Page 63 of Gotta Have Mistletoe

Anders freezes and turns to me wide-eyed. Gunnhild marches toward us.

“Giving my son some Christmas cheer,” I lie. “We’re putting this in his room.”

Gunnhild frowns. I haven’t lied to her since I was a teenager. I hope she’s forgotten my tells. “It looked perfect in the drawing room.”

“Next Christmas, order a Christmas tree for each room!”

Her eyes round. “You do appreciate Christmas more.”

“It’s the merriest, jolliest season of them all,” I say, and she nods happily.

She walks past us, no doubt to record my new Christmas tree count preferences.

Anders and I continue carrying the tree. We come to Anders’ room.

“Open the door.”

“Fine.” Anders lets me in, then turns back to me. “This is unhinged.”

“This is romance.”

We march through his bedroom, bed made, video game console in the corner.

I put down my side of the tree. I throw open the window to the snowy countryside, like I used to do when I was his age, like I did when this was my room. “Ta da.”

“That’s your big idea?”

“This room is on the ground floor.”

“You want to escape?” Anders slips away, then returns with his Nintendo Switch.

“What’s that for?”

“In case your wooing is boring.”

I shrug, push the Christmas tree out the window, then jump after it. Anders follows.

I stretch my arms and gaze at the sky, no longer obstructed by ceilings, and not in the presence of any security. I’m free. “We escaped the fortress!”

“Be quiet,” Anders hushes me. “The guards will hear.”

I turn to him. “Is there a bus?”

“On Christmas Day?” Anders frowns. “No.”

My shoulders slump. This isn’t going to work. We left the castle, but we need to get to the airport. Glen and Max’s flight will leave.

“Maybe we should tell Sven to bring us to the airport,” Anders says gently.

“By the time he has the route secured, the plane will be gone. I need to get there now.”

“Where would we find people hanging around the castle with cars?”

I stare at my son. “You’re a genius, Anders! Come! Don’t forget the tree!”

“Father?”

I laugh, then hurry to a small, unobtrusive car on the other side of the gate.