The Christmas Confection Read online

  Disappointed and somewhat disheartened, she kept herself busy with the morning crowd. She’d just stepped up to the counter with a platter full of Fred’s oatmeal cookies when the door swung open and cold rushed inside. Silence slowly descended over the bakery. Elsa turned around to see not only Fred, but his aunts, Murtag, and two handsome young men she assumed were married to Ari and Bett.

  “Merry Christmas!” Claire said, racing over to enfold Elsa in a hug.

  “What are you doing here?” Elsa asked, shocked by the sight of them all, but especially happy to see them, particularly Fred.

  “We’ve come to celebrate a most special day,” Bett said, glancing at Fred then reaching out to take the hand of the man standing beside her. “Elsa Lindstrom, this is my husband, Clark Dillard. Darling, this is Elsa, the best baker I’ve ever met.”

  “Miss Lindstrom, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Clark said, smiling at her in greeting.

  “And this handsome devil is my husband,” Ari said, pulling a tall, dimple-cheeked man forward. “Heath Butler, I’m pleased to introduce you to Elsa, Fred’s girl.”

  “Miss Lindstrom, you’re every bit as lovely as my wife and her sisters proclaimed. And your bakery smells wonderful. I don’t suppose we could get one of those cinnamon buns?”

  “You can have anything you like,” Elsa said. Still trying to recover from the surprise of seeing her friends, she was shocked by Ari referring to her as Fred’s girl.

  If she was his girl, why hadn’t she known his whereabouts the last week?

  Fred gave Claire a look and she moved behind the front counter, quickly setting cinnamon buns on plates and handing her family cups of coffee.

  Without waiting for her to protest, Fred cupped Elsa’s elbow in his palm and guided her into the kitchen. Ethan and Lottie lingered there, so Fred detoured out the back door. Elsa glanced at her brother, but he merely offered her a goofy grin.

  “Fred! What are you doing?” Elsa asked as she allowed him to pull her outside. He didn’t stop until they were standing at the end of the alley where Lottie couldn’t see them as she peered out the kitchen window.

  The cold didn’t even register with her as she glanced up at Fred in question. He took the plate of cookies from her hands and set it on top of a fence post then moved so close she could feel the heat radiating from him.

  “Oh, Elsa, I missed you so.” Fred held her face between his big, callused hands. “I missed the twinkle in those beautiful blue eyes.” He kissed her forehead and her left temple. “I missed the way your nose wrinkles up on the end when you laugh.” A kiss brushed across her nose. “I missed the sunshine in your smile.” His lips skimmed over hers. “I missed the smell of your skin and the silky feel of your hair.” He buried his face against the top of her head and pulled her into his arms. “How I’ve missed you, sugar bun.”

  Elsa grinned and leaned back. “You disappeared for a week without a word about where you were going and all I get is ‘I’ve missed you, sugar bun.’ No, Fred Decker, that won’t do at all.”

  “How about if I tell you I love you and can’t live without you and spending even one more day away from you will surely cause such agony, I won’t survive it.” Fred trailed his lips along her jaw and made his way back to her mouth. After he’d kissed her more thoroughly than Elsa had even imagined possible, he lifted his head and whispered, “I’ve missed the delicious, decadent taste of you, Elsa Lindstrom.”

  “I’ve missed you, Fred.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his solid chest. The rapid pounding of his heart made her lift her head and look at him again. He smiled and kissed her nose once more.

  “I have a little something for you,” Fred said, digging in his coat pocket and pulling out a neatly wrapped package.

  Elsa took the small box and untied the red satin ribbon, dropping it in her apron pocket before removing the silver foil paper. She glanced from the box in her hand to Fred then raised the lid.

  “Oh, Fred! It’s lovely,” she said, lifting a delicately painted brooch from a bed of black velvet. A blue background, edged in silver, bore cream and pink flowers. “I love it,” she said, pinning it at her throat.

  “And I love you, my delightful little sugar bun.” Fred folded her in his embrace again before he took a step back. “Elsa, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife? I know I don’t deserve someone like you, someone so full of light and goodness and beauty, but if you’d marry me anyway, you’d make me the happiest man on earth.” Fred gazed down at her with his heart shining from his stunning blue eyes.

  Elsa tipped her head to one side, studying this wonderful man, this man who had so completely captivated her, so thoroughly captured her heart. “Of course I’ll marry you, Fred. Perhaps we can plan the wedding before your family returns to Philadelphia. What do you think of a New Year’s Eve wedding?”

  “I think that’s a week longer than I’m willing to wait.” Fred grinned at her again. “If you say yes, all you have to do is walk over to the church. Everything is already taken care of.”

  Confused she stared at him. “What do you mean? How do you...”

  He bent down until his lips tantalized hers again in a fervent exchange. When he pulled back, his mouth hovered against hers. “Just say yes.”

  The sensation of his lips on hers, of his warmth enveloping her, of his scent flooding her senses, made her eager to agree to anything he suggested. “Yes, Fred. Definitely yes.”

  He kissed her one more time, sweetly, with reverence and patience, lifting her in his arms and spinning her around before setting her back on her feet. He handed her the plate of cookies after he snitched three, then led her to the back door. Gently nudging her back inside, her kissed her on the cheek, and grinned. “I’ll see you at the church in an hour.”

  “But, Fred!” Elsa called after him as he jogged down the alley. Before she could move, Fred’s aunts and Lottie surrounded her.

  An hour later, Elsa rode in the back of a velvet-cushioned sleigh to the church with Ari, Bett, and Claire her.

  “Do you feel like a princess?” Claire asked, squeezing her hand.

  Elsa laughed. “How could I not?” she asked, glancing down at the beautiful white velvet gown trimmed with yards and yards of exquisite lace. It seems Fred had spent his days away from her making any number of plans with his aunts.

  According to Claire, Fred caught them just before they boarded the train in Heppner. They sent a telegram to have their husbands travel west instead of them returning to Philadelphia. Then they set about creating a wonderful wedding for Fred and Elsa.

  “We’re so happy you’re marrying our Fred. He deserves only the best,” Ari said, patting Elsa’s arm. “We know you’ll make him happy.”

  “I think you have that backwards. Fred is the one who makes me happy,” Elsa smiled at the three women. “And I feel as though I’m receiving something extra special to gain you three as my aunts, too.”

  “Oh, you dear girl,” Bett gave her a hug while Ari kissed her cheek. “If you keep on like that we’ll all be in tears and that won’t do.”

  “Not at all,” Claire said, handing Elsa a handkerchief.

  When they reached the church, Heath and Clark waited to help the women out of the sleigh. Elsa glanced up and sucked in a gasp to see her father standing on the top step. “Papa!”

  She lifted her skirts and raced up the steps. Her father engulfed her in a jubilant hug, lifting her off her feet and kissing her cheek. “Oh, my dear daughter. You look lovely,” he said, stepping back to take a better look at her.

  “What are you doing here?” Elsa asked, recovering from her shock.

  “I received a telegram from a very insistent young man. First he pleaded for permission to marry you. Then he begged for us to be here to celebrate this special day with you.”

  “Us? Is Mother here, too?” Elsa wanted to run inside and see her mother, but managed to refrain from doing so.

  “Everyone is here, Elsa,
even your sister and brother. They’re sitting with Ethan and his wife in the front row.”

  “Oh, Papa!” Elsa hugged him again then turned to Fred’s family. “You made this possible and I can’t thank you enough.”

  “It was all Fred, Elsa. If you want to thank someone, make sure it’s him,” Ari said, giving Elsa a teasing wink. “Now, if you’re ready to marry that very eager nephew of mine, we’ll go inside.”

  “Thank you,” Elsa said, watching as their group slipped inside the church. She hugged her father one more time, then took his arm, straightened her shoulders, and walked through the wide doorway.

  Ari handed her a large bouquet of red hothouse roses then grinned as Maura Granger skipped down the aisle, scattering petals in her wake.

  Elsa nearly tripped as she started forward when she caught sight of Fred waiting for her at the front of the church with Pastor Dodd, Tom Grove, and Arlan Guthry. Claire and Lila Grove stood across from the men.

  Then Fred smiled and the rest of the world fell away. Elsa felt like her feet floated down the aisle until she stood beside him. He looked so handsome in an elegant black suit. When her father placed her hand on Fred’s arm, Fred tipped his head to the older man, before giving Elsa a heated, private look.

  Throughout the ceremony, she battled the urge to pinch herself, to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. When she awoke that morning, she had no idea she’d be married to Fred before the noon hour arrived.

  Yet, here she stood, his hand holding hers as he slid a ring on her finger and promised to cherish and love her for always.

  Chauncy grinned as he finished the ceremony then proclaimed them “man and wife.”

  When Fred continued gazing at her in adoration, Chauncy chuckled. “Well, go on, son. You may kiss your bride.”

  “Yes, sir!” Fred wasted no time in taking Elsa in his arms and giving her a gentle, tender kiss full of promise, full of hope, full of love.

  “That’ll be us soon, Anna,” Percy said in a loud whisper after he took a few photographs of the happy couple. The crowd laughed as Elsa and Fred strode down the aisle.

  Rather than enjoy refreshments at the church right after the ceremony, everyone headed over to Dora and Greg Granger’s house for the Christmas carnival. Claire and Ari helped Elsa change out of her wedding gown into the midnight blue gown she’d admired many times in Abby Dodd’s dress shop window. She’d never dreamed she’d one day own the gorgeous gown.

  “Oh, that color is perfect on you,” Ari said, standing back and adjusting the pouf of one sleeve. “You’re so beautiful, Elsa, and so good for our Fred. Thank you for marrying him.”

  “Thank you for being so kind to me,” Elsa said, hugging the two women. “I’ll miss you all so much when you go back to Philadelphia.”

  “We’ll miss you, too, but Fred has promised to visit in the spring and we’ll be back in the autumn.”

  “That would be lovely,” Elsa said as Ari and Claire escorted her downstairs at the bakery, where she’d returned to change.

  Fred waited at the bottom of the stairs, still attired in his suit. “You look quite dashing, husband of mine,” Elsa said, kissing his cheek as he held out her coat and she slipped it on.

  “You look good enough to eat, little sugar bun,” Fred said, winking at Elsa and making her blush as his two aunts giggled.

  Together they made their way to the Christmas carnival where they enjoyed an elaborate lunch, listened to the community band, watched with wonder as Alex Guthry performed her magic show, then bid on items in the auction the school held to raise funds for orphans and widows.

  Fred took Elsa’s hand and quietly led her from the room as the last few items were brought up for bidding. He helped her on with her coat, tugged on his, and then led her out the door.

  “Come on before they figure out we’ve gone,” Fred said, rushing down the street toward the bakery.

  “What are you about, Fred Decker?” Elsa asked as he swept her into his arms then carried her inside the bakery’s back door. He toed the door shut with his boot then slowly set Elsa down.

  “What I’m about, Mrs. Decker, is to make you mine,” he said, locking the door. In seconds, he’d yanked off his coat and tossed his hat on the table. He removed her coat and flung it over a chair then lifted Elsa in his arms. “I love you so much, Elsa. Thank you for marrying me.”

  “Thank you for asking,” she said, grinning against his mouth. “You could have told me last week what you had planned. I still would have said yes.”

  “I know, but I wanted your wedding day to be special, memorable. I hope you aren’t upset I invited your family to come.” Fred gave her a long glance as he started up the stairs to her apartment.

  “I’m thrilled they’re here. I don’t know how you coaxed my mother to get on a train, but I’m glad you did. It will be good for them to stay with Ethan and Lottie while they’re here.” Elsa’s fingers toyed with the hair at the back of Fred’s neck as she brushed her lips over his. “I don’t care how we got to this point, Fred. I’m just glad we’re here.” She leaned back enough she could study his face. “You seem so different. More… I don’t know. Happy? Content?”

  He grinned. “Loved, my gorgeous wife. I’m loved. And you’re right, I feel different. I realized the day Curly took you that I’m not alone in this world. I’m not forsaken.” He kissed her cheek. “Since the day you arrived in town, your sweet love has been working on me, working its way into my heart, even if I didn’t or couldn’t understand it. Love’s been waiting for me all this time, your love. Thank you for loving me, in spite of my abundance of faults.”

  “Maybe I love you because of them, Fred. What you see as faults, I see as things that make you strong and gentle, compassionate and kind, and the man I love with all my heart.”

  Fred kissed her again as he reached her apartment and let her slowly slide down to the floor. His hands rested at her waist as love shone from his eyes and in his smile. “Forever, Elsa, that’s how long I’ll love you.”

  She smiled and pulled him down for a soft kiss. “Forever and a day, that’s how long I’ll love you.”

  Oatmeal Cookies

  One day I needed to take a baked treat to a meeting but lacked the ingredients for the cookies I wanted to make. Instead, I ransacked my cupboards and ended up creating these oatmeal cookies that were a delicious hit. We love them soft and chewy, but crispy are also good, especially if you dunk them. These seemed like the perfect cookie for Fred to enjoy — and feature on the cover!

  Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

  1 cup butter, softened

  1/2 cup packed brown sugar

  1 cup granulated sugar

  2 eggs

  1 tsp. vanilla

  1 tsp. baking soda

  2 tsps. cinnamon

  1 1/3 cups flour

  1/4 tsp. salt

  3 cups oatmeal, uncooked rolled oats

  3/4 cup dried cranberries

  1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts or pecans

  1 cup white chocolate chips

  In large bowl, beat together butter and sugars with electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add to butter mixture; mix well. Stir in oats, cranberries, nuts and chips until blended.

  Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheets lined with parchment. Bake 8-10 minutes until cookies are set but not yet brown for soft cookies or 10-12 minutes and turning brown on the edges for crispy cookies. Cool completely before removing from baking pan.

  Makes approximately three dozen cookies.

  Author’s Note

  Thank you for going on another adventure to Hardman with me in The Christmas Confection.

  When I first wrote about Fred Decker, back in The Christmas Calamity, he wasn’t exactly a character to win the hearts of readers. He was an out-of-control teen who couldn’t stay out of trouble. However, at the end of that story a bit of hope glimmered for Fred’s redemption. Through
the next few books in the series, we saw Fred changing and growing up.

  When I originally created Fred’s character, I knew I wanted him to someday have a story of his own, despite his rough start.

  I hope you enjoyed meeting this different side of Fred. The grown-up, wounded hero who managed to turn his life around and become someone the community respects, admires, and values.

  The moment I mentioned siblings purchasing the bakery in The Christmas Quandary, I knew the sister would be the perfect match for Fred.

  Elsa Lindstrom is sweet and kind, but fiercely loyal to those she loves. (I think that’s why she struggled so with the arrival of Miss La-De-Da Lottie.) She’s smart and determined, but also enjoys laughter and teasing.

  I’m sure I gained five pounds just writing about all the delicious treats Elsa baked. I truly enjoyed reading through Swedish recipes and traditions to find those mentioned in the story. There are many lovely traditions I admire and several recipes I plan to try!

  There really was a family of singers called the DeMoss Family Lyric Bards. The family performed across the country, but made Oregon their home. Together, the family played more than forty instruments in a variety of arrangements. They composed many of their own songs, including “Sweet Oregon,” penned by Henry DeMoss. The group really did have their own Concord stagecoach they drove around to performances. You can read more about the family in an article posted by the Benton County Museum.

  When I researched historical tidbits to include in this story, I happened upon an article about sugar beets in an issue of the Heppner newspaper from the autumn of 1901. It surprised me to read the article, because I had no idea sugar beet production had begun so early in the century in the area. According to that article, 35,000 tons of sugar beets were harvested that year in nearby La Grande, Oregon. Today’s sugar beet is derived from many years of breeding domesticated beets. During the 1700s, a German chemist discovered beetroots contained a form of sucrose that couldn’t be distinguished from the sweetener produced from cane. Production could take place in temperate climates, but a method of extraction had yet to be developed. Once extraction procedures were established, factories began to pop up and eventually made their way to America. Today, more than half of the sugar produced in the United States is derived from sugar beets. My uncle grew sugar beets and my cousin proudly carries on the tradition. And I’m always more than happy to eat the fruits of their labors.