Christmas in Bayberry

Besides, she had more important things on her mind—like helping to make this year’s holiday sale the biggest and best. Otherwise, she didn’t know where Aunt Penney would come up with the funds to keep the candle company in operation.

Chapter Four

Some things didn’t change.

Like internal alarm clocks.

Wes always woke up at five a.m. to allow himself time to answer emails before he showered and headed to the office. Today, his inbox was suspiciously lacking its usual long list of unread emails. He wondered if Chad had somehow managed to intercept his business correspondence. The thought didn’t sit well with Wes.

With the promotion in the balance, he had to make quick work of his project in Bayberry and get back to the main office. The longer he was away, the more time Chad would have to take over his accounts. And Wes couldn’t allow that to happen.

Since Bayberry didn’t have any hotels, and the closest one was more than an hour away over narrow mountain roads, he’d snagged the last available room at the Bayberry B&B. For a man who hadn’t even owned a car since he lived in Manhattan, he was all right with not driving in the snow. The B&B would do just fine.

He showered and dressed in a suit and tie, then grabbed his attaché case and headed downstairs. Christmas carols played softly in the background. In the large foyer that served as a lobby stood a live pine tree decorated with white twinkle lights, red ribbon and silver ornaments. In fact, every available spot in the lobby, sitting area and dining room was decked out for the holidays. This town really loved Christmas.

“Good morning, Mr. Adams.” Mrs. Murphy bestowed a big, rosy smile upon him. Her red hair was pulled up in the back. Dangling from her ears were reindeer earrings. And she wore a red jumper with a white turtleneck. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Eggs? Toast?”

He really wasn’t up for food. Even though this was his second day in Bayberry, he still hadn’t gotten a feel for this project. His stomach would be tied up in a knot until he got the lay of the land. And it didn’t help that he felt as if he was out of the loop concerning the promotion.

Wes smiled at his host. “Thank you. But I’m good right now.”

Mrs. Murphy nodded. “Remember, we’re closed for dinner. But don’t worry. There’s a diner in town. They stay open until eight.”

“Thanks for the reminder. I have to get to work.”

“The candle company, huh?”

His work was always confidential. He normally worked with very big corporations, but on special occasions he worked with smaller family-run companies like the Bayberry Candle Company. Wes was known for his discretion, but he’d never worked in a town quite as small as Bayberry. He had a feeling it was going to be much harder to keep his presence under wraps—more like impossible.

Choosing to pretend he hadn’t heard her question, he said, “I hope you have a good day.”

He made a hasty exit. If he had to hazard a guess, Mrs. Murphy probably knew everyone who worked at the candle company. And then his thoughts strayed to Kate. She must work at the candle company if she was hanging the flyers.

A gust of cold air rushed through the openings in his coat. A chill overtook his body. He walked a little faster. Exercise would warm him up. So would stepping inside a nice warm building. He inhaled the below-freezing air. It was certainly a wakeup call.

As he moved along the quiet side street, he recalled his school days. Most of all, he remembered Kate’s sunny smile, but when she didn’t think anyone was looking there was pain in her eyes. He’d always wanted to talk to her and somehow comfort her, but what does a fifteen-year-old boy know about emotions and making someone feel better?

Still, it had been her outgoing nature and lack of pretense that had initially drawn him to her. He wondered what she was like now that she was all grown up. At least she still had that same bright smile that could chase away the clouds.

The thought of running into her again appealed to him. Just the thought of her made him want to smile. The day definitely had possibilities.

Kate had worked late into the night. This morning, she was tired, but in a rush to get to the office. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun. She ran a hand over it, trying to smooth the flyaways the blustery morning had created.

It wasn’t her favorite hairstyle, but it was convenient. She just didn’t have time to mess with a curling iron this morning. She’d even forgone her morning chat with Abby at the Steaming Brew and instead opted for a to-go cup. She had a lot to catch up on at work.

She’d do anything and everything to help her aunt pull off a Christmas miracle and replace some of their equipment in the new year. Because without it…well, she didn’t want to contemplate how the company would survive otherwise.

The workers of the Bayberry Candle Company were like one big family. It wasn’t a huge business, but Kate envisioned one day expanding their distribution from the New England area until Bayberry was a nationally recognized name.

The best part was that the employees didn’t punch a time clock and then count the hours until they could leave. They had potluck lunches, birthday celebrations and work anniversaries. Kate couldn’t imagine ever living or working anywhere else. Bayberry would forever be her home.

She hustled down the hall to her office. At the doorway, she came to a halt. What in the world?

There was a man seated at her desk. He had his back to her and he appeared to be sorting through a stack of papers on the credenza behind her desk.

The crime rate i

n Bayberry was nonexistent, unless you counted Harry’s horse getting loose in the summer and stealing Mrs. Woods’ apples. That man had the most ornery, headstrong animals in the county. But no human had ever broken into the candle company.