Ginger peered over her glasses. “Why not? Your gingerbread people were exceptional.”
“I’m a trained pastry chef, so please, give it to someone else.” Kristy’s face flushed. “I withdraw my entry. I only entered for the fun of baking.”
Ivy saw Nick take Kristy’s hand and rub it in approval. It was such a sweet gesture that Ivy blinked back tears. To see two young people falling in love was a lovely sight. If Ivy and Shelly and Poppy hadn’t created the holiday special and run the ad, the two of them might have never met. It was funny how the world worked.
Ginger cleared her throat. “So noted and accepted, Kristy. Very kind of you.” She announced the new First Place winner for Best Cookie and then moved on to the next one.
“First Place for Best Breakfast Fare goes to Mitch Kline for his gingerbread pancakes.”
Mitch let out a whoop and high-fived the children standing near him before swinging Shelly around.
A smile played on Ginger’s lips. “And our Blooper award goes to…” She strung out the last word until everyone chanted together, “Rowan Zachary!”
Laughter rippled across the yard, and Rowan took a bow.
After the award ceremony was over, the children happily finished off the gingerbread treats. While they were doing that, Bennett slipped away to his apartment unit. Ivy couldn’t wait to see what he looked like as Santa Claus. As they waited, the director at the children’s center addressed the parents and took photos with the children, who were so excited they couldn’t keep still.
A little while later, Ivy spied Bennett creeping down the stairs in his cherry-red Santa suit. He had gone all-in with a faux white beard and a padded belly. As he approached the terrace area, one of the center directors, who was wearing an elf hat, gave him a bag full of gifts to carry. The elves also brought others.
“Ho, ho, ho,” Bennett cried out.
Ivy waved at him and laughed. He made quite a convincing Santa, and he clearly enjoyed playing the part.
When the children spotted Santa Claus, they squealed with excitement, although one of two young preschoolers clutched their parents in apparent shyness. Parents helped their children line up to speak to Santa and have their photos taken with him. Kristy stepped up to help as well, no doubt thinking about her children.
Watching them, Ivy recalled taking her girls to see Santa. It seemed like yesterday, though now they were grown. When Misty and Sunny were young, the days were so busy and full—it seemed time would go on forever like that. Ivy remembered falling into bed, exhausted at the end of every day. And now, here she was. On her own for what might be many years to come.
As if reading her mind, Bennett glanced up at her and winked.
Ivy blew him a kiss. How could she not adore a man who dressed up as Santa and listened to every word those precious children had to say?
Glancing around, Ivy circulated to make sure their guests were having a good time and to see if anyone needed anything. The flaming martini fiasco seemed to have been forgotten, and everyone was enjoying themselves. Relieved, Ivy joined her family, but she couldn’t keep her eyes off Bennett.
Watching Bennett, her heart felt so full of love. Here was a man so sure of himself and his place in the world that he happily donned a costume and made faces to turn children’s tears into laughter. Every child would receive a framed photograph with Santa, courtesy of the high school photography club and the local camera shop. Each would also receive a gift that had been picked out especially for them, along with a gift certificate at a local children’s shop.
Ivy had overheard Bennett speaking with Carol Reston, so she knew that Carol and her husband had supplied the gift cards. They made sure that these children had proper shoes and socks, and other gear for school. For the most part, their parents were hard-working, but some had fallen on hard times, while others held jobs that didn’t pay very much.
No announcements were made to thank Carol and her husband, but as Ivy watched the couple, she realized that was the way they wanted it. The children’s laughter and smiles were enough for them. Ivy saw the couple frequently wiping their eyes.
Near the edge of the terrace, Ivy spied Nick sitting alone, his hands clasped under his chin. He watched intently.
“Excuse me,” Ivy said to her parents. “I need to check on a guest.” She strolled toward Nick.
Making conversation, she said, “Bennett makes a pretty good Santa, don’t you think?”
“He does.”
“That’s sweet of Kristy to help.”
“She’s a kind soul,” Nick said thoughtfully. “Kristy wrapped the remaining gingerbread cookies she made, and she’s giving them to parents to keep for their children. She misses her children, but more than that, I’ve noticed she truly enjoys helping others.”
“She seems like a very caring person.”
As Nick ran a hand over his scruffy chin, a philosophical look settled on his face. “I’ve found that when given the opportunity to be helpful, most people rise to the occasion. Like you.”
Ivy shrugged off his comment. “I’m happy to help when I can.” She wondered what he was getting at.
Nick laced his long, tapered fingers. “I suppose it’s natural to want to share this human experience. For some people, goodness hovers closer to the surface than for others.” He chuckled softly.
“How well I understand that.” Ivy reflected on the people who’d come into her life to deliver challenges. Some were those she loved, while others seemed to have been dredged up from the muck, like Paisley’s ex-fiancé, though he hardly deserved that title. Perhaps even he had a soft heart for puppies or something, as hard as it was to imagine.
Nick gazed at Kristy as he spoke. “Just look at all the people here, intent on giving and sharing happiness tonight. It’s so beautiful. Yet, many people build fortresses around themselves.”
“Maybe they’re scared or want to show strength,” Ivy said.
“Or hide their weakness,” Nick added. “Some confuse kindness with weakness, so they perceive kindness as the opposite of strength. Yet, truly strong people are often the kindest. These are complementary concepts.” He lifted his palms, shifting them up and down like a scale. “Like yin and yang. Or winter and summer.”
“You’re very observant,” Ivy said, ruminating on his words. “Have you studied philosophy?”
“A little,” Nick said. “What I’ve seen is that when people’s hearts are touched and they give of themselves freely, they find strength, compassion, and love.” He smiled. “During holidays, people often come together to lift up others, showing compassion and empathy toward their fellow human beings. Just look at everyone here. These are genuine smiles.”
“If only we could be like that every day.” She didn’t often engage in such philosophical discussions with guests, but Nick was different.
He clasped his hands, watching the children and Bennett with a smile of enchantment on his face. “When one person elevates another, it brings joy to both. When others help, the burden becomes lighter. That’s what’s happening here, isn’t it?”
Ivy reached out and touched Nick’s shoulder. “It takes a special person to see that. That’s the magic of the season, a time of year when we open our hearts more fully to each other.” She hesitated, thinking about that day in the attic. “Nick, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”