Read Online Poles Apart by Marion Ueckermann - Free Book Online Page A

opened them, her eight good fingers moved over the
keyboard, thumb and index fingers raised awkwardly in the air.
     
    Jessica Mattison had no doubt in her
mind—she’d been struck by what all people in her profession feared most, and it
scared her wordless. A diagnosis consisting of two small, yet dreaded words.
Writer’s block.
     
    Thanks to that sauna, her muse was hot,
and the idea to write this story based on her own experience, nothing short of
brilliant. Who knew real life would be her writing prompt? The only thing that
concerned her now was pulling off that happily-ever-after for her hero and
heroine. No way could she draw on real life for that.
     

     
    How would he get through the afternoon,
giving child after child ‘Santa Magic’, when all he could think about was how
to extend his time at Sarah’s cabin later? The sauna and fireplace wouldn’t
take long to prepare and light. Still, Niklas had faith that something would
keep him there longer. Look at what happened last night. Being so close as he
held her hand to examine her singed fingers... Not that he’d wish anything bad
on Sarah purely to spend time with her.
    The vibration in his shirt pocket drew his
attention. Niklas motioned to Orvo, the elderly elf, to hold off on the next
family and give him a comfort break.
    Inside the bathroom, he whipped out his
phone. One message. He opened the unread text.
     
    Dear Santa, though I do prefer to
call you Nick—makes me feel less like a five-year-old. Any chance we could
continue our interview in private later? If so, please steer your reindeer in
the direction of No. 1 Toivonen cabins around 7.30 tonight. I presume you know
where that is, seeing as you’re Santa? I’ll have a pot of coffee ready. Or
would you prefer cookies and milk? J Miss No Name.
     
    His heart plummeted. Had she recognized
him last night? Was she deliberately putting him in a predicament to see if he and
Santa were one and the same? She didn’t seem the type of person who’d double
book, and yet, here she was inviting Santa over at the same time as their prior
arrangements. Unless she’d forgotten about her landlord and the sauna. This
could be complicated. Thankfully for now he was Santa, and Santa knew all about
making Christmas magic.
    First, he’d buy some time.
     
    Dear Miss No Name, you know that I’m
an old man. I need to get home and to bed. I can spare you around twenty
minutes. Yes, I do know all the addresses in the world, and as Toivonen’s is
not far from my office, how about I see you at 7.15. Coffee will keep me up all
night, and I only do cookies and milk on Christmas Eve. Hot chocolate would be
good, if you have any. Santa Claus, or as you prefer, Nick.
     
    After sending the message, Niklas dialed
his best friend. Alexis’s Lapland Adventures would come in handy right now.
    The phone rang. And rang. “Come on,”
Niklas willed his friend to answer.
    “ Hei .”
    “Alexis, hei . Thank heavens you
answered. Listen quick, I need your help. Don’t ask any questions, but can you
meet me at my house tonight at seven ten?”
    “Of course.”
    “ Kiitos .”
    “You’re welcome, Niklas.”
    “One more favor—bring your wooden
sleigh, the Santa-style one with six reindeer pulling it.”
    “Why?”
    “I’ll explain later, but right now I
need you to say you can help me.”
    “This better be good, my friend.”
    “Believe me, it is.” Niklas sucked in
his breath. “One other thing.”
    Alexis huffed on the other side of the
line. “I thought you said one favor. This is now three. You know you’re—”
    “Pushing it. I know. Dress in that spare
Santa suit and beard of your father’s...and make sure you dress warm beneath
it.”
    “What?”
    “Please, Alexis.”
    “All right. On one condition.”
    “Yes?”
    Alexis chuckled. “I don’t have to climb down
any chimneys.”
    “You won’t.” He’d owe his friend big
after this. “Alexis, thanks.”
    “As long as I get the inside scoop