by Sabrina York
“What happened?” Gina asked. Angel laid down next to her and Gina rubbed her belly.
“She left Angel in her car and went into her store. She had a grand-mal seizure and hit her head on the desk when she collapsed. A business neighbor noticed Angel. Apparently, she was howling and digging at the door. Her nose was bleeding because she kept trying to get out. By the time they got the door opened, the interior was torn to pieces.” Holly leaned against Juliet’s leg and Juliet stroked her head. “She’d made it all the way to the metal and her paws were a mess.
“They opened the car door and Angel shot out and ran to the store door and shoved it open. Except it was too late. Her owner didn’t make it. My breeder was notified and immediately went to retrieve Angel. She’s had her for three months. Angel adapted well, only time will tell on whether the experience will scar her. The breeder asked if I’d like to have her. She seemed convinced Forever Christmas would be the perfect forever home. I said I would take her, but only if I could give her to you.”
Gina wept once again as she comforted her new puppy.
“You need to decide before you get attached. Angel needs a home where she can feel safe. And she’ll still need to be trained like any other dog. You’ll need to be patient with her and always keep her history in mind.” Juliet said. “I would certainly understand if this is not what you want. But if you decide to keep Angel, next week the breeder will come here to meet you.”
“She’s mine now. I’ll train her, give her a happy life, and love her endlessly. Thank you, Juliet.”
Juliet grinned at the two of them.
“What?” Gina asked.
“I told our breeder that’s what you’d say.”
2
“Excuse me, Owen.” Owen Brock’s administrative assistant knocked on his office door.
“What is it, Barb?” Owen asked.
Barb cracked open the door. “I’m sorry to bother you. I know you need to get to the courthouse. I explained that to Ms. Brock, but she insists on speaking to you.”
“Rose?”
“Yes, sir. She claims it’s urgent.”
“Of course it is.” Owen sighed.
“Would you like me to—”
“No need. Putting up with the wrath of my sister is not in your job description. I can get rid of her, put her through.”
Barb nodded and closed the door. Owen’s phone buzzed almost immediately.
“Hello, Rose. I’ve told you before. Stop bullying my assistant. I don’t intend to have another assistant quit due to your harassment.” Owen closed his eyes and shook his head. If only he could make it through just one week without hearing from Rose. Well, he could always wish.
“That’s nasty,” Rose said in a clipped tone. “I’ve been perfectly reasonable when dealing with your mealy-mouthed assistants!”
“My point precisely. Now what is it you need? I have to leave for court shortly.”
“You need to come home.”
Here we go again. Owen could swear he could set his clock to this same song and dance.
“I’m not coming home, Rose. I have a firm to run. My home is here. In Phoenix. Where it’s warm and sunny.” And there’s no way he’d be traipsing all the way up the west coast to spend even one day in the frigid cold.
“This isn’t for me. It’s for Mother.”
“Are you telling me she asked you to call me?” Owen already knew the answer.
“Not specifically,” Rose stuttered for a second. “She’s not doing well, Owen. She keeps talking about our family’s heritage. She’s going on and on about reclaiming what is ours. Really, Owen. You must come home. The holidays are just around the corner.” Rose didn’t even take a breath and allow him to say a word. “This could be her last Christmas. You would never forgive yourself if it is and you don’t come home. And I won’t forgive you!”
And there it was, he thought. The world was Rose’s domain. The rest of the human population was an irritant or a servant or both. He dropped his forehead into his hand.
“Owen. Are you still listening? You really must come home.”
“I’ll take a look at my schedule.” He hated acquiescing to his spoiled sister. He’d done it his entire life, because it was just easier. It’d only gotten worse with their father’s death and now their mother’s illness. Maybe Arizona wasn’t far enough. Maybe he needed to move to another country. Nevertheless, Rose certainly knew how to press his buttons. She always had. If his mother really was declining, it would tear him apart if he missed spending this season with her. “I need to go.”
“Are you coming home?” Rose insisted.
“I’ll let you know. Goodbye, Rose.” He ended the call before she could take in her next breath.
He checked the time on his phone, picked up his briefcase, and walked out of his office.
“I’m sorry, Owen,” Barb apologized.
“It’s hardly your fault I was cursed with a she-devil for an older sister. I haven’t been able to wrangle her for thirty-three years. Please don’t leave me because of her!”
Barb smiled.
“Could you see what I have on my schedule over the holidays. If you can, clear everything starting next week and continuing through New Year’s Day,” Owen said. “See if I can pawn a few cases off to some of the junior partners, and I’ll handle the rest long distance. My mother isn’t doing well. I think her illness may be progressing. I may have to make some changes with regards to her care.”
“Right away. I’ll send you a tentative schedule, so you have it when you return from court.”
It was late in the afternoon when Owen stepped off the elevator to his floor. Barb was busy at her desk. This time he’d found a gem of an assistant. Nothing slipped past her. She handled crises better than anyone he’d ever worked with.
“Did you win?” Barb smiled and looked up at him.
“Did you have any doubt?” Owen liked their relationship. They were friendly, easygoing, and still professional. When an emergency arose, Barb was the one to handle it. Yep, she was a find and he wouldn’t allow his sister to run her off. “I took a glance at my schedule. It looks doable.” He dropped his briefcase into a chair and pulled another closer to her desk.
“I agree. It won’t even take much reshuffling,” Barb said. “I can handle anything you need from here.”
“I know you can. Nonetheless, if I’m leaving for the holidays, I intend for you to take some time off and spend it with your loved ones. Take two weeks for Christmas and New Year’s. It’s your decision when you are off, just let me know when you decide.”
“What if you need something and I’m not in the office?”
“If it’s an emergency, I’ll call your cell. You do the same. I insist you take the time. Consider it a gift for the brilliant work you do. It’s settled. Two weeks, paid holiday. At least one of us should enjoy the Christmas season.”
Barb fell back in her chair.
“I don’t know what to say, other than thank you.”
“My pleasure. You’re going to need the vacation. We’ll be working some extra-long days this week.”
“Would you like me to make your travel plans?” Barb asked.
“Please. Travel during the holidays is brutal.”
“Are you taking the company jet?”
“I wasn’t planning on it, but now that you mention it, I think that’s best. Please let the pilot know. And if there’s anyone that couldn’t get a flight or have last minute plans to head up the coast for the holiday and wants a ride, there’s room for at least three people. Let them know they’ll have to find their way back. The pilot is returning home as soon as he drops me off.”
“That’s unbelievably kind of you, Owen.”
He squinted his eyes and shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
“Should I assume you’ll be staying at your mother’s?”
“Not if I want to stay sane,” he chuckled. He relaxed back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest and looked
up, thinking. “I believe I read something about the old Christmas Tree Farm changing hands. And something about an inn or house there. Would you look into it and book me a room?”
“Certainly. Under your name?”
“No. I want to stay incognito. Maybe I can hide for a few days before Rose discovers where I am.” He gave her a half smile.
“Mr. Brown, then?” She smiled back.
“At your service, ma’am.” He saluted on his way out the door.
3
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Ivy said as she entered the spacious foyer of the main house. “And this must be Angel.” Gina twirled around at the sound of Ivy’s voice. She ran over and hugged Ivy. Angel remained sitting on her bed behind the desk.
“Thank you. I can hardly believe it. I feel like I’m walking on clouds,” Gina said. “Where have you been? I’ve missed you. We were all disappointed that you missed our decorating party. But we understand your husband comes first.” She patted the side of her leg and Angel ran to her side and followed the two women into the café.
“Mason has been working himself to death. We had a long conversation last night.” Ivy petted Angel, who was leaning on her. “I suggested Mason hire a part-time doctor to help him, or at the very least a nurse practitioner.” Gina poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Ivy. The baker appeared with a tray of warm, sliced cranberry spice loaf. “How does he do that?” Ivy asked as the baker disappeared back into the kitchen. “And how do you keep from putting on thirty pounds from the luscious scent alone?”
“I usually steer clear of the café during particular hours.” Gina giggled and joined Ivy at the table. “Are things with you and Mason okay?”
“They are amazing,” Ivy said. “The honeymoon stage is wonderful.” Ivy made mooneyes.
“You and Mason will always be in the honeymoon stage. You’re a lucky woman, Ivy Weatherly.”
“I am. Sometimes, when I first wake up in the morning, I get this sudden panic. Like it’s all a dream and I’m waking up in one of the tiny rooms at one of the shelters I spent time in. I don’t ever want to wake up.” Ivy licked a warm cranberry from her finger.
“You two deserve each other. You’re both loving people and I’m lucky to have you for friends. What I want to know is when you’ll have a new schedule for work? I miss our lunches.”
“I’ve worked here and there on a few pieces at the shop. I just left Juliet. We’re going to try out a new tentative schedule. It should work out fine.”
“Barring no major catastrophe or epidemic in Glennville or neighboring towns,” Gina said.
“Bite your tongue. Enough about me. I’m here to find out what big plans you have now that you’re the manager of over half of the tree farm.”
“I was thinking about that exact thing when you strolled in. At the very least, I’m going to need a few more employees and especially a couple more bakers, and another full-time chef, along with back-ups. I plan on hiring a fully trained cleaning staff in the next couple weeks.”
“Juliet told me that you finally have all twelve of the guestrooms remodeled,” Ivy said. She got up from the table and grabbed the fresh carafe of coffee that had just been brought out. “How are you doing on the decorating?”
“All the remodel is complete, but the six rooms on the third-floor still need to be decorated. When those are finished, we’ll have a total of twelve guest rooms. And since we’re nearly fully booked until January third, I have no time to waste.”
“Mason told me that Colton’s builders have completed some of the guest cabins up at his ski resort,” Ivy said. “Could you talk with Colton’s assistant and see if you could refer guests to the resort?”
“His builder has finished seven of the cabins and they too are booked through the season. Colton has a waiting list. In addition to the café, they were discussing putting in a full-service restaurant in the ski resort’s main lodge. But he and Juliet thought it best to hold off. They want to see how this holiday season goes with just the main house’s café. Hence the need for additional staff. Between our guests and the ski resorts guests, this place is gonna be nuts at breakfast time and probably most dinners, unless guests go into Glenville. I’ve suggested a shuttle running between here and the ski resort. They both loved the idea.”
“Boy, you’re going to have your hands full.” Ivy shook her head. “I hear you’re planning on renaming, or should I say, naming this place.”
“That’s first on my list. It’s high time this majestic Victorian was called something better than ‘the main house.’”
“Do you have any ideas?”
“Funny you should ask. I was pondering that exact thing when you walked in.”
“And?”
“And I think the name of this house should have a meaning, maybe even some history. I was studying the reception desk. It’s an amazing piece. But all I know is that it’s an antique walnut bar from a local tavern. You wouldn’t happen to know anything more about it, would you? I’d love to find another piece like it to add to the house.”
“I like where you’re going. And I think I can help you. Juliet said it was the very first piece she added to this house. She said there were other pieces she would’ve loved to have, however her budget was limited. And if I’m not mistaken, the owner of that tavern passed away a few weeks ago.”
“I guess that idea is off the table,” Gina said.
“Why would you say that?”
“Because the tavern will go to the owner’s heirs.”
“He doesn’t have any heirs. You need to get into town more.” Ivy laughed. “It’s a wonder all the local nitty gritty you hear, even just walking down the street. The property has been free and clear for years. The owner left instructions to pay for any outstanding funeral costs not covered by his savings to be made up by selling off any remaining furniture. The building was to remain intact and returned to, and I quote, ‘the rightful owner.’” Ivy made air quotes with her fingers.
“What does that mean?”
“That’s the mystery.” Ivy shrugged her shoulders. “No one knows for sure. The town historians were instructed by the owner to figure it out.” Ivy looked at the time on her phone. “And, if I’m not mistaken, the first time the tavern will be opened to allow the public access to make purchases will be in one hour.”
“One hour. Shoot. Della doesn’t come in for another three hours.”
“I could watch the front desk until she gets here,” Ivy offered.
“I can’t ask you to do that.” Gina shook her head as she picked up the empty dishes.
“You didn’t. I have my sketch pad in the car. It will be a good opportunity to do some sketching.”
Gina drove to the opposite end of Glenville and turned down a single lane dirt road. A couple miles later she stopped in front of the old tavern. Had she not read the sign, she wouldn’t believe this was a tavern. She stared at the house, or in her eyes, the mansion. It was a neoclassical mansion, like the one Mason purchased last year for his medical clinic. Six enormous white pillars stood two stories high. They supported a massive rectangular front porch with a peaked roof. The rest of the roofline was flat and sported a white railing edging all exterior sides of the roof. There were multiple sets of French doors which served as windows and opened onto the roof. Unlike Mason’s mansion that had brick siding painted white, this house was red brick. But graffiti marred the once glorious home.
Gina got out of her car just as her phone beeped. Juliet’s response to her question appeared: I’m jealous. If I didn’t have a list a foot long, I would’ve insisted on coming with you. The budget you requested is more than reasonable. It would be wonderful to acquire further items. I have one request. Two years ago, I fell in love with a stunning oil painting of that mansion, before it was converted into the tavern. If it’s still there, I would love to have it for the main house. Enjoy. Juliet.
A painting. What a perfect find that would be. Gina locked the Tahoe’s doors. As
she headed for the mansion, the front door swung open.
“Good afternoon,” said an older woman. “It looks like you are the first one here. Come on in and have a look see. I know it’s going to get busy soon and things will go quickly.”
“Thank you,” Gina said. “Did you know the owner?”
“I did. He was a very sweet man and he was my neighbor for over twenty years.”
“I see. It’s a shame he had no heirs to leave this magnificent building to.”
“It is.” The older woman agreed. “Nonetheless I have faith that the right owner will come along.”
“You don’t happen to know who that might be yet, do you?” Curiosity got the best of her, and Gina let the question slip out.
The woman chuckled at her question and her eyes lit up. “No. But knowing the owner, it will be an interesting thing to witness. He was a lover of mysteries and I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t know all along who this beauty would end up with.”
Gina’s excitement deflated as she looked around what she could see of the main floor. There were tables, along with an everyday looking, well-used bar, pool tables, shuffleboards, and a couple jukeboxes among the rest of equipment one would expect to find in a bar.
“Do you need equipment for a bar or maybe a pool table for your house?” The older woman asked.
“No, I don’t. I was hoping to find something different,” Gina said. “I’m the manager of the main house at Forever Christmas. It would’ve been wonderful to add some similar items to the antique walnut desk that’s now the centerpiece of our foyer. We could also use some nice antique items for the guestrooms.” Gina ambled around the room. “I’m not surprised everything sold two years ago.”
“You ladies have done such wonderful things for Forever Christmas and Glenville.” She held her hand out to Gina. I’m Mrs. Byrd and I’m so happy to finally meet you…”
“I’m sorry. Where are my manners? My name is Gina Jamerson. It is a sincere pleasure to meet you.”