The Return of Kris Kringle: A Christmas Romantic Comedy

by Caroline Mickelson

  “What are you waiting for?”

  Kris sat up and edged off the bed. “A sign that it’s the right thing to do.” She shrugged into her robe and slipped on her reindeer slippers. “Let’s get dressed and I’ll make you some steal cut oatmeal for breakfast.”

  “No need, Mom. Kyle already made me some chocolate chip pancakes. With whipped cream, of course.”

  “Of course.”

  “Oh, and I’m supposed to tell you that he’s bringing you breakfast in bed in a few minutes.” Noelle grinned. “You might want to do something about your bed head.”

  Kris groaned. She felt a scream coming on. Where was that pillow?

  * * *

  “Good morning, gorgeous.”

  “Good morning, Kyle,” Kris answered in a tone of voice that told Kyle that he had his work cut out for him.

  He smiled as he passed through the door Noelle held open for him. “Thank you, little one. Do you have room for more pancakes? I brought extras.”

  “No, thank you. I’m stuffed. But my mom is starving.”

  “Starving, huh?” Kyle turned his attention to Kris, who sat cross legged on her bed. She was dressed in jeans, a sweater, and she wore a challenging look he knew very well. “I think she looks just about perfect.”

  Her blush made him smile. It was nice to know that she wasn’t immune to his compliments. He set the tray at the end of her bed and took off the silver dome. “Your breakfast is served, my lady.”

  Kris leaned forward and examined his offerings. “An egg white omelet with veggies?” She glanced up at him, her surprise evident. She held her hand over her heart. “You did this for me?”

  “I put my heart into it.” He loved the way Kris looked when she was surprised. And happy. Right now, she looked both.

  “Thank you, Kyle. It’s lovely.” She motioned for him to sit at the end of her bed. “Healthy too, which surprises me after all the sugar shellacking you’ve been doing since you arrived.”

  “Sugar shellacking?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “Basting. Whatever. You know what I mean.”

  Kyle poured a glass of orange juice and handed it to her. When their fingers brushed, he felt a familiar jolt of attraction. He wanted nothing more than to lean across the bed and kiss her, but he needed to tread lightly. “Enjoy your breakfast.”

  “Can I go, Mom?” Noelle asked from the doorway. “Mrs. Claus and the kittens are waiting for me.”

  “Go, baby. Have fun. I’ll try to come visit you before we start serving lunch.”

  Kyle laughed as Noelle ran out of the room and then turned around and ran right back in to give her mother a huge hug. He gratefully accepted one as well. “Have fun, munchkin.” After he heard the door slam, he looked at Kris. “So I don’t even have to ask, it’s pretty clear she’s happy here.”

  “Very, and her allergies are all but gone.” Kris took a bite of her omelet and chewed thoughtfully. “This is delicious,” she finally said. “Beyond delicious, actually.” But rather than take another bite, she stared at him with an expression that he couldn’t read.

  “What?” He gestured to her plate. “What’s wrong, Kris?”

  Kris didn’t respond. In fact, to his eyes she looked almost dazed, which gave him the perfect opportunity to bring up the subject of the cook-off. “Kris, about your uncle’s plan for a cook-off-”

  She held up a hand to silence him. “I’m fine with it.”

  That wasn’t what he expected to hear. “You are?”

  She nodded. Her smile was magnanimous. “I think we should work together to create a perfect meal that will knock everyone’s socks off. Which won’t technically be a cook-off, but we can call it an elf appreciation party.”

  “You want to work together? With me?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “You’re sure?”

  Her eyes met his. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

  He watched as she ate the last two bites of her omelet. Something wasn’t right. What had happened to her fighting spirit? Did he dare hope that she’d forgiven him? His heart felt like it was infused with helium. Were they back on track to being the couple they’d once been? “Great. Shall we start working on the menu today?”

  “I’m game.” Kris reached over the tray and laid a hand on his arm. “Thank you for breakfast. It was the best breakfast any woman could ever ask for.”

  When she smiled at him like that, the urge to take her into his arms was overwhelming. Kyle settled for picking up the breakfast tray. He wasn’t going to push her. Not if he could help it. But as he made his way back down the main kitchen, he wondered if exchanging the set of pots and pans he’d chosen as her Christmas gift for an engagement was rushing it a little. He’d have to ask Rapz.

  Chapter Eight

  “So what made you change your mind?” Carol slid a pan of sliced red potatoes into the oven. She wiped her hands on her apron and focused her attention on Kris. “About Kyle, I mean. You seemed so anxious for him to leave the North Pole and now it looks like you’ve changed your mind.”

  Kris’ eyes shone. “It was the omelet.”

  “What?” Carol’s expression was one of befuddlement.

  “You asked what changed my mind. It was an omelet Kyle made for me.” Kris’ expression took on a dreamy, far away quality. “It was perfect. The egg whites were soft but cooked all the way through. The veggies were still full-flavored, you don’t know how easy it is to overcook them. And the cheese, oh, Carol, it was just the perfect amount. I’ve never known any man who understands the power of a dash of black pepper like Kyle Masterson.”

  Carol stared at her. “You’re crazy. I’ve known you my whole life and I can’t believe I’m just discovering this now.”

  Kris smiled. “I once told Kyle that if I could have one selfish wish for myself, it would be to taste the perfect omelet. When he brought me breakfast this morning, and I took that first bite, I realized how much love he’d put into it. How could I not adore this man?”

  “I’m delighted at the turn of events but what about the whole healthy eating issue? It seemed to me that that’s a pretty big divide. It all of a sudden doesn’t matter?” Carol poured two cups of green tea into mugs and motioned for Kris to take one. “Don’t get me wrong, I like Kyle and he’s going to fit right in around here, but you can’t just ignore the problem that had you tied up in knots before.”

  Kris drew out a stool and sat down. She took a long sip of tea. “We’ve been compromising. You’re sworn to secrecy about this, but we blended creamed spinach into the brownies we served this morning and not one single elf said a word.”

  Carol laughed. “So the two of you are planning to turn the kitchen into a laboratory where you’ll find ways to disguise healthy foods? I love it. And your secret is safe with me.” She crossed her heart. “But what about the money? You hated that Kyle had so much socked away.”

  “Well, I can overlook it, can’t I? After all, no man is perfect.” Kris cradled the warm mug in her hands. “What really bothered me was that Kyle didn’t tell me about the money, and how much of it he used to fund our restaurant.”

  Carol took a sip of her tea. “And now it’s okay because…?”

  “Kyle wasn’t right to be less than upfront with me but I was so adamant that we do things my way that I refused to listen to anything he had to say about money. I just shut him out. What kind of partner does that?”

  “Not an ideal one, you’re right,” Carol agreed. “Marriage is all about compromise.” Her eyes widened. “Wait, we are talking about marriage, right?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Kris didn’t even try to keep a grin off of her face. “Tinsel is helping me find a ring and I’m going to propose to Kyle. Just keep your fingers crossed that he says yes.”

  * * *

  “Keep this engagement ring in your pocket,” Rapz instructed Kyle. “And do not get any crazy ideas and pull it out to propose on a whim. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Got it.�
��

  Rapz shook a finger at Kyle. “I mean it, Mr. Masterson. You must not succumb to feminine wiles or temptation.” He held out the black velvet box that contained Kris’ engagement ring but he didn’t release his hold on it. “What are you going to do if Kris flutters her eyelashes in your direction?”

  “Ask her if she has something in her eye?” Kyle’s grin made it clear that he wasn’t taking Rapz as solemnly as the elf would like.

  “Wrong.” He drew back the box. “Maybe I should keep this until you prove that you’re ready to take this more seriously.”

  “Trust me, Rapz, I take the matter of Kris Kringle’s heart very seriously. You needn’t worry on that score. Kris is my everything.”

  Without uttering a word, Rapz held out the box. Kyle nodded his thanks and slipped it into his apron pocket. “Now I just need to find the perfect time to propose.”

  “What if she doesn’t accept?” Rapz asked.

  Kyle didn’t want to even entertain that thought. “Perhaps we’d better start hoping for a Christmas miracle. But just in case that’s a long shot, I have one last trick up my sleeve.”

  * * *

  Kyle enjoyed the two days that led up to the big event. He spent a record amount of time in the kitchen with Kris. Their collaborative effort to create a menu that was both healthy and likely to earn elf-approval went far smoother than he’d expected. In fact, it was downright fun. It felt good to laugh together. To be together. He hoped against hope that Kris felt the same way.

  He glanced over at her. She was arranging a tray of chilled fresh fruit slices next to a fondue pot filled with dark chocolate. She appeared serene, content, dare he say happy, even? But how would she react to his proposal? The butterflies in his stomach only wished they knew.

  “Hey, Kyle, come here. Come see the props I’ve picked out for you.”

  Kyle joined Rapz and Kris by the fondue station. His eyebrows rose when he saw what Rapz was holding out. Boxing gloves?

  He laughed out loud. “Really? How on earth are we supposed to actually serve food with those on?”

  Kris shook her head. “Forget it, Rapz. I’m not wearing this either.” She held up a white robe with red satin lining. “I’m not going to wear anything that says ‘Sugar Mama’ on the back of it.” She held out the robe for him to take. “Forget it.”

  “Rapz, I seriously think you need a vacation.” Kyle was amused that Kris put the kibosh on the elf’s idea so adamantly. “But thanks for trying to liven things up.”

  Kris shot Kyle a look, part bemused and part annoyed. “Don’t encourage him.”

  Rapz squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. “Well, Kris Kringle, I’ll have you know that I’d planned to stand in your corner so you wouldn’t be alone come cook-off time.”

  “Hang on there, Rapz. We’re all in this together.” Kyle laid his hand on the elf’s shoulder. “Kris and I have slightly altered the plans for this evening. But we do thank you for trying to jazz things up for us.”

  Apparently mollified, Rapz headed in the direction of the growing number of elves who were mingling in anticipation of the cook-off.

  “What did my robe say?”

  “Sugar Daddy. What else? Rapz is just so out there. But I know he means well.”

  “That he does.” Kyle couldn’t help but think how much he’d miss the elves if he had to leave the North Pole. “Shall we get the festivities underway?”

  Kris glanced around the room. “I think we should wait for Santa. My uncle loves to play master of ceremonies.”

  Kyle nodded. “That’s fine, the food should hold for a little while yet.” He only hoped his nerves would. The engagement ring was burning a hole in his pocket.

  * * *

  Once Santa finally arrived, the first thing Kris did was steer him away from the fondue pot. “Santa, it’s time to address the elves. But before you do, I wanted to let you know what I’ve got planned.”

  Santa reluctantly put his plastic spear into the rubbish. He gave one last, forlorn look at the pot of chocolate before he turned his attention to her. “Yes, I rather suspected something was going to happen.”

  “You did?”

  His blue eyes twinkled merrily. “My dear child, I’m your uncle. I’ve known you your entire life. I can see that you’ve had a change of heart toward our Kyle.” He leaned in so that no one could overhear him. “And for what it’s worth, I’m delighted. Just promise me that the wedding itself can wait until after Christmas.”

  Kris laughed. “Fair enough.” She threw her arms around her uncle and hugged him tight. “Thank you for welcoming Noelle and me home. I’m happy I came back.”

  “We are too. But keep in mind that no matter where you go in the future, you live in our hearts. That’s the beauty of family.” He took ahold of her hand. “Now let’s get the party started.”

  Kris followed Santa up onto a raised platform. Her heart did a funny little skip when Kyle joined them. She loved him. He was everything she wanted in a best friend and in a husband. Forever, spent with Kyle, suddenly seemed like the nicest place in the world.

  Just as she knew he would, her uncle seemed to take ages to welcome the elves. Long, flowery speeches weren’t anything new for Santa Claus but Kris wished that just this once, he’d hurry things along. No sooner did she finish the thought than her cousin Nick, standing in the front row next to Noelle, waved his hand in the air.

  “Sorry to interrupt, Dad, but Noelle has something for her mother. She’d like to share it now.”

  Santa smiled fondly at Noelle. “Certainly, my dear girl. Go right ahead.”

  Kris glanced over at Kyle but he looked as caught off guard as she felt. She turned back to watch Noelle. Tinsel and Jolly each took ahold of a roll of white fabric and began walking backward in opposite directions.

  Once they stopped, Kris could see that the words on the cloth spelled out a message. MOM, I THINK YOU SHOULD MARRY KYLE.

  “It’s the sign you were waiting for, Mom,” Noelle called out.

  The gathered elves burst into enthusiastic applause and cheers. Noelle’s delighted grin warmed Kris’ heart. She blew Noelle a kiss. She looked past her uncle to judge Kyle’s reaction. But he had a funny look on his face that she couldn’t decipher.

  Saint Nick held up his hands for quiet. “So what do you say, Kris?”

  “It isn’t what I say that’s in question.” Despite the hammering of her heart in her chest, Kris knew it was time. She smiled gratefully when her uncle moved back a step so that she could stand next to Kyle. Her hands shook as she reached into her apron pocket for the engagement ring. Despite her nerves, deep in her heart she knew she was doing the right thing. Kyle Masterson was the perfect man for her, the man she wanted with all of her heart.

  “Kyle,” she looked up into his hazel eyes. “Noelle and I love you. We love everything about you. I love everything about you. The very fact that you followed us up here, and that you believed in Santa and the North Pole only on Noelle’s word, made me realize that you had faith in us. When I look at you, I see the future I want.” Her eyes grew moist. She held up the ring she’d picked out for him. “Will you marry me?”

  Kyle’s eyes didn’t leave hers as they stood gazing at each other. But neither did he speak, and as the seconds ticked away, Kris felt a rush of cold fear run through her. “Kyle?”

  He took a few steps back. “I can’t answer your question, Kris.”

  There was a collective gasp from the gathered elves. Kris forced herself to breathe even though the room suddenly seemed devoid of oxygen. “Of course not,” she heard herself say. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have-”

  “I can’t answer your question,” Kyle interrupted her, “because I have a question of my own that needs answering.” His touch was gentle as he took hold of Kris’ left hand and knelt down on one knee before her. “Kris Kringle, you are my best friend and the woman I don’t want to live without. I want nothing more in this world than to spend the rest of my life with you and
Noelle.” He smiled up at her hopefully. “So, my question is, will you marry me?”

  Before Kris could answer, her daughter shouted out, “Say yes, Mom!”

  When the elves’ laughter died down, Kris wiped away a tear with her free hand and nodded. “Yes. Absolutely yes.”

  She glanced over at Noelle as Kyle, now standing beside her, slipped a diamond solitaire on her finger. Noelle flashed her mother a thumbs up. Kris smiled back.

  “There’s one more thing, Kris.” Kyle drew her toward him and leaned in so she could hear him above the din of celebrating elves. “I’ve got something else to tell you that might make you change your mind.”

  Kris watched as Kyle drew a white sheet of paper from his apron pocket and handed it to her. With a trembling hand she took it and unfolded it. Her eyes scanned the page. She quickly saw that it was a bank statement, one with a big fat zero at the bottom of the page. She glanced up at Kyle. “What is this?”

  “I’m broke, Kris. I donated everything I had in the world to a food bank.” He paused for a moment, his eyes hopeful that she’d understand. “I didn’t want my money coming between us.”

  Kris reached up and caressed his cheek. “That was a lovely thing to do. But it was never your money that was the problem, it was my stubborn arrogance. And your money isn’t the only thing that’s gone now, I’ve sent my foolish pride packing.”

  “So where do we go from here?” He slipped an arm around her waist and leaned down to brush a kiss across her lips.

  “Well, Santa might be willing to let you keep your job. Perhaps you should begin working on, no, wait, we should begin working on a Christmas cookbook. Just think of the fun we’ll have.” She pulled back to look up at him. “What do you think?”

  “What do I think?” He smiled down at her with love in his eyes. “I think that if you and I marry, raise Noelle while we live here at the North Pole, all the while working together in the kitchen and writing our cookbook, that we have the perfect recipe for a happy life.”