Page 112 of The Holiday Grump
“No, but your friend did.”
I exchanged a look with Grace, who shrugged. “He’s not too dumb, this one.”
I folded my arms. “How do you know she wasn’t just playing the copycat elf on behalf of whoever the mysterious person is…”
“The mysterious person who has insomnia from sleeping in terrible beds and falls asleep in the middle of the day? Who really loves this town and constantly goes the extra mile trying to make everyone happy?”
I hid my face behind my hands. “You knew?”
“I had my suspicions.”
“I didn’t want anyone to know,” I whispered.
He circled the island, grabbed my wrists, and gently pulled them away from my face. “I know everyone loves a good piece of lore around here, and your elf has given them endless enjoyment, but you don’t have to do good things in secret. We all want to know you. I love knowing it’s you.”
I blinked away tears, feeling like I’d just stepped into bright sunlight and was burning to a crisp. Yet I was okay. I was okay to be seen by him.
“Please don’t tell anyone else,” I asked. “I’ll sign the cards as the Hideaway Elf, and we’ll let the kids enjoy thinking there’s an elf walking around at night. What’s the harm in that?”
“No harm.” He smiled, placing a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll go get the car ready. Unless the elf put a blanket over the windshield last night because I forgot.”
I smiled back. “The elf may have also forgotten, sorry.”
We drove around for the rest of the morning, sneaking to people’s doors to drop off Christmas gifts without being noticed. Good thing it was still dark outside. When the sun finally rose and the shops opened, we headed to the town center to do our shopping. Last-minute shoppers buzzed up and down Main Street, the scents of hot-buttered rum, peppermint, and gingerbread filling the air, and carols played in every shop.
“Areyou sure you’re okay with this?” I asked as I set my handmade centerpiece in the middle of his dining table.
“It’s a table,” he said. “I don’t care what you put on it.”
“No, I mean this whole thing. Inviting my family. And your family! They’re going to meet, you know?”
He laughed. “Yes, I’ve considered that possibility, given that we gave them the same timeframe and address.”
It was Christmas Eve, and Fredrik’s house had been transformed into something festive and homey. Grace had worked with me all day, preparing the bedrooms and ensuring we had enough chairs, linens, dishes, and toilet paper. Felicity had helped, lending extra items and her favorite cleaning cloths.
Uncle Glenn had obviously been an entertainer, and we discovered many items in his old storage shed. Fredrik knew little about the contents of his own house but told us we were welcome to use anything we found.
Time was running out, so I had to take him at his word, even if I still felt nervous about changing his environment. But I couldn’t help but feel the excitement building as I found the missing pieces, and the house began to look more and more welcoming. I was enjoying myself, swept up in the sights, sounds, and scents of the Christmas season.
I had easy access to decorations, and since Fredrik had given his blessing, I couldn’t resist completing the makeover with some lights and tinsel. I’d thought it was too late to get a tree, but Felicity had scored a small one at the last minute from Pine & Dandy, a Christmas tree farm run by her friend. Kailee decorated it while Grace and I baked more pulla and Finnish gingerbread—another recipe from Grandma that my sister had kindly sent me. Fredrik’s mom and Felicity had insisted on bringing the dinner.
Holly sent updates on the way, assuring me our parentsdidn’t seem angry with me but rather relieved and happy we’d all be together for Christmas.
Grace’s phone pinged, and I glanced at the screen.
Holly: Stopped at the lookout. This town is so cute!
Fredrik had already ordered me a new SIM card from another phone carrier. Apparently, other people in town at least got a signal every now and then, and there was no reason for my life to be extra difficult. I was so used to difficult that I barely noticed, but I had to admit it sounded nice.
“My family is at the lookout,” I told Fredrik. “How far is it? Twenty minutes?”
“Maybe thirty in this weather.” He peeked out the window. His voice was calm, but I could see the tension in his freshly shaved jaw. Maybe it had been there all along, under the scruff. Earlier, he’d asked what he should wear, but I’d refused to play stylist. I just wanted him comfortable. In the end, he’d settled on flannel and jeans.
Snow was falling again, covering the freshly cleared driveway under a white blanket. It was late afternoon, with a couple of hours of daylight left.
“The rooms are ready,” Grace announced from the doorway, with all the efficiency of someone who regularly handled thirty cabins per day on a cruise ship. “And I wrapped our presents. They’re under the tree.”
“Oh my God! Thank you!” I’d forgotten about the elves I’d created and other last-minute presents we’d scored from town.
