Page 54 of Christmas Cove

“We know,” her dad said. “Honestly, although it was a beautiful place, we were tired of all the commotion, and when we got your message, it was just the excuse we needed to head home a little sooner than planned.”

“Thanks, Dad. It actually means a lot to me that you’re here.”

America’s phone buzzed again. “It’s Poppy,” she said to no one in particular, but didn’t want her parents to think she was being rude.

MAYOR THORPE. OF ELIZABETHTOWN. CALL SOON

America read the text aloud.

“What does that mean?” her mom asked.

“It means that it wasn’t Leo at all. The whole time, I had assumed he was the person who had requested the feature. I even asked him about it on a couple of occasions, but I think I got distracted or something, because I kind of dropped it.”

“Why would the other mayor do that?” America’s mom asked while her dad got up and paced. His deep breaths and distant eyes meant he was working the problem.

“Maybe this Mayor Thorpe hoped to embarrass Leo and gain some support for when the incorporation goes through. He’d look like a hero, coming in and saving it all,” her dad said.

“That may have been his plan, but I didn’t write that article about how sad the town was without its Christmas. Instead, I sprinkled lights and ornaments around the town and made believe it was back. Heck, I even went to Elizabethtown and handed out fliers declaring as much.” America joined her dad’s pacing.

“You also may have saved the town,” her dad chimed in and was already scrolling on his phone. “This mayor of Elizabethtown might have broken the law, and the incorporation might be at risk of falling through. This might take some time, but I have a few ideas.”

While her dad got to work making calls in the other room, America sat beside her mother. “What do I do?”

“Let me ask you something. Even if the town is taken over, can’t there still be the neighborhood of Christmas Cove, and can’t there still be holiday traditions? When we drove through some of the tiny little villages in Italy, there were plenty that had less than a hundred people living there. But each had their own unique feeling and personality. Can’t this be the same, whether it’s its own town or not?”

America hadn’t thought about it that way. Just as the different areas of any big city have their distinct cultures, why couldn’t that be true for the Cove also? And if that was ultimately the outcome, what should the city name on the postbox matter to her, or Leo, or Carol, or Edwin, or anyone else for that matter?

“There’s only one thing you’re forgetting. I insulted Leo’s character in the most dishonorable way. I don’t think he’ll forgive me.”

“Will you fight for him?” her mom asked.

America hesitated and stared at the tree, remembering the cross ornament she had taken with her to the cabin. The ornament that she had left behind in her haste to depart. The ornament hanging on the tree that Leo had brought her. Leo. She turned and nodded to her mother. “I forgot something very dear to me there. I’m going back. Are you sure you both want to come with me?”

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” her dad chimed in from the kitchen.

“Pack it up?” her mom said with a smile from ear to ear. The twinkling lights reflected in her happy eyes.

“I have to do something first,” America said and grabbed her bag off the hook by the front door. “We can leave tomorrow.”

CHAPTER29

With nothing left to kick,Leo resorted to throwing the sheets and blankets from the cabin bed into a pile in the corner. “How could she just leave like this?”

“You want a real answer, or do you want me to throw a fit with you?” Edwin said.

Edwin was right, throwing a fit would not bring America back. He had been so stupid to drive away that evening, the way he had. His wounded pride was no good excuse for the way he had behaved. Since his parents had passed away, he had done everything he could to sabotage his chance at happiness, thinking he didn’t deserve what they had. And now, his one real shot was long gone.

He flopped onto the stripped mattress and squeezed his eyes shut. “I’m the stupidest person that ever lived,” he whined.

“So, now it’s a pity party, and not a fit,” Edwin said. “I suppose I’ll have to join you.”

“What do you have to be pitiful about?” Leo lay down and stared at the ceiling.

“I liked that city girl. And I’m gonna miss her being around town and causing me more work.”

Leo had to laugh at that. “Pa, you sound sadder than me. What are we going to do about all this?”

“You know, it was my suggestion that you keep her in town in the first place. You can take it out on me if that will help.”

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