After ten full days, Kevin was surprised that Krampus didn’t have him go to the tool shed to get out his ax, but rather, had him go to the boathouse to get the boat.

“It hasn’t been twelve days yet,” said Kevin.

“Yeah, well, my island, my rules,” said Krampus. “Get out the fuckin’ boat, boy. Nivek’s taking the trash out.”

“Where does the trash in your dumpster go?” asked Kevin. “Nobody comes to the island to collect it.”

“That’s for me to know and you to never find out,” said Krampus. “Now get me my damn boat!”

Kevin got Krampus his damn boat.

Krampus, Nivek, and Kevin were a very tight fit in the boat, but having twice the rowers (as Krampus didn’t row the boat) meant that the boat reached the bakery much more quickly.

“Now, you two are to be on your best behavior, got it?” asked Krampus.

“Got it,” said Kevin.

“Of course,” said Nivek with a smirk.

Don’t let him provoke you, ordered Donner.

I can’t promise that if he bothers Stella, I won’t rip his throat out, said Kevin.

Kevin and Nivek went inside the bakery to gather the pastries. In the back of the bakery, rolling out dough for breakfast croissants was Stella.

“Hey,” said Kevin.

“Hey,” said Stella, not looking up from her dough rolling. She’d expected to see Kevin that day. After all, she’d prepared Krampus’ order, and it made sense he’d bring Kevin over. She just hadn’t figured out what she wanted to say to him, or if she wanted to say anything at all.

Avery came into the bakery.

“Stella, how’re we coming on those gingerbread houses?” asked Avery. “I just want to make sure you got all twenty units finished.”

“Yeah — they’re in the fridge,” said Stella.

“Great,” said Avery, walking into the fridge, and, after a minute, continuing. “Uh, Stella? There are only twenty gingerbread house kits here. Where are the rest?”

“You said I needed to make twenty units,” said Stella.

Avery walked over to the big recipe book and order sheet guide and flipped to the catering menu.

“A unit of gingerbread houses is twelve kits,” said Avery. “So, twenty units of gingerbread house kits is…”

“Two hundred and forty gingerbread house kits,” whispered Stella. “Oh no!”

“We needed to have these kits ready by tomorrow,” said Avery. “I can probably get a one-day extension. These are for an event on the twenty-third, and the event organizer arranged for someone to pick these up tomorrow morning — but if we can deliver them ourselves, that could buy us some time.”

“How am I going to make two hundred and twenty more gingerbread houses in time?” asked Stella, looking over the order sheet and reading what was actually required. “Jasmine’s out on vacation. Even with your help, we’re going to need to find someone strong to help us with packaging, delivery…”

“I’ll help,” said Kevin.

“You?” asked Stella.

“I’m a forest ranger,” said Kevin. “If I can help a tourist put up a tent, I can help you all build up some gingerbread houses.”

“Well, you won’t exactly be building them,” said Avery. “But…we could use a strong man to help carry stuff. You’re not clumsy, are you?”

“I have practice being gentle,” said Kevin. “Putting baby birds back in their nests, that sort of thing.”

“Fine,” Stella admitted lamely.

“I’ll go over it with Krampus,” promised Avery.

“Go over what with me?” asked Krampus.

“Kevin’s helping us with a Christmas project — some baking, some lifting,” said Avery. “I’ll need him until the twenty-third.”

“I guess you can borrow him,” said Krampus. “But…you also need to take Nivek.”

“Why?” asked Stella.

“Because otherwise, I’m going to have to deal with two alpha-male assholes fighting over a mate,” said Krampus bluntly. “Whichever one you leave at Camp Kringle is going to be bitching about how he didn’t get to have some cute romantic scene with you like something out for a frikkin’ fairy tale or a romance novel. You either take both of them or neither.”

“I guess we could use the extra help,” admitted Stella, not at all looking forward to having to work with Nivek.

“Not so fast,” said Avery. “If they’re here, what’ll you be doing?”

“Probably getting in some much-needed shuteye,” said Krampus.

“No way, mister,” said Avery. “You’re going to be, helping us bake.”

“Damn it,” said Krampus. “Kevin, you know how you should never try to bargain with the devil? You should really never try to bargain with a frikkin’ Christmas elf.”