Christmas in Bayberry

by Jennifer Faye

  “Thanks. Merry Christmas.” Wes made his way out of the office.

  Jan came rushing up to him. “Did I overhear you correctly? Are you really leaving us?”

  He nodded. He had thought he’d be a wreck, wondering if he’d done the right thing, but he was calm and certain. He’d made the right decision, and if he had to do it over, the only thing he’d do was follow his heart to Bayberry sooner.

  “Oh.” Behind the woman’s round glasses, there were tears in her eyes. “You’re going to be missed.”

  “I’ll miss you too. And your mother’s baking.”

  Jan dabbed at her eyes. “I just can’t imagine never seeing you again. You’re just like one of my kids, only better behaved.”

  He knew what a great honor that comparison was, and he didn’t take it lightly. “Maybe you and your family could come visit. After all, Bayberry isn’t that far away. And they have a wonderful B&B.”

  Her eyes widened. “I love that idea. So tell me, is there a certain young woman involved in this decision?”

  “As a matter of fact, there is.” He smiled when he thought of Kate.

  Jan clapped her hands together as an answering smile lit up her face. “I knew it. I’ll be expecting a wedding invitation—”

  “Slow down. It hasn’t gotten that far. But when it does, consider yourself invited.”

  Jan beamed. “I’m so happy for you. Can I give you a hug?”

  “Of course. Merry Christmas.”

  After they embraced, Wes headed for his desk and booked himself on the next available flight back to Vermont. Next, he placed a very important phone call to the Bayberry real estate agent, Mary Trimble. The call didn’t take long. And then he set to work cleaning out his desk. It was surprising how little personal stuff he kept there.

  Not much longer, and he’d be at the airport waiting to board his flight home. Home. The word sounded good to him. And this time, home meant more than a place to hang his coat and rest his head at night. This time, home meant love and friendship, and so much more.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Kate sat on the couch with a single light on.

  There was no Christmas music playing. There were no Christmas movies on the television. And the Christmas tree was darkened.

  Her holiday spirit had deserted her.

  It was Christmas Eve. The most wonderful, magical time of the holiday, and she was supposed to be getting ready for the dance.

  Her gaze moved to her phone. There had been no word from Wes since he’d left town. She told herself not to expect to hear from him again. His life was in the city, and all she’d been was a distraction on a business trip. Nothing more.

  Though it had felt like more to her. She couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss, and how much fun they’d had. Their time together had meant so much more to her than she thought possible.

  There was no point in going to the dance alone. She wouldn’t be able to paint a believable smile on her face. And the town had really come together to put on the best dance ever. They deserved to enjoy it.

  Her gaze moved to the dress her aunt and Wes’s mother had made for her. It was hanging near the front door on the key rack. They’d draped it in plastic to keep it clean until she put it on for the dance. She didn’t know where she would wear it, but she promised herself that she wouldn’t let their efforts go to waste.

  She couldn’t just sit here. She needed to do something. Cleaning? Yes, she would clean and work out some of her frustration. And after all the baking she’d done for the holidays, her kitchen could use a good going-over.

  She moved to the kitchen and flipped on the lights. Once the water was steaming hot, she filled the sink and added some cleaning fluid. The lemony scent filled the air and gave her a boost of energy. She grabbed a dish cloth and set to work, clearing one countertop at a time, before washing the backsplash and then the counter. The more she thought about Wes leaving, the harder she scrubbed.

  She didn’t know how long she’d worked at it before there was a knock at the door. She wanted to ignore it, because she knew her aunt would want to know why she wasn’t ready for the dance. And Kate didn’t want to get into why she wasn’t going. She didn’t want to discuss Wes.

  Knock knock.

  Whoever it was wasn’t going away. Kate tossed the cloth in the sink, wiped off her hands and crossed to the door. When she swung it open, she was surprised.

  “Carrie, what are you doing here?”

  Carrie, wearing a midnight blue satin dress with crystals embedded on the bodice, ran her gaze over Kate’s black yoga pants and sweatshirt. “That’s what you’re wearing to the dance?”

  “Of course not.” Kate opened the door wider. “Come in.”

  Carrie stepped inside and closed the door against the cold winter evening. “A little dark in here, don’t you think?”

  “I was in the kitchen cleaning.”

  “And you forgot about the time?” Her friend wore a surprised expression. Everyone knew the Candlelight Dance was the absolute biggest event of the year. No one forgot about the dance.

  “I’m not going.” Kate turned and returned to the kitchen.

  Carrie followed, hot on her heels. “What do you mean you’re not going? If it wasn’t for you, there wouldn’t even be a dance. You have to go.”

  Kate shook her head as she wrung out the dish cloth to wipe down the stove. “It’s not a good idea. I don’t want to ruin everyone’s good mood.”

  “Is this about Wes? I heard through the grapevine that he went back to New York.”

  Kate shrugged. “He completed his work. It was time for him to leave.”

  “Just like that, he’s gone?” When Kate didn’t respond, Carrie asked, “He’ll be back, right?”

  Kate shrugged again. She didn’t want to have this discussion. Not at all. “I don’t know.”

  “Didn’t you ask him?”

  She lowered her gaze as she tried to keep her emotions in check. She swallowed hard. “I didn’t talk to him. He left me a voicemail. He sounded like he was in a big hurry.”

  “Did you tell him you wanted him to stay?”

  Kate scrubbed extra hard, making the stovetop gleam. “I don’t want to talk about him.”

  Carrie sighed. “Hiding from your feelings isn’t going to help.”

  Kate stopped cleaning and turned to her friend. “I’m not hiding. He’s the one who left.”

  “Yes, but did you ask him to stay?”

  “No. His career is in New York. He’s going to be an assistant vice president. How could he skip out on that? I knew what I was getting into. He never said he’d stay.”

  “But things have changed between you two. You love him. And he loves you.” When Kate started to protest, her friend held up her hand. “You can’t deny it, because it’s obvious to anyone who sees you two together.”

  Did everyone think that? Was her love for Wes that obvious? For so long, she’d been denying it to herself. Had she denied it so thoroughly that Wes couldn’t see it either? Did she need to tell him?

  Kate worried her bottom lip as she considered what her friend had said.

  “Kate, you need to call him. Tell him.”

  “I don’t know.” Would it change anything? “I need time to think.”

  “You two belong together. You’re just fighting the inevitable. He’ll be back. Just wait and see.”

  Her friend was so confident that it made Kate want to believe her. Maybe she should call him. It wasn’t as if they’d parted on bad terms. If nothing else, they could catch up on what was going on with each other—his work and her…her dance. He was bound to ask how it had gone. What would she tell him?

  “I’ll call,” she said. “But not yet.”

  “Okay. Have it your way, but you still have a dance to go to.”

  “Carrie, I can�
��t.”

  “Yes, you can. Everyone adores you. We need you there. And tonight is about Christmas, community and love. Please come.”

  Kate’s gaze moved to the dress still hanging by the door. Carrie followed her eyes. She rushed over to the dress and took it off the hook.

  “You have to go, if nothing else to wear the dress that your aunt and Wes’s mother took time to make just for you. The whole town is waiting to see you in it. You don’t want to disappoint them, do you?”

  Kate shook her head. She’d already disappointed enough people.

  “Good.” Carrie gently propelled Kate toward the bedroom. “Go get changed. I’ll wait.”

  Kate took the dress and headed for the bedroom. She couldn’t believe Carrie had talked her into going. But it would certainly beat staying home, thinking about the candle company and mourning Wes’s absence.

  She was soon dressed. She did her makeup, and then Carrie fixed her hair in a festive style that included long barrel roll curls. She finished her outfit with earrings made of red bows and jingle bells.

  Kate moved to the mirror. Aunt Penney and Martha had outdone themselves. Kate’s gaze moved down over the simple white bodice with short sleeves. She’d added a sterling silver locket she’d inherited from her mother. Inside was a picture of her as a baby and one of her father as a young man. Kate’s fingers touched the pendant as a wave of love and loss, in equal parts, washed over her. It didn’t matter how many Christmases came and went, she still missed her parents.

  She lowered her hand, smoothing it down over the high-waisted band of satin. It transitioned into a pleated full navy blue and bronze-striped midi skirt. And when she twirled in front of the mirror, it fluffed out just a bit. She laughed when she realized that after all these years, she loved it when her skirts fluffed up like a princess gown. Maybe there was still some childhood wonder left in her, but was it enough to believe in miracles? Was her aunt right? Would this be a great Christmas? Or was it just wishful thinking on her aunt’s part?

  “Wow! You look amazing.” Carrie’s voice drew Kate from her thoughts.

  “It’s all thanks to Aunt Penney and Martha. They did an incredible job. It fits perfectly.” And then, just because she could, she twirled in front of the mirror once more.

  Carrie smiled at her. “It’s good to see you enjoying the moment.”

  “I’m trying.” Inside, her heart ached for what might have been if Wes hadn’t left. But for tonight, she would put on a happy face. “We’d better go, or we’ll be late.”

  “Agreed.”

  They rushed out the door. Since the hall was close by, they opted to walk, as parking would be absolutely impossible. They decided to carry their heels and change into them at the dance. And so in her red coat and snow boots, Kate followed Carrie down the apartment steps.

  They walked up Moose Way, where the sidewalks had been shoveled. They cut across on Valley Lane. At the intersection of Flatlander Way sat the old Victorian house where Wes had grown up. It was when they neared the For Sale sign that Kate came to a stop. There was a “Sold” banner on the sign.

  For just a moment—a very brief moment—she wondered if Wes had bought the house. She knew how much he loved the place. He would be so happy living there.

  In the next moment, she dismissed the idea. She was being utterly foolish. He was gone. His home—his future was in New York. Kate’s vision blurred. She blinked repeatedly.

  “What’s the matter?” Carrie asked.

  Kate swallowed the lump in her throat. “The house.” Her heart sank down to her fuzzy-lined snow boots. “It’s been sold.”

  “Must have just happened. I didn’t hear anyone mention it at the diner. I wonder who bought it?”

  Kate’s eyes stung. It was the final sign that Wes wouldn’t be back. Her hope that he’d return to Bayberry was slipping away with each passing moment.

  “Kate, are you all right?” It took Carrie a moment to put it together. “Wait. This is Wes’s childhood home, isn’t it?”

  Kate nodded and then started walking again. It wouldn’t help to linger. She was sure that whoever had bought the house would be happy there. It just wouldn’t be Wes.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Could this really be the last Candlelight Dance?

  An arrow of sorrow pierced Kate’s heart.

  And as much as she admired her aunt’s brave and optimistic attitude, she couldn’t help but worry. Kate looked around the room. So many people worked at the candle company. Would the buyer spare their jobs?

  “You look like you lost your best friend.” Worry reflected in Carrie’s eyes.

  That’s how she felt. Still, Kate forced a smile. “I’m fine. Go ahead in. I’ll be right there.”

  As she hung up her coat and slipped on her silver heels, she sighed. She had to do better than this. She’d told Aunt Penney she would trust her. After all, Aunt Penney cared about these people as much as she did. Her aunt would do what was best for Bayberry.

  With an effort, Kate shoved her worries to the back of her mind. If tonight was to be Bayberry’s final dance, she wanted to make it the best. And so she decided to concentrate on the here and now. Not the past and not the future, but this dance, and all the wonderful people who’d made it possible.

  As she moved further into the great hall, she automatically starting searching the crowd for Wes’s face. It took her a moment to realize what she was doing. She gave herself a mental shake. He had done his job and returned to New York City.

  The hall was full of townspeople, young and old alike. Compliments abounded over Kate’s new dress. And she gave full credit to her aunt and Martha. They were so talented, they could actually go into business together.

  The dinner went smoothly, and everything tasted amazing. The covered dish idea had worked out after all. Everyone had brought their favorites, and there were smiles on every face.

  Aunt Penney’s gaze caught hers from across the room. Her aunt smiled, and then winked. It was the reassurance Kate needed.

  Still, her thoughts turned to Wes. He should be here. He’d helped create this special evening. The ache in her heart was still so fresh, so raw. Her eyes stung with unshed tears. She blinked them away.

  Just then “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” finished playing and the DJ took a break. Aunt Penney, in a festive red dress, and Fred, in a dark suit, red tie and Santa hat, moved to the podium. As they stood side by side, Kate thought fondly that they looked awfully cute together.

  Kate was happy to see Fred moving without a limp, though she suspected he hadn’t been as injured as her aunt had let on. Aunt Penney had been doing some matchmaking with her niece and Wes. But even with her best efforts, it hadn’t worked out for them.

  Fred took the mic. “Welcome to this year’s Candlelight Dance. I know it’s a bit different than it’s been in the past, but I think this year is the best. What do you think?”

  There was a round of applause.

  Fred cupped his ear. “I can’t hear you.”

  The applause grew louder, and there was some cheering. Kate couldn’t help but smile. Wes’s idea to take the dance back to the community and let them participate in the preparations had worked out so well. She wished he were here to see it. He would have been proud.

  “Thank you for coming,” Fred continued. “This is a very special year, as the whole town came together to make this tradition a reality, and you all did a mighty fine job. Give yourselves a round of applause.” Thunderous applause reverberated off the walls. Once the clapping died down, Fred said, “And now Penney would like to say a few words.”

  Aunt Penney stepped up to the podium. “Merry Christmas. I’m so glad you all could make it. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without everyone in Bayberry coming together. My family, well, they started this town. And I’m so grateful they did. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere
else. You all are the best.” Aunt Penney swiped at her eyes and took a deep breath. “Look at me, getting all weepy. Anyway, I know there’s been a rumor going around town about the candle company being in financial trouble.” She paused. “It’s true.” A gasp went over the crowd, then Aunt Penney continued. “But I want to assure you all that we are not closing. I think the man who saved Bayberry should tell you more.” Aunt Penney pointed toward the back of the room. “Could you make room for him?”

  Kate, standing near the podium, turned as the crowd parted, and there at the back of the room stood Wes. Her heart launched into her throat. He’s back. He’s back. It was all she could think. But what did this mean?

  Wes immediately sought out Kate in the crowd.

  She looked absolutely stunning. Her long red-brown hair was curled and hung around her slim shoulders. Around her neck hung a silver locket that glinted beneath the lights. The white bodice of her dress fit her curves and connected to a knee-length skirt showing off her legs. And on her feet were delicate silver heels.

  Wow. She took his breath away.

  Kate was all he wanted for Christmas—if she would forgive him for slipping away to New York without speaking to her face to face. He had a good excuse. But would she hear him out?

  When his eyes met hers once more, his heart beat erratically. She stared back at him with confusion.

  Just seeing her, he knew he’d made the right decision. He’d never been more certain of anything in his life. The next thing would be to convince Kate that they belonged together.

  He started for the podium, but he couldn’t resist stopping beside Kate. Their eyes met again and held. “I was right,” he murmured.

  “Right about what?”

  “You are the most beautiful woman in the room.” He loved how the color rushed to her cheeks.

  “Wes—”

  “I know you have questions, and I promise to answer all of them. Just let me do this one thing first.”