Page 119 of The Holiday Grump
“I do need help with that.” He gave me a meaningful look. “You know I’m not allowed to carry firewood.”
We put on our boots, coats, and wool hats, and hurried through the living room to the back door, grinning very tellingly at our families.
“We’ll just go heat the sauna,” Fredrik told them.
“I’ll carry the firewood,” I announced, biting back on my smile. “Because he’s not allowed.”
“Have fun!” Felicity gave us a knowing look, lifting a huge glass of wine. “It’s a great place for breathing exercises.”
“You have a sauna?” My mom sat up, ecstatic.
“Sure do. It’ll take about half an hour to heat,” Fredrik said.
“Or maybe forty-five minutes,” I blurted, my face hot.
Holly grinned. “In forty-five minutes, you’ll heat it twice.”
Fredrik coughed into his sleeve, diving behind my back to open the door.
“Don’t use protection!” my dad yelled. “I want grandkids while my knees are still good for walking.”
They all burst out in laughter, and I skipped out the door Fredrik was holding for me, feeling lighter than air. The fresh snow sparkled under starlight, and my breath sent out smoke signals into the sky. Not even the freezing cold could get to me. I was living my own Christmas miracle, and there was nowhere else I’d rather be.
