Page 68 of Christmas Cove
The clapping and cheering of over a hundred people gathered around them in the plaza drowned out the drumming of her heart. America hadn’t realized they were on display until that moment, but nothing felt wrong about holding the man she loved in her arms and falling into his. This was the scene she had dreamed about being included in her favorite book, but it was now hers alone to relish forever.
“Merry Christmas, America.”
EPILOGUE
America hit send onher email and closed her laptop. She sat back in her rattan chair, surrounded in her office by her plant babies. Succulents and rich palms lined every horizontal surface between the stacks of books she had been collecting over the summer.
In her city apartment, there wasn’t much room for books. But since renovating the office in her new house, she had made it a priority to surround herself, and fill the bookcases, with as much inspiration as she could find.
The white sheer drapes fluttered into the room on the autumn breeze that smelled of apples and pine. She had grown to love this time of year in the country when the thick musk of summer gives way to a cool crispness in the air. When anticipation rustles in the red and yellow leaves shaking off the past and preparing for a season of renewal and rebirth of a new year.
Footfalls behind her tore her from her daydream. A steaming mug appeared over her head and down to the desktop. Leo leaned over her shoulder and kissed her cheek. “Done with your story?”
“Just sent it off. I can’t believe I’ve already done three features this year. Being a full-time writer is exactly what I’m made for.”
“I’m really proud of you for taking the leap into this. I know it was scary at first, transitioning from editor to writer, but you’ve done it with such grace and enthusiasm. And had time to put up with me this entire year,” Leo said.
“I didn’t put up with you, you just always hang around, like a cat,” she said and took a sip of the coffee.
“Or like your little friend there?” Leo pointed at the tree outside the window.
“My squirrel?” America asked with a grin pulling on her cheeks. “I suppose you’re like Bobby, a little bit. He’s cute. You’re cute. He watches me while I work. You watch the news while I work. He likes to eat food. You like to eat food.”
“He wouldn’t know what to do without you,” Leo said. “And I wouldn’t know what to do without you in my life, either.”
“Nor would I, Leopold.”
Leo kissed her nose the way she liked. It was a prelude to an inevitable kiss on the lips and a cradling of her head or face in his hand, and he did not disappoint.
“Dinner?” he asked as he pulled away.
She took his hand, and they walked down the stairs together. “I was thinking about the wedding...”
“Food first,” Leo chuckled. “Then wedding talk.”