Page 65 of Christmas Cove

“I don’t follow. What does that have to do with the article?” Leo asked.

“It’s simple. The article was meant to gain support for a revitalization of the area after the incorporation. I mean,” he chuckled, “who doesn’t like a good comeback story? Am I right?”

Leo stood, and the chair crashed backwards onto the floor. “You’re betting against me? This isn’t some kind of game. I love Christmas Cove. It’s my home, John. You can’t just do this!”

John scribbled something on a paper and trained his gaze downward. “Yes, I can, Leopold. You’ve left me no other choice.”

“Is this why you moved here? To humiliate me and take over my town?” Leo barked.

John paused and gently placed the pen on the desk. He looked up with buried sadness in his eyes. “I moved here for the same reason you did. Only you got to the area first, and we both know that one town isn’t big enough for the both of us. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I would,” Leo said, though it pained him when his brother was right.

“To be honest, you got the better town. Until that dam broke, and the cove dried up, you had what I wanted. Sometimes, the chips fall the way they will, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.”

“I suppose not. It wasn’t your fault that the storm hit.” Leo walked to the door, having nothing else to say to his brother.

“And look at it like this, once our two towns are united, we can bring in that resort. Think about all the jobs and opportunities we’ll have—”

Leo stopped him. “Ifour towns unite.”

John put his hands up in surrender. “Fine, Leopold. You have your little head count, and we will see who comes out on top. But I’m telling you, this is going to be a good thing. Trust me.”

Trust was something Leo had in short supply when it came to matters of his brother. He refused to look back as he exited. “Merry Christmas, John.” Leo slammed the door behind himself and took a deep breath.

With as much dignity as he could muster, Leo walked down the hall. A smile hid his anger as he passed by the receptionist. Outside, he apologized to the guard and made his way to his truck before someone had a mind to tow the thing.

There was only one place he wanted to be, in Christmas Cove, with the people he loved and cared about. The head count was his last hope to save the Cove. Regret stung with every inhale of cold air that filled his chest. He wished he had done more while he had the chance. Leo wouldn’t make that mistake again.

CHAPTER34

“Thank you so much,Mr. Janowitz, and Merry Christmas.” America stared at the screen on her phone in disbelief as it went dark.

“Who was that on the phone?” her mother asked.

“My boss. He just offered me my own column in the magazine. It’s the most wonderful Christmas present.” She dropped her phone on the counter and looked out the window, hoping to see Leo’s red truck coming. There was no one else she wanted to share the news with at that moment.

“That’s tremendous,” her father said and gave her a side hug.

“I sent in my updated story yesterday afternoon after Leo and I talked. It went live at midnight. Mr. Janowitz said my article already has more social media shares than any other story in its first day, except the one about the ice castle last year. It was really good. I edited it and...” America shook the tangent from her head. “I digress. He wants me to be a Senior Special Interest Writer and cover something like Christmas Cove for each issue.” America caught a glimpse of her face in the window reflection. She looked simultaneously excited and terrified. “I can’t believe it.”

America’s mom hugged her tightly. “We are enormously proud of you. But will you be able to write from here? You just moved here, so I hope so.”

“It’s not a problem at all. Several of Jet Trek’s writers work from various locations around the globe.” America looked up at the road again, but there was no red truck in sight. “He should be here by now.”

Just as she was giving up on getting to town in time for the count, jingling bells rang through the air. She spun and saw Leo in a carriage, with his trusty steed, approaching the cabin. She clapped her hands together at the treat coming her way. “Bingo’s here.”

“What is he doing?” her mom asked.

“Trying to impress you,” America quipped back.

Sandwiched between her parents’ shoulders, they crowded into the window and watched Leo pull the reins and tie up the horse on the front porch banister. Her father nudged her towards her mother, and she nudged back the other way. America felt like she was in a pinball machine and laughed.

“I don’t think he’s trying to impress me or your mom. He’s trying to impress you,” her dad teased. “By the look in your eyes, I’d say it’s working, too.”

Leo waved at them standing in the window and they all jumped backwards in unison. Her mother flung one drape, and her father flung the other to where they met in the middle. It was far too dramatic for the occasion, and their silliness was one of the things she loved most about her parents. They knew how to have fun.

Leo knocked on the cabin door, and America put her hand on the handle. “Who is it?” she asked, knowing full well that Leo was there.

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