by H. L. Burke
“Careless?” Nyssa raised an eyebrow. The boy shrugged again.
I still think he did it on purpose. Great minds think alike. She took his hand in hers.
The trolley dropped them on their street. As they approached the shop, Theo’s feet began to drag.
“It’s okay,” Nyssa whispered.
“Ellis and Mrs. H thought I was a good kid,” he stammered. “Now that they know the truth …”
“They won’t blame you. You didn’t have a choice.” Still, his grip tightened on her hand as they pushed into the store.
Ellis looked up from behind his work bench and his jaw went slack.
“Theo?” He wheeled towards the boy.
Tears welled in Theo’s eyes, and his chin dropped towards his chest.
“I’m sorry. I’m s … s … sorry, Ellis,” he stuttered.
Ellis pulled the boy into an embrace. “Oh kid … I thought I’d never see you again.”
Nyssa’s vision blurred.
Ellis glanced over Theo’s head and smiled at her. “How in the world did you find him?”
She opened her mouth, trying to decide where to start. The visit with Amara? The note? Climbing down walls and scuffling with her uncle in dark alleys? Ellis will cringe when I tell him about that bit. “I’ll tell you later,” she said. “All that matters is he’s home now.”
Chapter Thirteen
Nyssa sorted through Theo’s school supplies on the shop’s counter. The boy leaned across with his chin in his hand.
“I don’t see why I have to go,” he grumbled. “I’d rather just stay and help you and Ellis here.”
Ellis laughed. “We don’t really need the help with business so slow.” He held up the fly zapper.
“You’re still messing with that thing?” Nyssa raised an eyebrow. “Do you really have such a vendetta against bugs?”
“Yes and no. I am going to make a more portable version for self defense, maybe even hook it into the engine that runs my chair. It could come in handy.”
“Just don’t—”
“I know, I know. I’m taking all necessary safety precautions.”
“See that you do.” She sniffed and slipped a pencil box into a canvas book bag then eyed Theo. “It’s not up for discussion, Theo. Your handwriting and spelling are awful for your age, but you’re a bright kid. It won’t take you long to catch up. You need to be able to write a legible letter and add up accounts if you’re going to help us, anyway. There’s more to this business than just fixing things.”
Theo sighed.
Ellis glanced up. “Is something going on? There’s a crowd in front of the shop.”
Nyssa went to look. Pedestrians pointed and gawked as the largest steam car she’d ever seen pulled up outside. The paint gleamed pearly white with golden ornaments and even the steam that billowed behind it managed to look majestic. A chauffeur emerged and opened the door to the back seat. Amara floated out, curls done up in a pristine tower, her dress a mass of black lace and red satin.
Nyssa tilted her head to one side. “Did Amara send a telegram?”
“No. I don’t think she even replied to the one I sent a week ago, thanking her for her help getting the police off our backs.” Ellis rolled to her side. “Oh, goodness, her highness has arrived.” He grinned.
The chauffeur warded off the gathering crowd as Amara pranced to the shop, her head held high.
Nyssa opened the door. “This is unexpected.”
“Yes, well, I had planned just to send a letter, but I thought seeing an Azores frequenting your shop might help your business.” Amara scanned the shop. “Has it picked up at all?”
Nyssa shook her head. “Unfortunately, it seems to take longer than a week to repair a busted reputation, even with the police no longer hassling us. Thank you for that, by the way.”
“Oh that was nothing.” Amara waved a gloved hand. “But the reason I’m here is something. Nyssa, do you remember the pantelegraph?”
“The machine you used to send documents?”
“Yes. It also sends pictures. Do you think you could learn to repair and service a machine like that?”
“In my experience there’s nothing Nyssa can’t fix if she puts her mind to it,” Ellis said.
Nyssa flushed but nodded. “I didn’t get a good look at it, but it didn’t seem that much more complicated than a videophone, and I can repair those in my sleep.”
“Good, good. My husband has been in contact with the company that makes the pantelegraphs. He wants to import more to the island. Renard’s goal is for San Azula to be on the same level, if not ahead, of the Continent in the realm of technical advances. Well, the company told Renard that he’d need to find a shop capable of installing and repairing the machines in order for them to risk a good sized order. Of course, I immediately thought of you.”
Nyssa’s ears twitched. “Would we be the only vendor on the island for them?”
“For the time being,” Amara said.
With an opportunity like that, business would have to improve. Plus we’d have the royal stamp of approval from Renard and Amara.
“I’ll have Renard’s secretary send over the contracts. You two will be doing a brisk business. Every office on the island is going to need at least one pantelegraph.”
“Are we gonna be rich?” Theo piped up.
“We’re not going to be poor at least,” Ellis said.
Theo opened his mouth.
“You still have to go to school,” Nyssa said.
Theo’s mouth snapped closed.
“Will you stay for lunch?” Nyssa asked Amara.
“No, I have an appointment with some society or other … for the betterment or advancement of … something.” Amara took out a compact and checked her rouge. “As much as I’d like to stay and chat, duty calls.”
“Sounds trying,” Nyssa said.
It’s probably a good thing she can’t stay. Mrs. H would blow her boiler if she found out she had to cook for Renard Azores’s wife at a moment’s notice.
Nyssa let out a long breath as Amara whisked out. Finally, things are looking up again.
“This calls for a celebration, I think,” Ellis said. “Theo, go tell Mrs. H we’ll need something special for dinner tonight. Maybe a cake.”
Theo grinned and rushed out. Ellis beamed at Nyssa.
“What is it?” She laughed.
“You look happy.” He took her hand and rubbed his thumb across her fingers. “It’s good to see you happy.” Warmth spread up her arm through his touch, and every muscle in her body eased.
“You remember when I said I wanted a family with you someday?” she whispered. He nodded, his eyes softening. “Well, I was wrong.”
Ellis’s smile died.
She laughed and leaned in for a kiss. “I already have a family with you, and it’s wonderful.”
Ellis’s smile returned. He slipped his fingers into her hair and pulled her closer. As their lips met, Nyssa knew, no matter what happened next, she’d always have a home with him, and that made everything so much better.
The End
Nyssa Glass’s Clockwork Christmas
Copyright © 2016 H. L. Burke
To Grandma and Grandpa
Chapter One
Nyssa sat on the edge of the hard wooden pew as the boys in choir robes filed in. Heat rose off the packed parishioners, and sweat beaded on the back of her neck. A tall man settled in the pew before her, and she leaned to one side to scan the choir.
Her eight-year-old cousin’s dusty brown hair stood out in the line of mostly dark-haired San Azulan students, but even without that, she could’ve spied Theo’s grin from a mile away.
She bit her bottom lip. Oh, dear Lord, please don’t let him forget the words.
His wheelchair positioned in the aisle, Ellis reached over and slipped his fingers around hers.
“He’s going to be fine,” he whispered. “You can stop having sympathetic stage fright.”
She blushed but
forced herself to relax.
The pianist commenced the first carol, and the children on the stage sang out the first perfect note.
After an adorable rendition of the Cradle Hymn, the group shifted, allowing Theo to shuffle to the front. His eyes searched the audience, his lips quirking down. Nyssa hazarded a wave. His smile returned, and his solo soared above the rustle of the crowd fidgeting in their seats.
“What child is this, who laid to rest, in Mary’s lap is sleeping…”
Something in Nyssa melted.
After the first verse, the choir joined in.
Ellis drew close enough for his warm breath to tickle her ear. “See? He did great.”
She nodded, unable for a moment to do more.
After the concert, the boys dispersed into the audience to find their parents. Theo threw his arms around Nyssa’s waist.
“Did you like it? Did you hear me okay?”
“Loud and clear.” She ruffled his hair.
Ellis chuckled. “You’re a natural troubadour.”
A few people cast the little group sideways glances. Nyssa pretended not to notice. At seventeen and twenty, she and Ellis were at least ten years younger than the majority of parents. Nyssa and Ellis had come to San Azula under the married aliases of Mr. and Mrs. Cormac, and only a few people—such as their housekeeper and Nyssa’s one friend on the island, Amara—knew their true names. Still, no one had questioned their charade since she’d enrolled Theo at the church’s school, and the boy was thriving. She couldn’t ask for more.
“Hurry and change,” she said. “It’s already getting dark, and I want to be home in time for dinner. Mrs. H said she’d cook something extra special in honor of your debut.”
“Bully!” Theo burst out. He darted through the crowd, but somehow managed not to jostle anyone, a skill he’d perfected during his days as a pickpocket.
“Bully?” Nyssa raised an eyebrow. “What does that even mean?”
“Kids these days and their slang.” Ellis smirked. “Let’s hope he hurries. I’m starving.”
She gazed down into his dark eyes, and a pleasant shiver cut through her. Maybe the Mr. and Mrs. part wouldn’talways be a lie.
When Theo returned, they followed the exiting crowd onto the cobblestone streets. Most of the families headed towards the steam-trolley stop.
“I wish the steam-trolleys would add ramps.” Nyssa frowned.
“The fresh air will do us good.” Ellis wheeled down the wooden sidewalk.
The church was only about a twenty-minute walk from the building that served as both their home and place of business. Officially they sold and repaired pentelegraphs, radios, and videophones, but Ellis was also an inventor of some skill, always tinkering on something, such as his self-propelled wheelchair.
Palm trees waved over the white stucco houses. The evening air had cooled slightly from the balmy weather of that afternoon, but it still didn’t feel like winter.
If we were back in New Taured, it would probably be snowing by now. I can’t believe I actually miss the cold.
Candles flickered in many windows, and red ribbons spangled the gas lamps along the street. Steam cars rattled past, disrupting the calm. Nyssa wrinkled her nose. Back in New Taured she’d never minded the things, as loud and disruptive as they could be, but here in the paradise of San Azula, they seemed out of place. She concentrated on the click of her high-heeled boots against the cobblestones and the pleasant tickle of the breeze against her skin.
Theo skipped along beside them.
“I bet you’re looking forward to having the next few weeks off school,” Ellis said.
“Yeah. Will I be able to help you around the shop?” Theo asked.
“Sure, but it won’t just be work. It’s the holidays, after all. Time for some fun.”
Stars blossomed one by one in the deep blue above. Nyssa placed her hand on Ellis’s shoulder. Soon the brick storefront with its shuttered windows loomed before them. Nyssa unlocked the door.
“Why don’t you go tell Mrs. H about the concert?” she suggested to Theo. The boy scampered through the rear door leaving Ellis and Nyssa alone in the shop.
Ellis turned up the gas lamp. The light reflected on the glass screens and brass frameworks of their merchandise. Everything was in its place, her tools lined up within their painted outlines, the clock on the wall ticking gently, her goggles hanging on a hook behind the counter. A calm settled over Nyssa.
Nothing quite like an organized workspace … Her eye migrated to Ellis’s cluttered workbench, covered in gears, clockworks, and blown vacuum tubes. She bit her bottom lip. Well, at least he keeps it all in one spot … Shock me, I don’t know how he can work like that.
“We probably should’ve started our Christmas plans a week ago,” Ellis said. “We only have five days left.”
“How much time do we need?” Nyssa frowned. “I mean, I want to give Theo a nice Christmas, but buying him a few presents and some candy won’t take more than a couple hours.”
Ellis laughed incredulously. “There’s more to a good Christmas than a few presents and some candy … also, it’s our first holiday together. Shouldn’t that be special?”
She shifted from foot to foot and glanced about the room for something to do. “Christmas is for children. I’m too old for it.”
His eyes widened. “Seriously? No one is too old for Christmas. The very word makes me feel like a kid again.” Ellis tilted his head. “You mean to tell me you aren’t even a little excited?”
She shrugged, examining the display case. A few fingerprints smudged the glass. “It just wasn’t a part of my childhood. That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be part of Theo’s, though.” She picked up a cleaning cloth. “You know what my life was like after my parents died.”
“Yes, but you were already ten. There must be some memories from before that.”
Nyssa wiped down the glass, her brain sifting through the memories like scattered clockwork pieces. A doll hanging out of a stocking … her mother singing carols … her father handing her a peppermint a stick … What did they look like? I can’t remember their faces. What sort of awful daughter forgets her mother’s face? She closed her eyes and tried to paint the image, but it slipped away like watercolors drowned in the rain.
Nyssa cleared her throat. “What about you? What was Christmas like for young Ellis Dalhart?”
A smile lit his face. “The best. We’d have a ten-foot tree decked in electric lights. My dad would sequester himself for weeks beforehand and make me the most elaborate toys you can imagine … then Mom had the staff working constantly, decorating, cooking, but no one minded.” He brushed his wavy dark hair from his face. “There was always a buzz, like an electric current through the whole house. Best time of the year.”
Nyssa set down the cloth and sat on the edge of the counter. “It sounds wonderful.”
“It was, but you know, my best memories are of Christmas Day, when my parents gave the staff the day off, and it was just us three.” He stroked the arms of his chair. “Mom would read to us while Dad and I fiddled with the new toys, and then … when the day was winding down, and I could barely keep my eyes open, she’d put a record on the Victrola and they’d dance …” His voice trailed off. He placed his hands on his thighs and rubbed his legs. “It’s funny what you remember, all these years later. In spite of how Mom died and everything awful my dad put me through after my accident, in that moment, everything is still somehow perfect.”
Nyssa slid off the counter and onto his lap. “We’ll have to make our own perfect memories, then.”
“I know we will.” He stroked her cheek. His lips brushed against hers, sending warmth down her spine. “If you’re okay with it, I would like to make Theo’s presents rather than buy them. Mrs. H can take care of the food, but would you be willing to see to decorations?”
“I think I can manage that.”
“Thank you. I want this Christmas to be for all of us. Not just Theo … and that means g
etting you a spectacular gift. Want to give me a hint? What does Nyssa Glass want more than anything in the world?”
She laughed. “I’m not really a present sort of person. I don’t like getting gifts.”
“Really?” He raised an eyebrow. “No one’s ever given you something that made you happy?”
“Well, as a child, sure. If you want to get me a piece of stick candy and a picture book, go right ahead.”
“What about your old employer, Mr. Calloway? From what you’ve told me, I would’ve assumed him the generous type.”
“Oh, he was. I only spent one Christmas with him, though, between reform school and his death.”
“Did he get you anything?” Ellis pressed.
“My satchel.”
“The leather one you might as well have sewn to your side?” He winked. “Yeah, that obviously didn’t mean anything to you at all.”
Her cheeks warmed. It was nice to have someone care enough to get me something I liked. “I don’t want you to feel obligated. You’ve already done so much, helping me get out of New Taured, setting up this shop, paying for Theo’s schooling …”
His fingers twined about hers. “It’s no obligation. It’s a joy.”
She smiled, but inside something twisted. But what could I possibly get you?
Chapter Two
Scanning Nyssa’s shopping list, Mrs. H clicked her tongue. “Goodness, Miss Nyssa, this is an ambitious meal even by my standards.”
“Do you think it’s too much?” Nyssa swallowed. “They’re all Ellis’s favorite foods, and some of Theo’s—though he likes anything with sugar. I can help.”
“You do realize you’re only feeding three people?”
“Four. I wouldn’t want you to cook but not eat.”
“Well, four then, but it’s still triple what you need for that many people.” The housekeeper laughed. “Though young Theo can eat enough for three easily.” She passed the list back to Nyssa. “I tell you what, circle the most important items so I know what to prioritize.”
