Page 17 of Christmas Cove

“What?”

She followed the line of his pointer finger from where he stood at the kitchen counter to the corner of the living area where the tree was positioned. “Oh...”

“I think we can do better,” he said.

“Are you disparaging my expert decking skills?”

“I would never,” he said and took the lid off the box. “I brought you some lights and a few things I could find at the barn.”

“Why are you doing all this?” she asked.

He ran his fingers through his hair. “It’s been so long since this town has had something to root for. A friend of mine recently told me he felt like something big was about to happen here. Maybe this is it. Maybe this is what we all need.”

Inside the box, a mess of mini lights tangled with a variety of wooden ornaments. Some looked painted and others had simple carvings on one side. America picked up the top one with a single finger through a string loop and spun it around. She placed the delicate ornament on the stone counter and traced the raised outline of a cardinal.

“This is very generous of you,” she said. His thoughtfulness touched her. “You don’t have to do all this. I’m sure you’ve got other things to take care of. A family, friends, a job?”

“No, no, and thisismy job,” he said so matter of fact that his quickness surprised her.

“You don’t have friends? I find that hard to believe,” she said and pulled out a few more ornaments. “I mean, I don’t really know you, but from what I can see, you’re very nice, and responsible, smart, handsome—”

“Is that so?”

America paused and her eyes made a giant sweep of the room before coming back to the center and meeting his. A smile pushed at her cheeks, and she sucked in her bottom lip, surprised that she’d let her mind speak for itself. “Let’s untangle the lights, shall we?” America begged. “And what do you mean, this is your job? Because you have this rental cabin?”

“You could say I’m the welcoming committee for the town.”

“So, you’re doing all of this out of obligation?”

Leo paused and met her eyes with a subtle shake of his head. “No.”

His one word said a thousand things and sent a thousand butterflies fluttering through her. She felt like a crushing teenager, and it scared her.

With the plug end in her hand, she worked opposite Leo and unknotted the strand of lights, finally meeting in the middle. Their hands touched, and she drew back. America took her end and plugged it into a kitchen outlet beside the refrigerator. The strand flickered on and off several times with a crackling sound that ultimately ended in the entire length burning out.

“There’s nothing sadder than a tree without lights,” Leo lamented.

“That’s what I always say.” America felt a tear, but not a sad one, behind her eyes. “Is there a store around here where I can get some new ones?”

“Does that mean you’re staying?” Leo said while he wrapped the damaged lights around his elbow.

“Isn’t it obvious? I already spoke to my editor. I brought him up to speed on the situation and he’s on board with the changes.”

Leo’s smile said it all. He was pleased at the news. But his words spoke louder. “I’m glad you came here. And I’m happier still that you’re going to stay. Is that too honest?”

“Not at all. I like honesty.”

He gave a knowing look.

In America’s mind, the temporary partnership with the man was shaping up nicely. With everything getting back on track, how hard could the rest of it be? She only had a limited amount of time to revive an entire town’s Christmas and write an effective travel article about why others should put Christmas Cove on their destination list. She would be more overwhelmed if she wasn’t so excited for the challenge.

“Well, Leo, partner...” She put her hand out and invited him to shake hers. “Are we in this together? Are we gonna bring back Christmas to the Cove?”

“America,” he said and took her hand in a familiar way. “I’m all in.”

They shook hands in an exaggerated up and down motion and giggled.

“Well, where do we start?”

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