White Magic Christmas

Chapter 6: December 1

Someone had put sleigh bells above the door so that when Ivy pushed it open, it sounded like she was about to get trampled by reindeer. The deli was festooned with holiday cheer. Prime among the décor was a Christmas tree in one corner trimmed with lights and what appeared to be sandwich ornaments, plus a few pickles thrown in for variety.

"You folks sure don't waste any time," she muttered to herself.

"With Christmas decorations? No ma'am we do not!" A jolly man, who but for the lack of a big white beard could have won a Santa contest without even trying, finished wiping off the table by the front window. Ivy blushed slightly, not having realized she could be heard.

"Christmas is what we do around here," the man said. "I'm Ned, and you're hungry?"

Ivy shook her head in amused resignation. "I'm Ivy, and I am hungry," she said. "A 13-year-old told me you have the best hot dogs in town. I'm hoping maybe you have a few other offerings as well?"

"He's right about the hot dogs," Ned said, "as I'm the only shop in town who sells them! Those are available strictly to 13-year-old boys, in any case. You just sit right down and take a look at the menu on the table."

Ivy seated herself at the now-available window table and picked up the laminated menu card. Bucktoothed reindeer smiled up at her from the corners of the page, which declared a long list of sandwich offerings that all had festive names, such as "Frosty the French Dip," and "Monte Cristomas."

"I'm curious," Ivy said when Ned came back around to take her order. "Is the Rudolph Reuben made with reindeer meat, or has Rudolph lately become carnivorous?"

Ned's face looked genuinely shocked. "You really are a humbug, aren't you??" he said. "Your sandwich will come with a side of coal."

Ivy found herself blushing for the second time in five minutes. "I'm sorry," she said. "I've never been known for my comedic timing. I'd like to try the grilled brie sandwich, and if I promise to stop being snarky, can I swap the side of coal for a cup of vegetable soup instead?"

Ned gave her a thoughtful look, then nodded. "Apology accepted. Coal delayed for another day. One Cranber-Brie Sandwich and an O Lentil Star of Bethlehem Soup coming up. Something to drink?" His friendliness seemed to have cooled off the same way Geri's had earlier, but he was maintaining his professionalism better.

"Just coffee, please. With a little cream." Ned nodded again, and disappeared into the kitchen. Ivy dropped her head into her hands and shook it slightly. What had Gavin said about her ability to make people feel comfortable and want to talk? So far, she was a disaster at this mission.

From her seat, she could see the Christmas tree in the square and the house up on the hillside. It was a gorgeous house, with steeply peaked roofs and gabled windows. The view from up there must be absolutely phenomenal.

Ned reappeared with a tray. He set the meal in front of her and Ivy couldn't help but laugh. The sandwich was arranged on a china plate whose pattern around the rim was a riot of holly leaves and berries. A cluster of red and green potato chips made the otherwise plain grilled sandwich look festive. The soup cup and coffee mug were likewise holly-decked, the edges of the china dishes scalloped to accentuate the holly shapes.

Ivy glanced over at the one other occupied table. The pair of people there were eating from perfectly ordinary white dishes. Ned watched her with a smirk on his face.

"That is what you get instead of coal," he said. "May the holiday spirit fully infest your meal!" He grinned and disappeared back into the kitchen.

The sandwich was, to Ivy's surprise, quite delicious, and likewise the soup. When she picked up the coffee to have a sip, though, she nearly did a spit-take. A peal of laughter rumbled out of the kitchen.