Page 98 of Take Me Home for Christmas

“I need to know you are one hundred percent serious with this offer.”

West sobered up. “You should know by now that I’m serious about everything I do.”

Elle nodded. She nudged the box in his direction.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Your Christmas present.”

“I told you?—”

“I know what you said,” she interrupted. “Just open the box, West.”

He gave her a dirty look before he stood and pulled the top off. He stared at its contents for a long moment. “How—how?” He looked bewildered.

She took pity on him and lifted the old typewriter from its box. “It took a lot of hard bargaining with Garth. You might have to dedicate a few editions of your paper to him.” She put it down on the desk. “But I thought if you’re starting a newspaper, you need a mascot. And what better than the one that hung around the newsroom of Chances Inlet’s last newspaper?”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything. Just accept this gift with humility,” she told him, echoing his words to her.

He laughed again. “Thank you, Elinor. I will treasure this. And thank you for accepting my gift. I appreciate you taking on my wife’s story.”

“Yeah, about that . . .”

West’s smile faded.

“I have a counteroffer to propose.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m listening.”

ChapterTwenty-Five

Chances Inlet was normallyquiet at midnight during the winter months. Hayden loved that he was able to run along streets as familiar to him as the veins in his own hand. He wouldn’t get that same feeling running the streets of Tribeca. Building a life with Elle would be worth what he was giving up, though, he reminded himself.

The lights of the gazebo twinkled against the clear sky. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear the strains of “Silent Night” being sung by a church congregation. He climbed the steps to find Elle waiting on one of the benches, wearing a Santa hat cockeyed on her head and a half-drunk smile, likely courtesy of the annual McAlister Christmas Eve dinner.

“Right on time,” she said. “It’s Christmas.”

The bells from the nearby church confirmed it.

Elle jumped up and threw her arms around his neck. “Merry Christmas, Hayden,” she whispered before pressing her lips to his.

She tasted like peppermint—and joyfulness. And he couldn’t seem to get enough of her. He instantly regretted suggesting they meet here. The conference room at the station would have given him more privacy for what he wanted to do to her.

Except this was supposed to be romantic. A declaration of love. A promise of commitment.

Not to mention Simone was somewhere out there watching them.

He pulled his mouth away before he did something foolish. “I want to give you your Christmas present tonight,” he told her. “Out here without the craziness of your family.”

“But I didn’t bring yours,” she pouted.

He led her back to the bench. “That’s okay because mine will blow anything you got me out of the water.”

She laughed. “Cocky much?” She sat down and gave him her undivided attention. “Okay, Lovell, let’s have it.” She glanced behind him. “Where is it?”

His palms began to sweat. “It’s not an actual thing as much as it is a . . . gesture.”

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