A Heartfelt Christmas Promise

by Nancy Naigle

  “No, Anna. I’m fine. I had my seat belt on. All I hurt was my pride—and your car, which I will take care of pronto.”

  “No worries about the car,” she said, placing a hand on Buck’s arm. “Buck said he has a car I can use while we’re here. It’ll all work out. Our time together is all that’s important. I’m so glad you ended up in Fraser Hills for Christmas this year.”

  “Me too. It seems to have all worked out just as it should.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Monday morning Vanessa sat in her office at Porter’s.

  The warehouse was ready and waiting on the new team to come and start unloading inventory from the trucks that had lined up behind the building over the weekend.

  The new processes were shifting on schedule under Misty’s watch, and the whole team was getting acclimated to the new daily routines. Once she talked to Edward, she’d be done here, and that bonus was all hers.

  Unfortunately, Kendra had sent her a message on Sunday letting her know that once again Edward had moved their meeting. This time he’d suggested Thursday, and instructed Vanessa to issue the status on the project via email.

  She hit Enter on the final reports. It lacked the shock and awe she’d imagined when telling him face-to-face that not only had she done the near impossible early and on budget, but she’d also saved Porter’s and improved the following year’s forecast by a not-so-meager 19 percent.

  A month ago, she’d have been spitting nails over Edward being so unavailable throughout this project when she was the one doing him a favor, but today … it didn’t even matter. Her priorities were to do some shopping for the special people she’d met here in Fraser Hills, and spend a merry Christmas with Anna.

  This might be the merriest Christmas I’ve ever had as an adult.

  Not getting the Paris project had been a blessing. She hadn’t even been here long enough to gather any personal items. With her laptop in her tote bag, she gave the office one last sweeping glance and walked out, closing the door behind her. She could take any follow-up calls from the carriage house.

  She walked across the street. People filled the sidewalks as if it were a weekend.

  The sign in front of The Stalk Market read 3.5 SHOPPING DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS. WE HAVE GIFTS FOR THE GARDENERS ON YOUR LIST.

  Strolling down Main Street, Vanessa exchanged pleasantries with passersby carrying colorful packages, even recognizing some of them as employees helping with the changes at Porter’s. Across the street in the park next to the library, kids tossed snowballs at each other, and delighted squeals of excitement hung shrill against the icy chill.

  She ducked inside a boutique. Warm air welcomed her into the space with the aroma of mulled apple cider being served to every shopper. She sipped on a cup while perusing the variety of gift options. Colorful angel ornaments would make such a cute adornment on a box. She tucked her favorites into a handbasket and picked out a beautiful picture frame for Kendra, then bought matching holiday pajamas for Anna and herself. They’d open them on Christmas Eve like they always had at her grandparents’ house. With three bags in her hand, she made her way into each shop, trying to get a little something from each one, spreading her spending across all of the retail shops.

  Loaded up with gifts for everyone on her list and three extra-tall rolls of wrapping paper, she slid into her favorite booth at the Blue Bicycle Bistro.

  She was getting ready to swallow her first bite of chicken and dumplings when Lilene marched in and stood next to her booth, her arms folded and her lower lip trembling.

  “Lilene? What’s the matter? You look upset.”

  “Upset?”

  “Sit.” She scooted over in the booth, but Lilene took the seat across from her. “I can’t believe you’d stoop so low. Just days before Christmas.”

  The words came out like hornets, stinging with each syllable.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t pretend you don’t know. Corporate left a very detailed message for me to give to you.” She shoved three pink message-pad sheets across the table.

  Vanessa read them. “There’s some mistake.”

  “He seemed pretty clear to me.”

  “No. They have the warehouse. That’s what they needed. Did he not get my reports?”

  Lilene reached over and flipped the second pink note over to the back. “Indeed. He did.” She glared at Vanessa. “How could you pretend to be our friend? You’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing. That’s what you are, or worse, like the wolf that pretended to be Red Riding Hood’s grandmother. Mean, just downright mean.”

  “Lilene, I promise—”

  “Do not give me your empty lines,” Lilene said. “I’ve delivered the message. I’m sick about it. I need the rest of the day off.” She got up and swept out of the diner like Jack Frost on a tailwind.

  Vanessa stared at the messages. There was no reason to return Edward’s call. Everything was pretty clear. Edward knew what he’d done. He left those details with Lilene on purpose, so there was no way anyone in this town would ever trust her again.

  She stood up, did a half turn, and saw Buck sitting there behind her. “Buck. Can I sit?”

  “Sure.”

  “You heard?”

  “Every word.”

  “You don’t believe that about me, do you?”

  “Two sides to every story. Always is,” he said.

  “What’s your story?” she asked. “Why are you and Mike estranged?”

  “That’s a long story.”

  “How about the log-line version?”

  “I’m the one who owned Porter’s. All of it. The store, the factory and warehouses. Even Fraser Hills Percherons.”

  “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Vanessa couldn’t believe no one had told her.

  “I was the mayor of this town for a long time. My family ran businesses in this town from the time it had a population of less than a hundred.”

  “You used to do all that stuff with the horses too? Like Mike?”

  “Not nearly as good as him, but yes. My family initially built carriages for draft horses. We dabbled, but it wasn’t until recent years that Mike really made something big out of that. I carved out that part of the business, and all the land it sits on, and gave it to Mike before I sold to AGC.”

  “That sounds like a pretty sweet deal. Why was he mad?”

  “It’s not just business, Vanessa. It’s family.” Buck looked tired. “I had my reasons for selling, but all Mike noticed was that the legacy he thought would always be there had been torn apart.”

  “I guess I can see his point. You got a good deal on it.”

  “I had to. I sold for a reason.”

  “I know it’s none of my business, but why did you sell?”

  He looked her straight in the eye. “I used the money from the sale of Porter’s to fund the hospital. I tried for years as mayor to get a good hospital to come to this town, or even to the county, but I couldn’t make it happen. Then Olivia died. Mike believed if we’d had a hospital closer maybe she could have been saved. I guess we’ll never know.”

  “That’s so sad.”

  “It was. Olivia was a wonderful mother and wife. Mike loved her so much.” His eyes softened. “We all loved her.” He pressed his lips together. “It tore Mike apart when she died. There was nothing I could do to soothe my grandson. Nothing. That’s a bad feeling.”

  She nodded.

  “Then, my wife had a heart attack.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Thank you. We’d been married so long I could barely remember life without her. Frankly, I was tired of seeing people I love die.”

  “So, you gave up your business to fund a hospital?”

  “Yes. Sort of. I couldn’t solely fund it, but I made the deal very enticing.”

  “Mike didn’t understand or agree?”

  “He didn’t know. Still doesn’t. It didn’t matter. I’d do anything for this town, and these people. I
did what I thought was right. It hurt some folks, but in the long run, I’m happy with my decision.”

  “I know what you mean. These people. This place. They take up residency in your heart when you’re not looking.”

  Buck let out a hearty laugh. “Never heard anyone put it that way, but you’re right.”

  “I thought I was giving everyone what they wanted. Corporate is not happy with me right now.” She shook the phone messages in his direction. “It doesn’t matter that I was able to increase the profit model for Porter’s by nineteen percent, or that I was able to meet the warehouse goals—on time and under budget. They want to sell off Porter’s. Building and all. Shut it down.”

  “Is that bad?”

  Vanessa couldn’t believe her ears. “It’s horrible.”

  “Everything can seem very different when you look at it from a different perspective.” He cocked his head. “Maybe you’re looking at this the wrong way.”

  “I can’t fix this.”

  He sipped his coffee without a word, then simply said, “Can’t you?” He dropped a five on the table and walked out.

  “No.” But he’d already walked away. It seemed as if the whole world was closing in on her. She placed a twenty under the still full bowl of chicken and dumplings, grabbed her bags, and left. She wasn’t even sure where she was headed until she got there.

  In the bleachers, on the bottom row, she stared out onto the empty football field. School had been out since last week. The bright sun had melted a lot of the snow, leaving it looking like a patchy mess.

  She rested her elbows on her knees. The sun tucked itself behind a cloud. A drizzling rain began to fall, splattering against the glossy shopping bags.

  “The wrong perspective”? What did Buck mean by that? It was pretty cut-and-dried.

  Suddenly she could see herself at ten years old, wearing bright red rubber boots, walking and kicking through piles of leaves just to hear them rustle and crunch beneath her feet.

  Marching like a nutcracker in a parade, lifting her heavy boots high with each step. The leaves fluffed into the air, scattering around her, leaving a wake behind her as she kept moving through them.

  Nature at its best. When was the last time she’d kicked through leaves, or walked with no expectations? Even her daily runs had purpose, and she kept on task by watching how far and fast she was going to meet the goal. Maybe the goal should be to just enjoy nature and run as the mood dictated. It was exercise either way, but couldn’t her mind use a break?

  She opened her arms, daring the raindrops to hit her. Closing her eyes, she let the rain surprise her. The simplest of things.

  “They’re selling.” She patted her pockets, looking for her phone. “They’re selling.” She grabbed her bags and ran on the track all the way out of the schoolyard to Main Street. She headed for the library, and tucked herself in a corner at a table. She opened her laptop and connected to the Wi-Fi. She pulled up the responses from Edward in her email, and the attached sale sheet for Porter’s spelled it all out. Because the value of the warehouse sites was so strong, the remaining older building wasn’t outrageous. The valuation of Porter’s wasn’t based on the numbers she’d forecasted, but rather the old revenue.

  She did some calculations and then jogged straight back over to the carriage house. She was sweaty despite the cold by the time she got there. She knocked on Buck’s front door.

  “Thought you might stop by.”

  “I need your help. I need you to help connect me with the local banker here.”

  “Come in.”

  She stepped inside, and paused at the opulence of his house. Neat. Precise. As if it were a museum where no one lived. Which was odd, because he was so laid-back.

  “Do you have a connection at the bank here in town? I’m going to buy Porter’s myself. I’ll make it work. I’ll do it with Misty at my side. She’s the rightful heir of Porter’s, isn’t she?”

  “What I did, what I had to do, when I sold Porter’s was allow someone else to breathe new life into what I’d started. Those buildings were dying. No one wanted to take it over. Now they’ll have new jobs. The town will grow again. And now people in this town are ready to fight for Porter’s.”

  “It’s worth fighting for.”

  “Is that what you want? To stay here in this little town and run that old factory?”

  “Yes, but bring it into the current times. Add a couple fresh new products. Have you ever had Lilene’s cookies made from the fruitcake seconds?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  “Me too. I think they’d be a hit. Especially if we don’t call it fruitcake. Not important. The bottom line is, yes. I want this. I want to be a part of it.”

  “You’d be happy here?”

  “I don’t know. I think so. I have to try.” She sucked in a breath. “It’ll be different, but the risk is low. If I don’t like it, then I adjust.”

  “Perspective.”

  “Exactly like you said. I was listening.” She pulled her hands together. “There’s something about Fraser Hills. Look at you and Anna. I’ve never seen her so happy.”

  “I like her. She’s a real good lady.”

  “She likes you too.”

  “I think you like my pigheaded grandson.”

  “I’m going to stay out of your feud, but I’d recommend this as being the right time to get it all out on the table. I’m looking forward to grooming Misty to take over Porter’s one day. She’s a brilliant young mind.” She ran her hand through her hair. “Look. A few weeks ago, I was madder than fire to be sent down to do the dirty work, but something has happened here. It’s like all of these unanswered prayers brought me something bigger. Better.” She smiled. “I have a new perspective.”

  “You think this town is big enough for you?”

  “You’re not going to challenge me to some kind of country gunslinging duel, are you?”

  “No, ma’am. I’m going to do you one better.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Mike still couldn’t believe the rumor, although Lilene was never one to assume. If she said she heard Porter’s was closing with her own ears from corporate … it was the truth.

  He couldn’t stop shaking his head, though.

  She really snowed me.

  And what ticked him off the most was that he’d been fine, perfectly fine, before she came along. She interrupted the flow that he and Misty had perfected. Tossing all these new emotions into the mix.

  He rested his forearms on the steering wheel as he sat at the stop sign staring at the dark red building that had been Porter’s as long as he’d been alive.

  Across the way, coming out of the attorney’s office, Mike saw Vanessa walk out to the sidewalk.

  His heart lurched. How could he have actually thought he might spend time with her? Share personal parts of his life with her?

  A moment later he saw his grandfather walk out and join her. The two stood there talking.

  He had no idea what he was going to do or say. All he knew was he couldn’t stop.

  He swerved his truck into a parking spot, and abandoned it right there still running, and marched over to the two of them.

  Squaring up to his grandfather, he said, “I should’ve known if there was something bad going on in this town that you were behind it.”

  Buck leaned back at the power of the words, but he didn’t argue.

  “Mike. Wait,” Vanessa said, placing an arm between the two. “You don’t have the whole story.”

  “I know this story. Lies. Deception.” He raised his hand to his head and turned his back on the two of them. “Selfish,” he stammered. “Selfish decisions that impact others.”

  “Stop.” Vanessa stepped in front of him. “Let me explain before you say something you’re going to regret. It’s time all of this ended.”

  “You’re darn right it is.” He stabbed a finger in the air toward his grandfather. “You’re going to run me out of my own hometown just to get away from you and your
bad decisions.”

  “We’re not doing this in the middle of Main Street,” Vanessa said calmly.

  “How can you be so calm?” He glared at her.

  “Come on. Both of you.” She started walking toward the attorney’s office. “Now.”

  Buck held his ground.

  Mike followed her inside.

  “Sit.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do. Who do you—”

  Vanessa put her hand up. “Mike. I promise this isn’t what you think it is. Please. Please, give me ten minutes to fill you in. I promise you on everything I hold dear, it will be worth it.”

  He sat. “Your promises don’t mean much around here.” His knee bobbed up and down. He couldn’t even bring himself to look her in those deceptive brown eyes.

  She took the seat next to him. “Mike, I did the right thing. Yes, AGC sent me here to close down Porter’s to make space for the sports warehouse. During my due diligence, I realized we could provide the warehousing, and not negatively impact Porter’s.”

  “Closing? That’s not a negative impact? Making Misty think you were going to help her make this big career. You don’t do that to a kid.”

  “Stop. Hear me out. My intentions were good. I had no idea AGC was set on eliminating that part of the portfolio. I proved an uptick in the forecast for the next twelve months at Porter’s with no negative impact to the full picture. Selling part of Porter’s footprint was a good business decision. They have the right to sell it.”

  “You should have been up-front from the beginning.”

  “I bought it.”

  “You drank the Kool-Aid. ‘It’s just business.’ Is that what you’re going to tell me next?”

  Buck leaned his shoulder against the door jamb. “Son, you are not a good listener. She bought Porter’s. The whole blessed thing. And if you hadn’t picked up on it, this town is getting an influx of revenue from a really substantial warehouse and jobs. I couldn’t have done that. I was watching this town slowly dwindle away.”

  Mike’s jaw twitched. “You put it all at risk.”