Page 76 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

When Ingrid saw him, she bounced away from Ella and headed right for him. She fluttered her lashes at him as she looked up at him with rapt adoration. “Hi, Gustav.”

He dropped to her level, smiling, and spoke to her, telling her all about the horse she would ride into town. Ingrid listened, attentive to his every word.

Noella blinked surprise. “It appears our dashing Captain of the Guard has an admirer.”

“He does,” Ella said with a nod. “Noella—”

“You should be going.” Noella bustled away from her and back to her son. “There’s a storm brewing. We’re due for a lot of snow this evening. If you don’t make it back before nightfall, you may have to spend the night in the village.”

“We’ll be on our way, then,” Nicholas said.

“Are you coming, too, Gustav?” Ingrid asked.

“Not this time.”

Her face fell in disappointment.

“But…” he added, “perhaps I’ll see you in the village sometime.”

“You’ll come visit me?” She blinked up at him, a hopeful look on her cherub face.

“If I can.” He gave her a knee-melting smile.

“Safe travels, dear.” Noella kissed Nicholas on the cheek, then turned to Ingrid. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a blue velvet box. “And this is for you.”

“For me?” She took the box and opened it. Nestled inside the box, was a necklace with a tiny snowflake that looked much like Noella’s earbobs. Ingrid gave a little gasp.

“To remember us,” Noella said with a smile. Her blue eyes twinkled.

“Thank you,” Ingrid breathed. “I will wear it always.” She paused, then looked back up at the queen of Rovenheim, her face splitting into a broad smile. “And Freya will besojealous!”

“Now, now,” Noella said. “That’s not nice.” She reached into her other pocket and brought out two more little boxes, one square and one long and narrow. “This one is for her.” She handed her the square box. “And this is for your brother.” Then gave her the long narrow box.

“They will besosurprised!” Ingrid amended.

They all laughed as Ingrid pocketed the gifts.

When all the final farewells were made, Noella was gone in a puff of magic once again. She never stayed in one place any length of time.

And Ella still did not have a chance to confess. She glanced at Nicholas who was leading Ingrid away toward the stables. Gustav stepped up next to her and held out his arm.

“Shall I escort you, my lady?”

Ella eyed it and then gave him a slight grin. “Won’t Ingrid be jealous?”

“I don’t think she’ll mind.” He nodded in her direction.

Nicholas held the girl’s hand as they walked and she chattered nonstop. He made the appropriate responses when she paused to take a breath. Ella giggled.

“In that case, you shall.”

She took his arm and together they walked to the stables.

Chapter 27

Thereturntothevillage was a shorter trip than when she and Nicholas initially left. They were on foot then. She was grateful for the horse now, especially since there was a foot of snow on the ground and flakes continued to trickle down from the wintery sky.

Ingrid chatted along the way, talking about her family. She had a younger sister, Freya, and a brother, Ivar. Her father was the town apothecary. Everyone knew him and their family. They lived in a small house on the outskirts, likely near Agnes and Lukas, her grandparents. She wanted a dog and had asked for one for Christmas. She was young and cheerful and loved to read fairy tales by the fire. She insisted having a dog would make her life much better.

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