A Heartfelt Christmas Promise Read online

  “And I’m proud of you.”

  Anna’s delicate and comforting voice, like silver bells, left her feeling lighter, and loved.

  “Remember when you were six?” Anna asked. “Barely old enough to Magic Marker a poster, but you did and then sold more cookies by yourself than the church did at the Christmas Festival. And when you were in the sixth grade you had more fashion sense than I did, and figured out how to make money using it.”

  “You funded the start-up for that business.”

  “Vanessa’s Fine Vintage Frills.”

  “You always believed in me.”

  “Of course I did.”

  “I loved going to the flea markets with you, sifting through old jewelry to find just the right pieces for my kiosk. Every Saturday on the driveway.”

  “I remember. You’ve always had a head for business,” she said. “You were quite the entrepreneur. I thought you’d own a boutique one day, but I guess I wasn’t dreaming big enough. You’ve done so well. And now you’re picking the projects you want to do. That’s quite an accomplishment.”

  There wasn’t anything entrepreneurial about her job now. It was simply making the decisions the executives made become reality. But she was good at it, and she’d moved up quickly. “It’s been a hard road and lots of work, but yes, I’m in an excellent position now.”

  “In your career. Yes, I’d agree,” said Anna. “But your personal life could use a major do-over, and spending Christmas together is a good first step.”

  “I’ll call you after this meeting, when I get my assignment and know where we’re going. Fingers crossed for Paris!”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Vanessa rushed into the elevator just before the doors closed. “Eleven, please.”

  Why was it that when she was in a hurry this elevator seemed to stop at every floor? Good thing she didn’t work in a building with more floors. Finally, when she was the only person left, it lurched to a stop, and the doors opened.

  The front-desk receptionist lifted her head and offered a good-morning.

  “Good morning.” Vanessa checked the time, then picked up her pace to drop off her handbag in her office.

  Kendra, her assistant was waiting on her. “I have all the paperwork for the meeting right here for you,” she said, trading the documents for Vanessa’s purse. “You’re a little late, but not horribly so. You’re near the bottom of the agenda.”

  “Great.” She’d reviewed everything yesterday, so she was already prepared. She rushed down the hall, then paused in front of the conference room door to catch her breath, before quietly opening the door and entering with an air of confidence.

  Never apologize.

  She took her seat at the fourteen-foot table. Gleaming wood and fine leather chairs filled the room. There were normally at least another ten people on the phone.

  Offering a simple nod and grin to her boss, who nodded back, she turned her attention to Roland McAdo, who was droning on about the status of his merger down in Miami. He was the Chicken Little of the bunch, and Vanessa usually just tuned him out, knowing full well that no matter how dismal a picture he painted, he’d pull it off with great success as he always did.

  Roland sat down and pushed the agenda between him and Vanessa.

  “I’ve got one. Thank you.” She flipped open the folder Kendra had prepared for her. Glancing over it, she saw that she hadn’t missed much. Just some recaps on older projects.

  Down the list toward the bottom were the discussions about the two latest acquisitions. The ones she’d already expressed interest in. Paris, because who wouldn’t want to work in Paris for a while, and the one in Leavenworth that included a hefty bonus. Which, come to think of it, could mean that the house she fell in love with this morning wouldn’t really be out of her budget after all.

  She shifted in her seat, excited about how things were coming together. She patted her damp palms on a page in her notebook, determined to look calm.

  The meeting would go on for at least another hour and a half. If she got the Paris project, she’d meet with the director immediately following this. If she was assigned Leavenworth, she’d owe Sally a phone call. It would be a long day for her and Kendra, but a good one either way.

  No time for lunch today, Anna. I’ll do better tomorrow.

  Each project was reviewed. If it wasn’t in green status, then a get-to-green plan was discussed before they moved to the next. One of the big acquisitions was an East Coast sporting-goods chain. They were in desperate need of warehouse space to accommodate a huge deal with Outdoor Sports Pro that could mean millions. Since she didn’t have any properties open to offer from her portfolio, she excused herself for a quick break.

  When she got to her office, Kendra leapt up from behind her desk.

  “How’s it going? Do you know which project we’re getting next?” Kendra had been her assistant for more than four years now. They were so in sync that Vanessa never worried about anything falling through the cracks.

  “No. Not yet. There’s a big discussion going on about Gary’s East Coast sporting-goods megachain. They just landed some huge exclusive deal and need warehouse space ready by the beginning of the year.”

  “That’ll slow down the meeting,” Kendra said.

  “I know. Thought I’d use it to my advantage and grab a cup of coffee and check messages.”

  Kendra handed her a stack of messages. “I put hash marks under the ones from Sally. That lady thinks you’re dodging her calls or something. I told her I’d have you call her as soon as you got out, but that your calendar is packed.”

  “Hmm. Yeah, we had a difference of opinion on that house this morning.”

  “I wondered. I take it the place was horrible.”

  “No. Not horrible at all,” Vanessa said. “In fact, it was perfect.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “It was over budget. I’ll tell you while we’re celebrating our new project later.”

  Kendra clapped her hands together. “I can’t wait. I’ve already researched both locations.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me. I have too. It’s going to be great.” Vanessa breezed out of her office and stepped back in the conference room. One of her coworkers, Micky Cooper, was pleading the case for a warehouse project to get moved to one in his portfolio in North Carolina. Something that had been on his books for a long time. It must not be making big profits lately, else why would he offer it up?

  She took her seat.

  “Porter’s has two huge warehouse spaces. Plus, the surrounding area has plenty of space for expansion. It’d be tight to do a shutdown and get ready by January first, but the right person could get it done.”

  Vanessa politely smiled, rocking in her chair as she swung back around toward her boss, Edward Grayson. Yeah, it could be done, but Micky wasn’t the guy to do it. He was always running late on his projects. He was really much better on the front-end negotiations than the execution of things like this.

  Edward’s bushy eyebrows wiggled like restless caterpillars. “You’re right, Micky.”

  Micky gave a cocky nod and leaned back in his chair.

  “Only this can’t slip. Not one day.” Edward’s glasses slid farther down his nose as he swiveled his gaze across the team sitting at his table today, and then his focus landed on Vanessa.

  As in a disastrous game of spin the bottle, Vanessa’s insides flipped.

  “Porter’s is a small town. I went out there personally when we closed that deal. It’s the best option we’ve got in our portfolio to make this happen in the short time frame. Execution has to be flawless. Vanessa—”

  “No.” She hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Trying to cover, she said, “Edward, there are plenty of good people on this team who can handle that assignment, and Thanksgiving is next week.”

  “I need you to handle it.”

  “Sir, with all due respect.” She lowered her voice and leaned in closer to him. “Paris? Leavenworth? I’ve earn
ed those.” The words hung like peanut butter in the back of her throat.

  “You’re right,” he said. “You have.”

  She raised her chin, hoping he’d change his mind.

  But Edward looked down the table again and with not an ounce of remorse announced, “I need you in Fraser Hills, North Carolina, on Monday. It’ll be quick, and I promise I’ll give you the next big thing that comes through this door. This has to go right. It’s important.”

  Her throat tightened. “Yes, sir.”

  Micky leaned forward with a sly grin. “I’ll send you the files on Porter’s.”

  She nodded as she sat there trying to hold herself together as the agenda moved on.

  When they got to the two projects she’d been vying for, she could barely breathe while her dream projects were assigned. Micky and his brother Gary were assigned the Paris project as a team. None other than McAdo landed Leavenworth.

  “That’s it for today.” Edward pushed himself up from his chair.

  Vanessa was thankful Micky and Gary, full of enthusiasm, had cornered Edward so she didn’t even have to make eye contact with him. She pasted a smile on her face and headed straight to her office.

  “What’s our holiday going to be? Christmas lights in Leavenworth or pastries in Pah-rhee?” Even in the worst French accent ever, Kendra’s enthusiasm was endearing, if poorly timed.

  “I need a minute.” Vanessa waited until Kendra backed out and closed the door. She gathered her thoughts. Being a team player was important to Vanessa … usually. She just never was the one who had to change her plans for the team. This had come from left field.

  A new email popped up on her computer screen. It was the Porter’s file from Micky. With a sigh, she sat down and started scrolling through the documents.

  “A fruitcake factory?” Even worse than she’d thought. She now remembered when they acquired this one. They were already running a pretty lean staff. It shouldn’t take that much time. Get in, get out, and pick up a long-term, big-city megacompany project that she could really sink her teeth into for a while.

  At least she’d be closer to Anna for the holidays.

  She picked up the phone and dialed Edward’s office.

  “Hey, Becky. Is Edward available? I need a few minutes with him.”

  “He just got back. Come on over.”

  “Thank you.”

  She stood, straightening the bottom of her jacket and smoothing her skirt. “I’ll be back in a few minutes,” she said to Kendra with a fake smile. “Have to chat with Edward.”

  Kendra looked like she was about to throw confetti. If she only knew.

  * * *

  Vanessa rolled the dialogue over and over in her mind. Becky was away from her desk, so Vanessa knocked and walked into Edward’s office.

  “I can always count on you,” he said.

  “Yes. Yes, you can, but I was counting on Paris. Or actually Leavenworth. That bonus could help me with the house I want to buy. Instead, I get fruitcake? Really? Someone should have shut that down when we took it on. It’s bringing in a pittance. Leave it to Micky to leave the work on the table and take the easy way.” She sat in the chair across from him.

  “I know you’re upset,” Edward said.

  “Why can’t I team up with McAdo on the Porter’s closure, then take over Leavenworth when it’s done? I can do both. You know I can.”

  “I need you focused on Porter’s. This deal will fall through if we don’t have adequate warehouse space in time. It’s big money.”

  “What about Rick Gula or Patsy Jennings? They’re both great at shutdowns.”

  “They moved on last summer. No one likes the shutdowns. I get it. I wouldn’t have assigned this to you if I had another option.”

  “I gave you another option.”

  He shook his head. “I tell you what, I’ll match the amount of the Leavenworth bonus if you get yourself to Fraser Hills on Monday morning and get that fruitcake factory shut down by January first.”

  That was unexpected, but it wasn’t what she really wanted.

  With her hesitation, Edward threw his hands up in the air. “Fine. I’ll double it.”

  Double? That added up to one big bonus.

  “And I’ll still give you your pick of the next projects.”

  “Are you going to put that in writing?”

  He cocked his head, his neck beginning to turn an odd shade of pink.

  “Strike that. Your word is good with me.” She stood. She could be only so mad with that kind of bonus for such a short assignment. “I’d better get to my office and get Kendra working on those reservations.”

  “I think that’s an excellent plan.”

  Vanessa walked back to her office dreading having to burst Kendra’s bubble. It would have been such a nice reward to let her come to Paris to help get things started. She was going to be disappointed.

  I’ll make it up to her on the next project.

  But when Vanessa walked in, Kendra stood with two flutes of French champagne. “Let’s celebrate. I can’t wait!”

  Vanessa took the bubbling glass and raised it to her. With a high-pitched clink, they both sipped.

  “Okay,” said Vanessa, taking another sip. “Thank you, this is nice, but I’ve got bad news.”

  Kendra lowered her glass.

  “I’m sorry to say we will not be in Washington or Paris.”

  Confusion flooded Kendra’s features. “Where, then?”

  “I’ll be in the mountains of North Carolina for a quick shutdown.”

  “North Carolina?”

  “I can’t believe it either. I’ll be closing down a tiny fruitcake factory and clearing space for a sporting-goods company to warehouse inventory. And it’s a tight timeline.”

  “Over Christmas?”

  “By January first.”

  “If that isn’t heartless.” Kendra drained her glass. “Do those people even know what’s coming?”

  “They must. We are always very clear at acquisition that things can change down the road. It is rotten timing, but it can’t be helped.”

  Kendra poured more champagne in both of their glasses. “Mm-hmm. That’s always what the big company line is. Just business, right?”

  “Well, yeah. I mean, everyone will be well taken care of. That’s never a problem.” Vanessa tried not to think of the individuals involved when she handled shutdowns. It had been a long while since she had done one of these, and somehow, she’d never had to do a shutdown over the holidays. “I’m disappointed too, but our next project will be something wonderful. Edward promised.”

  “Christmas in Paris would have been amazing, but I feel worse for the workers in North Carolina than for us.”

  Vanessa plunked down in her chair. “Edward thinks he needs me on this one. I plan to make the best of the situation.”

  “Of course you do.” Kendra slugged back the champagne. “You’re right. It’s our job, and at least we’ll have paychecks next year.”

  Ouch. If that wasn’t like a kick to the gut.

  “I know you have plenty of vacation built up,” Vanessa reminded Kendra. “There’s no need for you to spend your Christmas in Fraser Hills with me. Just let me know what days you’d like to take off and I’ll approve them.”

  “Thank goodness,” Kendra said. “I don’t mean any disrespect, but I don’t think that town is going to be very festive this Christmas. I’d rather be in a happy place.”

  “Let’s hope when Porter’s doors close, even better opportunities await them with the new warehouse opening,” Vanessa said. “They’ll need employees. That’s something.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” Kendra lifted her glass. “New jobs for everyone.”

  If only I could guarantee that.

  CHAPTER THREE

  In Fraser Hills, North Carolina, Mike Marshall stood at the edge of the practice ring behind his barn with one dusty leather boot propped on the bottom fence rail. Watching his daughter, Misty, work the horses always m
ade him miss Olivia. After eleven years, you’d think a man might be able to deal better, but the older Misty got, the more she reminded him of Olivia. Even the mannerisms echoed her mother’s, although Misty had been so young when she died. She probably didn’t recognize the similarities herself.

  He scrubbed the stubble on his chin. The team of shining Percherons moved around the ring, their equipment jingle-jangling as Misty navigated the hitch in perfect unison past him. All six horses performed flawlessly at her lead.

  There weren’t many sixteen-year-olds that could handle a six-hitch better than his daughter. She’d already won more blue ribbons than most would in a lifetime. Pride swelled inside him as he looked on.

  Her love for these animals was as big as his own, and the way she’d dedicated herself to learn the niche skill still blew him away. It was hard work, and it required patience, focus, and stamina that most adults didn’t even have.

  She circled the heavy wagon in a figure eight and then completed an impeccable execution of “spin the top,” a tricky move that required the driver to spin her team of horses and wagon without moving one back wheel.

  He applauded as she came out of that spin. The melodic pound of horse hooves passed by him again.

  Misty’s grin told him she was happy with the workout too. This team was ready, and it was the direct result of her hard work this year. Some of these horses were young, only three years old, but Misty had trained them tirelessly. She was determined, and her efforts were paying off.

  “Great job!” Mike walked over, giving each horse a pat as he passed by. “I honestly think this team might be our best one. It took me years to become that good.”

  “Thanks, Dad, but everyone knows you’re the best. You have the trophies to prove it.”

  “Yours are coming, little girl.” He held out his hand to help her down from the wagon, then pulled her in for a hug. “How about you let me cool these guys down and get them unhitched and put away? You don’t want to miss the football game tonight.”