Christmas in Bayberry

Wes hadn’t been here since Fred’s accident. He’d been holed up in Kate’s office, sorting through report after report. He’d never appreciated digitization so much until he came to Bayberry. Some things were best done the old-fashioned way, like hot cocoa and pastries, but not numbered reports. But he pushed aside his frustrations for the evening. Tonight was about cookies, offered to him by many of the children; Christmas wishes, among which there were some heart-jerkers; and holiday greetings, extended by everyone.

As Wes sat atop Santa’s big red chair on a platform, he could see around the warehouse. Kate and Penney had outdone themselves. Twinkle lights were woven above the crowd. Just a few of the light strands blinked. Not enough to be annoying, but enough that it gave the area an extra bit of bling.

There were giant plastic candles throughout the designated sale area, along with red and white poinsettias, as well as large boxes wrapped in colorful metallic paper, from silver and blue to pink and yellow. There were illuminated snowmen and reindeer decorations.

He saw a long banquet table laden with Christmas cookies, punch and coffee. And beside him were boxes of Christmas gifts for the little ones, of which he’d handed out approximately half so far.

But now it was time for his break. Wes was looking forward to it. Who knew listening to Christmas wishes and smiling for the camera could be such exhausting work?

He made his way over to Kate, who was speaking with an older couple. She was putting them at ease and making them laugh. She really loved the residents of Bayberry, and they obviously felt the same way about her. And he could see why. Kate was warm and bubbly. She truly cared about people—even an outsider like him.

She had drawn him into the community despite his complaints, and reminded him that there really was more to life than trying to impress Mr. Summers. If only his boss could see him now, he’d be appalled. Wes started to laugh at the thought of the man’s horrified look.

“And what has you so amused?” Kate made her excuses to the older couple and approached him.

“I was just thinking about the people at my office seeing me all dressed up.”

Kate gave him a quick once-over. “I think they’d be impressed. You make a pretty good Santa.”

He frowned at her. “Pretty good?”

She sent him a teasing smile and nodded.

He dug down deep and then he said, “Ho, ho, ho. And have you been naughty or nice?”

Kate turned to him with a smile that made his insides feel as if a swarm of butterflies had just been released in his chest. “Very nice.”

“Hm…” He eyed her through the gold-rimmed glasses that were part of his costume. “I guess Santa will have to get you a special present this year.”

“Well, there is one thing…”

He was intrigued, as he’d been considering getting her a gift to thank her for all she’d done to make his stay in Bayberry not just nice, but really nice. “And what would this one thing be?”

She leaned close to his ear, so close that he caught a whiff of her lavender perfume. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the subtle floral scent. He was certain that for the rest of his life when he smelled lavender, he would always think of Kate.

And then softly she whispered, “I’d like Santa to save Bayberry.”

His heart stilled in his chest. He should have expected that response, but he’d been hoping for something easier. Right now, he had no hope of giving her her heart’s wish. Because so far, the numbers weren’t panning out in Kate’s favor. How did he prepare her for something like that?

She pulled back, still smiling. “What do you think, Santa? Can you make my wish come true?”

Before he had a chance to answer, he heard a woman’s voice call out, “Santa! Santa Claus!” It was hard to make out where it was coming from over the din of voices. He turned around. And then he blinked, to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. But she was really there. His mother was headed straight for him.

“Mom! What are you doing here?”

Her smile faltered. “Is that any way to greet your mother?”

He stepped forward and swept her up into a big hug. He’d forgotten about his belly of pillows, making the hug awkward and a bit funny. He’d been thinking of her since he’d arrived in town and now, she’d just magically appeared. Maybe there was something to that Christmas tree wish thing.

Not that he really believed in that sort of thing. But no matter what had drawn his mother to Bayberry, he was happy. It might not have been the Christmas he’d imagined, with his mother situated close by in New York, but something told him this was going to be better.

He pulled back and smiled at his mother. She’d never looked happier. They’d been apart way too long, what with his crazy work schedule and her unwillingness to fly.

“But what about your cruise?” Wes asked. “Why aren’t you on it?”

She smiled and patted his arm. “I had a much better offer. I can go on a cruise any time, but to spend the holidays with dear friends and my son—well, that’s something very special.”

His brain was rushing to catch up with everything. “How did you get here?”