Christmas in Bayberry

Aunt Penney’s face reflected her sorrow. “I know you have. And I’m so proud of you. But I think it’s going to t

ake something bigger to turn things around. I’ve tried other banks and they all said no.”

The backs of Kate’s eyes stung. She blinked repeatedly. “Without the candle company, there won’t be a town.”

Aunt Penney’s shoulders sagged. “I know.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “That’s why I’m doing everything I can to see that there’s a future for the company. I’m hoping Wes comes up with something we haven’t thought of to save it.”

Fred limped up. “Penney’s been trying her best, speaking with the bank and other lenders. If there’s a way, I’m sure she’ll find it.”

Kate’s gaze moved to her aunt. “Is that right?”

“Of course it is. How could you doubt it? That company and this town are as important to me as they are to you.” Her aunt moved around the counter toward her. “Kate, I’m sorry.”

Kate shook her head. “It’s not your fault.”

She moved into Penney’s open arms and they hugged. Her aunt’s hugs were always warm, tight and reassuring. That much hadn’t changed since she was a kid. But she had changed. She was no longer a child.

Kate pulled back. “Aunt Penney, you don’t have to protect me. I’m an adult now. I want to be here for you, to help in any way I can.”

“You’re right.” Her aunt looked flustered. “Sometimes I still think of you as my little girl. And I didn’t want to ruin your holiday. I know it’s your favorite time of the year.”

She had that much right. Christmas was always magical, with the lights and the holiday spirit that came over everyone. “It is, but I can still help you with this problem.”

Fred stood in the kitchen and rubbed his white beard. His blue eyes twinkled as he smiled, as though he knew it would all work out in the end. When Kate was little and had visited her aunt, she’d always thought that he was Santa—from his deep laugh to the twinkle in his eyes. But now that she was grown up, she realized the reason she’d believed that was because he’d always dressed up like Santa for the holiday parties. Except for this year—

Oh no. She still didn’t have a Santa for the party. She checked the time. She hated to leave, but she had a meeting this afternoon.

“I’ve got to get back to the factory,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” her aunt said. “If anyone understands, it’s me.”

With another hug, Kate let herself out the door. She’d known the company was having problems, but she didn’t know they were running out of options. Now that she did, she was going to make sure they had a Christmas miracle. She didn’t know how just yet, but she wasn’t giving up.

Shopping with Kate was another eye-opening experience.

When he’d heard he was coming to Bayberry, Wes had never expected to be spending so much one-on-one time with Kate. In fact, he’d figured she’d probably married and moved away. And he certainly hadn’t expected her to be giving his wardrobe a makeover.

The Men’s Shop on Bayberry Square was small, but it was crammed with shirts, pants and even shoes. None of it was very fancy, but then again, Bayberry didn’t do fancy. It did practical and comfortable.

Wes, suddenly feeling overdressed, loosened his tie and unbuttoned the collar of his dress shirt. He’d been dressing like this for so long that it would feel strange to go to work in something so…so casual.

“What about this?” Kate held out a red flannel shirt.

Wes shook his head. Flannel? It wasn’t really his style.

He looked around, but there was so much to choose from that he felt a bit overwhelmed.

“There’s this.” Kate held up a gray long-sleeved tee-shirt.

He shook his head. That was way too casual to wear to work—even in Bayberry.

The tall, lanky man with short dark hair who ran the shop walked up to Wes carrying a navy blue knit sweater. “How about something like this?”

The sweater intrigued Wes. He reached out and ran his fingers over the material. It looked nice, and it was soft too. “I think this might work.”

Kate came over. “Oh, that would look good on you. And it would keep you warm. Why don’t you try it on and I’ll see what else they have?”

Wes had to admit the sweater did appeal to him. He’d forgotten how cold it was in Bayberry when the mountain air rushed up through the valley. It could chill a person to the bone.