Page 54 of Take Me Home for Christmas

“It seems we are not worthy of a newspaper, an advertising magazine or even a PR firm to see to our measly social media needs,” Bernice fumed.

West tsked while he filled his mug. “A town without a newspaper is a town without excitement.”

“That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to tell everyone,” Bernice practically shouted.

“Oh my. It sounds as though I’m interrupting an interesting discussion.” Livi hesitated in the doorway. Elle’s mom was by her side.

Ryan stood and walked over to hold out a chair for her. “Nah. Just Bernice being Bernice.”

The older woman made an unintelligible sound before disappearing in the direction of the kitchen.

“How are you feeling?” Elle asked. She felt guilty that she hadn’t checked on Livi. But things were awkward enough before she’d slept with Hayden.

“I feel a lot more human now that I’ve showered,” Livi responded.

Elle’s mom set a cup of tea and some toast in front of her guest. “You sit here and recover while I go change the sheets and freshen up your suite.”

“Did I overhear Bernice correctly?” Livi tore at a piece of the toast. “The Travel Channel is coming to Chances Inlet?”

“It would seem so. It says here that they are including us in their ‘Top small towns to visit at Christmastime’ segment.” Elle handed her the sheet of paper Bernice had left.

“That’s quite a coup. For your next trick, you should get Hayden’s furniture some notice. He’s a talented artist, and social media would eat up his stuff,” Livi said. “Who knows? He could probably turn his side hustle into a full-time gig.”

Elle ignored the hint of pride in the other woman’s voice as she championed Hayden. Mainly because Livi’s idea had merit. Hayden was a talented woodworker. And why shouldn’t his business get some social media love? He’d hate it, but he didn’t have to know. And if his business grew, he could potentially afford to work from anywhere.

Like New York City, perhaps.

“By the way, has anyone seen Hayden around?” Livi asked.

West was quick to answer her. “Not today, but I’m sure Elle can get him over here in a hot minute.”

“I’m sure I’ll be too busy sharpening your pencils,” she snapped.

The man had the nerve to laugh as he wandered out of the room and back toward the study.

Good riddance!

Livi looked at her expectantly. Ryan’s expression was more curious. Elle was saved by the buzzing of her cell phone. She froze for a moment, hoping it wasn’t Hayden calling. Thankfully, it was her editor, Madelaine.

“It’s my boss,” she explained before hurrying out of the breakfast room and closeting herself in the music room.

“Good morning, Madelaine,” Elle said.

“I’m very disappointed with you, Elinor.”

She sank onto the piano bench, trying to catch her stomach before it hit the floor. What could she possibly have done wrong? Had West told the team atVantagethat he couldn’t meet his deadline? Her palms were suddenly damp.

“I can’t believe you haven’t secured an interview with Santa’s dog. Kringle belongs to your brother, does he not?Vantageshould have the scoop over everyone else. Are they asking for a fee? Because we will pay it.”

Technically, Kringle belonged to Jane’s son, Henry. But Elle didn’t care about that. She was relieved she wasn’t losing her promotion before she even got it.

“Of courseVantageis getting the scoop,” she told her editor, hoping that her confident tone would make the other woman believe Elle had thought of it long before this phone call. “In fact, I was just negotiating with my brother about this.”

“Excellent. I knew I could count on you. And this type of interview will be a good piece to dip your toe into the lifestyles section. Well done. Let me know when you have it completed, and we will get it off to the digital side of the house.”

After Madelaine ended the call, Elle jumped up and did a little victory dance among the nutcrackers in the room.

“I’m ‘dipping my toe’ into feature writing! And she didn’t even ask about West,” she told the wooden soldiers before pulling open the door and racing to find her brother and his dog.

---