Page 56 of Christmas Cove

“I was an ass. And she went home after accusing me of not doing enough as mayor.” Leo took another drink. “The worst of it, she was right.”

“Did you ask her to stay?”

“Wouldn’t that have been the simplest thing to do?” Leo downed the rest of the beer before it warmed up from the heat of his hand around the glass bottle and took the moment to consider Cam’s question.

“You love her, huh?” Cam said. “Man, I knew it the moment you pulled into my driveway with that sick, sad, puppy-dog look on your face. But don’t worry. I got you covered.”

“What do you mean?” Leo said, his interest piqued.

Cam left the room, and Leo heard the back door swing open and shut with a thud. Leo stood and walked off his nerves at whatever his friend was up to. The fireplace crackled in front of him and caused him to replay the night of the bonfire in his mind. He had wanted to kiss America so badly and mourned not doing so. He could taste her sweetness on his lips but had pulled away before allowing himself the indulgence.

His reverie was interrupted by the sound of the back door creaking open and slamming shut again.

Cam returned with a small wood box, about six inches square, in his hand. “This is just the thing you need.”

Leo opened the lid and gave a half-cocked grin. “When did you—how?” Leo stammered at the glittering sight.

“I had a feeling, about a week ago,” Cam shut the lid. “Wasn’t even sure who I was making this piece for. And now I know.”

“This ring is perfect.” Leo ran his finger over the edges of the cut stones mounted on a silvery band. “You’re a true artist, Cameron Townsend. I owe you one. Or ten thousand,” Leo said and palmed the box. “Thank you. And tell Jenny hello for me.”

“I will, and thanks for bringing us dinner,” Cam said as the two shook hands. “But don’t think a meal alone is payment enough for what’s in that box.”

“Send me a bill,” Leo said and got out of there.

CHAPTER30

America’s “tomorrow”had turned into five long days. She had lost count of how many phone calls and emails she had exchanged between her and the realtor, and between her and the bank. Purchasing a home was a far different exercise in patience than scooping up an apartment in the city. Her mind swam laps between the things she had been busy doing in preparation for her return to the Cove, and the things she planned to do whenever she finally got back there.

With all the groundwork laid, she shot off a quick note to Mr. Janowitz asking him to hold the article for as long as possible. The story wasn’t finished yet, and she had somewhere to be.

Finally on the road, she set the cruise control of her dad’s SUV to six miles above the posted speed limit. Though she felt uncomfortable about breaking the rules, time was not on her side. She had spent several more days in the city than she had wanted to, but what she was planning to surprise Leo with had to be done right. She used her time traveling the winding road northward to calculate the precise amount of apologizing and groveling that would be necessary to convey her sincere regret at how she had treated Leo. The only thing standing in her way was a long-awaited cold front bearing down on the northeast.

“Are you sure you don’t want your father to drive?” her mom asked from the back seat.

“And risk him falling asleep at the wheel? I’d rather not.”

America’s father lifted his head from the side window where he rested it, already half asleep. “I’m not tired,” he said.

“I can’t believe how jet-lagged you both still are,” America said.

“They say it’s harder to go west. I think that’s right,” her mom said. “Either way. We’re old, and old people get tired and stay tired.”

“You’re not even that old.”

“Fifty-nine this year,” her dad said.

“That makes one of us. You hit that milestone years ago, dear,” her mom shot back.

America loved her parents’ senses of humor and wanted that kind of playful affection for herself someday. She and Leo had bantered so naturally with each other, she wondered if that sort of ease was such a rare thing to find.

“Why don’t you two nod off for a bit while I drive? I have some thinking to do,” America suggested and got no complaints from the gallery.

“Sounds good to me.” America’s dad pulled his coat around his chest and laid his head back against the side window.

The drive started out with fair weather, but an hour north of the city, the sunny skies gave way to clouds. A light drizzle began to mist the windshield and crystalize at the edges. With the cold front coming across, and darkness quickly approaching, America took the drive with more caution. Once the GPS told her to exit the highway, she knew the roads would narrow and snake tightly around the countryside. From valleys to hilltops and everything in between, road conditions were likely to deteriorate.

The sun dipped below the cloud bank to the southwest and caused the gray branches and weathered fences to glow gold, before disappearing completely beneath the horizon. Her smile switched to a tense focus, and she squinted as she looked into the dusk ahead.

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