Christmas in Bayberry

“That’s right,” Wes said. “Don’t worry. Just point me in the direction of the decorations.”

Aunt Penney took a sip of her coffee. “Wes, it’s a great thing you’re in town this year.”

“Glad to help.” His gaze met Kate’s.

His heated gaze sent her heart racing. She recalled the almost-kiss they’d shared. If only his mother had called a minute or two later.

Suddenly it was very warm in her aunt’s dining room. Not wanting anyone to pick up on the vibe between them, she looked away, reached for her water glass and took a long drink.

“And how’s your job going?” Aunt Penney asked.

Wes hesitated. “You know I’d prefer not to discuss my results until I’m finished.”

Aunt Penney nodded. “Sorry. I meant your position in New York—”

“Oh yes,” his mother said. “Tell us about your job. He has big news.” Martha beamed as she looked at her son. “Tell them.”

“Well, uh…” Wes looked a little flustered. “I’m, uh, up for a promotion. But nothing has been decided yet. There are some other people in the running too.”

“He’s going to be a vice president,” his mother said.

“Assistant vice president,” Wes corrected. Everyone congratulated him on being up for such a prestigious position and wished him well, but he avoided meeting anyone’s gaze. “I don’t know if I’ll get the promotion.”

“You will,” his mother said confidently, and with such obvious pride in her son’s abilities. “There’s no one more dedicated to his work.” She turned to Aunt Penney. “He never takes time off. He works weekends and holidays.”

No one responded. Not even Wes.

The truth was, Kate felt sorry for him. The weekends were bad enough, but holidays too? Who worked every single holiday unless they absolutely had to? Holidays in Bayberry were always a big deal, from New Year’s fireworks to Spring Fling, to the Labor Day picnic and everything in between.

“Mom, we’ll see,” Wes said. “Nothing is for sure.”

Seeing that Wes was uncomfortable in the spotlight, Kate spoke up. “He’s been working hard while he’s been here. I’ve been trying to talk him into staying until the New Year. After all, he’s working on a big project.”

Wes glanced at her. “And you’ve been a lot of help. You know, with tracking down information.” Heat rushed to her face.

She knew now wasn’t the best time to broach the subject, but she didn’t think there would be a good time. She turned to her aunt. “I know you haven’t wanted to discuss this, but we need to. What are you going to do if Wes’s report isn’t what we were hoping for?”

Aunt Penney shifted in her chair. “I’ve given the business a lot of thought. Of course I want to be able to hand the business over to you, but I won’t hand you a troubled company.”

Kate glanced at Wes, but instead of a smug, I-told-you-so expression, his eyes conveyed compassion. She turned her attention back to her aunt. “But I don’t mind. I want to do everything I can to continue the family business.”

“I know you do, and that means so much to me. But before I’ll let the company go under and the people of Bayberry lose their jobs, I’ll sell the business.” Aunt Penney met her gaze. “Will you be all right with that?”

Sell the company? Sell her heritage? Panic set in. Kate clasped her hands to keep from fidgeting with her napkin. As a child, she’d dreamed of one day following in her aunt’s footsteps.

Kate glanced around. Everyone was waiting for her response. She had to be a responsible adult now and let go of those childhood dreams. Or so she tried to tell herself, because there was still a part of her that was in denial that it could ever come to this.

She clenched her laced fingers tightly and swallowed. “You know how much I love the company. I can’t imagine working anywhere else.” Her heart squeezed as she considered the worst-case scenario. She took a deep breath and let it out. “But like you, I have to think beyond myself and what I want. If the worst happens, I’d rather the business be sold and remain in operation than for it to die a slow and painful death.”

Aunt Penney gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. It’s all going to work out.”

Kate wished she could be that certain. The thought of losing everything she knew in life—once again—was staggering. Kate imagined Carrie, Abby, Sadie and every resident of Bayberry moving away. The thought sent an arrow of sorrow into her heart.

She refused to let that happen. If she had to work around the clock, she was going to do everything she could to keep the town of Bayberry the way she’d always known it—with the candle company running and its residents employed.

Chapter Eighteen

Monday rolled around much too quickly.