Charlotte tapped his shoulder. “It’s true. Wishy is real. My Christmas wish was just as much to blame, though.”
Micah stood and ran his hand through his hair. “You realize you all sound crazy.”
Nick smiled. “Choose to believe, brother!”
He sputtered in response.
“Nick!” A beautiful young woman strode into the auditorium and headed right for them. She wore a pair of polka-dotted Christmas pajamas, which would seem strange on someone else in the school auditorium but looked just right on her. As she got closer, a pair of fuzzy red slippers came into view.. Her hair was that perfect shade between brown and red with blonde highlights.
“Umm,” Charlotte wracked her brain. The woman’s Kringleness was as obvious as her slightly upturned nose. “Robyn’s daughter?” she asked.
Nick bobbed his head once to confirm her theory.
Robyn had auburn hair and a quick smile. She was the ultimate cool mom type who could make anything from a roast to gourmet chocolates. Her treats often affected those who ate them–like the calming cocoa Nick said she served out front.
“Hazel.” Nick grinned. “Thanks for coming.” His wide smile and easy manner said he was not worried about what she would find when she arrived.
Micah’s mouth fell open as Hazel winked hello in his and Lizzie’s direction. Charlotte backhanded his chest, and he snapped it shut. If she didn’t adore Hazel already, she would be jealous. But how could she be upset with someone who had her back? Because that was part of the Magic, you knew you could trust a Kringle with your purse, credit card, and your boyfriend.
“I wouldn’t miss a chance to spend time with Lizzie.” Hazel held out her hand, and Lizzie stared at it in awe. “Wanna feed my reindeer?” she asked.
Lizzie’s hand lifted as if it had a mind of its own. At the last second, she paused and turned to her dad for permission. He nodded.
They walked out together. “Have you ever fingerpainted with pudding?” she asked the little girl.
Charlotte moaned. “Mind the angel costume. We have to give it back,” she called.
Hazel’s laughter tickled the air all the way up to the rafters.
“Why doesn’t that make me feel better?” Charlotte mused.
Micah took a step in that direction. “Should I go with them?”
Charlotte grabbed his elbow. “Easy there, hot stuff. Take a few deep, non–Kringle–spiced breaths, and you’ll think clearly again.” Hazel smelled like sugar and cinnamon with a dash of cloves thrown in. She tucked her arm through Micah’s, who looked like he was coming back to himself. A Kringle charm could knock you loopy the first couple of exposures. “I’m sure she causes a run on the cookie stand.”
Nick’s brow lowered. “I think she enjoys it.”
Charlotte laughed. “Where’s she get that?”
“Not from my brother,” Nick quipped, talking about Hazel’s father. How the mom-type ended up married to Nick’s brother was a story Charlotte would love to hear while curled up on a sofa in front of a roaring fireplace–not in the middle of her wish crisis.
“I figured it out.” Nick pointed at Micah. “You’re the problem.”
“Me?” Micah pointed to himself.
“Yes. You.” Nick pointed to Charlotte’s wish. “At first, I thought the issue was that Charlotte and Lizzie wished for the same house.”
Micah opened and closed his mouth several times before finally blurting. “The run-down dump on the corner?”
“The very one,” Charlotte said with pride. She held up her wish. “When I told Nick my wish, this appeared.” She picked up his hand and held it against the ball.
Micah frowned. “Why is my hand buzzing?”
“Because it’s touching my wish–which looks like a glowing basketball. You can’t see it because you don’t believe in Santa.” She paused. “Wait–it’s not that, is it?” she asked Nick. “If all it took were believing in Santa, the kids would have seen the wishes.”
He shook his head and folded his arms. “It’s not about believing–though it helps. You have eyes to see–so does Lizzie. Kringles can’t make it happen; It’s a gift that can only come from God.”
“So I’m just blind?” Micah groused.
