Page 76 of Holly and Ivar
“But you’re not quitting, are you?Giving up on your dream of Chief Executive Santa?”
“Oh, heck no.I’m simply changing my strategy.”
Rita let out a breath that turned into a laugh.“Well, thank goodness.”
“I’m letting you know first because you’ll need to start planning for this.Just give me a day or two to notify my father.Then you’re free to tell the troops.”
“Will do,” Rita said in a tone that was practically a salute.“Have a happy holiday.You can tell me about him when you get back.”
“Rita!”
“Ha!I knew it.Enjoy!”
“You too.”She was about to hang up when she added, “Rita… I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing this if it weren’t for you.Merry Christmas.”
Holly smiled as she ended the call.For the first time in years, Christmas wasn’t a checklist.It was an open door.
She was about to block the Christmas Eve countdown alert her father’s office sent out every day, then stopped.This year, she wouldn’t see it as a reminder of all she had to do.She’d see it as a tradition she’d been part of her whole life.
“Let’s get cracking and make dinner,” she said to Al, laughing at her own joke.
The cheese had just been added to the eggs when Ivar returned.He walked in, kicked off his boots, hung up his coat, gave Al a scratch, and then walked over to Holly at the stove, wrapping his arms around her.“What a night,” he said.“Rowan is safe, and I get to come home to you.”
“I’m making you dinner.”
“Smells great.”
“It’s just eggs.”
“Dinner is a gift, and it’s the thought that counts.”
She laughed, plating the eggs right as the toaster popped.And as they sat together in the cozy little cabin in the woods, Holly had never been happier.
They’d just started eating when her phone rang.“It’s Henry.I’d better take it.”
“Ciao, Hol.I’m in Italy.I took your advice, and you were right.I got a lot of great information.”
“Henry, you’re on speakerphone.Ivar’s here too.”
“Ivar?The Guardian?”
Ivar started choking on a mouthful of eggs.
“Henry.Come on,” Holly admonished.
“Sorry, this is all very exciting.It’s like meeting a legend.”
This time Ivar nearly launched his mouthful of eggs across the room.
“What’s going on?”Henry asked.
“Hold on,” Holly said, muting the phone.“Are you okay?”she asked, half laughing, giving Ivar a few whacks on the back.“I’m getting you a glass of water.”
“You don’t find it funny?Someone from the Santa family calling me a legend?”
“Huh.I guess that is kind of funny.”
“Thank you.That’s all I’m asking.”
