Christmas in Bayberry

“I’m not. Trust me. I love candles in the evening, especially when I kick back with some popcorn to watch Hallmark movies.”

“You’re right. You’re going to need a lot.” Kate took a long drink, finishing her coffee. She gathered her things. “I should be going. There’s a lot to do before the annual sale.” She got to her feet before turning to her friend. “Do you mind if I hang an announcement in the window?”

“Go for it. But I would suggest putting it on the door so everyone who comes in will see it.”

“Thanks. I will.”

Kate moved to the door to hang a poster on the inside of the door, set her purse down, and withdrew a flyer and a roll of tape. Even though she was an accountant, she considered herself more of a jack-of-all-trades—pitching in where needed.

She tore off two pieces of tape and turned to the door. Just as she reached up to tape the flyer on the glass, the door swung open. Kate jerked back so quickly she lost her balance. She landed on her backside with an “Oompff.”

Heat swirled in her chest and rushed to her cheeks. Her gaze took in polished black dress shoes. Then navy dress pants, a black wool overcoat and then a strong jawline, straight nose and piercing blue eyes. Her heart skipped a beat.

She knew all the residents of this small town, and the handsome man staring down at her definitely wasn’t a local. “Welcome to Bayberry,” she managed.

“Uh…thanks.” There was something familiar about him, but she couldn’t place the face. He held out his hand to help her to her feet. “Sorry. I didn’t see you down there when I opened the door.”

She placed her hand in his warm embrace. Kate couldn’t help noticing the strength and ease with which he helped her to her feet.

As she brushed off her backside, she took a closer look at the attractive stranger. He was tall, over six feet. And he had blondish-brown hair, cropped short on the sides with longer strands on top. The cut said he was serious most of the time, but there was a little room for fun—or at least she hoped so.

Who was this mystery man? Had they met before? And why hadn’t anyone mentioned such a handsome stranger?

The rattle of coffee mugs jarred her out of her trance. Embarrassed, she averted her gaze to the paper in her hand.

Remembering the stack of coupons in her jacket pocket, she pulled one out and held it out to him. “If you’re staying in town this weekend, we’re having a huge sale.”

“Okay.” He didn’t even look at the coupon before stuffing it in his pocket. “Thanks. Excuse me.”

She frowned as she moved aside, letting him make his way to the counter. What had him in such a rush? Her gaze followed him. There was definitely something familiar about him. But she didn’t know him, did she?

As she continued to stare at his back, “All I Want for Christmas is You” came on the local radio station. Maybe he’d attended one of their guided tours at the candle shop. Or maybe he’d attended one of their annual candle sales. That had to be it—

Jingle. Jingle.

Kate turned around in time to see three of Bayberry’s firefighters enter the shop. They each tipped their ball caps at her and exchanged greetings as they made their way to the counter.

She’d been so distracted by the handsome stranger that she’d forgotten to hand each of them a coupon. She resisted the urge to go after them. After all, there was a large stack of coupons on the counter and she was certain Abby would hand them out.

Kate taped the flyer to the door, grabbed her purse and exited the coffee shop. This promotion was sure to be a success and generate the income her family’s company needed for repairs. And come the New Year, Bayberry Candles would be in good shape. She had a good feeling about this.

He’d been away a long time.

And it appeared little had changed.

Bayberry was still the same friendly small town he remembered.

Christmas music played in the background. The Steaming Brew appeared to be a new establishment. The inside was decked out for the holidays, from multi-colored twinkle lights to the miniature Christmas trees on each table. Maybe it was the fact he’d been working too long at Watson & Summers with its ban on all things holiday, but he could’ve done without all the decorations. The whole season was a big marketing scheme.

Even the coffeehouse’s chalkboard menu was decorated with holly and listed holiday flavors. He opted for his usual tall black coffee. As he waited, he glanced toward the door, hoping to catch another glimpse of the woman who had been his junior high crush.

Kate hadn’t recognized him, just as she hadn’t noticed him back in school. It hadn’t been her fault. Back then, he’d been too shy to say more than a word or two to her. Any time she’d been in his vicinity, his tongue had become stuck and his brain had refused to string two words together, much less a whole sentence.

With the passage of time, she’d only become more beautiful. He wondered if she was married. He could easily imagine that she’d had her pick of the men in Bayberry. For all he knew, she could have little ones waiting for her at home.

He wanted a family someday, but not while he was still climbing the corporate ladder. He needed to focus all of his attention on his career.

After all, Mr. Summers had practically promised him the promotion if he came to Bayberry and took on this new account. Wes had suspected there was something fishy when the business just happened to be the one owned by his mother’s friend—the one she’d called him about. He still wasn’t certain about Mr. Summers’ angle, but it would become clear soon enough.