She hesitated, then nodded.
No one said a word as he stepped up to the mic. In fact, the room was so quiet you could hear a candle drop. He had a feeling there were going to be a lot of candles and references to candles in his future. And he couldn’t think of anything he’d like more.
He cleared his throat. On the flight back to Vermont, he’d thought about what to say, but now all of those carefully planned words deserted him. He would have to go with what was in his heart.
“First off, Merry Christmas. It’s a very special one, and my first, of what I hope to be many, in Bayberry.” He knew he had to get to the point, as curious faces were watching him and waiting for the news. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “With Penney Taylor’s permission, I have worked this past week to put together an offer to buy the Bayberry Candle Company. I think it’s going to be a good thing for everyone—”
“Stop stalling,” called out Mr. Plummer, the newspaper editor. “Who bought it?”
Fred, who was usually quiet, spoke up. “Let Wes speak. This is important.”
Silence once again fell over the room.
Wes continued. “As I’ve already discussed with many of you, I believe the candle company can be updated and competitive once more. We have identified many cost-cutting opportunities and have already had some discussions regarding ways to expand revenues. In addition, Penney has agreed to sell a portion of the company and roll the proceeds back into the business to replace machinery and update other areas. In return, she’ll be paid back with a portion of the sales. And to answer Mr. Plummer’s question, the buyer is you. The employees of the historic Bayberry Candle Company.”
A cheer went up in the crowd. Everyone started talking at once, making it impossible for Wes to finish what he was going to say.
His gaze zeroed in on Kate, whose mouth fell open.
Wes motioned unsuccessfully for people to quiet down. He turned to Kate and motioned for her to join him at the podium. She hesitated at first but then stepped up next to him.
As the crowd continued to cheer, Kate leaned toward Wes. “How is this possible?”
“After learning how important the candle company is to you and to the town, I started to think of ways to save it. I approached your aunt about selling a portion of the company to the employees. In turn, your aunt can take the proceeds and reinvest it in the company, making the necessary repairs and upgrades.” Kate’s beautiful eyes widened as he continued to explain. “Your aunt liked the idea enough to propose it to the employees. Everyone’s agreed to invest a little in the company. We’ll work out the details and sign the papers after the New Year.”
Kate’s mouth gaped. “Thank you. It’s an amazing idea.” A smile lifted her glossy lips as tears of joy shimmered in her eyes. “I can’t believe it’s all going to work out.”
“Kate, all of these people,” he gestured toward the excited crowd, “they believe in Bayberry—and they believe in you. And so do I.” He turned back to the mic. “There’s one employee with whom I haven’t discussed this idea—and that person is Kate.” He turned back to her. “Will you join the employees in the new candle company?”
She didn’t even hesitate. “I will.” That dazzling smile spread across her face.
Another cheer filled the room.
Wes was thrilled to be the bearer of good news. But the truth was, he couldn’t have done any of this alone. He’d had the idea, but it was the people of Bayberry who were going to save their town. And he was happy about it, because he was planning to grow old here—with Kate, if she’d have him. But he was getting ahead of himself.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Was this really happening?
Had the company and its town really been saved?
Kate watched as Wes spoke to Aunt Penney and his mother. He was back. He was really here.
Kate’s heart swelled with love. Love for this town, which had pulled together to save the Bayberry Candle Company. And love for Wes, the man she’d been waiting for all her life.
Aunt Penney had been right. This was the best Christmas ever. Relief washed over Kate. Her lips lifted into a huge smile as her happiness—the love she felt for everyone in the room—radiated from the inside out.
She realized that instead of trying to save the town single-handedly, it was going to take an entire village. And Bayberry was the best village ever.
Wes turned from Penney and Martha and came over to Kate. His eyes met and held hers. Her heart started to pound. Without evaluating her actions, she reached forward and hugged him.
When his arms wrapped around her waist, she relaxed against him. This was like coming home. She was still smiling. She couldn’t stop. Not that she wanted to. Things were going to work out. She was sure of it now.
And then she whispered in his ear, “You are the best Santa ever.”
His voice was deep and full of emotion. “I had a lot of help.”
“But without you, none of this would have been possible.”
With great reluctance, she pulled back, the smile still on her lips. Wes took her hand in his and led her away from the podium.
“Wait, everyone.” Fred stepped back up to the mic. “Before we get to celebrating, I have something to say.” He looked around for Penney, who was chatting with Martha off to the side of the podium. “Penney, could you join me?”
Aunt Penney looked confused, but stepped up next to him. “Fred, what are you up to?”
He took her hands in his. “I’ve been meaning to say this for a very long time, but it was never the right time. I’ve already waited too long, and I can’t put it off a minute longer.”
Kate stifled a gasp, pressing a hand to her mouth. This was it. He was going to do it. Happy tears blurred her vision and she blinked repeatedly.
Fred dropped to his knee and held up a red velvet box. “Penney, I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. I’d love to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
All eyes turned to Penney, who had tears of joy in her eyes too. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Fred stood and swept her up in his arms and kissed her. All the while, the crowd clapped and cheered, Kate more loudly than anyone. This had been so long coming, and she couldn’t be happier for them. She rushed forward and congratulated both of them.
When things calmed down, Wes leaned toward her. “May I have this dance?”
Kate couldn’t think of anything she’d like better. “Yes.”
On the way to the dance floor, Mrs. Johnson came up to Wes and clasped his hands in gratitude. “Thank you for all you’ve done.”
“You’re very welcome,” Wes said. “Hey, I was wondering. Do you still have Rascal?”
“We do! I was hoping you’d want him. You two were meant to be together.”
“Wonderful,” Wes grinned. “I’ll come find you later. We were just about to dance.”
“Oh certainly. Go. Go.” She shooed them away. “Merry Christmas.”
As Wes led Kate to the dance floor, she just couldn’t help thinking Wes had more up his sleeve. If he was adopting Rascal, it meant he was moving.
Her heart leapt with joy. But she immediately doused the excitement. His moving didn’t mean that his destination was Bayberry. It just might be an apartment in New York that allowed pets. Inwardly she groaned. He was so close, and yet he might be so far away tomorrow.
Part of her longed to ask him his plans. But another part didn’t want to ruin this magical evening. Torn between knowing and not knowing, she decided to broach the subject later.
In the background, “All I Want for Christmas is You” started to play. Wes held his hand out to her. Wordlessly, she stepped into his arms. If they only had tonight, she wanted to make the most of it. Their bodies swayed to the music. It felt so right to have her hand resting on his shoulder and his arm wrapp
ed around her waist. She was so thankful for all of the blessings of Christmas, both big and small.
As they danced, Kate said, “Thank you so much for going out on a limb for me—for the company—for Bayberry.”
“My boss wasn’t too happy about it. He had someone else in mind to buy the company.”
“I’m sorry. I hope it didn’t hurt your chances with the promotion.”
“Well, that’s the thing. It took all this for me to figure out that I’m not cut out for a lifetime of climbing the corporate ladder. I turned down the promotion.”
Kate stopped in the middle of the dance floor and stared at him as couples twirled all around them. “I don’t understand. You wanted that promotion so much. You wanted to stay with Watson & Summers for the rest of your career.”
“I was wrong. There’s only one place I want to spend the rest of my life, and it’s right here in Bayberry. I flew back to New York to turn in my last report and resign.”
Her heart beat so loud that it was hard to hear over it. “Really?”
Wes stared into her eyes. “Really. I’m here to stay.”
This was so much information to take in at once, but she reveled in it. But then a bothersome thought intruded. “I hate to tell you this, but on the way to the dance I saw that your old house was sold. I’m sorry.”
He pulled a keyring from his pocket. “I know.”
She stared openmouthed at the keys, then at Wes.
“What? How did that happen so fast?”
“As soon as I came to my senses and realized that Bayberry is where I want to live, I called the real estate agent and put in an offer. Mrs. Harding accepted, and agreed to rent me the house until we officially close. We met before I came to the dance and she gave me the keys. She told me I could start moving in right away.”
“That’s wonderful!” This evening just kept getting better and better.
Holding her close, he stared deep into her eyes. “I knew there was something special about you all those years ago in junior high. I just didn’t know quite how special. And then I saw you sitting on your backside on the floor of the Steaming Brew—”
“You mean when you knocked me over?” She sent him a teasing grin.
“When I saw you again, you reminded me of all the things I was missing in my life. I don’t want to miss any more special moments. I want to share the good and the bad with you. I want to share everything with you. I love you.”
Happy tears blurred her vision. “I love you, too.”
He got a serious look on his face. “And there’s one more thing you should know.”
The excited rhythm of her heart slowed. She braced herself for bad news. “What is it?
“Your aunt and the employees have asked me to join the management team of the new candle company. I hope you don’t mind working side by side with me.”
No words would do for this moment. Kate had to show him how she felt. Their eyes met before her gaze strayed to his mouth. She lifted up on her tiptoes and leaned toward him. All the while her heart was pounding in her chest. If this was a dream, she didn’t want to wake up.
And then her lips found his. This was definitely no dream. It was so much better.
Epilogue
Christmas morning
It didn’t get any better than this.
Christmas in Bayberry. And there were going to be many more.
The sun wasn’t even up, but Kate was awake. She lay in the dark, reliving the events of the Candlelight Dance, from Wes’s surprise return to the town rallying to save their company, to being held in Wes’s arms.
I love you. His words echoed in her mind as her heart soared.
Last night just couldn’t have been a dream, right? She resisted the urge to pinch herself. If this was a dream, she didn’t want to wake up.
She recalled being guided around the dance floor in Wes’s strong, capable arms. And there had been that kiss. Oh, that kiss. She smiled and hugged her pillow.
She rolled over to look at the clock beside her bed. The glowing green numbers read ten after six. And there was no way she’d be able to go back to sleep. She was too excited. The last time she’d been this keyed up on Christmas morning, she’d been a young child waiting for Santa to bring her a mini bake oven. This Christmas was so much better—so much sweeter.
And then she thought of the mysterious Santa who’d been popping up around town—the Santa whom none of her friends or family had seen. She thought back over what he’d told her, and realized he’d been right. In the end, it had all worked out. Was it possible he really was Santa?
As fast as the thought came to her, she dismissed it. He was just some good-hearted man, trying to make the holidays better for people—Kate included. That was all. Nothing more.
Kate slipped out of bed. Her feet landed on the cold hardwood floor. She hurried to flip on the overhead light, then blinked, giving her eyes a chance to adjust to the bright light. If she couldn’t sleep, she could at least do something productive until everyone was up and ready for the gift exchange. She rushed to pull on sweatpants and a coordinating shirt. Casual wear was the only acceptable dress code in the Taylor house on Christmas morning.
Her phone dinged with a text message. Who in the world would be up at this hour after such a late, amazing night?
It was Wes. What are you doing up so early?
How did you know? she texted back.
Your light is on.
Last night, after they’d finished cleaning up the community hall, since everyone in their group had agreed to spend Christmas morning at Aunt Penney’s, Wes had been invited to spend the night in one of her guest rooms. Apparently, his bedroom was the one across from Kate’s garage apartment.
Kate texted, I couldn’t sleep.
Neither could I.
I’m headed over to start a breakfast feast, she told him.
Sounds amazing. I’ll help.
You don’t have to.
I want to, Wes texted. See you in a few.
She swept her hair back in a ponytail and brushed her teeth. She grabbed the presents she had for Wes, pulled on her boots, shrugged on her coat and rushed out the door. By the time she stepped into her aunt’s kitchen, Wes already had the coffeemaker going. He was a man after her own heart. She had a feeling a very happy future awaited them, especially if he remembered that she didn’t function in the mornings without caffeine.
She approached him, noticing that he had on jeans, a Bayberry sweatshirt and bare feet. His hair was a bit mussed up. And he’d never looked cuter. Her heart pitter-pattered. She rose up on her tiptoes and placed a feathery kiss upon his cheek.
He turned to her. “What was that for?”
“You started the coffee.”
His blue eyes twinkled as a smile pulled at his lips. “I think I’ll be making a lot more coffee in the future if that’s the sort of payment I get.”
She laughed. He was definitely a keeper.
He peered under her arm at the wrapped packages. “Who are those for?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” She smiled as she walked into the living room, where the white lights on the tree were already glowing. She placed them among the other colorful parcels.
This Christmas, she had learned that the greatest gifts couldn’t be wrapped up in fancy metallic papers or decorated with delicate satin bows. The best presents came from the heart. And this year, her rapidly expanding family had an abundance of blessings.
Kate turned to Wes. “I got you a few things. But nothing special.”
He stepped up to her and gazed deeply into her eyes. “You already gave me the most special present of all.”
“I did?”
He nodded and then reached into his back pocket. He pulled out the heart bookmark she’d made for him. She thought she’d lost it for good.
&
nbsp; “But where did you find it?”
“You must have dropped it when you were in my office. Your office, I mean. I found it under the desk.” He held it up to her. “It’s the best Christmas present ever.”
She shook her head as heat flushed her cheeks. “It’s just a silly little bookmark.”
“No, it’s more than that. It’s your heart. And that’s the most precious present of all. Merry Christmas, Kate.”
“Merry Christmas, Wes.”
His head lowered as she rose up on her tiptoes. Once again, they met in the middle, his arms circling her waist and his lips joining hers. Kate’s heart fluttered in her chest. This was the best Christmas ever. And it was only the beginning.
The End
Cast Iron Beef Stew
A Hallmark Original Recipe
In Christmas in Bayberry, Wes is in town to make a financial assessment of the Bayberry Candle Company. Kate, who works at the family business, isn’t sure she’ll like his report. But over a meal at Mel’s Grille—beef stew, the Tuesday special—the two get to know each other a little better. Our Cast Iron Beef Stew is a wonderful, old-fashioned winter classic.
Be sure to properly season your skillet by coating the interior with a thin layer of vegetable oil or solid shortening, then placing the skillet upside down in the oven turned to about 325 degrees, for about one hour. Place aluminum foil under the skillet to catch the oil drips–no need to clean the oven afterwards! Once your skillet is seasoned, cooking in it regularly will keep it seasoned so you shouldn’t have to go through those steps again. Don’t put your skillet in the dishwasher.
Ingredients
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
1 (1 1/2 to 2 lbs) boneless chuck roast
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
Christmas in Bayberry Page 26