Chapter 25
25
Leo
The red bricks of the town hall of the building seem to shimmer in the fading light, welcoming the community members as we file inside for the town meeting. As neighbors greet one another with genuine smiles and firm handshakes, it is evident that the bond shared among them ran deep.
Seated among the crowd, I shift nervously in my flimsy metal chair, feeling the coldness of the steel. Palms are damp with sweat, and I fidget with the edge of my sleeve, trying to ease my anxiety. It isn't like me to be this unsettled; I am known for my easygoing nature and confident demeanor. But tonight is different. Tonight, I have something important to say, and the weight of those unspoken words are like an anchor in my chest.
“Next up, we have Leo Harrison, our beloved town vet. Come on up, Leo.”
My heart thumps wildly, the sound echoing in my ears like a drumbeat urging me to stand. I take a deep breath, attempting to steady my nerves, and rise from my seat. With each step toward the front of the room, the eyes of the community are on me —judging, scrutinizing, anticipating. Among those gazes, there are one pair of eyes that I can't help but seek out: Brylee's. Her soft green eyes meet mine, offering a glimmer of encouragement that seemed to say, “You can do this.”
As I reach the podium, I glance around at the faces of my fellow townspeople—their expressions a mixture of curiosity and expectation. I swallow hard, feeling as if I am standing at the edge of a cliff, preparing to leap into the unknown.
A bead of sweat trickles down my temple as I grip the sides of the podium, my knuckles turning white. I clear my throat, and when I finally spoke, my voice starts as a mere whisper. “Ladies and gentlemen,” I say, voice trembling with emotion.
As my words continue to flow, the volume and intensity of my voice grows, fueled by the fire that burned within me. My hands, once tightly gripping the podium, now move through the air with purpose, punctuating each passionate word. The emotions play across my face like an open book – vulnerability, fear, determination—all laid bare for anyone who looks into my warm brown eyes.
“Today, I stand before you not as your town vet but as a man who is deeply, irrevocably in love.” I pause for a moment, gathering the strength to continue. The room is rapt with attention; even the creaking of chairs and the murmur of voices have been silenced.
“Love is a powerful force, one that can make us feel alive and free. It can also make us feel vulnerable and exposed. But there's one person in this room who has brought out the best in me, who has challenged me, supported me, and shown me what true love really means.”
My gaze meets Brylee's once again, and it is as if the rest of the world fades away. “Brylee Thompson,” I say, voice steady and certain, “I love you more than anything in this world.”
The raw honesty of my declaration hangs in the air, leaving the room suspended in a moment of pure, unadulterated emotion. My heart races, chest heaving with each breath as I await Brylee's reaction, her eyes glistening with tears as she stares back.
Our love is as tangible as the air in the room, a force that refuses to be denied. And as I stand before my community, baring my soul for all to see – without a shadow of a doubt – this love is worth fighting for.
“Love is not something we can take for granted,” I continue, voice now resolute and determined. “And I promise, Brylee, I will do whatever it takes to protect our love and our community.” As the words break away from my lips, my heart swells with conviction, ready to face any challenge that might come their way.
The room is a canvas of reactions. Some faces bear expressions of shock, while others displayed genuine happiness for the couple. A few town elders exchanged glances, perhaps reminiscing about their own youthful passions. The air in the room hums with anticipation as the townspeople awaited Brylee's response.
Brylee's cheeks flush a deep shade of crimson.
I look out over the familiar faces of the community, gaze unwavering as I continue speaking. The clenched fists mirrored the intensity in my eyes at my side, knuckles turning white with the force of my conviction. “I want each and every one of you to know,” I say, voice steady and deliberate, “that I am committed not only to Brylee but also to this town—to all of you.”
My words gained momentum, like a boulder rolling down a hill. I pace slowly across the stage, footsteps echoing loudly against the wooden floorboards. “We've all faced our share of challenges,” I admit, voice rising in volume. “But Lawson Ridge has always been a place where people come together, where we support each other through thick and thin.”
“Each day, we'll work hand in hand to make Lawson Ridge a better place for all of us,” I declare, voice reaching a crescendo. “We'll fight for our love, our home, and our neighbors. We'll stand tall in the face of adversity, and we'll emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.”
The intensity of my voice pierces the air like a bolt of lightning, electrifying the atmosphere within the town hall. My words, our own hearts swelling with pride and determination captivated the townspeople. Through it all, my gaze remains fixed on Brylee, eyes shining with unwavering devotion.
“Alright, alright, settle down now!” Mayor calls out, her voice cutting through the noise like a knife.
“Brylee and I have worked tirelessly to save the building. Tonight I came bearing great news.” It has been hard to keep this from her today, but as soon as I received the call, I wanted it to be a surprise. “It has officially been named a historical landmark and cannot be demolished.”
As if on cue, the townspeople clap and cheer.
“That’s not at all. Thanks for the auctions and sidewalk sales that you all have been doing – I was able to pay off the debt owed by the bookstore and it will stay operational.”
We did it. The mayor can stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. I guarantee you when the next election happens, her name won’t be on the ballot. She has lost the trust of the townspeople and will never hold office again.