Christmas in Bayberry

“It’s nothing.”

His gaze prodded. “Kate, talk to me.”

She searched for the right words. “It’s just that you probably think I’m naive for believing these companies are being up-front and honest.”

“Whoa. Wait. You misunderstood me. I think they’re honest. The part I have an issue with is how much they’re charging you. There’s nothing dishonest or illegal about it. They’re allowed to submit whatever quote they feel is reasonable. And the candle company has a fiscal responsibility to make sure it obtains the best offer out there.”

“I can do that.” Wes’s words made sense to her.

“You know, I think it’s great you believe in those qualities,” Wes said. “I do too.”

She stared into his eyes, his dreamy blue eyes, and for a moment she forgot what she’d been about to say. Her pulse raced. No one had ever made her feel that way with just a look—certainly not Andy.

Remembering her ex—the man who’d skipped town for his job and left her behind—reminded her of why she couldn’t let herself get caught in this rush of attraction for Wes. She wouldn’t let herself get hurt like that again.

But Wes wasn’t Andy. The two men were very different. While Andy was all about hanging out with his friends on the weekends and watching sports on television, Wes was taking his mother to brunch and then helping Kate. While Andy liked to talk about himself and his career, Wes would rather listen to Kate. And whereas Andy only heard bits and pieces of what she said, Wes heard every word.

She was fighting these feelings for Wes, but it was so hard. He was such a great guy, almost perfect for her, except for one thing. His future was in New York. And her future was here in Bayberry.

“Kate? What is it?” His voice drew her from her thoughts.

“Um…” She looked back at her computer monitor. “So you think we need to do this with every contract?”

“I do. And I think it should be done every time contracts are renewed.”

She nodded and jotted a note to update the office procedures. She wondered what else needed to be brought up to speed. She had a feeling there would be quite a bit, as Aunt Penney was one for routines.

“How much do you know about each of your suppliers?” he asked.

She paused to think about it. “I know a couple of them, as they’re local, but as for the others, I know the sales reps by name. We exchange Christmas cards, but that’s about all.”

“So you don’t know if they hold the same principles as you?”

“I suppose not.” That soothed her guilt about potentially canceling business with firms that her family had been dealing with for years.

“It may not be fun, but it’s your responsibility to protect the company—to protect the town’s company.”

“The town’s company.” She smiled. “It’s true. Without this town, there wouldn’t be a company. They really are intertwined.”

“Seems they go hand-in-hand.”

Kate smiled. “They do. Let’s hope it stays that way.”

Once Kate had an email written up for each type of vendor, she was able to replicate it for all of the potential vendors. And in the end, she felt good about taking steps to safeguard the company.

“Now we just have to wait to hear back from them,” Kate said.

Wes sat next to her. “And let’s hope that since you mentioned the urgency of the matter, they’ll get back to you quickly.”

Done with work for the day, Kate and Wes cleaned up the conference room. Together they had everything back to rights in no time.

Deck the Halls…A cell phone tinkled.

Wes raised his brows. “It’s not me.”

“It’s me. I switched my ringtone to something festive.” Kate checked her caller ID. “It’s Aunt Penney.” After a brief conversation, she disconnected the call. “She invited us to have dinner at her house.”

“What about Fred?”