Page 19 of Christmas Hearts

He drags me back to bed, but the hearts I saw before vanished. What have I done?

Chapter 8

Justin

Imade a mistake giving Ana her ring the way I did. I've been trying to make it up to her, but she still seems a bit mad. It doesn't help that I'm so happy about the engagement that I've been telling everyone I meet about it.

This marriage is supposed to help my campaign, but let's face it, it was more a way to claim Ana as mine. I don't intend to let her go after we're married. She already seems to have some feelings for me, and she loves my family.

Today, we have a minor debate with the mayor at the library. It's too cold out to do it in the Woodland Falls park the way we always do it. That will come in a few months when the campaign is on its last legs.

We're busy setting everything up when Mrs. Carter, one of the old biddies in town, approaches me.

"So I hear you are engaged. What's the rush, sonny?"

"Mrs. Carter. How are you? Can I count on your vote?"

"Ana Maria is a good girl. Did you get her pregnant?"

A cold chill goes through me. She could be pregnant right now, as in my desperation to claim her, I didn't put on a condom. Am I going to become a father again? That brings out feelings of fear, as I lost Ellie during her labor with Daisy. I couldn't bear to lose Ana. We're just starting our journey together.

I frantically look around the room until I spot Ana talking to Lindsay Martin, the owner of the Woodland Falls Gazette. She'll be running the debate and hopefully do a nice piece on my campaign for her paper. Fingers crossed, that is.

My heartbeat calms after I see Ana is well, but busy. I want to take her into my arms and let some of that confidence she's showing seep into my own body. What did I get myself into? I take a deep breath to center myself. Woodland Falls needs a better mayor than the one it's got. I can do this.

Things begin to get busy as the start of the debate draws close. Ana seems to be looking for me so I go to her and grab her hand, more for myself than for her. Her features show me that she's worried about something.

"Everyone thinks the rushed engagement is due to me being pregnant."

"Could you be pregnant?"

"It's too early to tell."

"Would you welcome a baby? I know you said you wanted one."

"You're just saying that because we forgot about the condoms on New Year’s."

I give her a bright smile and gather her into my arms. It's a loving hug that lasts longer than it should, as we're in mixed company, but I don't care.

"You're going to do great. Mayor Douchebag just arrived on the premises."

We start ushering people to their seats, and I wait in front for the mayor. He comes in walking like he's the king of the world with a fake swagger that couldn't convince anyone he's good for the town. Not anymore.

He approaches and stands behind the podium that's been set for him. He doesn't acknowledge me in the least and keeps trying to say hello to the audience who is mostly ignoring him. Lindsay starts the proceedings by introducing us and our qualifications.

I don't know where she found the mayor's qualifications, but he seems to have some, as he was a big-time lawyer in the City before coming back to Woodland Falls. My own accolades are about running a business and doing volunteer work around the town.

We start talking about our platforms. They seem to be similar and centered on the well-being of the town, but several things that Mitchell says seem to remind people why they should keep on backing him. I'm not sure, but they almost seem like threats.

Before I know it, we're saying our last words to the community—until, that is, Mitchell acknowledges me for the first time.

"So you're newly engaged, are you Hoffer?"

"Yes, to the town’s own head librarian, Ana Maria Gonzalez."

"It's kind of rushed, isn't it?"

"Maybe we should get back to the debate."

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