Christmas in Bayberry

Sadie had left Bayberry after high school. She’d earned a journalism degree in college, to the approval of her father, the editor of The Bayberry Gazette. When she landed a job in Atlanta, no one thought she’d return to Bayberry other than to visit at the holidays.

Then last month, she’d quietly moved home. She took the vacant apartment above the newspaper and started working with her father. No one knew why she’d returned. She never said, and they hadn’t wanted to pry. When she was ready, she’d share. Till then, it wasn’t anyone’s business but hers.

Kate shook her head. “We were just talking about Fred.”

“And Penney.” Carrie piped in.

“I heard she insisted on taking care of him.” Abby reached for a menu as though she hadn’t memorized the whole thing over the years. The only thing that changed was the daily specials.

“Does that mean they’re finally getting together?” Sadie was the romantic in their group. She could quite often be found with her auburn head bent over a romance novel.

“No.” Kate really wanted to change the subject.

Carrie’s mouth opened, but before she could argue, a customer raised their cup. “Could we get some more?”

“Sure. I’ll be right there.” Carrie turned back to Kate. “I’ll be right back.” Carrie grabbed the half-full coffee pot and headed for the table across the diner.

As Abby and Sadie talked about details for the Candlelight Dance, Kate thought about Wes. Why was her aunt being so quiet about his visit? Was he there purely to advise on how they should direct their business in the coming year? Or was there something more?

Wes obviously wasn’t the type to share details of his work. He seemed more like the buttoned-up, all-business, confidential sort of man. But maybe there was a way to sway Wes—make him loosen up. And perhaps she could influence his report to her aunt to say that the Bayberry Candle Company was going to thrive for a very long time. Forever, if she had anything to say about it.

“What has you so deep in thought? You didn’t even drink your coffee,” Carrie observed, as she placed the almost-empty pot back on the warmer.

This got the attention of both Sadie and Abby.

“Um, nothing.” The seriousness of the candle company’s problems wasn’t something she shared—not even with her closest friends. They all had relatives or friends who worked at Bayberry. She didn’t want to put them in the awkward position of keeping a big secret from those they cared about—kind of like the position she was in right now.

Carrie arched a brow. “Something is going on in that mind of yours. It doesn’t have anything to do with the handsome guy who’s taken over your office, does it?”

“How did you know he was in my office?” Kate was positive she hadn’t mentioned it.

“Everyone knows,” Abby said.

“You surely didn’t think something like that wouldn’t make its way around Bayberry, do you?” Sadie said. “Even I heard that tidbit. Because MaryJane told Sue, who told Mike, who told—”

“Okay. Okay.” Kate waved off her friends. “I get the picture. I was just hoping people wouldn’t notice, or wouldn’t care.”

“Oh, they noticed. And they’re wondering what he’s doing here.” Carrie looked at her expectantly.

“Don’t look at me,” Kate said. “He’s working for my aunt.”

“Uh-huh.” Abby placed the menu on the counter. “And your aunt tells you everything.”

“Not all the time.”

“So the plot thickens.” Carrie looked thoughtful for a moment, while Kate drank her cooling coffee. “I know. She’s planning to set you up.”

“Shh…” Kate choked on her coffee. She glanced around. When Kate was certain no one was close enough to overhear, she turned back to her friends. “Don’t say that out loud. People will think you are serious.”

“Maybe I am.” Carrie grinned. “He’s definitely a looker. You should give him a chance.”

Kate sighed. “You are forever the matchmaker, aren’t you?”

“What’s wrong with dating again?” Carrie asked.

“He’s not interested,” Kate said firmly.

“But you didn’t say you weren’t interested.” Carrie waggled her brows as she smiled.