Page 16 of Christmas Cove

“The way I see it, the town could use some cheering up, and I have an article to write. We need to bring back Christmas to the Cove.” America held back her excitement while she waited for his reaction to her suggestion. “Will you help me?”

Leo’s answer came in the form of a smile as he put the truck into gear.

Back at the cabin, Leo got her door for her and walked her up to the porch. “I have some things to take care of, but I’ll be back in the morning to pick you up. We have a lot of work to do.”

CHAPTER11

Night cameand went with another solid sleep. America looked at herself in the mirror, unable to believe what she had done, or what she had offered to do. Sure, she knew her reasons for wanting to bring back Christmas were purely in the interest of self-preservation. Wanting to succeed with her first article assignment was a huge driving factor, but the task at hand was so much bigger than anything she should have taken on. There was no denying her reign as the office elf, and she knew that if anyone had enough Christmas spirit to spread around, she did.

Now that the offer was out there, she would need to follow through. One way or another, she was getting her Christmas Cove experience, and an article drafted to prove it. Sure, she had enlisted Leo’s help, but if she had any real chance of success, they would need reinforcements. America checked her watch. Leo would be back any minute to pick her up. In the meantime, she pulled her coat back on and tidied her hastily twisted bun atop her head.

The pine tree, so generously given to her that previous morning by Leo, stood in its bare state beside her.There is nothing sadder than a Christmas tree with no lights. Except perhaps, she thought,one without ornaments too.

“This simply will not do,” America said aloud and rushed to the bedroom.

She flipped her suitcase onto the bed and unzipped the front pocket. Inside, she felt for the small cross ornament that she had stashed there before leaving her apartment. With the treasure in hand, she headed to the tree.

Finding a strong branch, she slid the gold string loop over the needles and gently let it out of her hand. The silver hammered cross glittered against the dark green needles and brown branches. America smiled, pleased with herself for the meager improvement.

“That’s more like it.”

In an instant, the cabin filled with Christmas cheer. Jingling bells seemed to emanate from the wood walls and into the air itself. Even the sound of clacking horse hooves trotting along an icy road filled her ears.

She giggled when she saw through the window, Leo drove a horse-drawn carriage down the road towards the cabin. The carriage bumped along the gravel and slowed to a stop in the drive. America threw open the door and ran out to greet the special guests. Her hands covered her giddy smile, and she shook her head in disbelief.

“What is all this?” she said as Leo dismounted from the rig.

“If we’re bringing back Christmas, I thought this was a good way to start,” he said and stroked the horse’s mane. “Isn’t he something?”

“I have to admit, I’ve never been this close to a real horse before. May I?” she asked.

Leo took America’s hand in his. Her eyes shifted towards his waiting gaze and she felt her cheeks flush. She couldn’t turn away fast enough. Under Leo’s warm palm, he guided her hand and swept the horse’s ebony silken strands from top to bottom.

“What do you think?” he said.

“It’s magical,” she said and stepped back from him. “What’s his name?”

“Bingo.”

“Is Bingo yours?”

“Not exactly,” Leo said. “But we’re good friends. Aren’t we, boy?” Leo took the horse’s face in the crook of his elbow and the two embraced.

“He’s not a dog, you know,” America couldn’t hold in her giggle.

“Yes, but he doesn’t know that.”

Leo took the lead rope and tied the horse to a post at the end of the porch. From the carriage, he retrieved an apple crate with straw poking out between the slats.

“What’s in there?” she asked, intrigued, and hoped that it was decorations for the tree.

“You’ll see,” Leo smirked. “Can we go inside for a moment?”

“Lead the way,” she said, and he did.

Anticipation rose in her belly. For someone that loved the holiday as much as she did, each surprise brought with it the same feeling she experienced as a child on Christmas Eve. In that moment, when all the presents are set under the tree and only a few hours separate the gifter from the gifted, excitement swells with each passing minute.

“You look like you already got started,” Leo said and jogged her attention.

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