The Christmas Countdown by Ani Gonzalez

Author:Ani Gonzalez [Gonzalez, Ani]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ani Gonzalez
Published: 2018-12-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

CYRUS FOUGHT a rising sense of panic as he struggled to open the front door to their rented house.

The house, a rambling log structure with large windows and an imposing Craftsman porch, was every bit as impressive as he'd heard. Strong and solid, it was exactly the kind of home he'd build for himself if he were in the rustic family cabin market, a perfect mix of rustic wood and modern glass and metal.

He secretly hoped that Nat hadn't gone too wild with the decorations. Yes, he wanted the kids to feel it was a special trip, but he also wanted to have a relaxing break in a woodsy cabin with a nice fire and some aged scotch. He didn't want to spend his vacation in a holiday recreation of the FAO Schwartz store.

So far, the entry wasn't too bad. It had an attractive wreath and little else. It was a relief after the extremely-over-the-top Holiday Lake plaza. Less was more for sure.

"Do you need help, Dad?" Gigi asked with studied politeness.

He stopped fiddling with the entry keypad and stepped back. "Be my guest. The code is—"

"I know it," Gigi said as she stepped up to the keypad. "You've been reciting it for the last ten minutes."

"That's because the pad is not functioning," he replied as Gigi pressed the buttons. "We may have to call the real estate ag—"

The keypad beeped and the door unlocked with a hollow click.

Gigi stepped back with a smile. "Bingo."

"You're turning into quite the sassypants, G," he said, pushing the door open and entering the house.

"And you still love me," Gigi said, following him into the house. "Admit—Oh, wow."

"Look at that tree," Jack shouted, raising his bag of candy. "It has firetrucks."

"And gnomes," Gigi said, picking an ornament from a nearby wreath. "Why does it have gnomes?"

Cyrus peered at the offending ornament. It was a small man in a red hat with a pointy top, and he was holding a tool of some kind.

"They're Santa's helpers," Cyrus replied. "Why wouldn't it have gnomes?"

"Gnomes don't help Santa, Dad," Jack replied. "Those are elves."

"What's the difference?" he asked.

"They're different species," Gigi said, returning the ornament to the wreath. "There are tons of them too. The tree is absolutely huge."

"I like it," Jack declared running towards the tree. "Even if the gnomes are the wrong species. Look. I think the firetrucks are from the Holiday Lake Fire Department."

Cyrus smiled. "I wouldn't be surprised."

"I like the tree too," Gigi said, following her brother while carrying her own bag of loot.

Cyrus relaxed. The house was a success. That was clear.

It was as impressive inside. The living room's windows were even taller than the tree. They were dark right now, as it was nighttime, but the view would likely be spectacular in the morning.

The floors were a mix of wood and slate, which worked well with the log walls. The furniture was mostly leather couches and armchairs upholstered in green-and-red plaid patterns.

The furniture wasn't what he would have picked. He would have chosen something more modern, but it went perfectly with the town's Christmas theme.

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