11
Jack stretched in bed in his cottage near the beach. The brisk air seeped through the window he’d left open last night, and it felt good against his burning limbs.
As a man who made his living with a laptop and a sketchpad, every formerly complacent muscle in his arms and torso screamed in agony. Why had he allowed Cole to goad him into a competition yesterday? At least they’d finished the set pieces in record time, and he’d managed to do one more than Cole.
It was a small elf for the final scene, but that little rascal counted. And it made a difference to Leo, who was keeping score.
Leo had been proud of him. That was a warm feeling Jack had never known before. His son had complete faith in him, and he never wanted to disappoint him.
Jack swung his aching feet onto the floor and f
