Nicholas motioned Liam closer. “You’re right, young man! My, how sharp you are!” He then lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Would you like to know a Christmas secret? Would you be able to keep it?”
Liam gave an enthusiastic nod as he leaned closer to Nicholas. “I can keep a secret! I promise!”
“I’m actually Santa’s son. I came here from the North Pole last night. There was an emergency with one of Santa’s sleighs. It looks like it’ll be too foggy on Christmas Eve for Santa to be able to fly his sleigh through the night...” Nicholas brought a hand to his chin, as he ran his fingers through his faux beard. “Do you know anyone who might be able to help fly Santa’s sleigh? On such a foggy night?”
“Rudolph!” Liam’s eyes went wide with excitement. “Rudolph could help Santa with his sleigh!”
“Of course! Of course! Of course!” Nicholas hit his own forehead with the bottom of his palm. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Liam was giggling now, beaming up at Santa.
Nicholas gave him a twinkling smile. “Now, little Liam, what’s your wish for this Christmas? Tell me fast, before the magic disappears!”
Liam leaned closer to Nicholas, too close for Molly to be able to hear Liam’s Christmas wish for the season.
When Liam was finished, he jumped off Santa’s lap. “Bye, Mr. Santa’s son! Bye, Mrs. Claus! Merry Christmas!”
Molly and Nicholas both wished Liam ‘Merry Christmas’ at the same time before Molly took a step closer to Nicholas’ side.
“How did you do that?” Molly asked, putting her hand on the back of Nicholas’ chair. “It was almost like you practiced.”
Nicholas shrugged. “It’s not really that hard, is it? Anyone can do this job, can’t they?”
“No. No they can't,” Molly informed him. She was amazed at Nicholas’ nonchalance about his excellent Santa Claus skills. “I’ve seen Santas completely freeze up. I’ve even seen a few forget to put their beards on. They ruined Christmas for everybody. But you're not missing a beat. You are very definitely Santa's son.”
Nicholas laughed, doing his best Santa impersonation. It was actually pretty good and she could hear the rest of the town’s children making their way to the Meet Santa line, all restless and waiting to share their Christmas wishes.
“Okay. Get ready, Mr. Claus. It’s showtime,” Molly said, patting Nicholas on the shoulder before taking her place beside him.
“Don’t worry about me, Mrs. Claus. Looks like I’m a natural.” Nicholas grinned up at Molly, before he gave a child a cheerful wave, encouraging them to come sit on his waiting lap.
* * *
“You two looked really cozy walking into the town square.” Hannah said, grinning over at Molly as she poured herself a fresh cup of coffee. “Anything you want to tell me about you and Mr. Kerstman?”
“No, but thanks for asking.” Molly intertwined her fingers before setting them down on the counter of Sweetness & Light. “How’s the BakeTown stuff coming?”
“It’s... coming.” Hannah’s answer sounded hesitant as her hand gripped onto her coffee cup a little bit harder. “I’ll have to get all the food going pretty soon, but it should be ready by Christmas morning.”
“So, superstar, what happens after they show off Sweetness & Light on TV? Do you get your own cookbook deal or what?” Molly asked.
“Actually...” Hannah paused and tilted her head to the side. “If everything goes just right, I might be moving to New York.”
Molly set down her coffee cup. It was the only sound in the bakery. She tried to keep the fear and displeasure out of her voice. “New York? Hannah, what are you talking about?”
“I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t want to tell anybody. I get so nervous talking about it.” Hannah’s tone seemed flustered, her hands going to cover the sides of her face. “It’s such a long-shot, it doesn’t even matter. But if the producers like me, if they like my personality and all-that, they mentioned that it might be possible for me to host my own show. Like on real TV.”
“Okay...” Molly tried to cover her lack of enthusiasm at the idea of Hannah moving so far away. “But what happens to Sweetness & Light?”
“It’ll still be open. You remember my sister, right? The one who lives in San Francisco?” Hannah asked, moving around the kitchen with nervous energy. “She said if everything worked out, she’d move out here, no problem. She and her husband have been looking for a more affordable place to live anyway, and this way she’s guaranteed a job and guaranteed an amazing teacher for her little twin boys.”
Hannah nodded towards Molly at the mention of the phrase amazing teacher, but Molly ignored her friend’s compliment, choosing not to react, at all.
Hannah then took in a deep sigh before she leaned onto the counter with her elbows. “Molly Carmichael.”
“Yes?” Molly’s voice was devoid of any sweetness or light.
“You’d be happy for me, wouldn’t you? If I was offered a chance to have my own show in New York?” Hannah asked, trying to catch Molly's eye.