A Heartfelt Christmas Promise

by Nancy Naigle

  The Falcons ran the next play all the way to the end zone and the locals went crazy. The band played a victory song and fans were on their feet high-fiving. There were even a couple of belly-bumps as the guys grunted their approval.

  She was on her feet too, but she never saw the elbow coming that slung her cup of chicken stew from her hand all down the front of her coat.

  “No!” She twisted aside, but could only move so far with everyone on their feet around her. “Oh, my goodness” followed her gasp. She grabbed for her scarf and started dabbing at the mess.

  Mike turned and his eyes went wide. “Did I? Did we just do that? Oh, no. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s fine. It was almost gone.” Not quite true, but it seemed like the right thing to say. “Oh goodness.” Now her hands were wet and sticky too.

  “Great first impression,” the guy next to him said.

  “I’ll go get you another—”

  “No. Please don’t. Not necessary,” Vanessa said. “Really. It was delicious, but I had enough.”

  “I’m sure.” He snorted. “You think that was good chicken stew, you should try mine. I’m known for the best chicken stew in this town. Your cup would have been empty, and you’d have been wishing for more.”

  “Are you bragging?” She raised an eyebrow and giggled.

  His friend nodded. “His is the best.”

  “See?” Mike said. “Not bragging if it’s true.”

  “Well, that’s a little hard to believe, because this was pretty darn good.” She held the now-empty cup in the air.

  “Naw.” He shook his head. “You just don’t know any better, and I can prove it.”

  She swept a hand over her damp coat, hoping the milk wouldn’t sour before she could find a dry cleaner. “Prove what? That it’ll taste better than what’s on my coat?”

  “Let me make you some good chicken stew. It’s the least I can do. And I promise not to spill it on you.”

  Something in the way he looked at her with his playful green eyes held her for a half second too long, and before she could stop herself, she said, “You’re on. Name the time and place.”

  The corner of his lip rose. “Right after the Christmas parade. Everyone goes. We can meet in front of the fire station around two forty-five?”

  Am I actually considering this? “Okay. That sounds fun. I’ll be there.”

  “Great.” He quickly recomposed. “Wait. You’re serious, right?”

  “Yeah. Really.” Only she had no idea why she was agreeing. Trying to look sure of herself, she took his phone from his shirt pocket and punched in her number, then hit dial. Her phone rang. “All set. Call me if anything changes.”

  “See you around.”

  She raised her hand over head in a backhand wave as she left.

  What in the world did I just do?

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Vanessa watched her step as she tromped down the bleachers. What the heck was I thinking? Reprimanding herself all the way down the stairs for agreeing to meet Mike, she almost ran straight into Buck.

  Buck caught her elbow as she swung around the pole at the bottom of the bleachers.

  “Where are you off to in such a hurry?” he asked.

  She gestured to the front of her coat. “There was a little chicken-stew accident on that last touchdown.”

  “Ew. That’s a mess. Told you we take our football seriously in this town.”

  “You did.” She laughed. “I just didn’t realize it was tackle in the stands too.”

  He tossed his head back with a hearty laugh. “I guess it kind of is. Glad you’re being a good sport about it. Can I get you some paper towels or something?”

  “No, I should say that I loved the chicken stew. However, I don’t recommend it as a perfume.”

  A man stepped up, almost inserting himself between Vanessa and Buck.

  “Talking to the enemy?” He was clearly talking to Buck, but looking squarely at Vanessa.

  “Where are your manners, Vern?” Buck turned to Vanessa. “Don’t mind Vern. He’s forgotten his manners.”

  “It’s no secret why she’s in town,” Vern said. “The meeting is right after the game. If there wasn’t something going on there’d be no reason for a meeting. What’re you about to announce, lady? Are we losing jobs? Right here at the holidays? How many?”

  “Vern. Back up.” Buck raised a finger in front of the man’s face. “Don’t get your skivvies in a bunch. You’re all wound up without even hearing their intent.”

  “It’s not good. It’s never good when they send someone down from that big conglomerate.”

  The man’s words chipped away at her good mood.

  “I told you before: AGC promised nothing would change. Y’all are jumping to conclusions.” Buck spoke with a confidence that shook Vanessa’s.

  The employee of Porter’s raised his chin and narrowed his eyes. “What about last time?”

  “Well, that guy is long gone and nothing has happened. Now, give this nice lady a proper welcome to our town.” Buck didn’t lift his gaze. “Go on.”

  Instead, the guy looked at Vanessa and shook his head. “I hope you do prove me wrong.” He turned and stormed off.

  She prayed Buck hadn’t noticed her look of shock when he’d interjected. He meant well. She was sure of it, and AGC might have promised nothing would change, might have even meant it … at the time, but things were about to change and there was no stopping it. Her heart raced. She’d have to call the office and get the original documents sent over. Was there something in the agreement that she needed to know about?

  “I’m sorry about that,” Buck said. “Uncalled for. People lose their manners these days, and it’s a doggone shame.”

  “Thanks, Buck.” An acrid taste hit the back of her mouth. How could she talk to the employees with the agenda she had when clearly there was more to this story? She lifted her phone. “I need to run. I’ve got to return this call.”

  “Sure. See you later.”

  Vanessa held her breath until she was at the exit gate. Over her shoulder nearly a third of the people in those bleachers counted on Porter’s for employment. Cheering and enjoying the brisk evening, unsuspecting of what she’d been asked to do here. But in a matter of weeks things would be very different.

  The chicken stew stirred in her gut.

  She’d sped up as her frustration grew, and, before she knew it, she was catching up to a group of people that had been way ahead of her.

  One of the men in front of her said to a woman in the group, “You know it’s never good when corporate comes around.”

  “It’s Thanksgiving week. Maybe she’s going to give out turkeys. Or Christmas bonuses. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

  “It would, but that isn’t going to happen.”

  “Don’t be so negative,” the woman said. “You get what you expect, and you always expect the worst. They promised everything would be the same. Even Buck said it.”

  “I don’t give a damn what Buck says. He doesn’t know how ruthless those people can be, else—”

  “Just stop.” The woman held her hands to her ears. “I don’t want to even talk about that again.”

  Someone at the far end of the group, closest to the street, said, “She’s not like those other old farts they sent. She’s nice. Not underhanded like they were.”

  It was Lilene proudly supporting her position. If only she knew.

  As much as Vanessa wanted to continue to eavesdrop, she ducked into the alley to avoid being noticed, and dialed Edward’s number. It went straight to voice mail.

  Really? She typed him a text:

  Vanessa: Local concern that a promise made to Porter’s is about to be broken. We need to talk.

  She stood there waiting for her phone to ring back. Edward was always good about immediately returning calls, especially ones of this nature.

  Time wasn’t on her side. She raised the hood of her coat and tucked her chin as she headed to the elementary school,
where she was supposed to be updating the employees shortly. Lilene was probably already there waiting on her.

  Vanessa wasn’t sure what that speech was going to be now. She knew what she’d been assigned to do, but if there’d been something in the contract that contradicted the plan, she sure didn’t want to be the one to turn this town upside down for no reason. There’d be long-term dissatisfaction following a faux pas like that.

  She stepped around the corner of the building and sent out a couple of emails—one to Micky, as much as she hated to do it—and another text to Edward.

  A rousing cheer came from the direction of the football field. People would be pouring down the street soon. She still didn’t have an answer, but she was running out of time fast.

  Her mouth felt as thick as if she’d had sand for dinner.

  If she’d stayed home tonight, she would have walked into an unsuspecting crowd and one hot mess.

  What if Buck was right, and Edward had confused this contract with another? That had happened once. It was years ago, but still.

  She took the alley street that ran parallel to Main, then turned left down two blocks to the elementary school. The side door was propped open. She went inside and climbed the stairs to the stage. A few people were already sitting in seats near the front.

  Standing behind the curtain, she could hear the sizzle of energy as the room began to fill.

  Why hadn’t Edward responded? All she could do now was make no promises, and appeal to their sense of community to buy some time, and prevent a disaster.

  Her project timeline might be slipping into the red already.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The last time Mike had followed a crowd into the elementary school lunchroom it had been for Misty’s sixth-grade graduation. This time he was an uninvited guest. He followed the flow of Porter’s employees from the football game into the building. He wasn’t usually the nosy sort, but with Misty being so worried over the state of Porter’s he couldn’t help himself. He squeezed by a few guys still hyped up from the win tonight to ease into a spot out of the way in the corner.

  Glancing around the room, he saw that he wasn’t the only nonemployee who had crashed this party. Lisa from the Blue Bicycle Bistro, Diane from the flower shop, even Rusty from down at the mill.

  In his mind, he envisioned them as dominoes lined up behind Porter’s. If it fell, they all fell.

  Someone placed a hand on his arm, startling him back to the business at hand.

  “Hey, Dad. I didn’t know you were coming. Come sit with us. We’re up front.”

  He followed her gaze to the front row. There was no mistaking the back of his grandfather’s head. That shock of silvery-gray hair was unmistakable. Not today. Not in front of all these people.

  “I’m going to stay out of the way and observe from back here.” Not my business anymore was what he wanted to say, but he kept it to himself. “I probably won’t stay long.”

  She pushed her hair over her shoulder. “One of these days you two have to talk again.”

  “Not tonight,” Mike said.

  “Why not? It’s almost Christmas, and it would be way more fun with the two of you … all of us together.”

  “He’s a hardheaded old fool.”

  “Dad?” She cut her eyes.

  There was a scolding tone in her voice, and he deserved it.

  “I’m sorry.” He wished he could take back the words. “This is between your great-grandpa and me. Our Christmas is going to be fine. The best ever.”

  She exaggerated a pout, which always melted his heart. “Promise?”

  He cursed himself for making the comment about his grandfather. He was usually so good about keeping all that to himself, but it just went to show that he couldn’t sweep it under the rug. It was still impacting her. “If there’s one thing I can assure you of, it’s that we will both love you … always.”

  “I know, Daddy.”

  A young woman from across the way waved a hand in the air toward his daughter.

  Misty tiptoed, waving madly. “That’s one of the girls from work. I’m going to go see her. Okay?”

  “Of course.” Wouldn’t be long before she quit asking permission entirely. He was lucky at sixteen she did. They had a good father-daughter relationship and he prayed it would last forever.

  Mike watched her dash to the other side of the auditorium to greet her friend. He tensed, preparing himself for that high-pitched squeal girls made when they got together. Always had been like nails on a chalkboard to him, but her smiling face made that easier. And there it was.

  Why do they have to do that?

  Misty was born wise, and ready to go. She’d kept him and Olivia on alert as a baby, never knowing what she’d be into next. She’d crawl out of her crib. Leave the house to go see the animals. The kid was fearless.

  Losing Olivia was hard on them both. By the time Misty was fourteen she’d been champing at the bit to work. The day she turned sixteen, she already had a job lined up at Porter’s on the retail side, like her mom had, and she loved it.

  But she had his love of horses, and that had taught her discipline. The horses kept the two of them close. He thanked God for that every day.

  It was hard not to watch as his grandfather sat in the front row talking to the people around him. He’d always been popular in this town. Even held the office of mayor when Mike was a teenager.

  Mike moved out of view of his grandfather. The curtain on the stage fluttered. He saw the back of a woman looking down on the lit screen of her phone, tapping and swiping her fingers across the screen. He wondered about people like that. He had a smartphone only at his daughter’s insistence. He’d have been happy with his old flip phone forever.

  The woman turned, and Mike’s knees gave. Chicken stew? It can’t be. But it was the woman from the ball game. Vanessa.

  Clearly there was more to Vanessa’s story than she was sharing earlier. Why didn’t I put it together before?

  Misty had her mother’s intuition. Her hunches were usually spot-on. He hoped Vanessa wasn’t about to make all Misty’s worries come true.

  Knowing that Vanessa hadn’t been entirely truthful niggled in his gut. That he’d let her capture his attention, even for a minute, bothered him even more.

  He watched as she stood behind the burgundy velvetlike curtain. Lilene walked to the center of the stage.

  She tapped the mic, sending out a loud thumpity-thump-thump followed by a squeal.

  “Sorry, y’all,” Lilene said. “Is that better?” Looking for a few head nods, she continued. “Good evening. Let’s start with a big ol’ congratulations to our Fraser Hills Falcons!”

  The room came alive with applause, whoops, and whistles.

  “That was one awesome game.” The applause faded.

  The tension was undeniable. Lilene repositioned the microphone. “We’re here tonight to introduce you to Ms. Vanessa Larkin. She’s from AGC headquarters, and she’ll be staying in town for a few weeks. It was at her request that I scheduled this meeting.”

  Everyone in the room was stoic. Lilene attempted to soften the mood by offering a joking comment. “I know there’s been a lot of speculation about why she’s here. At least we’re off to a better start with her than with the last guy. She’s not sneaking around pretending to be someone she’s not.”

  Mike nearly choked on that comment.

  A thunderous groan rolled across the auditorium.

  “Come on now.” Lilene stuck two fingers in her mouth and let out a whistle. “Let’s give her a warm Fraser Hills welcome.”

  The room quieted.

  Vanessa walked out and stood next to Lilene, but the welcome was as icy as it was outside tonight.

  “Thank you.” Vanessa took the mic from the stand. “This town knows how to do football, and chicken stew. I haven’t been to a game like that in years. It was a fun night. Congratulations.”

  Guys patted one another on the back.

  “As Lilene said
, I’m Vanessa Larkin with AGC out of the Chicago office. I don’t have a lot to share with you at this point, but I did want to introduce myself and open the dialogue to keep things as transparent as possible.”

  She paused, and the room was so quiet it was as if everyone was holding their breath.

  “I’m here because AGC has an opportunity to use some of the vacant warehouse space for growth in another area in our company. I’ll need your help as we explore this. I know change isn’t easy, but the one thing I can personally promise is that I’ll be up front with you. I’ll make every effort to convey information as we reach conclusions. Lilene will be setting up some meetings over the next week. Some of you may find that I’m reassigning you temporarily. There will be additional compensation for those tasks. Please give Lilene your complete cooperation.”

  A shout from the back broke the silence. “Let’s cut to the chase. Are we losing our jobs?” The hum in the room fell to a hush again, but heads nodded and people leaned in expecting an answer. Slowly, an unintelligible mix of conversations began to rise.

  Mike watched Vanessa onstage. She stood perfectly still except for one visible deep breath as the locals continued to mutter. Probably exchanging stories about the last layoff.

  “I—” She lifted a hand in the air, trying to regain command of the room. “I understand your concerns.”

  The sound of doubt crossed the crowd like a crashing wave.

  Even Mike doubted that this woman, dressed in her outfit that probably cost more than a month’s salary, had any idea what it was like to count on others that there’d be a job tomorrow.

  She took a step back, letting them have their moment. She moved the microphone from her right hand to her left, tapping her pants as if she were drying damp palms, and then rubbing her hand across her neck.

  “Okay, so tonight, I’m not here to raise doubts or increase the rumor mill. I need your help. I wanted to offer a good-faith gesture by introducing myself and letting you know why I’m here. Yes, I’ll be reviewing the profitability and forecasting of Porter’s, but more important, evaluating the remaining footprint, and the buildings that aren’t currently being used. It could mean new and additional opportunities for Fraser Hills. I look forward to meeting you and I will keep you updated. If there’ll be any significant changes, I’ll bring them to you in this forum so that we all stay on the same page.”