“What will you say next? Bah humbug?”
I rolled my eyes. “Bah humbug.”
Park inched away as if not wanting to be a part of our exchange.
Saint studied me. “While I believe you’re a super talented designer and immensely successful businesswoman, you’re sewing clothes not performing heart surgery.”
I tilted my head to the side. “Excuse me?”
“You’re not excused. Surely you won’t need your assistant for the whole trip. You shouldn’t need her for the rest of December? You are staying in Finland for a few days after the wedding?”
“Yes, but that’s to get work done in my villa.”
“You won’t be working.” He shook his head. “We’re going to the Santa Village.”
“The hell I am.”
Saint leaned forward, letting me know he meant business. “She can stay for a few days to enjoy Finland. Not work. Then, you’ll let her have off until after New Year’s. . .with full pay.” Always bold and unapologetic, his eyes bored into me like they would unravel all the thoughts in my mind, picking them apart until he found what he wanted. “Do we have an understanding, Mrs. Grinch?”
“You’re not the boss of me.”
“I am. Do you agree to my proposal?”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Proposal? It sounded more like an order.”
“Fine.” He lifted one eyebrow. “Then it’s an order.”
I shifted my weight from one foot to the other.
“It’s Christmas, Ivy.”
I sighed. “Of course Park can fly back in a few days if she wants to. . .and take a paid vacation.”
“She’ll want to. This is a time for family and friends, not Ivy Smith.”
I blinked. “Fair point.”
“Do you need me to cover the money?”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course not. Park can go back in two or three days for her paid vacation.”
Excitement buzzed from Park, although she kept her mouth closed.
“Then there we have it.” Saint curved his lips into a smile. “That’s nice, Ivy. Very Christmassy of you.”
“Well, you know how I am. Just call me Mrs. Clause.”
As if finding a way to break the tension in the air, Park pointed to my two bags. “That’s yours, right?”
“Yep. That’s me.” I headed for it, ready to get away from Saint’s disapproving look.
Saint jumped in front of me. “The two pink leather suitcases?”
“Of course.”
He chuckled. “Of course.”
He walked over to the bags and grabbed them.
Park looked at me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to be a big deal or—”
“No way.” I held up my hand. “You deserve it. I should have come to that conclusion myself. Saint has a way of. . .making me see situations differently.”
“Well, I still want to help you with the bachelorette party.”
“Perfect.”
Easily holding both of my bags, Saint called back to us. “Which one is yours, Park? I’ll get them.”
“Oh my.” She batted her eyes.
I shook my head. “Hers is the lime green one over there with the puppy stickers all over it.”
He grabbed that one before it slipped away. “Very cute, Park.”
She beamed. “I’d like to think so.”
Somehow, he had all the bags and led us forward. “Okay, gorgeous ladies. Let’s head away on the Saint Express.”
“The Saint Express?” Park whistled. “I love that.”
“But most important, do you all have your tickets for the Saint Express?” he asked.
Park raised her hands. “I definitely have a ticket to ride.”
Wow.
He glanced behind us and caught me checking out his ass. A dark laugh left him.
I shook my head and looked in a different direction.
Keep on laughing. I’m going to kick your butt later. Who are you to tell me how to run my business?
I could have argued with him earlier, but he was right about one thing. My assistants kept on quitting due to my overworking them. I glanced at Park, whose mood had definitely lifted since I agreed to let her leave.
Why didn’t she just tell me she wanted off? Was she scared too?
Continuing forward, I chewed the side of my cheek.
Maybe she was trying to tell me and I didn’t listen. I’ll have to work on that.
I tried not to think of all the work that would not get done while Park was gone. While I planned to help Holly out with her wedding, I’d really hoped to get several designs completed. But with the way Saint was beginning this trip, I could tell that Holly and he would not let me handle any business.
Santa Village?!
Bile rose in my throat.
Here we go again. The Madison Twins will force me to celebrate this godawful holiday again.
When I walked outside, cold wind whipped around me. I stiffened my spine and drank in the white landscape of snowcapped mountains and clear pale blue skies.
Wow.
The freezing wind bit at my skin. While New York had a record-breaking winter, my city had nothing on Lapland.
At least it looks even better than the pictures.
Lapland lay in the northernmost part of Finland. It was the home of reindeer, Santa Claus, and the Northern Lights. Many considered it a magical arctic region. In the wintertime, Lapland was as close as reality gets to a winter wonderland.
When Holly picked this location for her destination wedding, I helped her do the research. While her parents were easy going and fun, Nikolas’ mother and father were hard to please. The few times I’d been around them, they complained the whole time. With this event, Holly was determined to please everyone. It would be impossible. Still, I helped her come up with tons of activities to keep everyone happy and busy.
We made sure there was something to do for everyone. The adventurist guests could go on snowmobiling safari tours. Those that chose that, would cruise through Lapland’s frozen landscape to explore forest trails and icy lakes. At the end, they would get complimentary hot cocoa and gingerbread.
For the families with kids, they could go down to Santa Claus Village. The next day, they could venture out to one of the many reindeer and husky farms.
For the women in the wedding party—including the mothers—most of the time would be spent in the spas. I helped Holly purchase spa packages for all of them. Personally, I couldn’t wait to sit in the hot springs and catch up with my bestie.
Holly also signed up both fathers and some of her uncles for an arctic fishing trip. I didn’t think it would be a good idea. Although it included ice-fishing, there would be a moment when the men would don float suits and plunge into the freezing lake. With Nikolas’s father, there would be endless complaining. Plus, that evening would be the rehearsal dinner. So I hoped for the best.
This is going to be a long week. Let’s hope everything turns out well.
We followed Saint. It was so freezing that I was happy to get to the car. Saint opened the passenger side for me and remained there, watching me as I climbed in.
I whispered, “Thank you.”
“I’m happy to see you.”
“Me too.”
“Good. We have a lot to talk about.” He closed the door.