Page 64 of Snow

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Leonard was reviewing a contract at his desk in his home office when the door opened, and his wife walked in looking far too cheerful for someone who had spent the last week stressed and irritated over Nova.

Seeing her practically glowing for the first time in days, Leonard slowly leaned back in his chair, setting the contract aside as he watched her cross the room with an unusual lightness in her step before lowering herself into the wingback chair across from his desk.

Leonard quirked one of his eyebrows. “I’m afraid to ask what has you skipping around smiling?”

Erica giggled, ignoring his sarcasm. “I just spoke with CeCe, and she told me that Rick’s campaign has seen a jump in their early polling numbers since that little tidbit leaked about Rick and Nova’s impending engagement announcement.”

Leonard’s eyebrows lifted. That was great news, though expected.

“Of course they have,” Leonard said, a satisfied smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he leaned back in his chair. “People love the image of two successful families coming together. Rick and Nova are exactly the kind of story the public eats up.”

“Have you spoken with her yet?” Erica asked. Her voice took on a more cautious tone.

Leonard’s jaw tightened slightly. “No. My calls have gone straight to voicemail. And my texts have gone unread.”

He hated being ignored, especially by his own daughter.

Nova had always been stubborn, but lately she had crossed the line from independent to outright defiant. Walking away from Rick. Then ignoring her family and refusing to answer calls was childish and reckless, especially considering everything riding on this relationship.

Erica sighed softly. “Do you think maybe we should give her more time? She—”

Leonard cut her off. “Time for what? To make things worse?”

Erica frowned and shook her head. “No, of course not. I want this marriage to happen just as much as you do. I’m just worried that if we push too hard, Nova might do something impulsive instead of calming down.”

“It is obvious that she isn’t against the engagement.”

“How so?”

Leonard smirked. “You know nothing slips by our oldest daughter. I know damn well that Sophia sent Nova that article, and it has been a few days, and we haven’t heard a peep from her.”

“So, what’s next?”

Leonard leaned back comfortably in his chair, completely at ease now that everything was beginning to fall into place. “The obvious next step is the engagement announcement. Merrick agrees with me that we need to keep the momentum going, and it needs to happen soon. The public is already invested in the story. If we play this correctly, the engagement turns into months of wedding coverage during Rick’s campaign.”

Erica’s eyes widened slightly. “You really think people will care that much?”

Leonard chuckled. “People love weddings. Especially expensive ones involving wealthy families and political candidates. Every venue tour, every dress fitting, every photograph keeps Rick in the public eye in a positive way.”

A slow smile spread across Erica’s face as the idea clearly started appealing to her. Leonard noticed it immediately and hid his own amusement. He had her hook, line, and sinker.

“And before you ask,” he continued smoothly, “Merrick and I have already agreed that you and CeCe will have complete freedom to plan the biggest wedding Salt Lake City has ever seen.”

Leonard watched the excitement spark in his wife’s eyes and knew instantly he had redirected her attention exactly where he wanted it. Erica loved appearances, social standing, and entertaining just as much as CeCe did. Give the two of them a society wedding to obsess over, and they would throw themselves into it completely.

Which was perfect, because the sooner the wedding happened, the sooner the other issue hanging over Leonard’s head would finally disappear.

Years ago, when Leonard’s investments started collapsing and the debt began stacking up faster than he could bury it, Merrick Montgomery had stepped in quietly and saved him financially. Millions of dollars had exchanged hands behind closed doors to keep Hart & Associates afloat and Leonard’s reputation intact.

But favors like that didn’t come free.

His expression shifted slightly as he reached for his glass of whiskey. “And frankly, speeding things up would be better for everyone involved. Once the wedding is done, the agreement between Merrick and me will finally be behind us.”

Erica’s expression tightened slightly at the reminder. “Is it really that simple?”

Leonard took another slow sip of whiskey before answering. “It will because I’ve already made sure it does.”