by Lori Wilde
She reached across the table and squeezed his hand, and for the first time in a long time, Evan didn’t feel so alone.
The phone dinged again. Peter texting in all caps. COME GET ME.
This time, Evan couldn’t hold back the sigh. He pushed back his chair, and Chloe followed suit. They bussed their table and were heading for the door when a tall, gangly man that Evan recognized came up to them.
His name was Rich Honeycutt, and he was the elder of Kringle Kakes. Evan remembered meeting him and his wife when he and Peter had bought that sheet cake for the Christmas Eve party that was roughly the size of Rhode Island.
“Hello,” Evan greeted him.
“Tell your boss to stop texting me,” Rich said, looking harried and irritated.
“What?” Evan blinked.
“We’re not interested in moving our business to Dallas.”
Evan shook his head. “Peter’s been trying to get you to move your business?”
“Yes.” Rich hardened his jaw. “And not just Kringle Kakes either. He’s approached the owners of Kringle Village and Kringle Kafe as well. Apparently, he’s buying a strip mall in Dallas and is looking for businesses from Kringle that he can convince to move there.”
Evan felt his jaw drop. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Rich grimaced. “I wish I was. And he’s making some wild promises.” Rich told him how Peter was making pie-in-the-sky projections about franchising the business.
Evan peered over at Chloe. She didn’t seem surprised.
“I knew he was up to something underhanded,” she muttered. “I didn’t want to believe it, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt.”
“Ah,” Evan said as the puzzle pieces fell into place. “I think I know why he had a panic attack last night.”
Chloe canted her head. “Why is that?”
“Remember the Hutchinson deal he was talking about that fell through?”
“Yes.”
“It was the strip mall.”
“Well, maybe it’s all for the best that the deal fell through.” Chloe sank her hands on her hips.
“Yeah,” Rich Honeycutt said. “Especially since none of us intended on selling to him. Maybe he’ll stop texting me now.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” Evan told Honeycutt. “I’ll make sure he gets the message that you aren’t interested in hearing from him further.”
“I appreciate it.” Rich nodded and headed out the door.
Leaving Evan and Chloe staring at each other.
“I know he’s your boss,” Chloe said. “But I disapprove of Peter’s behavior.”
Me too, Evan thought. Me too.
And just like that, all the tossing and turning he’d done the night before coalesced into a firm decision. “I’m going to resign today.”
“What?” Chloe blinked. She looked surprised but pleased. “Really? Are you sure? I know you’ve worked hard to get where you are. You shouldn’t do something rash.”
He shook his head, certain that this was the right choice. “I’m not being rash. It’s been eating at the back of my mind for a while, although I didn’t fully realize it until I came to Kringle and saw how he’s acted.”
“But how will you make a living?”
“I have a good reputation as a lawyer, and finding another job at another corporate law firm shouldn’t be an issue, if that’s what I decide I want.”
“If?”
“I’m not sure what I want except that I no longer wish to work for Peter. I don’t approve of how he conducts business and how he treats people, and I don’t want to be associated with him anymore.”
Chloe gave him a sweet smile, then went up on tiptoes and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
“You are an extraordinary man, Evan Conner,” she whispered.
And in that moment, he felt like the king of the world.
* * *
Evan took Chloe home and went to pick up Peter. His boss spent the entire drive back to the rental house grousing about how awful his care had been and how glad he was to get out of that hick-town hospital—to use his words.
He waited until they’d gotten into the house and Peter settled on the couch before he broke the news that he was resigning. “I’ll have my resignation letter to you by tomorrow morning. I’ll finish up the current cases I’m working on, but after the first of the year, I am gone.”
Peter scowled. “You can’t just quit out of the blue.”
“But I am.”
His boss’ eyes narrowed, and Evan could see his mental machinations as he searched for a way to manipulate Evan.
“The firm counts on you,” Peter said.
“You’ll hire someone to take my place,” Evan said calmly, reasonably.
“But you’re special.” Peter leveled him a winsome look. “You get me like no one else.”
“Exactly,” Evan said. “Which is why I’m leaving.”
Just that quick, Peter’s mood changed. His smile disappeared, and he hopped to his feet, snarling. “I can ruin you.”
“You forget, I know where the bodies are buried.” Evan used the figure of speech, referring to some of Peter’s shadier business dealings. He hoped he was looking a lot calmer than he felt. Inside, he was shaking like a leaf, but he couldn’t afford to let Peter view him as weak. “I can ruin you just as swiftly as you can ruin me. It’s in your best interest to let me go without a fight.”
“You’re making too big of a deal out of this,” Peter said, back to wheedling. He waved a dismissive hand. “So what if I tried to make a few bucks by getting some of the local businesses to move to Dallas? Big deal.”
“You don’t consider people’s livelihoods a big deal?”
“Pfftt.” Peter waved a hand over his head. “They’ll do way better business in Dallas than they do here.”
“That’s not universally true. You know as well as I do that many of those businesses only thrive because they are in Kringle. If you move Kringle Kakes to a strip mall in Dallas, it’s just one more bakery, and odds are it won’t make it. But here in Kringle, it’s the only bakery. It’s a bakery that specializes in Christmas treats in a town that’s known for Christmas.”
“I didn’t make any promises,” Peter said. “They know the risks.”
“Yes, you made promises,” Evan reminded him. “Rich Honeycutt said you promised he’d be able to expand and even branch off into franchises in a few years, but you know that his chances of that happening are almost nonexistent. I’ve looked at the numbers. The bakery would be doomed if it moved.”
Peter shrugged. “Since when do you care about a bunch of local yokels? So what if Honeycutt failed? All I needed to do was guarantee that I could fill the strip mall.”
Lots of responses occurred to Evan, many of them including curse words, but he let it go. He didn’t feel like fighting with Peter. He had his own life to focus on, a life that for the first time in years excited him.
“I’m staying in Kringle until after Christmas,” he said. “So, I’ll be here for your party. After that, I’m gone.”
He headed toward the door, turning at the last moment to add a final thought. “You know, Peter, you and I could both learn something important from the people in this town. Life shouldn’t be just about deals and money. Love and happiness are a lot more important.”
And with that, he left the room before he could hear whatever snarky comment was on the tip of Peter’s tongue. He’d heard enough from his soon-to-be ex-boss over the last few days to last him a lifetime. He no longer wanted to hear anymore from him.
He had plans to make.
Chapter 9
It was Christmas Eve, and Peter’s party was in full swing.
Chloe glanced around the foyer of the Madison house. The place looked terrific. Rather than hiring a fancy big city firm to handle the decorations and catering, Evan had hired the Kringle Kafe owners, Sandy and Walter Hughes.
Sandy told her this morning that they hadn’t even considered e
xpanding their business into catering until Evan had explained how they could grow their income through it. They’d ended up hiring on three part-time employees to help with the catering tonight, and they hope to add catering as a service option permanently.
“The place looks amazing,” her mother said, coming to stand next to Chloe. “Sandy and Walter have a real flare for decorating, and the food is so yummy. Did you try the rumaki?” Ruby kissed her fingertips. “To die for. I’m so glad Evan hired someone local.”
Chloe was happy about that too. She’d heard through the grapevine that Peter had returned to Dallas and Evan was now in charge of the party. Supposedly, Peter was ticked off at Evan for resigning, so he’d hired a town car service to drive out from Dallas to pick him up.
Chloe was glad Evan had quit. No matter what he did, he deserved much better than a life of constant work that he’d had with Peter.
Happy that Peter was out of all their lives, Chloe followed her mother through the crowded living room to the dining area. Here the Hughes had done another great job decorating with snowflakes and tinsel theme.
As they’d feared when Peter bought it, the Christmas tree had proven too big to move inside the house, so it was now standing in the middle of the backyard looking more than a little ridiculous. The company Evan had located had done a marvellous job decorating it, but Chloe still preferred the sweet little tree they’d set up at her house.
“I hear Evan is asking around about planting the tree after the party,” Ruby said.
It stunned Chloe. “I didn’t know that.”
Ruby nodded. “I don’t think he wanted to tell you until he was certain, but apparently if done right, some Christmas trees can.”
He impressed Chloe. Evan had been busy during the last couple of days.
Her mother moved farther into the house, and Chloe followed. From the family room, she heard beautiful voices singing.
“He hired a choir?” she asked.
Ruby nodded. “I heard from Jolie Stuart that Evan hired the high school choir to sing. He’s paying them enough that they can afford their spring trip to Galveston. I know I keep saying it, but that’s only because it’s true. Evan Conner is a really nice man, and I’m glad he came to Kringle.”
“Really? He did all that?”
Ruby nodded.
“I’d like to thank him for being so kind.”
“There he is. Go tell him.” Ruby nodded.
Evan had come through the door, a stack of firewood in his arms and a dusting of snow in his hair. His head was thrown back, and he was laughing at something Rich Honeycutt had said. Rich had come in behind him, also carrying firewood.
In that instant, Evan’s eyes caught her gaze and held it.
Chloe’s heart jumped into her throat, and she froze, overcome with an overwhelming emotion. For just a heartbeat, she stood still, trying to make sense of what she was feeling.
He deposited the firewood on the hearth, dusted himself off, and turned to her, a twinkle in his dark eyes.
Her breath stilled.
Then she knew what she was feeling. She was falling in love. The sensation washed over her like a warm summer sunshine.
He was the kindest man she’d ever met other than her father. He was an exceptional person who accepted responsibility and tried his best to be honest, and she couldn’t wait to get to know him better.
Despite everything that had happened with Peter, he had stayed in town and made sure the party was a hit because the people of Kringle were expecting a celebration. He’d done it the right way, involving the town and allowing them to enjoy the party. He’d considered how he could help, not how he could tear down.
This party was his gift to the town…and she could tell from the gentle smile on his face, his gift to her as well.
Something of what she was feeling must have shown on her face because her mother laughed softly. “I told you that time would tell. You should go to him, haul him off to a nook or cranny, and let him know how you feel.”
Chloe looked at her mother, uncertain what to do next. “But what if he doesn’t feel the same way? I know he likes me. We’ve both admitted that several times, but what if he isn’t falling in love with me the way I’m falling in love with him?”
“Then your heart will break,” her mother murmured. “But it will have been worth it. Nothing is more important than love, and love is worth the risk. Go take it, daughter.”
Chloe knew her mother was right. Love was worth the risk.
* * *
Evan looked at the two people who tugged him into the kitchen right when he’d been about to sweep Chloe into his arms and kiss her under the mistletoe.
Kitty and Dwayne Madison hadn’t been home to Kringle since they’d moved their candy company to Dallas five years ago at Peter’s behest.
But they were back now.
“I am so happy you’ve arranged all this, Mr. Conner,” Kitty said for probably the tenth time since they’d arrived at the party.
Evan didn’t mind her saying it again. Kitty and Dwayne were pleased with how everything was working out. “Please call me Evan,” he invited. “I’m happy that you and Dwayne are happy. It’s a good deal that works for everyone.”
Dwayne nodded. “We were dying in Dallas. Lost in a sea of other candy companies. There was nothing special about us there. By moving, we lost what made us special. Kringle. People loved ordering from a candy company with the return address of Kringle, Texas. The town makes folks want to buy Christmas candy from us. Once we were in Dallas, no one cared.”
Two days earlier, when Evan had called the Madisons to find out how things were going with their candy company, it didn’t surprise him to discover how miserable they were.
They wanted to retire and return to Kringle, but their company, that had once done a booming business in Kringle, was dying on the vine in Dallas. The promises Peter had made them had never materialized. In fact, they’d laid off most of their employees because they were struggling.
But things were different now.
“Are you ready to go break the news to the rest of the town?” he asked, looking over his shoulder at the crowded family room behind him where people had been gathering to listen to the choir.
“We are.” Mr. Madison nodded and took his wife’s hand.
Evan signaled for the choir to stop after they finished their current song. Then he walked over to the normal-sized tree he’d had delivered and set up at the house the day before.
He lifted his arms. “Hello! Could I have your attention?”
The crowd quieted as every eye in the place fixed on him. Almost everyone was smiling at him, and he felt such a hit of pride that he’d put smiles on their faces. He scanned the group until he saw Chloe and smiled at her.
“We have an announcement to make.” He motioned for Kitty and Dwayne to join him beside the tree. “I realize that introductions are unnecessary since most of you know Dwayne and Kitty.”
A chorus of hellos and welcome backs emanated from the crowd.
“I’ve asked Dwayne and Kitty to join us tonight because we have some big news,” Evan said, holding Chloe’s gaze. “I’ve bought Kringle Kandy, and I plan to move it back to Kringle. I’m going to do a few updates and modifications, but based on my projections, and the contract commitments I’ve already secured, I expect the business to grow over the next few years.”
People started cheering before he’d even stopped speaking. It took some time to get everyone settled down again, but eventually, he managed it. “I plan to stay on in Kringle and run the business,” he told the crowd, grinning specifically at Chloe. “I’ve decided I like this place and the people who make Kringle what it is.”
Another cheer went up through the group, and the crowd surged forward to shake his hand and clap him on the back. Evan wanted to break free and go find Chloe, but he knew that was going to take some time. He didn’t want to be rude to these people. He liked and respected them.
But he could
n’t help wishing a certain vet would come find him.
He had a few announcements to make to her as well.
* * *
Chloe felt desperate. She needed to talk to Evan—alone.
Townsfolk had overrun him after his announcement, and now she couldn’t even see him. He was no longer in the family room. Where had he gone?
She walked through the house as quickly as possible, scanning each room for him. As more time passed, her anxiety grew.
Where was he? He couldn’t have gone far.
She had to find him and tell him how she felt. Tell him that she was falling in love with him and find out if he felt the same way. Just knowing she might lose him made her heart ache. It was hard to believe that she could be falling in love with someone she’d only met a little over a week ago, but she was.
But how did he feel about her?
She just wasn’t certain, and her knees were rubbery with fear. What if he didn’t feel the same way?
When she finally found Evan, he was standing outside, looking up at the humongous tree. Chloe slipped out the back door and walked over to join him.
“Hey there,” she murmured.
Evan didn’t seem surprised to see her. He smiled. “Hey there, yourself.”
She stepped closer to him, her heart thumping crazily.
Without saying another word, he gathered her close and kissed her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. She poured all the love she felt for him into her kiss and hoped he could feel it too.
When they finally pulled apart, she smiled at him. “That was a friendly welcome. I’ve missed seeing you the last few days.”
Evan hugged her closer. “I’ve missed you, too, but I needed to take care of a few things.”
“I’ll say.” She gestured back at the house. “I hear Peter went back to Dallas,” Chloe said, trying to work up the courage to say what she really wanted to say.
“Yes, he wasn’t happy when I quit, so he decided he would have a better chance of having a perfect Christmas back in Dallas.”
Chloe studied Evan. For a man who had just quit his job, bought a new company, and was upending his entire life, he seemed downright jovial. He had a wider smile on his handsome face than she’d ever seen.