Page 12 of The Naughty Or Nice Clause
IT WASN’T LONG before they reached a set of tall gates with chipped white paint and an emblem in gold cursive at the centre with the letters S and C. The gates opened at their approach. Lyla looked for an electrical cause, but couldn’t see one. No camera or sensor visible. No key, electric or otherwise; nothing.Magic.The thought scared her more than it should have.
The reindeer led them down a driveway, where a frozen fountain rose in front of the cabin.
Apparently, Lyla’s idea of a cabin and Klaus’s were vastly different.This one was the size of a manor. It was split into three separate buildings with logged walls, a terrace surrounding the whole lot. They were connected through glass-walled corridors.
“This is not a cabin.Thisis a cabin on steroids,” she gasped as the sleigh pulled up to the terrace, where a long walkway led to what seemed to be the main door.
“Have you never seen a house before?” Klaus appeared utterly indifferent.
Lyla shook her head. With Klaus’s work ethic, she somehow hadn’t expected him to have grown up with a silver spoon. She tried to contain herself, but failed. “A house? The fairy-lights on the terrace, the door marked with two Christmas trees, the giant wreath! This is my heaven!”
“You might not think so once we get inside,” he warned, though there was no malice in his voice.
“I’m nervous enough, please let me enjoy this,” Lyla pleaded, noticing that the property was crowded with trees and lit by the same lampposts which had guided them here. Beyond them there was only the darkness of coniferous trees and the mountains in the distance.If Yule is so cut off, how do they get power?
Full of questions, she turned to ask, but Klaus had already left the sleigh. The double doors of the cabin were flung open. A woman whom Lyla guessed to be in her late sixties, clad in a snowman jumper, hurried down the path extending from a porch towards them.
“Are you getting out? Argyle has his own family to get home to,” Klaus said, though he didn’t bother to offer her a helping hand.
“Mason! I can’t believe you’re home,” the woman screeched joyfully, coming down the steps at a pace that terrified Lyla. She guessed this was his mother.
“Lyla?” Klaus asked.
“Sorry,” she said, stepping reluctantly from the comfort of the furs onto the icy driveway, instantly humiliated to be standing before his approaching mother in his jacket and her pyjamas. She tried to hide behind Klaus, but when the woman wrapped her arms around him, she was exposed.
“Good to see you too, Mum,” Klaus said, returning the hug, but with less vigour.
“After all this time, let me take a look at you. So handsome!” His mother stared up at him, only to embrace him once again. “Promise me you won’t leave us for so long again. Kevin won’t know what to do when he sees you.”
Lyla was surprised he didn’t combust into flames under all the affection.There’s no anger in her words, not even a stern look. She only looks pleased – elated, even – to see her son. Why was he so nervous about his return?
“I promise, but can we pause the emotions for a minute? I have someone for you to meet,” Klaus said.
His mum, who stood at a fraction of his height, peered around him. “And who might this beauty be?” she said warmly, and Lyla felt a little more at ease.
“Lyla… Smurfit.” She didn’t know why she’d added her last name. She sounded like she was going for a job interview. Mrs Klaus’s eyes were the same striking blue as her son’s, though Klaus was missing her friendly disposition.
“Forgive the hysterics. Everything has been a little overwhelming lately.” She stopped herself and took a breath.To lose her husband and regain her son…no wonder she was overwhelmed. “Here’s me prattling on – where are my manners? I’m Mrs Klaus, Mason’s mum. You’re a sight for sore eyes!” Mrs Klaus exclaimed, taking Lyla’s hand. “It’s a surprise to see you, but I’m very happy Mason has someone by his side right now. I’ve hated the thought of him being away and alone all this time.”
“Kla—Mason” – she stumbled over his first name; it tasted wrong on her tongue – “keeps himself far too busy to be lonely. I’m sorry for your loss. Please let me be of any use,” Lyla offered, and the delight in the woman’s smile meant it was the right response.
“Before she can be of use, maybe we should take Lyla out of the cold,” Klaus began, but they were interrupted by the slam of a door. A younger boy in his late teens came out with a confused expression and what looked like a half-eaten s’more in his hand. He dropped it, along with his jaw.
He must be Kevin. If Klaus has been gone ten years, he must have only been a kid when he left. I can’t imagine having a sibling and not seeing them for so long.Her heart went out to both of them.
“Mum! Come inside – it’s freezing!” he called.
Before Lyla could stop him, Klaus walked towards his brother, leaving her alone. She watched as there was a moment’s hesitation between the two brothers, now similar in height and stature.
They stared at each other, and then Klaus pulled Kevin into his arms. The younger boy groaned and pulled away, only to smile and return the hug. She would have loved to hear their exchange, but she was too far away.
She remembered that the letter had been written by Klaus’s sister. She wondered if she was about to make an appearance too. Lyla might as well be embarrassed in front of the whole Klaus clan.
“Yes, first things first. You poor dear, wearing so little in the mountains, you’ll catch your death,” Mrs Klaus said, before embracing her and nearly smothering Jones in the process. When Jones mewed in protest, she jumped back in surprise. Lyla brushed his ears to soothe him.
“Kl—Mason didn’t exactly give me time to change, or to pack,” Lyla informed Mrs Klaus, who was quick to wag a finger at her son in the near distance before returning her attention to the cat. “Sorry– this is Jones. He isn’t too good with strangers.”
Jones instantly made her a liar by nuzzling into Mrs Klaus’ touch while they walked to Klaus by the door.
