The man pulled a bright red bandana out of his pants pocket. “Are you telling me that Nick and Dora aren’t in North Pole anymore? This is disastrous! Completely disastrous!”
Mari stood and walked over to the man, and taking him by the arm, brought him into the office. She helped him into one of the chairs in front of the desk. “Why don’t you tell me what is wrong and let’s see if we can fix it.”
The man looked up at her. “Who are you again?”
“I’m Mari Christmas and I’m the new head of the park.”
The man just stared at her. “Well young lady, unless you can get Nick and Dora here the week after New Year’s you probably won’t have a park to be head of anymore.”
She was shocked at the statement the man was making. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m Mayor Goldie Wilson and what I’m talking about, young lady, is that there is, as always this time of the year, a motion before the town council to not renew the license allowing your park to operate next year. This happens every year and every year your aunt and uncle would come to the town council meeting and remind the council members of their own personal histories with the park. Thus showing them why the park need to stay open. Without those connections I’m afraid that councilwoman Hollingsworth may be able to get the votes she needs to shut down Santa’s Village.”
Mari dropped into the seat beside him. “How?”
The mayor looked at her. “She tries this every year and has for the last eleven years. I don’t know why, all I know is Mrs. Hollingsworth, one of the town’s richest and most influential women has been trying to shut down the park that long. She makes a motion every year that the city not renew the business license for the park. She states that it is outdated, unsafe and an embarrassment to the community.”
“That not true, my family makes sure that the rides are kept up to date on inspections and safety checks. Repairs are made every year. We keep the park clean and organized. I’ll admit that some of the rides are old, but they are classics or working antiques like the carousel. I can provide all the documentation on the inspections and repair.”
The mayor waved his hand. “It won’t matter. What sways the council every year is the reminder of the connection the park has with the lives of our citizens and even more so with each of their families. Without your Aunt and Uncle to share those stories Mrs. Hollingsworth will most likely win.”
Mari felt determination to prove this man wrong. “When is this hearing going to happen?”
“We have to post about the motion in the paper for four weeks so that puts us right in the middle of the Christmas season. I can postpone it because of that but no longer than the first Tuesday after the new year.”
Mari pulled up the calendar on her phone. “So, January fourth then?”
The mayor looked at her phone and nodded. “Yes ma’am, that would be right.”
“Then I’ll just have to find a way to remind the town council of the importance of the tradition of the park some other way and I have just over a month to do it.”
The mayor shook his head and opened his mouth to tell her again how it was hopeless, but Mari held up her hand. “I know what you are going to say but I will find a way. Now if you’ll excuse me you’ve given me a ton of work to do on top of running the park this season.”
The man, still shaking his head, stood and took Mari’s hand and shook it. “All I’ll say is good luck, young lady. You’re gonna need a miracle.”
Mari forced a smile. “Well at least I know what to ask Santa to bring me this year.”
The mayor chuckled. “I guess you do.”
He turned and walked out. Mari waited until she was sure he was gone and then started to call her aunt. Before she could hit send on her phone another knock came at her doorway. She really needed to hire a secretary at the very least if she was going to get any work done. Mari looked up into the face of a young lady just a few years younger than herself. A very pretty young lady with dark hair and eyes. “Hi, I’m looking for Mr. or Mrs. Christmas.”
Mari sighed, she figured this was going to be happening a lot. “They moved to Florida last week. I’m their niece, Mari, and I’m running the park now. Can I help you?”
The girl smiled. “Hi, I’ve heard a lot about you, Mari. I’m Vivian Hart. I’ve worked for your uncle and aunt since I turned fifteen.”
Mari’s brow wrinkled; the girl’s name sounded familiar, something her aunt had told her just before they left. What was it? Oh right! She saw the pink sticky note she’d put on the desk. This was the girl who’d taken advantage of the college scholarship program that the family had instituted for local teens who worked at the park. “Vivian, I’ve heard about you too. I’m assuming that you’ve come to see if you can work through the season again?”
The younger girl nodded. “Yes, it’s part of the scholarship I received, you know. Working when I’m not at school.”
“I’m familiar, come in and have a seat, let’s get to know each other. I’ve only been here a week and I could use your knowledge on the park. Plus, I could use a friend if you think that’s something you’d want to try.”
Vivian giggled. “You can never have too much knowledge or friends, at least that’s what my brother always says.”
Mari smiled and sat with Vivian in a small seating area off to the side of the office. “So, what have you done for my uncle and aunt here in the past?”
“Oh, I’ve worked just about every job there is in the park over the years. Last year I was in charge of the daily ticket offices. But I’ve worked at every ride and attraction in the park at times and I filled in as needed last summer too.”
Mari was becoming more convinced that Vivian was exactly what she was needing. “So you know the park well?”
Vivian nodded. “I do, it’s my favorite place and I love working here when I’m home.”
Mari smiled. “What are you studying and where?”
“I’m taking Hospitality Management at UM. I graduate in May.”
That clinched it, this girl was exactly what she needed. “Well I know you were a favorite employee of my uncle’s so you definitely have a job this season while you’re home, but let me ask you a serious question. What do you want to do when you graduate?”
Vivian looked down at her lap. “I don’t know now. Originally your uncle told me I could have a management job here after I graduated to get some experience.”
Mari reached out and put her hand on Vivian’s. “I’m putting you on payroll for right now as my personal assistant through the season. When can you start? Because we are in a mess.”
“What do you mean?”
Mari told Vivian about the city council meeting and what the mayor had told her. When she was done Vivian looked at her. “I have some ideas that I tried to explain last summer to your uncle and aunt but they couldn’t see the benefit of them. However, I have to tell you that you may not want to hire me. I just found out yesterday, but Mrs. Hollingsworth is my grandmother. She disowned my mother when she married my dad but after their deaths she tried to have the court appoint her as my guardian. Thankfully my parents will made it very plain that my brother was to be my guardian.”
“Tell me your ideas that my uncle and aunt didn’t understand. I don’t care who your grandmother is; I can see in your face you love this park and that’s what I need, people who love it like Uncle Nick and Aunt Dora did.”
“What are the job responsibilities of your personal assistant? I mean, I don’t want to be a secretary.”
Mari shook her head. “That not what I’m looking for. I need to hire a secretary obviously, but I’ll call a temp agency for that right now. I need you because you know the park and I don’t. You know my uncle and aunt and how they worked. You know most of the employees I’m sure, and I need someone who can help me figure out how to prove that the park is safe and up to date and worth keeping open.”
Vivian sighed. “That’s going to be a huge task. Your uncle and aunt we
re old school so nothing is computerized. That’s one of the first changes I’d make is bring in a computerized time card system and maintenance schedule. Also, you really need a social media presence and a website that allows people to buy tickets and season passes and schedule their trips here. The park has none of that.”
Mari was shocked. “We don’t have a website or Facebook page?”
Vivian shook her head. “Nope, not even a basic one.”
“You’re right, we need to fix that right away. Let me call our accountant and see what kind of funds we have and get you on the payroll. Then you and I are going to an electronics store and buying a couple computers. One for my office and one for the front office. I’ll grab a laptop and a few tablets too, so we can keep in touch throughout the park.”
“If you’re going to do that you’ll need to get internet installed and signal boosters put throughout the park as well. There’s no internet in the park at all right now.”
“Well that’s an easy fix. I’ll get that started right after I get off the phone with the accountant. I’m glad you came in today Vivian, I think you’re going to be a big help in my running the park and updating things in the next month.”
“I hate to ask but how much am I getting paid for this job? It doesn’t sound like the part time gig I thought I would be doing.”
Mari smiled. “No, you are full time as of right now unless you need to go and then I’ll want you to start tomorrow. I’m paying you eight hundred a week starting now.”
“I need to call my brother and let him know I’m starting now; for that much money I’m all yours, Mari. But please call me Vi and not Vivian.”
Mari stood and hugged the girl. “I’d love to call you Vi and I think we’re going to be a great team.”
“I think so too. I can’t wait to get started.”
“You take the desk out front for now and call your brother. Then start making a list of the things we need to do to get an online presence and having the park be brought into the twenty-first century while maintaining that classic feel. I want to honor my aunt and uncle’s commitment to the family fun of the park while making it so your grandmother can never say we aren’t up to date again.”
Vi nodded and moved to the front office while Mari called up the accountant. She’d see what software he wanted them to use for accounting purposes too while she was on the phone.
Chapter Three
I t was thanksgiving morning and Beau was tired. He’d worked hard to get all the morning chores done so that Jasper and the hands could have the day off. The cattle in the fields were fine and had all been moved into the lower pastures away from the hills earlier in the week. There was snow forecasted in the next few days and it wouldn’t do any good to lose part of the herd to a blizzard. So he was physically tired and yet Vi had come and drug him out of bed. She wanted him to come with her so that they could watch the parade in town as it went from the high school to Santa’s Village Park.
He knew that in her new job as Personal Assistant to the park’s CEO she needed to be there to make sure everyone was lined up and in order. He also knew she wanted him with her because to them holidays were for family. It had been one of his biggest statements after their parents’ death. He didn’t mind spending the time with her but he wished he didn’t have to get up early to do it. “Why do I have to go this early with you, squirt? I mean, why couldn’t I just meet you for the parade closer to the time for it?”
“Because we might not find each other in the crowd. I want to spend the day with you, Beau. Don’t be a grumpy butt today. Remember Mari is coming over to spend Thanksgiving with us.”
That was part of his problem. He didn’t really want to have Vivian’s boss spend the day with them but he knew she was all alone for the holidays and while Vi worked for her they were becoming friends as well. “Yeah how could I forget. You’ve reminded me every day since you invited her.”
“Well I know you; if I don’t get you used to the idea before she gets here you’d have been preoccupied and then acted rude to her. This way I know you remember she’s coming and will be on your best behavior. Don’t make me sic Mrs. Betty on ya. Or even worse: Jasper! They both know how you get and they’ll jerk a knot in your tail if you upset our guest.”
Beau sighed. “I get it, she’s your boss and your friend. Her family is strung all over creation and she has to stay here because it’s the park’s busy season. I’ll be nice to her. I promise no grumpiness in front of our guest.”
They put on their coats and headed into town. Vi took her little Volkswagen bug, that was a classic car now, because the park wouldn’t be open until noon and she and her boss both were working until the park closed at five. Which was fine with Beau, it would give him a chance to go home and look at his investments and make changes for the new year. He’d managed to make quite a bit and even his sister would be surprised to know how much their trust was worth now. He’d not spent much, just on whatever Vivian needed. Once she graduated he’d sit down with her and show her how much she was worth. He knew she wanted to work at the park as a manager but the truth was they could probably buy the park and she could be the owner. Of course, now that she was friends with the new CEO she wouldn’t even think about buying the park. Which was fine with him. While he loved that the park had great memories for him and Vi he wasn’t really a big fan of the crowds it brought during the year, especially between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
He parked along the side of the road about a thousand feet from the high school knowing that the parking lot was where the floats and parade participants would be staged. Once that job was done he knew his sister would want them to drive over to the amusement park so they could meet up with her boss for the parade. They’d be watching from just outside the park gates like every year. The one thing he knew his sister wouldn’t change were their traditions. Those were sacred to the two of them. It was one of the things that had helped them make it through after their parents’ death. The traditions they created for themselves. Like watching the parade right outside the park gates and the end of the route. Following Santa into his workshop after and having Vi’s picture taken.
Yes even now that she was in college they still had her picture taken sitting on Santa’s lap. Beau had every year from her tenth until last year tucked away in an album of his favorite photos of her. One day when she was married and the tradition passed to her kids instead of her, he’d show her children the pictures of their mom sitting on Santa’s lap just like they did. He honestly didn’t know if he was looking forward to that time or not. He was because he knew Vi wanted a family but he wasn’t because he didn’t want to think of her falling in love, getting married and moving away. What would he do then when she was no longer his to look after but some other man’s?
Beau shook his head to get that melancholy thought to leave and plastered on a smile as he watched his baby sister bounce as she skipped into the parking lot. She pulled out her iPad that her new boss had handed her the second day at work and started barking out orders to the drivers and leaders of the various floats and groups.
He shook his head and smiled. His sister was no nonsense when it came to her responsibilities and he himself took pride in the fact, knowing that he’d raised her well. Mentally he thumbed his nose at the Hollingsworths, who may have been his grandparents but had over and over again told anyone who would listen back when they were trying to gain custody of Vi, that he wouldn’t be able to raise the girl as young as he was. Her success was his success. He may be her brother but he was as proud as any parent could have been to see her becoming the woman she could be.
Soon enough she had everyone checked in and lined up. She turned them over to the grand marshal of the parade who would get them started on time and she and Beau headed for the park to meet Vivian’s boss.
Beau stood just past the turn that would be the last turn the parade took heading into the parking lot at Santa’s Village Park. He was looking toward the park watching
for Vi to come back from going to find her boss. He had yet to meet the new CEO of Santa’s Village Amusement Park, but his sister talked about her new boss and friend all the time.
He heard Vi calling him and looked up to see her skipping along with the most hilariously dressed person beside her. It was hard to tell if it was a man or a woman. He knew that Montana was cold but this person who he assumed was his sister’s new boss was dressed like she was going on an arctic expedition. She had on one of those super thick coats that made her look like the Michelin man. It also looked like she was wearing snow pants and boots. As the two of them got closer he could see she even had her head wrapped in one of those thermal head wraps that covered everything but her eyes. He fought to keep from laughing. The new boss obviously wasn’t from the northern part of the United States; in fact, based on the way she was dressed he’d say she was probably from the deep south.
Vivian and the woman got to where Beau was standing. “Mari, meet my big brother Beau. Beau, this is my friend and boss, Mari Christmas.”
He tried so hard to fight the smile knowing that being named that she’d had to have been teased her whole life. Mari focused on him and he was blown away by her extremely blue eyes. With every other part of her covered in her winter gear, her eyes and a small strip of her face around them were the only part of her he could really get a look at, but her eyes were hypnotic, captivating and he found himself mesmerized by them. “Go ahead and laugh. I know how ridiculous my name is.”
He grinned. “I can’t imagine the teasing you had to put up with. Why in the world would your parents name you Merry Christmas?”
“Not Merry or Mary but Mari with an I. It was after my mom’s favorite aunt growing up. She didn’t even think about the fact that people would be yelling Merry Christmas at me my whole life.”
Music Box Christmas (The Ornamental Match Maker Book 3) Page 2