was going to take a systematic, yet diplomatic, approach.
After her daughter left, Kris gestured to the empty spot at the table. “Nick, is your wife joining us?”
He shook his head without meeting her eye. “No, Holly’s working late. That’s why I’ve got little Kristoff here,” he said, referring to his newborn son cradled in his arms.
She turned to Carol. “I didn’t know Ben was at the North Pole this week.”
Carol, eyes intent on the napkin in her lap, shook her head. “He’s still down below.”
Kris looked around the table but no one would meet her gaze head on. What had she missed? “Are we expecting someone else for dinner?”
Mrs. Claus coughed delicately into her embroidered handkerchief, all the while keeping her eyes fixed on her husband. Kris hadn’t been gone so long that she’d forgotten how this worked. When something was afoot, her aunt would give the signal and her uncle would deliver the news.
“We
’re expecting a guest for dinner,” Santa said right on cue. “A gentleman.”
Incredulous, Kris’ eyes widened, and not in delight either. “Oh, Santa, you’re not…you didn’t…you’re not matchmaking are you?”
“Me? No.” Santa shook his head vehemently. “Of course not. I had nothing to do with this.”
“Nothing to do with what exactly?” Kris stood and tossed her napkin on the table. If her family thought they were going to get away with subjecting her to a litany of eligible but so-not-right-for-her men, she’d do well to straighten them out now. “Did you invite someone to dinner expressly for the purpose of introducing him to me?”
Her cousin grinned.
“What’s so funny, Nick?”
“Nothing,” he managed to say before he and his sister burst into laughter.
Mrs. Claus picked up her fork and rapped it delicately on the table. “Goodness, you’re all acting like children. Nick, Carol, stop teasing your cousin.” Once they were silent, she returned her fork to its proper place. “Kris, my dear, you needn’t worry. The guest we invited is your new co-chef. We thought this would be the ideal chance for us all to get to know him.”
Only slightly mollified, Kris sat back down. “I’m sorry. I’m a little sensitive about dating after…well, never mind. But I really, truly don’t think we need two chefs.” She knew without a doubt she didn’t want to share the kitchen with anyone. “Can we discuss this before he gets here?”
As if on cue, the front door bell rang and fate denied her request.
Carol jumped to her feet. “I’ll get it.”
Kris took a long sip of ice water, hoping it would help cool her down.
Carol reappeared in the doorway. “Everyone meet our newest culinary genius, Kyle Masterson.” She stepped aside and a familiar form stepped into the Claus’ dining room.
Kris, her mouth filled with water, hastily swallowed. Tried to swallow actually, it was more like a half sputter and a half cough. She sucked in a deep breath of air. “Kyle.”
The Return of Kris Kringle: A Christmas Romantic Comedy Page 2