The fact that Santa felt sorry for her made her feel even worse. She shook her head. “Not today.”
“Kate, remember your Christmas wish. Don’t give up. Just believe.”
She didn’t know what he was talking about. She started walking away. Still, she couldn’t help but think back to the tree-lighting ceremony with Wes. She’d wished for a miracle to save Bayberry.
But how would this guy dressed as Santa know what she’d wished for? She hadn’t mentioned it to anyone. She stopped and turned to ask him, but he was gone.
She scanned both sides of the street. No one dressed up as Santa was anywhere in sight. How did he keep disappearing in the blink of an eye?
She continued walking down the sidewalk. Then she heard his voice again. “Just believe.”
Kate glanced all around. He was nowhere to be seen. It must have been her imagination. Her mind was working overtime. She pulled her hood low and kept walking.
At last, she reached her aunt’s driveway. Just a few more steps and she’d be in her garage apartment, away from prying eyes. And she wouldn’t have to put on a show any longer. She could curl up on her couch and maybe lose herself in a movie and a bowl of rocky road ice cream—
“Kate? Is that you?” Aunt Penney stepped outside with a bag of trash in her hand.
Kate crossed to her. “Here. Let me take that for you.”
Her aunt handed over the bag. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Kate carried the bag to the trash bin and dropped it in. Not wanting to face her aunt’s all-knowing stare, she turned toward her apartment and called over her shoulder, “Let me know if you need anything else.”
Aunt Penney appeared to be in her usual good mood. Wes obviously hadn’t shared his ominous conclusion about the candle company with her. Kate thought about mentioning it. After all, her aunt still owned the company. She should know. But the words tasted bitter in the back of her mouth. She wasn’t sure she could actually get them out without losing her tentative hold on her emotions.
And her aunt seemed so happy now that she was spending so much time with Fred. They might not want to admit that they were a couple, but everyone in town knew there was love between those two. Why ruin her aunt’s first Christmas with Fred?
Kate choked down the dismal news about the company. It would be her secret for Christmas—her gift to those she loved. Her feet felt weighted as she took another step.
“Kate, were you able to get the flowers for the dance?”
On the bottom step, Kate paused and turned to her aunt, hoping the light between the house and garage wasn’t bright enough for her aunt to see the misery on her face. “Uh, yes. It just took a little longer than I expected.”
Her aunt nodded. “Would you like to come inside? I have some fresh-baked banana bread. And there’s a pot of coffee—it’s that new roast you love.”
“Thanks, but I have some stuff I need to do.” Kate hurried up the steps, knowing that if she lingered, her aunt would continue to press her until the whole sad tale came spilling out.
Once inside, Kate slipped off her boots and coat. She moved to the couch, not bothering to turn on the overhead lights or the television. She considered watching a movie, then dismissed the thought. In the glow of the Christmas tree lights, she kept thinking that if she’d done something different, things would never have reached this point.
And why had she ever thought Wes was on her side in this fight to save the candle company? He hadn’t come to Bayberry to save it. He’d come to do his job. And he’d done it. Now he’d gone back to the city to present his findings—far away from her and the damage left behind.
Tap. Tap.
The door creaked open. “Kate?” Penney sounded concerned. The overhead light flicked on. “Oh, there you are.”
Kate didn’t trust her voice in that moment. A lump of emotions clogged her throat. She swiped at her eyes.
Aunt Penney gave her a look. “What’s wrong?”
Where could she even begin? Kate’s mind raced with thoughts of everything that had happened in the last two days. And then she settled on the least of the problems.
“Everything is okay. But Carrie and I slid into a ditch on the way home from Burlington.”
“Oh dear.” Aunt Penney’s face creased with worry. “Are you sure you’re both all right?”
Kate nodded. Then she proceeded to tell her aunt how the very kind farmer had helped them out.
“You must be tired after that big day.”