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“No,” Ivy said immediately. “You’ll no longer be overseeing the operations. Becca’s doing that job since we’re incorporating eggnog into the booth this year too.”
“Well, nice to know I’m so easily replaced,” I said with laughter.
“You aren’t being replaced. You’re being reassigned,” Ivy clarified
I lifted a brow. “Reassigned? What do you have up your sleeve this time? Another food booth?”
“Nope,” Ivy answered. “But you are the manager of the bakery.”
“Yes,” I agreed, wondering why Mel was trying not to swallow her tongue as she bit back laughter.
“And you know the rule. The newest business in Bells Pass lights the tree for the year.”
I tipped my head in confusion. “Okay, but the bakery isn’t a new business. We just reopened it.”
“That’s true, we did,” Mel agreed, “but in a new, innovative way. Not to mention we added the eggnog side of the business.”
“Which would mean Becca would flip the switch.”
Mel leaned in and shook her head. “Cameras, remember?”
I frowned. “Okay, but it doesn’t have to be me. It should be Ivy. You’re the one who started the bakery back up. Mel could do it! She’s a manager at the bakery.”
“I’m the baking manager for the diner. You’re the manager for the entire bakery.”
Ivy pointed at her. “Yes, and I’ve already flipped the switch once in my life, so someone else has to do it. The task falls to you now.”
“Do you not want to flip the switch on the tree?” Mel asked. “I always love that part of the night. It’s so magical when that tree lights up and everyone sings.”
“It is the best part of the night, well, besides Santa visiting,” I said, winking at Mel.
In Bells Pass, Santa was none other than our friend Ellis David. He had snow white hair and owned a yoga studio for kids called Rudolph Yoga Express. Mel’s daughter Holly became fast friends with Ellis and decided he was the real Santa. Now, every year, Holly is his number one helper elf, and she takes her job extremely serious.
“I don’t know, guys,” I said, tapping my finger on the table. “Being in the limelight isn’t really my thing.”
“It’s an honor, Indigo,” Ivy insisted as Lance came out of the kitchen with three plates of French toast.
He set one in front of each of us and winked at Ivy. “I saw you sitting here and made you a plate.”
“And that’s why I pay you the big bucks,” Ivy said with a chuckle. “Thanks, Lance. This looks wonderful.”
“I heard you say it’s an honor. What’s an honor?” Lance asked, not budging from where he stood.
I begged Ivy with my eyes not to say anything, but she just smiled and launched into an explanation about me being the person to flip the switch this year.
Lance squeezed my shoulder and offered me a smile. “I’m proud of you,” he said, and I could hear the sincerity in his voice. “You deserve this. You’ve worked hard to get the bakery running again for the people of Bells Pass. That’s worth celebrating.”
“I know,” I agreed, rather than argue with him. “It’s not my thing to be in the limelight. I will say something stupid and embarrass Ivy.”
Lance squeezed my shoulder again and shook his head. “You don’t say stupid things, Indigo. I don’t know why you keep saying that, but regardless, I’m sure you and Ivy can come up with a short speech about the bakery that you can read. After that, you just count down from ten.”
Ivy pointed at me with her fork. “He’s right. You don’t have to give a twenty-minute speech. A few sentences are enough, especially considering by then everyone just wants the tree to light up.”
My laughter was uncomfortable when I nodded. “Okay, okay, I’ll do it, but we have to get the speech done immediately so I have time to practice it.”
“You’ll have it in your inbox by ten a.m. You can make any changes you want and start practicing. I promise it’ll be the most fun you’ve ever had in two minutes and ten seconds.”
Lance patted my back twice and nodded. “And I’ll be there to celebrate with you when you’re done.”
