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“I, uh...didn’t say that.”
Leah smiled. “Looks like you found your family too.”
He reached down and petted Mochi’s head. “And I didn’t even know I was missing a part of mine.” When his gaze met hers once more, he asked, “After we eat, do you want to go pick out a Christmas tree?”
When Leah worried her bottom lip, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“It’s just that I like to always have the rooms made up as soon as possible. You never know when you’re going to need the space.”
He nodded. “Makes sense. Why don’t I give you a hand?”
She shook her head. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“You aren’t. I’m offering.”
Ding.
Leah reached for her phone. As soon as she read the message, her stress returned.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
She shook her head as she returned her phone to her pocket. “It’s nothing for you to worry about.” When he continued to give her an expectant look, she said, “It was a reminder about tonight’s town hall meeting.”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“It’s to discuss the upcoming holiday parade.” She sighed. “Each business is supposed to participate.”
“Now I understand. And what are you going to do for it?”
“Originally, nothing. I totally put it out of my head. I was planning to sell this place and return to California.”
“And now?”
She hesitated as the finality of her decision sank in. “I’m thinking since I’m staying that I should do something for the parade. But it can’t be anything elaborate.”
“Maybe you’ll get some ideas at the meeting this evening.” When she frowned, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“We were supposed to go to dinner this evening.”
He nodded. “What time is the meeting?”
She retrieved her phone from her back pocket and pulled up the message. “Seven.”
“No problem. Would you like an early dinner or a late one?”
That was an easy choice for her. “Definitely early.”
He smiled and nodded. “Great minds think alike. Now let’s get those rooms cleaned.” As they made their way upstairs, he asked, “How many reservations do you have for this evening?”
“One. But it’s that reservation without a deposit. So I don’t even know if they’ll show up.”
He smiled. “We can get some takeout and stay in this evening.”
She shook her head. “The town hall meeting is tonight."
He nodded. "That's right."
"Besides, if they don’t show up by the time we leave, I don’t think they're coming.”
