Christmas in Bayberry

“That’s the spirit.” She looped her arm in his as they headed for the employee exit.

He wasn’t sure what to make of Kate’s spontaneous action. Oh, who was he kidding? He liked having her on his arm. A smile played at his lips.

He reminded himself not to get too drawn in. After all, he’d be leaving before Christmas. He reassured himself that this wasn’t a date. Not at all. It was just two friends—because by now they could call each other friends—anyway, they were just two friends going to spend some time with practically the entire town.

And he did his best to ignore the warm, fuzzy sensation that started in his chest every time she squeezed his arm. Because they were friends. Nothing more.

Chapter Thirteen

Evening had fallen over Bayberry.

Streetlamps lit the way.

All the while, fluffy snowflakes flittered and fluttered as they drifted to the ground.

Wes knew he’d made the right decision. Accompanying Kate to the tree lighting felt right—just like her hand tucked in the crook of his arm felt right.

“How is your evaluation coming?” Kate’s voice drew him from his thoughts.

He shook his head. “I really can’t talk about it.”

She frowned. “But it’s all right. Remember, Aunt Penney told me all about it.”

“It’s not that. I haven’t completed my study, and to give an opinion at this point would be unwise. There may be something I have yet to uncover that would offset everything I’ve established so far.”

“So you won’t even give me a hint which way you’re leaning?”

“Leaning?”

“You know, between keeping the candle factory open or recommending selling?”

He gave a firm shake of his head.

“Actually, that’s okay with me.”

He glanced over at her. “Why is that?”

“Because tomorrow’s sale is going to be huge.” Her face lit up with a smile. “I’ve been working so hard on this. I’ve drummed up a lot of support on social media. You have to admit that it’s going to be great.” When he couldn’t agree with her, the smile slipped from her face. “So what’s the problem?”

He really didn’t want to rain on her parade. “I didn’t say there was one.”

“You didn’t say anything at all. That’s how I know there is a problem.” She grabbed his arm and stopped walking. She moved in front of him to look him in the eyes. “Please, you have to tell me.”

He sighed. “The sale coupon you printed up and handed out to everyone—”

“It was to get them to the sale. We always do a coupon, and this year I upped the discount to draw in more people. And it’s working. Everyone is talking about this sale being the biggest ever.”

He gripped the strap on his bag tighter as he averted his gaze. “That’s the thing. The markdown is really large.”

“Forty percent. It’s not that large. I’ve seen

other sales just as large or larger.”

“But those other retailers have a means to recoup the loss.”

“Such as?”

“Marking up the stock before the holiday season. Or they limit the discount to just one regularly priced item.”