Winterfrost (18 page)

Time passed nearly as swiftly as the water beneath the boat, and in less than thirty minutes the ferry was docking on the Askø shore.
Crossing by seagull was even faster
, Bettina thought.

“You visiting someone? There’s not much here in the winter months,” the ferry operator said as Bettina wheeled the bicycle down the ramp toward land.

Bettina smiled. “What I need is here.”

He shrugged and took a long swig of his soda. “Sure hope you’re right.”

Bettina pedaled quickly past the empty summerhouses and deserted farmers’ markets toward the small patch of dense forest on the far side of the island. She recalled exactly the flight of the goose. North, a little east. Sure enough, her memory was keen, and she was amazed at how much ground she could cover on her bicycle. The empty fields flew right by her, and the dry grasses that were tall enough to hide her view of the landscape the day before were just short weeds blowing in the winter breeze today.

Bettina ditched Far’s bicycle at the edge of the woods. She would never be able to ride it through the dense underbrush.

And then, another obstacle. Could she find Ulf’s cottage with the pinecone-scale roof ? Tucked so perfectly among the leaves and moss, Ulf’s tiny house would be easy to miss. Even though Bettina knew exactly what to look for, every tree looked the same as the one beside it. She walked the small patch of forest several times, until she knew that she was retracing her steps. After what felt like a very long time, she saw the white-barked tree that had snagged Klakke the day before. She laughed with surprise when she noticed that the branch he’d dangled from yesterday, which had seemed perilously high off the ground, was one she would have to bend down to reach today.

From the white-barked tree, it was easy to retrace the path to the tiny cottage with the pinecone-scale shingles, tiny front door, and little iron knocker. Moments later it lay before her eyes, a masterful blend of nature and architecture.

This time Bettina had to lie down on her stomach, just as she had done at Gammel’s house, and lift the knocker. It fell with the smallest of taps against the little oak door. There was a long, terrifying pause in which a thousand thoughts went through Bettina’s mind.
What if Ulf wouldn’t answer? What if Ulf had left again, taking Pia someplace else?
Panic rose in Bettina’s throat, making it difficult to breathe.

Then the door opened, and it didn’t take long for Bettina to realize that her human size had both advantages and disadvantages. Ulf himself, who ultimately held the fate of her family in his hands, seemed far less intimidating to Bettina when she was so much larger than he. But in this state, she could never get back inside the house to snatch Pia and run, if it came to that.

Ulf didn’t invite Bettina inside. Instead, he stood just outside the door, looking hopeful and more humble than the first time they’d met. Perhaps he realized it was Bettina who held the fate of
his
family in
her
hands.

“Did you speak to my father?” he asked. “Do I have his blessing to return to Lolland?”

Bettina knew of no easy way to break the news to Ulf.

“I did speak to Gammel, but I’m afraid he won’t accept an apology unless it comes directly from you.”

Ulf sat down on the mossy green carpet outside his front door.

“I should have known better.” He sighed.

“I’m so sorry, Ulf,” Bettina said. “I did my best.”

“It’s no use,” Ulf cried. “I’ll never be accepted by my family again.”

Bettina was worried. She was worried about Ulf’s despondent state of mind. And she was worried that since he hadn’t gotten what he’d wanted, Ulf would see no reason to give Pia back.

As if he could read her thoughts, Ulf stood up. With one long, disappointed look at Bettina, he went into his house and closed the door behind him.

Bettina rested her head on her arm. Was this it? Would she be forced to leave Askø again without Pia? Oh, the very thought brought instant tears.

“Ulf!” Bettina called through the closed door. “Please!”

Bettina waited, frozen for what seemed like many long minutes. At last Ulf returned, with Klakke close behind, and in Ulf’s arms was tiny baby Pia. And in Pia’s mouth was a tiny yellow beet-sugar pacifier! Pia’s sweet blue eyes grew round when she caught sight of her older sister. If Pia was startled by her sister’s large size, she showed no signs of it.

Pia squealed, barely keeping the pacifier between her lips.

A little sound — half sob, half cheer — came from Bettina’s throat. Oh, how she longed to hold her baby sister! Bettina extended her hands, a little uncertain about how she’d hold on to such a small and delicate being.

With Pia still in his arms, Ulf looked up at Bettina. His dark eyes no longer looked menacing. A small smile curved his lips, and for the second time, Bettina could see the family resemblance. As the smile grew, Gammel’s twinkle and Pernilla’s sweet dimples appeared.

“She’s all yours,” he told her.

Ulf lifted tiny Pia and placed her gently in Bettina’s waiting hands. As he did, Pia quickly returned to normal size. Bettina teetered and caught her balance, not expecting the weight of the almost-one-year-old.

“Oh, Ulf!” She laughed, hugging Pia tight. “You should have told me that was going to happen!”

Ulf shrugged. Klakke cheered to see the sisters reunited, bouncing up and down in an involuntary dance of joy. His wrong was at last righted! There couldn’t have been a happier nisse in all of Denmark.

And yet, at that moment, there was likely not a sadder nisse in all the world than Ulf.

“I will miss that little one,” Ulf said. “You’re free to go home now, you know. Back to Lolland and back to your family.”

He was speaking as much to Klakke as he was to Bettina.

“Thank you, Ulf,” Klakke said with a sincere nod toward his elder cousin. “Your blessing means the world to me.”

It seemed the two had come to terms regarding the care of the Larsen family, and Bettina was relieved.

Ulf turned his back to go inside. There would be no happy reunions for him.

“Wait, Ulf,” Bettina heard herself say.

Ulf turned, and Bettina shifted Pia onto her hip. My, how big she seemed. Bettina had to remind herself once more that Pia’s first birthday was just days away.

Bettina knelt down and held out her free hand, palm side up.

Ulf studied Bettina’s hand for just a moment before he climbed into her palm and she lifted him until they were face-to-face.

She looked into his small dark eyes. “Only a few short days ago, my only knowledge of nisse came from the stories Farfar had told me and the Christmas decorations we hang each year. Then I met your family. What kindness they’ve shown me! Gammel is wise beyond his three hundred ninety-two years, Pernilla is as sweet as the day is long, and —”

It suddenly struck Bettina that Ulf had never even met Pernilla’s adorable twins.

“Oh, Ulf! You have the most precious niece and nephew!”

Ulf nodded. “I know. Pernilla sent word. And I hear stories sometimes, from nisse on holiday in the summer months.”

Bettina nearly burst with the notion of plump nisse women and round nisse men in bathing suits on the beach, but she remained serious, knowing that her words might reunite yet another incomplete family.

“Ulf, you must come back to Lolland with us. You have to talk to your father.”

Ulf’s face softened a bit. Was he thinking about his home beneath the crooked oak? The warm fire? Pernilla’s winter vegetable stew bubbling on the stove?

“A wise old gentleman told me once, ‘
The greatest good comes when each takes responsibility for his own mistakes.’
 ”

Ulf smiled. “Your farfar was one of the wisest men I’ve ever known. Nisse or human.”

“He was very wise,” Bettina agreed. “But those words came from your father, Ulf. From Gammel.”

Ulf’s eyebrows rose in surprise, then lowered in deep contemplation. At last he spoke.

“Well,” he said. “If you’ll put me down, I’ll get my coat and hat. We should be going.”

“You’re really coming?” Bettina asked.

Ulf nodded. “I’ve stayed away long enough. If my family will have me, it’s time to return to Lolland.”

Bettina pedaled Far’s bicycle toward the ferry with Pia riding happily in the child carrier on the back and both Ulf and Klakke tucked safely in her backpack.

Odd how things work out
, she thought. If she’d ridden her own bicycle or Mor’s, she wouldn’t have had a child seat for Pia.

Back home, Klara would have chuckled over Bettina’s way of thinking. There was nothing odd about the two bicycles’ flat tires. But nisse, of course, rarely seem to get credit where credit is due.

At the ferry, the gap-toothed ferryman sat with his feet propped on the railing, another green bottle of soda in his hand.

“Good day, missy. Back so soon? It’ll be an hour before I shove off again.”

“An hour?” Bettina slumped, resting her forearms on the bicycle’s handlebars. Mor and Mormor could arrive home at any moment. Or they could be home already, walking through the empty house, calling for the girls.

The ferryman didn’t move from his spot.

“Yup.” He tipped his bottle toward a weathered sign and a large clock hanging on the side of the dock house. “Got to stay on schedule. Says right there, next ferry crossing is at four o’clock.”

Suddenly, the ferry driver noticed Pia.

“Where’d ya get that kid?” he asked.

Bettina straightened up and tried not to look as panicked as she felt. How could she possibly explain this?

“Play dumb.” The voice came from her backpack.

“What?” Bettina whispered.

“I said, ‘Where’d ya get that kid?’ ” the ferryman repeated, looking even more suspicious.

“Play dumb,” the voice repeated. It was Ulf. “You can do it.”

Bettina wasn’t sure if Ulf had just complimented or insulted her, but she felt confident she could handle the ferryman.

“
This
kid?” she asked.

“Don’t see no other,” the ferryman answered.

“Why, she came over on the ferry with me today. You remember.”

The ferry operator took his feet down from the railing and sat up a little straighter. “She did not.”

“Sure, she did,” Bettina insisted. “You must not have seen her in her child seat.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “But you only paid for the bicycle and one passenger.”

Bettina faltered.

“The sign!” Klakke whispered from her backpack.

Of course! Bettina motioned to the sign that read FERRY SCHEDULE AND FARES. “That’s because children under two years of age are free.”

The man took off his hat, scratched his head, and put his hat back on. “I must be losing my mind.”

Bettina whispered over her shoulder. “Thanks, you guys!”

“We’re not done yet. Wait until you see this,” came Ulf’s hushed reply. “Ask him what time the ferry leaves.”

“But I already . . .” Bettina’s voice trailed off as her eyes found the clock. She grinned and asked, “Sir?”

“What now, missy?”

“How long until the ferry leaves again?”

“I told you,” the man grumbled. “The next trip back to Lolland is at —”

The ferryman stared at the clock.

“Four o’clock. Which is right now. Where on earth did the last hour go?” He leaped to his feet, nearly spilling his soda. “Well, get on board, then. We’ve got to keep to the schedule.”

Bettina could hardly contain the giggle that bubbled up inside her throat.

“Yes, sir,” she agreed as she pedaled her bicycle with all its tiny cargo onto the boat. “Got to stick to the schedule.”

The ferryman scratched his head once more, took one long look at the bottle of soda in his hand, and then dumped the remaining contents over the railing and into the sea below.