Chapter 15
“Listen up, everyone,” Bennett said, pacing along the starting line he’d drawn in the sand. “The Santa Sprint is about to begin. From here,” he turned and pointed down the beach, “to that lighthouse and back. The first one back wins bragging rights and free coffee for the next month at Java Beach.” He tugged on his red Santa hat and grinned. “And the mayor’s special reserved parking spot at City Hall through the end of January.”
Hoots and hollers burst out in the cold morning air, sounding over the ocean’s crashing waves and sending shore birds skittering. Bennett chuckled to himself. They’d soon find he’d taken the farthest spot from the front of the building.
Bennett glanced at Ivy, who was sitting by the marked starting line—a line of red chalk—cradling a cup of steaming c
