Epilogue

Clara

“Thank you for shopping at Floral Wonderland.”

Bastion’s customer service voice was interrupted by a growl, followed by a curse. “ Verdammt! ”

I strode out of the back office to find my husband trying to pack a customer’s purchase into a bag with one hand, while struggling to hold our squirmy baby in the other.

“You’re lucky Holly doesn’t speak German yet, Bast.” I laughed softly, watching our almost one-year-old daughter sliding down her daddy’s hip. She looked so cute in her red Christmas jumper, white stockings and baby Mary Jane’s.

“Here, let me help.” I walked behind the counter and took the indoor plant food front Bastion, placed it in the bag, and handed it to the waiting customer.

They left with a smile and a “Happy Holidays,” before disappearing into the snowy night with a jingle of the bells hanging from the front door.

“About ready to close up for Christmas Eve, Mrs. Weber?”

I smiled, kissing his candy-sweet lips. “ Schei?e, ja .”

He grinned at my reply. “Out of all the German I’ve tried to teach you, of course it’s the curse words you remember.”

I stuck out my tongue at him with a wink before grabbing my purse and brandishing the store keys. “The curse words are all you need with the Krampus as your personal translator.”

It had been over a year since that fateful Christmas in the Krampus cave. To this day, I was still his first and only victim. Instead of terrorizing naughty villagers or succumbing to his demon’s desires, he focused on the shop and being the partner I deserved.

He sold his land and tree farm, giving up his dad’s dream to buy back my mother’s old ornament shop. The old building I’d adored since I was little was finally mine.

I’d spent years starting out of my old shop window, gazing at the building across the street and daydreaming about the life I’d one day have.

Now I had all that and so much more.

I no longer had to pretend my life was perfect. It really was.

My florist shop was now in my dream location, where I felt closest to my mom. We had a beautiful baby girl who would one day inherit her father’s “curse.” She would be the first female Krampus in generations.

And the best part, I was free to be myself. Whether that meant snuggling on the couch with my Bastion and Holly while watching old Holiday specials or sneaking off to the cave to reenact the best Christmas ever.

I was now convinced Christmas miracles really could happen—dark and bloody ones rooted in ancient magic.

Even if it was a miracle as simple as a book, reminding the reader that if the hero is taking his sweet time saving her, it’s okay.

In the end, Clara saves herself.