Page 28 of Christmas Cove

Looking both ways before crossing, though she recognized that the learned behavior had virtually no purpose in the quiet town, there was still a giggle in her throat as she ran to Leo’s side. A glimmer in his eye reflected the sunset.Sunset, she thought,had the entire day already passed?

“So, that went...well?” Leo asked and hoisted her into the carriage.

She nodded. “I don’t know why Pa thinks she’s a scrooge. She is lovely. Funny even.”

“Funny, really? Carol? That doesn’t seem right,” Leo teased and pointed down the street towards Town Hall. “But did she give her approval for our little project?”

America’s eyes lit up as she followed the line of his finger. Main Street looked nearly like the photos she had seen online. Wreaths hung from the light posts, lights stretched across the road from one side of the street to the other, and the mist from the fountain on the far side glittered in the setting sun. She was amazed that so much had been accomplished while she had been inside talking with Carol.

“It’s magical,” she said.

As she turned her attention back to Leo, he held two red cups in his hand and had a smile across his face. “Hot cocoa?” he asked.

“Marshmallows?”

“Whipped cream. Is that all right?”

America nodded back and forth as though she was considering the choice, all the while knowing that she preferred cream in her cocoa over marshmallows any day. Peppermint too, but she would go over that later. She had held out as long as she could before missing the comedic timing. “I’m just teasing you. I love whipped cream,” she said as she removed the white plastic lid and slurped the sweet foam.

“You had me worried for a second.” His eyes slanted to the side as she sipped the drink.

“Peppermint!”

“Did I guess correctly?”

Did he ever!Her arms flew around his shoulders, and she hugged him. This man, Leo, the mayor, kept surprising her. Not many people she knew could truly keep her on her toes.

She backed away. “Sorry. I got carried away.”

“I didn’t mind. I’m only glad I got your drink order right.” Leo took the reins and ordered Bingo to giddyap. “Do you have plans tomorrow night, America?” Leo said, his voice shaking from what she perceived were nerves, though she had no clue as to why he would be nervous now.

Her instincts told her to say something smart. To deflect the question and ignore the flush in her cheeks, but she was intrigued. Leo was nothing like anyone she knew. Sure, he was handsome and funny. He was kind and patient. And, she admitted, willing to indulge her desire to bring back Christmas to his small town. There was something to be said about a man who would do all that and ask nothing from her in return.

But there was something more. The thought dawned on her that perhaps it was Leo who really wanted to bring back Christmas and it was she who had simply been the catalyst he needed to get things going. She was on assignment, but this town and its people were his life. If she just had more time with him, she could uncover his motives.

America’s curiosity was too much to deny. “It turns out I’m free tomorrow night, and the night after, and the night after that,” she chuckled. “Did that sound too eager? It’s just that you know I don’t have anything else to do. Although, I do need to do a write up and send it off to my boss. He knows what we’re doing here, bringing back Christmas and all, but I’m sure he’ll want more details.”

It was Leo’s turn to laugh. “Yes. I know what we’re doing here. And I didn’t want to assume that you had any more free time to spend with me. For all I know, you could very well have other things to do, like work, or talk with friends...or your boyfriend. I’ve occupied your day quite enough.”

She caught his not-so-subtle question. “There’s no boyfriend.”

“Husband, then? I don’t want to assume,” he laughed again. Each time he did, America’s cheeks burned and she had a funny flutter in her stomach.

“No husband, either. I’m all yours.” America cursed in her head. That statement came out way more enthusiastic and available sounding than she had intended it to be.What was he thinking? Her head fell into her hands. “Just bring me back to the cabin where I can die in peace.”

The horse trotted along the road that was now barely lit by the dusky sky. The fog had stayed to the south due to a steady north wind that brought a sharpness into the air. America shivered and wrapped her arms around her midsection.

“Are you going to stay silent all the way back?” Leo asked and shifted closer to her on the bench.

“I’m not risking saying something ridiculous again.” Though she was wary of embarrassing herself, America leaned into his warmth. The daytime temperatures had felt pleasant, but neither were dressed for the rapidly falling mercury.

“Your honesty is very—”

“Annoying?” she finished.

“No,” Leo said. She sensed the grin on his face but refused to look. “Refreshing. Endearing. I’ve never met anyone like you, America Greene.”

This was too much, she decided. “Are you reading my mind or something?” She looked at him. Her suspicions about his grin’s gauge were confirmed, and only widened with the pause that danced between them. “I’ve never met anyone like you, either.”

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