She got out of the truck and walked to the house. She tried to slip in the front door quietly, hoping not to interrupt Anna and Buck’s evening.
“Vanessa? Is that you.”
She stopped in midstep.Busted.“Yes. Disaster averted. Misty looked beautiful in my Chanel. She had no idea how snazzy she looked. I think Mike almost had a heart attack she looked so pretty, but she came home happy.”
Buck nodded heartily. “I’m so glad you were there. Olivia is looking down here on this. I know she’s thankful for you tonight.”
Olivia?
“I’m glad I was able to help.”
“Come sit,” Anna called out.
“No. I smell like wet dog. The puppy almost got eaten by a coyote. I had to give him a bath. Long story. Anyway. I’m beat. It’s been one long day.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? You didn’t hit your head in that crash, did you? I don’t think you’re supposed to sleep if you might have a concussion.”
“No, Anna. I’m fine. I had my seat belt on. All I hurt was my pride—and your car, which I will take care of pronto.”
“No worries about the car,” she said, placing a hand on Buck’s arm. “Buck said he has a car I can use while we’re here. It’ll all work out. Our time together is all that’s important. I’m so glad you ended up in Fraser Hills for Christmas this year.”
“Me too. It seems to have all worked out just as it should.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
Monday morning Vanessa sat in her office at Porter’s.
The warehouse was ready and waiting on the new team to come and start unloading inventory from the trucks that had lined up behind the building over the weekend.
The new processes were shifting on schedule under Misty’s watch, and the whole team was getting acclimated to the new daily routines. Once she talked to Edward, she’d be done here, and that bonus was all hers.
Unfortunately, Kendra had sent her a message on Sunday letting her know that once again Edward had moved their meeting. This time he’d suggested Thursday, and instructed Vanessa to issue the status on the project via email.
She hit Enter on the final reports. It lacked the shock and awe she’d imagined when telling him face-to-face that not only had she done the near impossible early and on budget,but she’d also saved Porter’s and improved the following year’s forecast by a not-so-meager 19 percent.
A month ago, she’d have been spitting nails over Edward being so unavailable throughout this project when she was the one doing him a favor, but today… it didn’t even matter. Her priorities were to do some shopping for the special people she’d met here in Fraser Hills, and spend a merry Christmas with Anna.
This might be the merriest Christmas I’ve ever had as an adult.
Not getting the Paris project had been a blessing. She hadn’t even been here long enough to gather any personal items. With her laptop in her tote bag, she gave the office one last sweeping glance and walked out, closing the door behind her. She could take any follow-up calls from the carriage house.
She walked across the street. People filled the sidewalks as if it were a weekend.
The sign in front of The Stalk Market read3.5 SHOPPING DAYS UNTILCHRISTMAS. WE HAVE GIFTS FOR THE GARDENERS ON YOUR LIST.
Strolling down Main Street, Vanessa exchanged pleasantries with passersby carrying colorful packages, even recognizing some of them as employees helping with the changes at Porter’s. Across the street in the park next to the library, kids tossed snowballs at each other, and delighted squeals of excitement hung shrill against the icy chill.
She ducked inside a boutique. Warm air welcomed her into the space with the aroma of mulled apple cider being served to every shopper. She sipped on a cup while perusing the variety of gift options. Colorful angel ornaments would make such a cute adornment on a box. She tucked her favorites into a handbasket and picked out a beautiful picture frame forKendra, then bought matching holiday pajamas for Anna and herself. They’d open them on Christmas Eve like they always had at her grandparents’ house. With three bags in her hand, she made her way into each shop, trying to get a little something from each one, spreading her spending across all of the retail shops.
Loaded up with gifts for everyone on her list and three extra-tall rolls of wrapping paper, she slid into her favorite booth at the Blue Bicycle Bistro.
She was getting ready to swallow her first bite of chicken and dumplings when Lilene marched in and stood next to her booth, her arms folded and her lower lip trembling.
“Lilene? What’s the matter? You look upset.”
“Upset?”
“Sit.” She scooted over in the booth, but Lilene took the seat across from her. “I can’t believe you’d stoop so low. Just days before Christmas.”
