by Mary Leo
She turned to her customer. “Thank you, Holly. I hope your daughter, Joy, likes the gingerbread girl I decorated especially for her.”
“I’m sure she’ll love it, thanks. By the way, I hear there’s going to be a special event tomorrow night in the town square, if Rudy hasn’t already sold it to Smart-Mart. Will we see you there?”
Rudy’s stomach tightened. He wanted to argue with her but instead he chose to stifle his emotions.
Jenny grinned and nodded. “Wouldn’t miss it. If it’s anything like the celebrations we used to have in the town square when we were kids, Joy will really love it!”
Then, with keys in hand, Jenny followed Holly to the door and waited for Rudy to walk out as well.
“Merry Christmas,” Holly said to Jenny, purposely ignoring Rudy. The animosity was already beginning, he thought. He had to fix this, and fast.
“Merry Christmas,” Jenny answered. Holly walked out into the cold, crisp night. The weather had finally cooperated with the season. Not that it made Rudy feel any better. Actually, the cold blast from the open door tore right through him, giving him a deep bone shiver.
“You need to leave. Gramps and I have to get ready for tomorrow. It’s going to be a big day, not that you care.”
She ushered him out the door, but he turned back around. “I went to the bank today and signed my share of Sugar Plums over to you. It’s now completely yours, the business, the building, all Gram’s needlepoint, the recipe book, everything. You now own it all. I can’t make the deal without it. I just need you to show up at dinner and confirm it. Simple.”
All expression left her face. He had no idea what she was thinking. He thought she’d be happy with this news. Instead, she shook her head, cocked a hip, smirked and said, “So that’s how you’re going to handle this? Put it all on me. Tell these guys you can’t make the deal because you don’t own Sugar Plums. You don’t get it, do you? I thought you changed. That you finally got what this town, this bakery, Christmas is all about.” Tears welled up in her eyes. Rudy wanted to die right there. “I’m sorry. I’ve got work to do.”
And she closed the door, leaving Rudy standing out in the cold.
***
Sales in the bakery on Christmas Eve day were so good they made up for the entire year. Not only were Jenny and the two new girls Gramps had hired busy with local orders, but tourists had bought everything the bakery had to offer, including most of the new anise cookies.
Plus, the on-line orders had been so incredible Kringle Special Delivery had had to make two stops a day for the past week. According to Gramps, the bakery was doing better than it had ever done. Jenny didn’t know what combination of events contributed to all this, but she had a sneaking feeling it had something to do with a strong dose of Christmas magic. Ever since Rudy, Nick and Kris had gotten together at Yule Tide’s the whole town seemed to be happier.
And miracle of miracles it had been snowing on and off all day, those great big flakes that Jenny, along with a few of the local kids, had caught on their tongues, then laughed and giggled before they caught more.
“We better close up if we’re gonna get over to that party on time to hand out these here cookies. The city council came through this year and bought enough cookies and hot chocolate for damn near the entire town. So we’d best hustle up and start spreadin’ cheer before they want their money back,” Gramps said with a chuckle.
It was nice to see Gramps in a good mood again. It had been a long time coming, and Jenny appreciated the moment. She went over and gave him a hug.
“What’s this all about?” Gramps asked while holding onto her.
“It’s Christmas Eve and we’re standing under the mistletoe.”
And sure enough, they were. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and he blushed when she stepped away.
“Thank you, Jenny. That’s the best present an old fool like me could ever get.”
“You’re welcome, and you’re a long way from being an old fool.”
“Not according to my grandson. Ah, well, it’s Christmas Eve. Anything can happen on Christmas Eve.” He slipped on his coat. “You comin’?” he asked, as he fumbled with the buttons.
He was such a nice man Jenny couldn’t stand to see him glum.
“I’ll be right there, Gramps. I just want to make sure everything is locked up tight so I don’t have to think about anything tomorrow.”
Gramps and his two new employees, pastry students from the culinary school in the next town, were loaded down with baked goods, several large thermoses of hot chocolate, a couple whipped cream makers and an oversized bag of mini-marshmallows.
“Whatever you gotta do,” Gramps said, “but don’t be long. I heard a rumor that the ‘old man’ hisself might be dropping by to pick up his new sleigh. Rudy’s friend Nick’s been working on a souped-up version. You don’t wanna miss that.”
The two students rolled their eyes, and walked out snickering. Little did they know they were about to get a lesson in Christmas magic.
Mrs. Claus would be happy that Santa’s favorite bakery had been spared, at least for the time being. Jenny wasn’t so sure how long it could last. Rumor had it that Rudy had closed the deal for the inevitable demise of the town.
How could he?
Almost in tears, Jenny walked through Sugar Plums turning out lights as she went, and as each light lost its glow, she felt a bit more sad about losing Rudy one more time. She had once again fallen in love with him, and once again he had broken her heart.
When she arrived in the back room of the bakery, she grabbed her red coat and hat off the hook and slipped her arms into the sleeves. Just as she did, the back door burst open and Santa walked in. “Hi ho, Jenny Bells. I’ve come for my favorite cookies.”
Jenny yelped and fell back a step, completely startled by his entrance. Then, a moment later, three elves came rushing in behind him, wearing the usual elf attire, under bright red vests that read ‘Santa’s Security’.
Each of them carried a red walkie-talkie that looked more like a toy rather than the real thing.
“All clear in the oven room,” one of them said into his walkie-talkie as he moved about the room with a macho swagger, careful not to bump his head on the tables.
None of them was more than four-feet tall, and each wore an unfriendly scowl as if guarding Santa was serious business.
“All clear in the front of the bakery,” a grainy, high-pitched voice echoed through the room.
“Santa, you have three minutes,” the elf with the curly blond hair said, checking the huge clock that dangled from a thick gold chain around his neck. A fourth elf stood in front of the open back door, hands clasped just below his waist in true security form, looking all serious, head moving back and forth, keeping watch over the area.
Jenny had to jump-start her brain. Although she had met with Mrs. Clause a time or two, she hadn’t seen Santa since that first time in her parents’ living room when she was three.
When she had gathered a box of gingerbread boys and girls, one of the elves grabbed it out of her hands and opened the box.
“These look good,” he said to Santa. “We can go.”
“Wait!” Santa said as he gazed down at a tray of anise cookies, gleaming with white frosting, and garnished with silver sprinkles. “Can I have one of these? I know they were Mrs. Raindear’s favorite. I’ve always wanted to try them.”
“We haven’t time,” the clock elf said.
“There’s always time for cookies,” Santa said.
He took a bite, chewed, swallowed and a big grin stretched across his rosy face. “Yum, these are exceptional! Can I have a few more?”
“Sure,” Jenny said, still a bit overwhelmed by the whole event. “You can have them all. I have four trays, about twenty dozen cookies.”
“Oh, that’s a grand idea! I can give them to the children all over the world. Many of them don’t get cookies and these will be a real treat. Thank you, Jenny Bells. Mrs. Claus said you were a wond
erful girl, and you are.”
The elves packed up the cookies in the blink of an eye and were outside before Jenny could move.
“I’ve got to go now. Please tell Gramps thank you,” he said and was on his way out.
“Oh, one more thing,” he said, turning back to her. “Rudy’s back on my Good List. A really good boy, that Rudy Raindear. He only needed a little nudge.”
Jenny ran to him and gave him a tight hug, molding herself around his round belly. He felt all cuddly and warm with his rosy cheeks and his silky red suit, and smelled of cinnamon and apples and everything sweet.
“We still have to pick up your sleigh, Santa. We’re now officially running late,” clock elf scolded. “Tick-tock, tick-tock.”
Santa pulled away with a jolly belly laugh, and in an instant he was gone.
Poof!
***
Rudy scanned the crowd for Jenny, but didn’t see her. Gramps and his two employees, wearing the new Sugar Plums red aprons over their coats, stood behind a long table handing out gingerbread boys and girls for the kids to decorate and hang on the massive blue spruce tree in the square. Nick had added about a million more lights. Now, not only was the tree ablaze with colored lights, but every berry bush, pine tree, bench and especially the gazebo—all twinkled Christmas. Even the star on the very top of the massive tree, that had been dark when Rudy first came to town, sparkled once again. The town square was truly magical looking, better than Rudy had remembered it from his childhood. Especially with Kris, looking even more like Santa, sitting in the gazebo laughing with the kids.
Nick and Vixen, a beauty Nick seemed totally in love with, helped pour hot chocolate and hand out cookies. People were singing carols, kids were running and playing, and all was right in North Pole, Maine.
Except for Rudy.
He had never been more miserable. Jenny hated him and Gramps would hardly look at him.
Still, Rudy sucked up his pride and went over to pitch in to help hand out cookies and hot chocolate. The way he had it figured, he had so screwed everything up, the least he could do was help out.
“Where you been, son?” Gramps asked.
“Licking my wounds,” Rudy answered.
He came around to the back of the table where Gramps was standing, wearing a bright red Santa hat, and a striped red and white scarf over his gray wool overcoat.
“That don’t do nothin’ but leave a bad taste in your mouth. Here,” Gramps said, handing Rudy a pecan sandie. “This’ll fix it.”
Rudy smiled, took the cookie and ate it in two bites. It was perfect, just the right amount of cinnamon, pecans and vanilla.
“Good, huh?” Gramps asked.
“Perfect.”
“You and Jenny are perfect. What ya’ gonna do about that, son?”
“She hates me.”
“Hate’s a strong word. That there girl could never hate you. She’s got too much love in her heart. You need to talk to her. Tell her what you done.”
“But she thinks I—”
“Don’t matter what she thinks. Only matters what’s true. I expect you fixed everything with them Smart-Ass people?”
Rudy grinned. His Gramps was the absolute best. “Yes, I told them the deal was off, but they didn’t care. They threatened to sue me. I think it’s bogus. Unfortunately, they liked the town so much they want to buy land on the outskirts for their new store.”
“Then we’ll just have to buy the land first.”
“We might be able to do that for a little while, but I don’t know how long we can keep them out.”
“A little while’s all I got, son. After that, it’s up to the next generation to keep the magic alive.”
Then, as if on cue, a resounding ho ho ho echoed from above and out of the clouds came Santa in a bright red sleigh pulled by all his reindeer flying across the sky. Rudy felt someone standing beside him as he looked up at the completely incredible sight.
It was Jenny.
She took his hand, and gave him a wickedly cute smile. “He told me you were off his naughty list.”
“He told you? Santa? When?
“Inside Sugar Plums. He stopped by with his security elves to pick up his cookies. One bite of our anis cookies and he was smitten. I gave him all we had.”
“Wait. Back up. Santa has security elves?”
“Three of them, and one to keep him on schedule.”
Rudy laughed. “I would’ve liked to have seen that.”
She shrugged. “Maybe next year. Apparently, the bakery is on his list of stops.”
“And speaking of Santa’s lists, if I’m off his naughty list does it mean my nose won’t turn red anymore?”
“He didn’t say, but a bit of a red nose might be good for all of us.”
He chuckled. “Trust me, you don’t want it.”
Santa and his reindeer landed directly behind them in front of Sugar Plums. The sleigh and the reindeer ran the entire length of the town square.
“Look,” Jenny said, pointing. “There’s one of Santa’s elves now, standing next to the sleigh.”
And sure enough, Rudy spotted a little person who was almost indistinguishable next to Santa’s bright red sleigh. He stood with his arms crossed, head jerking from side to side, as if scoping out the crowd.
“Are you sure that’s not one of the kids clowning around?”
“Nope. That’s an elf. He’s not wearing his security vest. I think he’s trying to blend in, but check out his shoes.”
Rudy stretched up on his toes to take a better look over the crowd, and sure enough . . . elf shoes!
“I wouldn’t want to mess with him. He looks mean.” The elf seemed tense, alert and completely into his job.
Jenny laughed. “I think he’s adorable.”
“I don’t think Mr. Security elf would appreciate your take.”
“Maybe not, but still. . . ”
Then Santa announced in a booming voice, “A ride for all the children.”
Rudy watched as Santa, along with two more elves boarded the children into the shiny red sleigh along with a few of the parents who went along with the younger children. Santa’s monster bag of toys sat at one end while the kids and their parents sat up front, just behind Santa.
“Wow,” Rudy said. “That’s got to be incredible. Wish I was a kid.”
“Don’t you remember? We went for a ride in his sleigh right after we kissed under the mistletoe in Sugar Plums.”
And just like that, the memory came rushing back. The thrill of hopping into Santa’s sleigh and scooting closer to Jenny under the blankets, then the feeling of soaring off into the clouds and looking down on all the lights below. It was perhaps one of the most memorable moments of his childhood.
“How could I have forgotten that?”
“You didn’t. It was simply locked away until you could open your heart again to the magic of Christmas.”
“I’m so sorry, Jenny. Sorry for leaving you, for leaving Gramps, for my—”
She turned to him. “That’s all in the past. We have our future to think about now.”
They kissed, and Rudy was so happy he wanted to tell the whole town.
“Huh, that’s funny,” Jenny said when they moved apart after the kiss, and she snuggled up against his shoulder.
“Excuse me? My kisses are funny?”
“Not you, silly. There’s a light on in my old apartment building across the street. That place has been empty for months.”
The building stood directly behind Santa’s reindeer.
“Not anymore. I figure if I own the darn thing, the least I could do is restore it. With your help, of course. We might as well live there. It should be a little more comfortable than my grandfather’s attic, especially once we start having kids. We’ll just keep knocking down walls to make room.”
“Is that some kind of strange marriage proposal?”
“Not exactly.” He got down on one knee, right there in the snow, with Santa ho ho hoing in the dist
ance, and took her hand. “This is a marriage proposal. Jennifer Mary Bells, on this magical Christmas Eve, will you fly away with me and be my Jenny so we can celebrate Christmas every day for the rest of our lives?
She knelt in front of him, then collapsed into his arms. “For all the Christmases forever more.”
They stood, hugged and kissed as Santa took off into the sky with a sleigh once again filled with awestruck children. And as Santa soared up higher, the clouds separated and the stars shown like a million Christmas lights across the sky.
Then as everyone watched, Santa returned, making a perfect landing on Prancer Street. The children jumped out of the sleigh each carrying a toy. After every child had had a ride, Santa, along with his security team, took off once again. As he soared up higher and higher, his voice rained down on the town, “On Dancer, on Prancer, on Donner and Blitzen . . . Merry Christmas to all!”
Then, in the blink of an eye, the magical sleigh and reindeer disappeared into the starry night.
After a moment, Rudy’s attention returned to Jenny. “Did all of that really happen, or did I just imagine it?”
Jenny smiled, grabbed two hot chocolate-filled mugs from the table, tossed in some marshmallows, handed a mug to Rudy and said, “Let me tell you a story about me and Mrs. Claus.”
The End
Mrs. Raindear’s Favorite Anise Cookie
Preheat oven to 375
Makes a lot of cookies!
