Page 43 of Christmas Cove

America sat back down at the low table and opened her computer. She sent off a few photos to her mom before drafting an email to her boss.

Dear Mr. Janowitz,

I’ve just learned some disturbing news about Christmas Cove that you will want to include. The Cove doesn’t have enough people to support itself, and will soon be incorporated into a neighboring township. The city only needs a few new residents. I can get you the exact number later.

Sir, we must do something to get the word out or the town will die. If there is any way you can help, any bulletin you can put out in the newsletter or on social, that would be wonderful. Again, I’m not available to speak until I get back to the city, but please see if there is anything you can do. You know I would not ask such a big favor if it weren’t important to me, and to the people of Christmas Cove.

Sincerely,

America Greene

She hit send and closed the computer, unsure if anything would materialize from her appeals.

With a buoyancy to her steps, she hastened down the stairs and out the door, where Leo was pacing in front of an iron bench. He held the phone against his ear, and she thought she spied a tiny smile hidden behind his forearm.

“Good news,” he said and ended the call. He slid the phone into his jacket pocket and shook his head. “Jenny Townsend just had her baby.”

“That’s fantastic,” America said. “One down . . .”

“Would you believe it? The baby came two weeks early, and just in time,” he said as though he didn’t believe it himself.

“How many more people do you need, exactly?”

“Five.”

“That’s not many at all! How hard can it be to find five more people to move here?” she wondered aloud, though she should have kept it to herself by the look on Leo’s face.

Leo turned to face her straight on and put his arms out. He wanted a hug. He needed a hug from her. She allowed him to embrace her for a long moment, and his muscles relaxed a little.

While pressed together, he whispered in her ear, “I appreciate your optimism and how much you want to help, America. But I really think this is a done deal.” He stepped back from her. “I want to go home. Will you ride with me?”

CHAPTER24

“Stop the truck!”America yelled.

Leo slammed on the brakes and pulled over near the sidewalk. “What is it?” he shouted.

“I have a great idea.”

“Slow your roll, America. You haveanidea. Let’s decide later if it’s a great one,” Leo joked.

It felt nice to hear him jest. After the bonfire, she wasn’t sure if he could be that free with her again. She still needed to find time to talk things out, but with the dire news of him about to lose the city, she put their personal talk on the back burner.

Shuffling down the street ahead of them, Carol waved a frantic hand. She looked as though she wanted to see them as much as America wanted to see Carol.

America turned to Leo and took his face in her hands. “Who loves this place more than you do?” she asked. His blank stare frustrated her, and she pointed out the front windshield at the old woman walking towards them.

“Carol?” he said. “What’s your point?”

“She knows everyone in town, and she will want to help us when we tell her what’s going on with the town takeover,” America said and used the crank inside the door to lower the window. “Carol!” she yelled at the window and waved her over, though Carol was already making a beeline towards the truck. “Do you have a minute?”

“You’re the bright faces I wanted to see,” she said. “Here, I made a fresh batch.” Carol handed over a plate of gingerbread cookies. “I thought you two could enjoy these . . . together.”

Did she really wink?,America thought and bit back a giggle at the woman’s not-so-slick prodding, but appreciated Carol’s effort. She peeled the cling wrap from the plate and the cab filled with a sweet scent from the cookies.

“Might as well,” Leo said. A side grin and a quick glance let America know that he was all right and seeing clearly past the shocking news of the day.

“Thank you very much for the cookies, Carol. I’m sure we’ll enjoy these,” America said. “Now, we have something to tell you. We’ve just come from Elizabethtown, and Leo learned that the Cove will be incorporated into their town if there aren’t enough people living here.”

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