28. Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Juliet
T he community of Evergreen Heights never leaves anyone behind.
So, it doesn’t surprise me when a town-wide community support event is thrown by the council to aid those who were negatively affected by the snowstorm that blew through our little town.
What does surprise me is Leo agreeing to attend with Piper and me.
“You sure you’re not busy today?” I ask Leo as we walk down one of the streets in the downtown area that was blocked off for the event .
Vendor tents fill the entire street as local businesses sell goods and services so that they can donate a portion of their sales to those in need. There are also multiple tents dedicated to collecting items and funds for the event’s donation drive and recruiting volunteers.
“I’m not,” Leo replies as his eyes sweep around, taking in the slow-moving crowd that goes from tent to tent. “I should be here.”
My interest piques. I didn’t expect that answer.
“I donated my shoes and my toys!” Piper says as she walks between us, looking as proud as she sounds.
“Some houses were damaged. A young family was living in one of them, and a lot of their things were damaged,” I explain to Leo. “So, Piper went through her clothes and toys, and we donated what she didn’t need anymore.”
“That’s great, Piper,” Leo tells her. “If we can, we should always try to help people.”
There’s a heaviness in his voice that I almost miss. Anyone else probably wouldn’t have even noticed, but I know him well enough to pick that out .
“Are you donating anything? Or volunteering?” I ask him, wondering if it’s guilt I’m hearing.
“I donated anonymously online,” Leo tells me.
Surprise fills my face. “Really? Why anonymously?”
Leo shrugs. “I don’t know. I guess I still feel like there’s a stigma around my family’s name after everything that happened.”
He should be drawing attention to himself so that people can see that he’s back trying to make an effort. He could’ve completely turned his back on his father and this town, but he came home, even if it’s just for a little while.
“They’d be grateful for your donation,” I assure him. “Don’t hide so much.”
Leo gives me a grateful look and nods. “Next time.”
Hopefully, another disaster doesn’t happen any time soon, but I’m glad he’s giving back to his hometown. I’m proud to be from a place like this where the community leans on each other.
He should be too. Maybe he is .
“Is everything okay back in New York? You’ve been gone for a little while,” I ask him as we continue moving with the crowd.
“Everything is fine so far,” Leo replies. “I’m able to do some work remotely, but I have good people back there to run things in my absence. I don’t have to worry that much.”
At least he isn’t frantic about getting back.
Not that I expect him to get attached to Evergreen Heights, but it would be nice if he stuck around for a little while longer. His father won’t ever admit it, but I think he likes having his son back home.
Piper loves having him around too, and I…I like it too.
I don’t need to get attached to him. When he leaves, I don’t want to see it as losing him all over again because circumstances are different now, but it’ll still hurt.
“Well, it’s nice to have you back. While you’re here,” I tell him.
His face softens, his eyes dropping briefly to my lips before returning to mine. “There were some things that I did miss. ”
I hold his gaze, my heart rate starting to creep up. I should tell him that he has no right to miss me when he’s the one who left, but so much of my anger toward him has faded away.
It’s exhausting trying to hate him, and I feel like I understand him a little bit more now. He wasn’t trying to be malicious.
He was broken and lost, and the only thing that he could think to do was run away before anything got worse.
“Look!” Piper’s voice breaks through my trance, making my eyes snap away from Leo’s. She points behind me where a vendor is selling hot chocolate and other sweets. “We’re still working on that box of donuts, baby.”
Piper pokes out her bottom lip. “Please? I haven’t had hot chocolate in forever?”
I plant my hands on my hips. “Now, you’re lying. We had it two nights ago.”
Leo chuckles. “That feels like an eternity for a kid.”
“Don’t let her sway you,” I warn him, a smile tugging at my lips .
Leo lifts his hands innocently. “I’m just saying, Juliet. Time passes differently for kids.”
Things would be easier for me if he was less naturally charming.
“Fine,” I sigh dramatically before leading Piper over to the tent. “Three hot chocolates, please.”
Leo hands the vendor a ten dollar bill to cover everything before I can even open my purse to grab my wallet. “Keep the change.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I tell him as we step to the side so that the next person in line can make their purchase.
“I don’t mind,” he replies. “Gotta put a smile on that face, right?”
I look over at Piper as she eagerly waits for her hot chocolate, warmth enveloping my heart. I can’t describe in words how much I love her.
I found out that I was pregnant with her during one of the worst moments of my life. I was heartbroken, confused, and lost, but she became a beacon of hope and promise for me. She proved to me that I could survive my pain and still make a good life for myself .
That’s exactly what I did.
It wasn’t easy, but all the hard work paid off. I grew up a lot during that time, and I had less than a year to prepare to become a mom. I couldn’t have done it without my mom, though.
I wish she was here right now. She’d be so happy seeing us altogether.
But also disappointed that I haven’t told Leo the truth yet.
Leo grabs the three foam cups of hot chocolate when they’re ready and hands them out to Piper and me. “Careful. It’s hot.”
Piper takes a cautious sip, her lips immediately curling up. “Mm.”
It’s probably from a packet in a box, but it’s still pretty good.
“Excuse me, everyone!”
We venture toward the middle of the street as the crowd starts migrating toward the large donation drive tent nearby. One of the event organizers, Olivia Bailey, stands next to a large crate where donated items are nearly spilling over the top of it .
“I just want to thank everyone for coming out today!” she says, raising her voice so that everyone can hear.
Applause echoes up and down the street.
Leo places his hand on my back as I grab Piper’s hand, guiding us closer toward the front on the right side.
“We have received more than $5,000 in donations today!” she announces. “And we have tons of donated items to give out to those in need! This is all thanks to you!”
I clap along with everyone else. None of this surprises me. The community always shows up when it needs to.
“I’d like to personally thank the Morgan family for their generous donation of $1,000!” Olivia says before gesturing to Ashley and Wyatt Morgan as they stand off to the side.
Lily has been taking her kids to their ranch for horseback riding lessons for a while now. Maybe when Piper gets older, I’ll see if she’s interested.
“Now, I’d like you all to welcome Mr. Devon Ramos, CEO of Mile High Construction and Development!”
My eyes grow wide as I watch Devon emerge from the crowd to stand next to Olivia. “He’s in town again? ”
Leo doesn’t say anything. He just stares at Devon, his brow furrowing slightly.
“Thank you, Olivia, and thank you, the people of Evergreen Heights, for the warm welcome!” Devon says, lifting his hand in a friendly wave.
“I’m sure some of you have heard about me when I came over from Denver to help with the cleanup effort after the storm passed.
For those who don’t know me, I just want to say I’ve really grown to love your town.
I may be based in the city where my company operates, but I think a piece of my heart is stuck here. ”
I have to keep myself from rolling my eyes as I hear people cheer around me. Are they really buying this act? He obviously just wants the town on his side if Leo sells the company to him.
And I really hope that Leo doesn’t do that.
I want to tell him not to, but what if he doesn’t listen to me? What if me pushing him backfires and he sells faster?
I don’t know what to do but sit here and listen to these lies.
“I want to keep helping Evergreen Heights recover, so I’m here today to offer the town a gift,” he says before motioning to someone that I can’t see .
A man parts from the crowd and moves to Devon’s side, holding up a large check.
“I’d like to donate $20,000 to your town to help alleviate the pain caused by that awful storm!”
A roar of applause and cheers surrounds me, the sound making my ears ache. The check looks legit, so I can’t say that his words are just a bluff.
He’s actually donating $20,000.
This is a really expensive scheme he’s running.
As Devon shakes people’s hands, I look over at Leo, expecting him to look impressed by his future business partner.
But I can’t read his expression at all.
He just stands there, his eyes trailing Devon.
“Are you okay?” I ask him.
Leo rips his gaze away from Devon and nods. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
I frown as I watch him turn and walk away from the crowd, dumping his half consumed hot chocolate in a nearby trash can .
I don’t know what’s running through his mind right now, but it’s certainly not making him happy.