A Snowflake Christmas--The Nutcracker by Vickey Wollan

Author:Vickey Wollan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vickey Wollan
Published: 2021-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

One week before Christmas, Olga looked at the rules for the Annual Christmas Lights Competition and sighed. The mayor had informed her that being the owner of Christmas Trees of Snowflake obligated her to be a judge.

“Who better to fill the role than someone who knows how to decorate for Christmas?” he’d asked when he dropped off the schedule and scoring rules.

When she perused the list of entries, she did a double take. She didn’t expect several of the new names listed. The judging duties would be hard but adding in the fact that some contestants were friends and distant relatives made the task of being impartial, impossible.

Grant, representing the Lodgepole Valley Mill, started a joint venture with the new hardware store in town and together they submitted an entry.

Then she caught Lund Handyman, Inc. on the entry roster. Erik and Quinn were the only Lunds living in Snowflake. At least their properties were on opposite ends of downtown. But the prize ceremony, later that evening at the community center, might be problematic.

Just today, Rachel Welch had recused herself as a judge and competitor but volunteered to drive the judges in her double-cab truck.

“I put up minimal white twinkling and chasing lights at the medical clinic. Festive, elegant, and most importantly, easy. I’m so glad that I’m not competing this year.” She unbuttoned her coat so that she’d have more freedom to get herself and her pregnancy belly up into the high seats.

Olga and her fellow judges, Patsy and Teresa, had a good laugh at Rachel’s comment when they climbed into the warm and inviting comfort of her tricked-out truck.

“Let’s go south first and work our way north since those entries are closer to the community center,” added Rachel.

“That works,” said Olga. I want to see Grant’s publicity display before Erik’s holiday celebration creation. How am I going to be unbiased? “I wish we could give some sort of prize to every entry.”

“Come on now girl, you can do this. Only one winner. We don’t want Mrs. Jameson getting on our case.” Patsy cackled as she closed her door.

Olga reviewed the score sheet as she, along with the caravan of vehicles behind them, made their way to the new hardware store. When oohs and aahs came from her companions, she lifted her head. Her eyes widened.

“Oh my, what a treat,” said Olga.

Harry, the store owner, along with Grant, greeted the judges’ truck with matching flashing reindeer antlers on their heads. Rachel rolled down the window.

“We humbly ask the judges to step out so they can hear the display’s soundtrack better,” shouted Grant from his side of the street. Then all the lights of the display went dark.

“Oh, no. Was that supposed to happen?” gasped Teresa as she made her way out of the front seat.

“Gather round.” Grant held up a big switch made out of cardboard. “This is the mystical lever that controls the magic.” He made his way to where Olga stood as the rest of the onlookers gathered behind the three judges.

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