Chapter Thirteen
"That's it! Just lean back a little bit. Keep your knees bent....you're doing great!"
Oskar shielded his eyes from the sun as he watched Kiana approach the ramp. After only a couple of hours of snow time, she was already practicing on some small jumps. He'd been right about her natural ability on the board. Her surfing background (which she still wasn't admitting to) had served her well. She had an excellent sense of balance, a lot of strength in her lower body and core, and a willingness to push herself which was damned impressive.
He tried to erase the memory of his disturbing dream and focus on Kiana's growing excitement as she learned a new sport. But it was difficult. Getting a glimpse of her childhood and all it entailed—neglect, hunger, bullying—left him sick to his stomach. She and Gabi were enjoying their lessons, which made him feel almost heroic. Both of them deserved some fun. "Okay, don't forget to keep your weight centered over the board."
Kiana nodded as she slid along the ramp. "Got it!" She pushed off the end of the jump, flew a few yards into the air and hollered with glee. Her board hit the ground and she wobbled unsteadily.
"That's it!" Oskar yelled encouragingly.
Her board tilted to one side, and she overcompensated.
Struggling to regain her balance, she pitched forward and landed hard on the snow, spraying ice into the air.
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Gabi, who was busy making snow angels next to the ramp, giggled and cheered. "Good job, Kiana. That wipe-out wasn't as bad as the last time!" She waved enthusiastically.
Kiana lifted one arm from her prone position and waved back. "Thanks a lot, honeybee. I think I have a bucket of snow in my pants," she replied. She sat up as Oskar jogged over to help lift her up.
"You almost got it. You just need to keep your weight back and centered over the board."
Kiana laughed. "Well, I seem to have perfected my face plants." She pushed her goggles onto her forehead and sighed. "I am not giving up until I stick that landing! You make it look so easy, Oskar."
"I've been boarding for years. You're being too hard on yourself. For a first timer, you're doing amazing."
"Thanks. I love this! It's so much fun. It reminds me..."
Her voice trailed off and she suddenly became busy brushing snow from her pants.
He stepped closer to her and tipped her chin up with his hand. "Sort of like surfing?"
Her expression grew serious. "Yes. I guess so. It's been a long time..."
"Do you miss it?" Oskar asked, unsure if he should push the conversation.
She nodded. "I do. Sometimes...I actually dream about it."
She looked at him sheepishly. "There's something incredible about surfing when all of the conditions are perfect. The water, the sky...it can be so sublimely beautiful in Oahu. And to harness the power of the sea...it's amazing." She turned 180
away from him and blinked. "Anyway, that's how surfing felt to me."
Oskar reached out and squeezed her hand. "I know the feeling. When you really master the jumps, it's like...well, you're flying. You'll get there." He continued warily. "I was wondering if you had any good memories of Hawaii. Every time the subject comes up, you seem upset. Especially about your family."
Her smile was sad. "All of my memories are sort of jumbled together—the good and the bad. My family..." She shook her head. "I'd rather not talk about them, if you don't mind. It's not such a pretty story." She paused and gazed up into his face. "When I was surfing, it was so liberating.
Nothing mattered except the connection between me and the water. It was really beautiful. And powerful. I can tell that snowboarding is the same way for you. Once you master the snow, it gives back. Right?"
He nodded. "Exactly. The exhilaration is so freeing. I've never found anything else like it." He brushed some icicles from her hair. "I'm glad you're having fun."
She reached up and tugged on his tasseled hat. "I'm having a wonderful time. Thank you. It's still hard to believe I'm near Santa's workshop, but the idea doesn't seem so crazy anymore." She glanced at Gabi who was rolling a huge snowball down the hill.
Oskar leaned forward and kissed Kiana gently on the lips.
"What was that for?" she asked in surprise.
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He slid her goggles back down over her eyes. "For good luck. The next time, you're going to stick the landing, Moon Goddess. Let's go."
Kiana nodded eagerly. She grabbed the board and ran back up the hill.
Oskar watched with pride as she rocked back and forth, working to find her center. No matter how badly she wiped out, she was back on her feet and ready for more. He applauded her competitive spirit and perseverance.
"Okay, baby, let's do it!" he yelled, just as she started down the slope. Her body crouched low as she approached the ramp, and he nodded as she loosened up and let the board guide her. Just before she reached the end of the ramp, she pushed off, flying into the air. Oskar held his breath as he watched her body tilt forward, then center itself as the board hit the ground. She didn't even wobble. Her knees bent, absorbing the impact, and she glided to a perfect stop.
"Woo hoo! Perfect!" Oskar pumped his fist in the air as Kiana laughed with abandon.
"I did it! I did it!" She whipped off her goggles, unclipped the board, and jumped up and down.
He ran to her and she flung herself into his arms. "Did you see that? No face plants this time!"
Kiana was sparkling. Her eyes glittered with happiness, her cheeks were flushed from the cold, and silky strands of her hair danced free in the breeze.
A gorgeous, heart-stopping smile erupted on her face.
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Oskar stilled. That was it. The look from his dream. The care-free, easy-going smile he'd been hoping to see. Gone was the buttoned-up librarian. In her place was a Snow Goddess, pink with cold, dusted with snowflakes, truly joyful.
He felt like he just won the Super Bowl, an Olympic gold medal and the Pulitzer prize all in one day.
Kiana blinked at him, and her gaze slid to his mouth. He almost groaned out loud. She was oblivious to how strongly she was broadcasting her attraction to him. He was this close to pushing her down onto a snow bank and having his wicked way with her.
"If you keep looking at me like that, we're going to melt the polar ice cap, sweetheart."
Kiana blushed and looked down. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"It's just..."
"What?" he asked. His voice sounded strained.
"You look so gorgeous out here, surrounded by pine trees and snowy hills. You're really in your element." She glanced up. "You look so sexy."
I'm not a damned saint. He tugged her into his arms and crushed her against him. His mouth found hers instantly, hot and ready. "God you tempt me," he whispered hoarsely. He was so lost in their kiss, consumed by the need to devour her, he barely heard Gabi's voice over the wind.
"Os-kar! Can I try this jump?"
Panting, Oskar pulled away from Kiana's soft, plump lips, practically growling in frustration. He struggled to catch his breath. "Just a minute, Gab. I'll be right there."
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He heard the sweet sound of her giggles. "No big hurry. I can see you and Kiana are playing pretend mistletoe again."
Kiana rubbed her cold cheek against his face and sighed.
"Thank you for this wonderful day. For both me and Gabi."
She kissed his chin. "I like your dimple, Bad Boy."
He laughed and reluctantly pulled away from Kiana's embrace. He turned and started up the hill. "Okay, Gab, let's try another run."
His heart stopped as he realized that Gabi was perched at the top of Jacked-Up Jump, the biggest ramp he'd built. He swallowed and held up a hand. "Gabi, don't you dare go down that jump! Stop right where you are, Honigbienchen. Slowly back up, and we'll try the beginner run again."
Gabi shook her head. "I can do it, Oskar. I know I can.
Watch!"
Oskar starting running even though he realized there wasn't a damned thing he could do to stop Gabi's descent. He watched in horror as the little girl raced down the steep slope, gaining momentum.
"Gabi....no!" He could hear Kiana shouting behind him. He fell to his knees as the child flew from the end of the ramp like a bullet shot from a gun. She soared into the air, laughing, spinning, and then...Oskar watched in complete shock as the elf flew higher and higher into the sky.
Kiana collapsed next to him on the ground. "What is she doing? Is that normal?"
He shook his head in bewilderment. "I have no freakin'
clue." Gabi looked like a circus performer suspended from an invisible line. Her tiny body spun and dipped against the 184
bright blue sky, the board still attached to her feet.
Gracefully, she dropped in slow motion to the ground, then tipped over onto a mound of snow. The lop-sided snowman she'd been building lifted its twiggy arms and clapped enthusiastically. Gabi removed her board, took a bow and high-fived the snowman.
"Holy shite. I think I just had a heart attack," Oskar said, staggering to his feet.
"Me, too." Kiana stood with her hands on her hips as Gabi approached them, holding hands with the snowman.
"Uh, Gabi, do you have something you want to tell me, little one?" He gestured to the snowman and lifted a brow.
"Your snowman's alive."
Gabi giggled. "His name is Mr. Frosty."
"And you just flew through the freaking air."
Gabi nodded. "Uh huh."
Kiana spoke sternly to the child. "Gabi, you just gave both of us a heart attack. That was dangerous. I don't know how you did it, but you need to be more careful, and listen to Oskar when he tells you something."
Gabi blinked. "You sound...you sound...like my mother."
She pursed her lips as the snowman put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "My mom used to worry about me."
She ran to Kiana and wrapped her arms around the bottom of her snow pants. "I'm sorry I didn't listen. I promise I'll be better next time." She glanced at Oskar. "You're not mad at me, are you? Please don't send me back to Wiebe." Her bottom lip trembled.
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Oskar knelt down next to Gabi. "First of all, I'm not mad. I was just worried. Second of all, you are never going back to Wiebe, Gab. Never. We're going to find you a wonderful, caring family here in Glasdorf who will take great care of you...."
Gabi grabbed his arm. "But I don't want another family. I like being with you and Kiana. Why can't we be a family?" Mr.
Frosty nudged Gabi. "And Mr. Frosty, too. He could be...like our dog or something."
Oskar shot a look at Kiana who was staring at him with tears in her eyes. For one brief, crazy second, he almost blurted out... okay. Okay, what? He and Kiana and Gabi...( don't forget Mr. Frosty)...would be a family? Why did that not sound like a ridiculous idea?
His throat felt tight when he tried to speak. "Gabi, I think you need to fess up. What is going on with the snowman, and flying, and...." He stopped suddenly. "Holy hellfire. You're a Bandiger, aren't you?"
Gabi's eyes grew wide. "Don't tell anyone."
Oskar grasped her shaking hands. "Why don't you want anyone to know? It's a great honor to be a Bandiger. You should be apprenticed to Master Eugen."
"Because....someone might try to make me do bad things with my magik." Gabi hung her head. "Really bad things. I don't want anyone to know."
Oskar's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Gabi, does Wiebe know you're a Bandiger? What the hell did that bastard...."
His phone rang, interrupting his conversation. "It's Boris. I gotta get this."
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Kiana rubbed Gabi's back and whispered to her while Oskar answered the call. "What's up?"
"Boss, I need you over at Lys Bauer's cottage ASAP.
There's been an incident with Wiebe. He is definitely our man.
Ingo's been hurt, but he's doing okay."
"I'm on my way." He glanced at Kiana and Gabi. "I'm bringing the girls with me. I think Gabi can help us with the investigation. We need to talk with her, too."
Boris yelped on the phone. "Both girls? I thought you didn't want the Council to find out about your....guest?"
Oskar laughed. "Don't worry. I'll make sure no one sees us. We'll be there in a couple of minutes. See you soon." He snapped the phone shut.
"Listen up, ladies. We gotta run over to Lys' place. Ingo's there with Boris, and they have some information about Wiebe." He squeezed Gabi's hand reassuringly. "And I think we all need to talk about what's going on, and how we can stop Wiebe before he does any more damage. What do you think, Gabi? I could use your help."
Gabi looked up at Kiana, who nodded at her. "I want to help. I'll do whatever I can, Oskar."
Kiana reached for Oskar's hand. "Me, too. Even though I'm just a Suddie without any cool magik abilities..." She winked at Gabi. "...I would like to help out, too. Let's go."
Oskar hugged both girls and gave them loud smacking kisses on their cheeks, which made Gabi laugh. "All right.
Let's get cracking." Mr. Frosty followed behind. "Dude, you aren't coming into my house. Got it?"
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Mr. Frosty's rocky smile turned down, but he shook his head in agreement.
This was turning into one weird day.
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