Breakfast with Santa

by Carol Henry

  “You aren’t fired. I didn’t get here early, either. Stayed up too late last night planning our Christmas dinner with my girls.”

  “Whew, that makes me feel better. So, what do you want me to do for the party? I have plenty of time to help now that classes are over. What’s on the agenda for today?”

  “With so many younger children enrolled this fall, we need to keep it simple. I talked to some of the parents this morning, and they’ve agreed to provide cookies and drinks. I don’t think we need much more than that, do you?

  “You’re right. The kids will be so ramped up with excitement as it is, extra sugar will just put them over the top. But that reminds me, my mother is making cut out sugar cookies tonight so the kids can decorate them tomorrow. I’ll stop by the grocery mart before I go to the restaurant and see if Helen has some neat decorating toppings.”

  “Now all we need is a Santa to distribute the gifts.”

  “Ask Mark. He was the one who played Santa at the lodge.”

  “What? Really? How’d you find out?”

  “He actually confessed.”

  “Think you could ask him if he’d be interested? The kids would love it.”

  “We can check when he comes to get Kurtis this afternoon.” She really didn’t want to be the one to ask, and remind him he’d seen her in that horrid elf outfit, regardless of how sexy he thought she looked in it. But this was for the kids, so she’d give in and thrust her pride aside and ask. “What about gifts for Santa to hand out? What did you have in mind?”

  “Got that covered. Jan Williams said we could pick out an appropriate toy for each child from the Church of God’s Toys for Tots campaign. Apparently they’ve been so successful this year they have an overabundance. I invited her and our director, Jolene, to come to the party, too.”

  “Wonderful. I overheard Noelia Russo tell Helen Troy that St. Joseph’s Ladies of the Rosary Society’s annual coat drive was doing extremely well, too. I’m sure we have a few kids who could use a warm coat this winter. I can ask and see if they’d be willing to help out.”

  “Definitely. I’ll make a list of gender and sizes. Hopefully, they can find one for each of our kids—it will make a nice additional present.”

  “If not, I know for a fact Eugenia McClintock still manages several funds through McClintock and McClintock and is very generous this time of year. I understand she makes sure the food pantry is well stocked, too.”

  “I just love it when the town comes together this time of year.”

  “I can’t imagine living anywhere else.” Except Norway, and only long enough to help Sven during his family’s crisis. If he couldn’t be home for Christmas, she would go to him. If she left Friday, right after the children’s party, she’d be there Saturday, mid-morning. Yes! The more she thought about it the better the idea sounded. She would check on flights as soon as she got home tonight and see if she could make arrangements.

  “Reminds me, did you know Eugenia’s house is on the market?”

  “Yes, Mark mentioned he was going to be looking for a home—his mother mentioned it. But he’s not interested in the McClintock estate. Said it’s too large.”

  “Rumor has it Eugenia and Günter Jordan have been off traveling the last few months. Not sure what’s going on between them, but as usual, the rumor mill is active.”

  “It’s a shame what she experienced last year. Losing her husband to a heart attack, then her son in a freak accident in a storm. Still, it was nothing compared to what she and her son put Juelle through.”

  “So glad it all worked out for Juelle. Are Juelle and her new husband still in control of McClintock and McClintock Lobster Company?”

  “As far as I know. They bought a house here, so I’m assuming they’re still involved. I haven’t talked to Juelle lately. But she so deserves happiness after finding out her first husband had cheated on her before his death.”

  “Oh, right. I forget. It was with Nora Spears, right?”

  Katelyn hadn’t seen Nora since the episode at Sebastian’s funeral when she fell apart over his death. Juelle had been shocked to discover the two of them had been having an affair and practically cleaned out his bank account. She should call Juelle and wish her a Merry Christmas and see how things were going in Hawaii.

  By the time lunch rolled around, Katelyn’s mind was abuzz with thoughts of flying across the Atlantic to Norway to be with Sven. Just thinking about going to Norway had her unable to concentrate on anything else. What fun, to jump a plane and surprise her fiancé. If she left this Friday, she would have plenty of time to spend with Sven and his family, and still be home in time to spend Christmas with her own family. And who knew, maybe he would fly back home with her.

  Once the children were settled quietly for an after-lunch rest period, Katelyn took Linda aside. Seated across the round kitchen table from each other, drinking a steaming hot cup of tea, she filled her friend in on her idea.

  “I’m thinking of booking a flight to join Sven in Norway. His grandfather is doing poorly, so he isn’t able to come home for Christmas. He sounded down in the dumps when he called last night. I feel as if I should be there to help. Lend him moral support. Surprise him. What do you think?”

  “Oh, Katelyn, what a fantastic idea. When were you planning on going?”

  “I thought this Friday, right after the Christmas party. That is, if I can get a flight.”

  “Call the airlines right now. Set it up. Why wait?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t want his family to think I’m imposing, but I have a strong urge to be there for him. Ease his worry.”

  “I think it’s a wonderful idea. Really, Katelyn, don’t hesitate. We’ll be finished here on Friday until after the holidays, anyway. It’ll be a great little getaway. I’m sure Sven would love it if you surprised him. What a romantic Christmas present.”

  “I’ll have to talk to my parents. Make sure they can get along without my help for a few days. I know my mother was going to hire extra help. I’ll talk to her tonight and see what she thinks.”

  “Don’t wait too long to make reservations. It might be difficult this time of year.”

  “I won’t. Thanks for the moral support.”

  They finished their tea. Katelyn rinsed her cup, and put it in the drainer. “Come on, we’d better get today’s craft project prepared before we have a handful of bored kids on our hand this afternoon.”

  The rest of the afternoon was busy with the children working on projects. By the time parents started arriving to take their children home, she was more than ready to call it a day. Katelyn kept an eye out for Mark, who was the last to arrive. Kurtis was waiting in the library area, looking at a book about dogs.

  It was now or never. She took a deep breath, let it out, and approached him. He smiled, causing her to trip over her own feet.

  “Hi, Mark, I wanted to catch you before Kurtis spots you. As you know, we’re having a Christmas party on Friday for the kids and their parents.”

  “Great. Can I do anything to help?”

  Katelyn couldn’t believe he’d given her the perfect opening. She bit the inside of her cheek and lowered her eyes, then looked back into those sexy eyes of his, and that killer dimple.

  “Umm, well, Linda was wondering if you would play Santa for the children. It would only be for a short time. You did such a wonderful job at Breakfast with Santa. The kids loved you. Many of the kids from here attended, and it would be great if they were to see the same Santa. It would reinforce their belief, and be less confusing.”

  He didn’t hesitate.

  “On one condition. You be my elf and help me hand out the gifts.”

  “What! No. No way!”

  “It’s the only way I’ll do it. Take it or leave it.”

  “We have enough little elves running around. You don’t really expect me to wear that silly outfit again?”

  “Sure I do. You looked great in it and the kids loved it.”

  “Why are you doing
this?”

  “Let’s just say, together we make a great team. Come on, Katie. It’ll be fun working together again.”

  “This is blackmail.”

  “So, you’ll do it?”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “Nope.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Daddy!” Kurtis ran toward his father and crashed into his legs.

  “Hi, bud. Get your coat so we can take off. Grandma is waiting dinner for us.”

  “Want dog.”

  “We’ll talk about a dog later.”

  “Puppy.” Kurtis showed him the book he’d been reading. The cover had an adorable black lab puppy with a red collar. Kurtis pointed at the picture.

  “Give Katie the book, bud.” He turned to her, “We’ll talk about this later.”

  Reluctantly, Kurtis handed her the book.

  “Thanks.” Katelyn tucked the book under her arm.

  “Have dinner with me tonight?” Mark asked.

  His words startled her. What was he up to? She’d told him she was engaged.

  “I have to work at the restaurant tonight. Perhaps another time.” She wasn’t about to spend time alone with Mark. Having Sunday dinner at his parents’ was one thing. Just the two of them? It wasn’t going to happen. Being alone with him wasn’t going to help her keep her resolve one bit. There was no sense rekindling old feelings, when both of them knew it was going nowhere.

  “You know I’m engaged, right?”

  “So you said. I haven’t seen this fiancé of yours—if he is real.”

  “He’s real.” Maybe if she told him she was planning to join Sven in Norway he’d believe her and back off.

  “Daddy!” Kurtis fidgeted trying to get his arms into his winter coat.

  “Come here, bud. Let me help you with your coat.” Mark finished buttoning Kurtis into his outerwear, then lifted him in his strong arms. “Tell Katie goodbye.”

  “Bye, Katie.”

  “Bye, Kurtis.”

  “I’ll see you later. I’ll call so we can set something up.” His smile said he wasn’t taking no for an answer.

  Katelyn closed the door behind him, and turned to finish helping Linda.

  “So? Did you ask him? What’d he say?”

  She didn’t want to tell Linda she’d been blackmailed into playing elf to his Santa. She shook her head and sighed.

  “Uh-oh. From that heavy sigh I have a feeling things didn’t go as smooth as we contemplated.”

  Linda might have contemplated things going without a hitch, but she hadn’t.

  “He had stipulations—wants me to play his elf.”

  “Fantastic. The kids will love it. Why didn’t I think of that to begin with? We can all wear elf hats, too. In fact, it will be our theme for the afternoon. The kids can make elf hats out of green and red construction paper, tomorrow.”

  “You dress up in a similar outfit on Friday and I’ll be happier. You have no idea how ridiculous I felt. I still haven’t forgiven my father.

  Would she ever live the elf incident down? It was the last time she’d let her father talk her into putting on such a display. She was getting too old and was too tall to parade around in a bright and cheesy elf outfit.

  “I’m sure your father isn’t worried. He knows you’ll get over it.”

  By the time Katelyn stopped at the grocery mart and picked out chocolate chips, a small box of raisins, red, blue, yellow and green icing tubes, various colored sugar sprinkles, and powdered sugar, she had just enough time to stop and fill the car up with gas before she was due at Mariner’s. Her mother waved as she made a mad dash for the employee’s lounge. Katelyn waved back.

  “I’ll be with you in a sec, Mom.”

  “Under control. Take your time.”

  Katelyn glanced around the festive dining room all aglow with flickering lights, garland, red bells hanging all around the room, and candles burning behind tall glass globes in the middle of each table. But her mother was right—they weren’t very busy, yet—only half the tables were occupied. She checked her watch. It was only six-thirty. Things were bound to pick up, depending on what else was going on in the neighborhood. She made her way to the lounge, put her coat and purse in a locker, kicked off her boots, and slipped into her work shoes. She ran a comb through her hair, pulled it back into a braid this time, and then put on a bright red lobster Christmas apron with the restaurant’s logo on the front. She joined her mother in the dining area.

  “I hired two seniors from the high school for the holiday. One of them started tonight. Thankfully, it’s slow so she’ll have an easy time of it.”

  “Who did you hire?”

  “Aimee Hart and Kimberly Ashford. Aimee has taken over like she was born to be a waitress—a great personality, too. Kimberly starts Friday. Let’s hope she’s a good fit for our crowd.”

  “Great. Maybe we can keep them during the summer, too.”

  “I’ll talk to your father, and see what he thinks.”

  “Before we get too busy, Mom, I need to talk to you about something. I’m thinking about going to Norway to be with Sven. Linda thinks it’s a great idea, but I’m not so sure.”

  “Is something wrong, dear? What’s going on?”

  “Other than his grandfather’s mini-stroke, he’s in the hospital with pneumonia. His grandmother is having a hard time coping. I’m sure everything else is going to be fine. I guess I’m just feeling a bit lonely this time of year, myself.” She couldn’t tell her mother about Sven’s parents moving back to Bergen and selling the business here in Lobster Cove. “Besides, I think he could use my support, especially this time of year. He sounded kind of depressed.”

  “My dear, if you feel that strongly about going, you should go. Of course you should. I’m sure Sven and his family will appreciate your concern and willingness to be of help.”

  “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. I want to be home with you and Dad for Christmas.”

  “Now, don’t you worry about us. You stay with Sven and help him and his family through their crisis. But what about getting a flight this time of year? It might be difficult. When were you planning to leave?”

  “I was thinking about leaving Friday night, after the daycare’s Christmas party. I wanted to talk to you first before I check on arrangements. I’m hoping I can catch a flight.”

  “You let me take care of making the arrangements. It’ll be your father’s and my Christmas present to you and Sven.” She pulled Katelyn into her arms. “You are such a lovely daughter, you deserve to go and enjoy. Please don’t worry about a thing, here. You go and stay as long as you need to—as long as Sven and his family need you. They are so lucky that you will soon be part of their family.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Katelyn hugged her mother, kissed her cheek, and sighed. Her stomach bunched. She hoped she was doing the right thing. She grabbed an order pad and pencil and turned to face the room. And froze. Mark had just stepped inside, and was heading her way.

  “Hey, Katie. I thought if you didn’t have time to have dinner with me, I’d come by and have dinner here—with you.”

  “Sorry, I just arrived. I don’t have time.”

  “It doesn’t look very busy to me. I’ll just sit over at that booth until you catch a break.”

  “Where’s Kurtis?”

  “Mom and Dad are watching him—wanted some ‘quality’ time with their grandson.”

  “Why are you doing this, Mark?”

  His smile was disarming. She shouldn’t let him get to her like this.

  “For old times’ sake, Katie. Just a bit of catching up—see what you’ve been doing all these years. Talk between old friends?”

  “I had dinner at your parent’s Sunday. Remember? We talked then.” Not to mention kissed!

  “But we didn’t have a chance to talk.”

  “Hey, Katelyn, you gonna take our order or what?” Saved by a customer.

  “Gotta go. Sorry.”

  “I’ll be righ
t over here. Waiting.”

  Business picked up considerably, and the evening disappeared. One minute Mark was eating, the next, the booth he was sitting in was empty. She didn’t have a chance to sit and talk, and had mixed emotions over him leaving before she’d had a chance to see what he really wanted. Confused over his departure without saying he was leaving, she met her mother at the checkout booth.

  “Great news. I managed to get you a flight, but it’s not direct, and it’s not first-class seating. It goes to Amsterdam, first, and then on to Bergen. You do have a passport, right? I forgot to ask if you had one. I’m not sure you can get one in time, if you don’t.”

  “I have one, Mom. When Sven made our engagement official, I thought I might have an opportunity to go to Norway someday. I wanted to be prepared.”

  “Problem solved. Go home and get some rest. Oh. Wait. Here are the cookies for the kids to decorate tomorrow. Have fun.” Her mother handed her a covered baking sheet piled high with cut out sugar cookies. “There are a few gingerbread, too.”

  “Wow. When did you find time to bake all these?”

  “I had Michael O’Toole bake them for me. Turns out he’s a great pastry chef.”

  “Thank him for me. The kids will have a ball with these tomorrow.”

  “Wish I could be there to help. Enjoy.”

  Katelyn placed the cookies on the floor in the back seat of her car so they wouldn’t slide out and crumble. She took her time driving home, and carefully pulled into her driveway, only to step on the brakes.

  Mark’s car sat idling in front of the house.

  Chapter Eight

  What was Mark doing parked in front of her house at this hour? What was so important he had to sit in his car waiting for her to get home this late at night? He stepped out of his car, palmed the lock fob, and walked toward her. Not meeting his eyes, easy to do in the dark, she got out of her own vehicle, opened the back door, and lifted the tray of cookies from the floor. Thankfully, they hadn’t slid around when she slammed on the breaks. They were all intact. She shut the door with her fanny, turned around, and faced him.

  “What are you doing here?”