Even she’d been tempted to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him her Christmas wish. But what was her wish? To save the company? Yes, but there was something else she wanted—something she hadn’t allowed herself to think about since her split with Andy—a family of her own.
Wes’s image came to mind. And then she dismissed it as quickly as it had come to her. He’d told her what he wanted more than anything: a promotion at his job in the city. He wanted to remain in New York and stay with the company. And so she couldn’t let herself fall for his dreamy blue eyes or flirtatious smile. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy, as there was something about Wes that was just so easy to like.
But once bitten, twice shy, as they say. No way was she going to get left behind again. She’d learned her lesson. She would wait until a good guy came along who loved Bayberry as much as she did.
Even though it was Sunday, she made her way to the office, anxious to discover the results of last night’s sale. She did a preliminary tally of the warehouse and internet receipts. They were impressive, but not as impressive as they’d have been if she’d been more conservative with the discount or limited the number of items sold at a reduced price. She regretted letting her desperation for a large shopper turnout drive her to give deep discounts. It wouldn’t happen again. She made a mental note for next year.
Still, the money they’d made gave her hope. This was hands-down the biggest sale in Bayberry’s history. Somehow, some way, they could save the candle company.
But she knew if she were going to make that happen, she needed some help. She picked up the phone and dialed Wes’s number. When he didn’t answer right away, she worried that she’d called him too early. She checked the clock. It was just barely seven. Some people liked to sleep in on the weekends. She disconnected the call.
Kate tried to make herself comfortable in her office, but it was virtually impossible, as Wes had stuff piled everywhere. But she was hesitant to move the stacks of papers, folders and binders, as she was afraid he’d lose his place. There was no way she wanted to make this job harder on him.
And so she pulled the files from her desk drawer and moved to the conference room, where she had the big long oak table all to herself. She’d just refilled her coffee and sat down when her phone rang. It was Wes. She was expecting him to be half asleep and grumpy that she’d woken him up.
She braced herself. “Hey, Wes.”
“Sorry. I was in the shower when you called.”
“It’s fine. I just wanted you to know that the party last night renewed my drive to save the company.”
“I was thinking about it while I was out jogging.”
“Jogging? In this weather?” She glanced out the window at the falling snow.
“It was a really nice run. Usually I’m on a treadmill in the city, but it was nice to get out and enjoy the fresh, crisp air. Do you run?”
“I, um, used to. I haven’t in quite awhile.”
“You should join me tomorrow before work.”
“That would be nice.” The words passed her lips before she calculated just how early in the morning she’d have to get up to run, shower and make it to work on time. “Can I think about it?”
“Sure. It’s an open invitation.” He cleared his throat. “You called. Did you need something?”
“Oh, yes.” She’d gotten so distracted that she’d totally forgotten her reason for calling him in the first place. “I’ve done a lot of thinking since the sale—”
“It was just last night.”
“I know, but I was excited and couldn’t sleep. We did really well, and I want to keep up the momentum. I had some thoughts I wanted to run past you.”
When he was quiet, she added, “If you help me, I promise to make this up to you.”
“Kate, you don’t have to bribe me. I’ll do what I can to help you.”
“But now you have a surprise to look forward to.”
“I’m meeting my mother for brunch. Can we get together after that?”
“Yes. That would be perfect. I have some more things I want to look at before you get here.”
“You’re already at the office?” He sounded shocked.
“Yes. Remember, I couldn’t sleep. My mind was racing, so I decided to put the time to good use. I have a company to save.” Anticipating his response, she rushed on. “Don’t say it. When it comes to the future of this company, I intend to prove your projections wrong.”
“I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
“Too late.” Kate doodled a heart next to her list of possible cost-cutting measures. And then, realizing what she’d drawn, she scratched it out. “My mother always said, you have to have faith that things will work out. My aunt says that good thoughts aren’t enough. You have to back them up with actions. I’m doing both.”
After they hung up, Kate realized that none of her ideas so far were big enough to significantly impact Bayberry’s bottom line. Another cup of coffee and a clean sheet of paper, and she sat there determined to plan a way out of this predicament.
Brunch was over.
Their coffee cups were almost empty.
Wes leaned back in his chair at Mel’s Grille. It was his favorite food stop in town. Not that the Italian restaurant and the burger joint weren’t good. They were. He just preferred Mel’s. He wondered if he could find something like it in New York, near his office.
Wes finished his coffee and then set aside the empty cup. “Mom, it’s so good to see you. I have to admit you really surprised me. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to Bayberry?”
She smiled at him. “Because I didn’t want to mess up your plans.”
“My plans?”
She nodded. “It seems like every time we try to meet up, you have other obligations, and we miss each other.”
Guilt hit him like an avalanche of snow. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve been working hard. But I promise it won’t always be that way.”
His mother’s smile faded and worry reflected in her eyes. “Your father used to always say the same thing—after this job, he’d settle down—or after this promotion, he’d be able to stay put. I know he believed those words when he said them, but circumstances always changed and we were forever moving around, never settling down and putting down roots. And I know how hard it was on you. But I just hope you’re not staying with your current company because you don’t want to be like your father.”
“That’s not it.” He said the words too quickly, too vehemently. His mother arched a brow. He sighed. “Okay. Maybe that’s part of it.”
“Are you really happy at your job?” Her gaze searched his.
“I am. I might even get a promotion.”
“Another one?” When he nodded, his mother smiled brightly. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks.” His mother’s happiness meant the world to him. He’d always strived to make her proud of him. And he had something to tell her that he hoped would make her extremely happy. “Mom, it means so much that we’re together for Christmas.”
His mother reached out, placing her hand over his. “I feel the same way. It’s why I cancelled my travel plans. I couldn’t think of any other place I wanted to be.”
“If I get this promotion, we’ll be able to see each other as much as we want.”
His mother’s brows drew together. “I don’t understand.”
“This promotion means you’ll be able to move to New York. We’ll find you the perfect apartment—”
“Wesley.” The way she said his name let him know she wasn’t pleased. “What makes you think I want to live in New York City?”
He opened his mouth and then closed it without saying a word.
“Oh Wes, I wish you’d said something sooner. I would have told you that I want something quieter, a slower pace of life.”
He searched
her face. “Are you saying you don’t want to be near me?”
“Not at all. But I’d rather it be someplace like Bayberry.”
He rubbed his jaw as he considered what she’d just told him. And then his eyes met hers. “Are you sure? I mean, we can find something outside of Manhattan.”
His mother shook her head. “I’ve decided where I’m moving. It’s going to be my last move. I want to put down roots. It’s time.”
“Where?” He wasn’t sure he wanted the answer.
“Right here in Bayberry. I should have done it years ago.”
His mother was moving here? When his report would most likely recommend closing the town’s primary employer? His jaw tightened. This assignment was getting more complicated with each passing day.
“Wes, what’s wrong? I thought you’d like the idea. I’ll be closer to you.”
Obviously, his thoughts were transparent on his face. He swallowed hard and did his best to relax his facial features. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m happy to have you close by. We’ll be able to spend holidays together.”
His mother smiled. “I can’t wait. This is going to be such a special Christmas.”
Unless the Bayberry Candle Company was forced to close its doors. He shoved aside the troublesome thought.
Not sure what to say, he checked his watch. “It’s getting late. I’ve got to get to the office.”
The frown returned to his mother’s features. “It’s the weekend.”
He reached out, giving her hand a squeeze. “Don’t worry. Kate asked me if I could stop by and help her with something.”
His mother’s eyes widened. “Well, in that case, don’t let me hold you up.” She shooed him away. “Go. Enjoy your afternoon.”
He headed out the door to find the sun shining brightly, but with the freezing temperature, the snow wasn’t going anywhere. He pulled a pair of sunglasses from his jacket pocket to help with the glare.
How had he been so wrong about his mother? He’d thought for sure that she’d be up for a new adventure. And what could be more exciting than living in the Big Apple?
Maybe she just needed some time to think about it. That was it. When she realized how great it’d be if they lived in the same city, she’d change her mind.
The walk to the candle company wouldn’t take him long at all. That was one thing he loved about Bayberry: everything was within walking distance. But there were so many other things to love about it too. Just then Mr. Plummer, the newspaper editor, approached him.
The men greeted each other as they kept walking in opposite directions. A moment later, Mr. Plummer called out to him.
Wes turned back. “Yes?”
The man studied him. “I was wondering if you had any leads, or perhaps a quote for the paper.”
Wes knew what the man was fishing for, but he decided to play dumb. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Sure you do. You’ve been in Bayberry for quite awhile now. Surely you must know if the candle company—the heartbeat of this community—has a future.”
Wes liked the guy—he really did. And he also knew the editor was just doing his job. “Mr. Plummer, you have to realize that I can’t comment on my job.”
“But surely you can confirm that you’re here to determine the future of the candle company.”
“I can’t confirm anything. Now I’m late. I must go.” And with that, Wes walked away with determined steps.
As he passed other Bayberry residents, he smiled and waved. They returned the gesture, but he could also see worry in their eyes. It was apparent that news of his assignment had gotten out. Everyone was concerned, and he couldn’t blame them. Nor could he give them the reassuring words they were desperately hoping to hear.
That bothered him. Sure, he’d been in similar situations before, but not with people who’d welcomed him to their town—people he was getting to know on a personal level. This was hard—very hard.
Usually he came to a city, did his work, kept to himself, submitted his report and left town. He wasn’t around to see the devastation that the report could wreak on lives. But here in Bayberry, he didn’t have to submit his report to know what would happen should the findings be negative. And Kate’s aunt had already told him that she didn’t have the personal resources to bail out the company—not that he would ever recommend such a thing.
He was still thinking this all over when he arrived at the office. As he strolled through the holiday-decorated building, he found Kate in the conference room. She had a mug of coffee on the table, as well as her laptop, a tablet, and a bunch of crumpled papers. She seemed to be deep in thought, to the point that she didn’t notice him standing in the doorway.
“Knock knock.”
Her head jerked up. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”
“It must be pretty serious.”
“It is. I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the company. And the sales yesterday were good, but they could have been better if I hadn’t offered such a large discount.” She stood, grabbed her cup and headed for the half-empty coffee pot. “Can I get you some?”
He shook his head. “I just had some.”
She refilled her mug and moved back to the table, where he joined her. “Kate, I know you really want to save the company, but you have to realize that one night of great sales isn’t going to be enough—”
“I know. And now that I know about the company’s trouble and your evaluation, I want to do every single thing I can to save Bayberry. I can’t let our employees down.” She turned to him. Her eyes stared straight into his. “But I need to know where to start.”
Wes sighed as he raked his fingers through his hair. He was not used to getting drawn into saving a company he was evaluating. He should just back away. It’d be the smart thing to do. But would it be the right thing?
He was beginning to see that it was impossible to separate Kate from the business she loved so dearly. It left him in the position of telling her that he couldn’t help, and walking out on both her and the company. Or he could roll up his sleeves and help her.
His gaze searched hers, making his heart pound harder. What was it about this woman that got to him? There was just something about the way Kate smiled, the way she wore her heart on her sleeve and how she cared so much for the people around her that drew him to her.
“Please.” Her eyes pleaded implored him. It was his final undoing.
“Okay. But I’m not sure if there’s anything that will work.”
“I have to try. So many people are counting on this company—including me.”
“Kate.” He waited until he had her full attention. “I want you to understand that the company is in serious trouble. There might not be anything you can do to save it.”
“If the company goes under, so will the town. I couldn’t live with myself knowing I hadn’t done everything in my power to save it.”
He made the mistake of gazing into her big green eyes. It melted away his resistance.
With a resigned sigh, he said, “Let’s see what we can come up with.”
They started with the results from last night’s sale. And he had to admit it had been a success. Kate proposed another sale, but Wes slowed her down. Too many sales, too close together, would produce diminishing returns.
“What else do you have?” he asked.
“Well, the supply contracts are up for renewal.” She slid a stack of papers in front of him. “I’ve gone over all of them, and each supplier has requested an increase. Some are asking for as much as ten percent more.”
Wes glanced down at the contracts. “Where are your quotes from competing vendors?”
“I don’t have any. My family has been doing business with these companies for years. My aunt has known most of them since she was just a girl. It wouldn’t be right to go behind their backs.”
“Kate, this is business.”
“I know that, but there’s also such a thing as loyalty.”
He paused. “I’m going to tell you something, and I know you’re not going to like it.”
She frowned at him. “Then why say it?”
“Because I think you need to hear it, and then you can do with it what you will. Sentimentality has no place in business.” When she went to protest, he held up his hand, stopping her. “Let me finish. You are amazing, and you have a generous heart. You want to see the good in everyone, even me.” He smiled reassuringly. “But when it comes to business, you have to close off your heart and think more like a shrewd businesswoman.”
“I…I don’t know. It doesn’t sound like me.”
“It’s not easy. I get that. But if you want to protect Bayberry, some tough decisions must be made.” He looked her directly in the eyes. “Are you up for the challenge?”
“I’m just not sure about upsetting our regular suppliers.”
“Trust me. They’re all familiar with this process.”
“But—”
“It’ll be fine. Trust me.”
He shouldn’t be doing any of this. Saving a company wasn’t part of his job duties. He was supposed to give an impartial report. If his boss had a clue what he was about to do, Wes could kiss his promotion goodbye.
He didn’t stop. He didn’t hesitate. Instead, his fingers moved over the keyboard of Kate’s laptop. There was something about Bayberry and its residents that had him anxious to do whatever he could to help the town survive.
He looked at Kate. Most of all, he didn’t want to let her down.
Chapter Sixteen
This went against everything she’d been taught growing up.
It had been impressed upon her from an early age that loyalty meant everything.
Kate was torn between faithfulness to the suppliers she’d been doing business with for years, and doing what was needed to save Bayberry. Sometimes adulting was so tough. Still, what would it hurt to prove that the companies she did business with wouldn’t take advantage of her?
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