Christmas Sugar (Insta-Spark)

“She wouldn’t say so if she did. Alex is, without a doubt, an angel. She never complains. She works too hard and takes on too much. Everything and everyone come first. She deserves so much more than a timeworn inn that is falling down around her, an old man who needs special care, and more stress than anyone should carry. She deserves love and laughter. She deserves to be looked after and to feel safe. And most of all, she deserves to be cherished.”

He leaned back in his chair, fixing his all-knowing eyes on me.

“There’s more to life than work and responsibility. More than money and success. Love is a rare gift not everyone is given, Dylan. If you find it, you should grab it and hold on to it. You never know when it might be taken away.”

I stared at him, not knowing what to say.

What did love have to do with my buying his property?

“I’m headed into Halifax for some tests. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow. You can present your offer to me then.”

“I’m ready to present it now.”

“I won’t look at it until I come back. I want you to look around—really look around. Open your eyes and see what’s here. Discover the hidden potential. Then we’ll talk.” He paused and sighed. “Alex will look after you while I’m gone.”

I snorted. “Or kill me. I don’t think she likes me at times.”

His gaze was amused. “Alex is a strong woman, because she’s had to be. Her bark is far worse than her bite.”

I chuckled as he echoed my own thoughts from earlier.

“She doesn’t deserve to be trifled with.”

Realizing he’d probably heard our conversation in the hall, I felt a slight twinge of guilt. “I don’t plan to do that.” Thinking of her fiery temper, I smiled. “I think she is rather . . . amazing.” I found myself confessing.

He nodded and returned my smile. “She’s a complex woman—the perfect woman for a complex man who is ready to start really living life.”

With those strange words, he had dismissed me.

I couldn’t stay in my room any longer. I needed to move, to explore, and fill my head with thoughts other than Alex.

I stopped at the front desk and collected the keys for the dreaded minivan, approaching it cautiously in the parking lot. After adjusting the seats and mirrors, I drove into town, taking my time to enjoy the scenery. Both Mrs. C and George kept telling me to look around me; although, I wasn’t sure what it was they wanted me to see.

In town, I walked around, checking on the various buildings I owned, some still with operational businesses, others closed. I could see a lot of potential everywhere I looked. Places for local artisans, a few higher-end stores, and fresh real estate ideas started forming in my head. Several of the buildings would make great condos on the upper floors, if remodeled and priced right. If the new resort brought the kind of traffic I projected it would draw, it could result in increased occupancies.

Once again, a win-win situation.

I enjoyed my walk. It was a nice town with lots of history and remarkable architecture. Nestled among the same sort of large pine trees that surrounded the inn, it was incredibly picturesque. The wharf was deserted this time of year, but I imagined in the summer it was a bustling place. If my plans came together, it would be that much busier in the years ahead.

Smiling, friendly faces greeted me everywhere I went. I rarely bought gifts, but I found a unique pewter sculpture I knew Arlene would love. Another store supplied me with the perfect handmade fishing lures for her husband. After I made the purchases, I had them shipped directly back home. They were the two people I always bought Christmas gifts for, along with their grandchildren. My staff received bonuses.

I wasn’t sure what I’d do in regard to Amy. I wondered if there was a place I could send her to learn how to be a better PA, but then I realized Mrs. C would call me an ass for thinking that way. The problem was I’d had the best for so long, no one would ever be as good as Arlene Carson.

Especially not Amy.

I stopped in front of a window, examining the boots on display. I went inside and chose a pair I thought would be suitable for walking around the grounds of the inn. I wanted to see more of the property, but I couldn’t do that in my dress shoes and I wasn’t the type to wear someone else’s discarded boots.

I had to tamp down my grin when I remembered my conversation with Alex over my shoes.

As I waited for the clerk to find my size, a pair of tiny red slippers caught my eye. Walking over, I picked them up, grinning at the foolishness of them. Boot-like, fuzzy, and graced with a red bow on the outside decorated with white polka dots, I knew instantly Noelle would love them. I could see her tripping up and down the hall in them, grinning as she held out her foot to show them off to me. “Pwetty, wight, Mr. Dywan?” I could hear her saying.

Except, I didn’t know her size.

When the clerk reappeared, she smiled at me. “For your daughter?”

A strange thrill went through my chest at those words, but I shook my head. “A . . . friend’s daughter. She’s four, I think, but I don’t know her size.”

“Is she big for her age?”