“Faith, you’re back!” Harmony was looking particularly festive when I came into work on Sunday after a terrible twenty-four hour flu. She was wearing a crown of tinsel and reindeer earrings complete with flashing red nose. “How are you feeling?”
I smiled. “I’m feeling a lot better, thanks to you sending Adam over.”
“Yeah, sorry about that,” she said, but didn’t look in the least bit sorry. “I’ve shown Mr. and Mrs. Johnson to Adam’s office. They arrived about half an hour ago.”
I looked at my watch. “I thought they were coming yesterday.”
“Adam asked me to reschedule since you were sick,” she said, giving me a knowing smile.
“He did? Oh, wow.” My heart warmed. I couldn’t believe he’d risked the sale of his business when he was on such a deadline. I picked up the mail from Harmony’s desk and made my way to Adam’s office. I could hear the deep rumble of his laughter before I had even turned the corner. I sighed, thinking about how much I loved hearing that.
“Good morning, everyone.” I pushed open the door and smiled my most professional smile, but Mrs. Johnson jumped up and grabbed me, hugging me tight. “I am so excited about this adventure, Faith. You have no idea.”
“I’m so glad,” I said, wishing I’d been brought up to speed. I shook hands with Mr. Johnson and then sat down, my gaze locking with Adam’s.
“How are you feeling, Faith?” he asked.
“Better, thank you.” I smiled at him and then turned my attention to the Johnsons.
“We hope you don’t mind, but we wanted to have another look around before we make a final decision,” Mr. Johnson said, to which his wife punched him playfully on the arm.
“Who are you kidding, Walter?” She turned to me and grinned. “We’ve got our hearts set on this place. It makes Christmas magical and we love it.”
I bit my lip to keep from smiling at her excitement. Mrs. Johnson had clearly never heard the term “poker face.” Her enthusiasm was infectious, though.
As I led them through the lobby, Mrs. Johnson giggled. “I remember that guy who was here before. Do you remember, Walter? He was so funny and quirky. Such a small town feel.”
Adam raised his eyebrows and I realized I hadn’t told him about talking Connor into playing that crazy role, so I just smiled and held the door open for them to walk outside. I stood back to let them pass and Adam held the door for me when he came up. Mrs. Johnson was chattering away again, exclaiming about the sleigh and the horses, and the snow, and the trees. This lady was off the scale happy and as we walked around Silver Bells, my spirits began to rise.
For the first time, I felt that there was light at the end of the tunnel. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson’s plans for the business were simple: keep things exactly as they were. If this all worked out then we could all get what we wanted. Adam could sell the business and buy the partnership he was desperate for; Mr. and Mrs. Johnson could buy the business of their dreams; and I could stay in the job I loved and keep it just the way Mr. Kline had created it. The only but, and it was a big but, was that a sale would mean that Adam would be moving back to New York. I didn’t want to think about that part just yet.
“Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, would you like to take a sleigh ride? The horses are ready, and there’s no tour expected for another ninety minutes.” This brought forth another bear hug and an ear splitting squeal from her, and an apologetic look from him. I grinned as I got the couple settled and took the reins, waiting for Adam, but as he stepped up into the sleigh, his phone rang.
“Sorry, please excuse me,” he said, walking a few feet away. He returned with his hand over the mouthpiece. “Sorry, something has come up and I really must take this call. May I leave you in Faith’s capable hands and meet you back here in about an hour?”
“Of course,” I said, glancing back once as we set off in the direction of the forest, but Adam had already disappeared from view.
Mrs. Johnson’s enthusiasm was infectious, and even I, someone who loves Silver Bells, saw everything with a fresh eye as she pointed out things—an elf hiding here, a glimpse of Santa’s Grotto there, and even a reindeer foraging in the snow for some moss.
Adam was waiting for us after the tour as we drew the sleigh to a stop at the front of Silver Bells. “You look like you’ve had fun,” he said, helping the Johnsons down before reaching both hands out to me, holding onto my waist and lifting me down. Memories of the first time his hands had been there while decorating his office came flooding back, making my smile even bigger.
“We had a great time,” I said.
As the Johnsons headed inside, Adam held me back. “I’ve got something to tell you. I didn’t know about this earlier, but—”
“Adam, darling!” Tiffany’s clipped voice cut through the air as sharply as a crack through ice. Dressed in a black fur coat this time, she sashayed her way from a sleek car to Adam, wrapping her arms around him and planting a kiss on his cheek. Without removing herself from him, she looked at me. “Hello, Fiona.”
“It’s Faith,” I said, my eyebrows coming together.
Adam stepped away from her. “Tiffany took the jet in, bringing Miles Wilson for a second look.”
Tiffany looked over her shoulder at the man behind her and rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry you had to see this, Miles. This is exactly what we were just talking about. Sleigh rides and snowmen, very tedious and so yesterday. But this is a prime location for your day spa.”
I turned to Adam in shock, and whispered. “But Mr. and Mrs. Johnson . . .”
Miles came forward. “Are we ready to do this?”
Tears filled my eyes, as a feeling of disappointment washed over me. Besides Adam, the Johnsons would be a great fit for Silver Bells. And Adam had all but promised me that the Johnsons would be given first refusal.
He took me to one side. “I’m sorry, Faith. Miles is here, so I need to hear what he has to say. The Johnsons told me they can’t beat the asking price and Tiffany tells me that Miles can.”
My stomach sank. “It comes down to profits then.”
I could understand having to sell to someone who might tear Silver Bells down but choosing to was another story. I gave Adam a hard look, before yanking the door open and hurrying inside. I half-expected Adam to come after me, but as I looked back he was standing and talking with Miles, and Tiffany was right by his side.
****
Later that afternoon, I massaged my temples and looked at Adam across my desk. Although there were only about three feet of mahogany between us, the distance had never seemed greater.
“I had no idea that Miles was coming up today, I promise.” Adam reached across the desk for my hand, which I moved out of reach. Earlier today, I was the happiest I had been in a long time, and now the rug had been pulled out from under me.
“Okay, but what I don’t understand is why you all but agreed to the Johnsons buying the place, and now you’re thinking of selling to Miles.”
“Faith, I know how much this place means to you,” he said, gazing out the window. Light snowflakes were falling and swirling. “Truth be told, I’ve grown to love it, too. But business is business. I only have a few days to make a decision. After that, the partner deal is off the table.”
“But the Johnsons are interested,” I reasoned.
“Their offer is below the asking price, Faith. If I accept their offer then I’ll need to take out a loan to bridge the gap. On the other hand, Miles is talking about full price and has even hinted at offering above the asking price for a quick sale. If that works out, I’d be able to buy into the partnership and still have capital left over to invest.”
I bristled. “Well, it seems like you have made your mind up,” I said, blinking back the tears filling my eyes.
Adam stood and walked around to my side of the desk, and pulled a chair out. Sitting next to me, he took my hands in his. “Faith, the last thing I want to do is hurt you. I’ve asked Miles and the Johnsons for time to think about their offers.”
I looked at him. “What’s the delay? You’re selling to Miles, right? Like you said, it makes more business sense.”
“It makes more sense here,” he said, tapping his temple. Then he took my hand and laid it against his chest, his heart beating strongly beneath my fingers. “But selling to the Johnsons makes more sense here.”
Without moving my hand, I looked into Adam’s eyes. “What are you saying?”
Adam’s gaze landed on the framed ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas poem and then on the mistletoe above the door. He smiled, smoothing my hair away from my face and wiping the tear that leaked down my cheek. “I’m learning to listen to my heart more. Nothing has been set in stone, and I have lots to think about.”
“I’m glad you’re thinking about it,” I said, hoping there was still a chance.
He walked to the door and I followed, thinking that the meeting was over. But instead of opening the door, he pointed upward. “Mistletoe. You know what that means.”
Listening to my heart, I figured tradition was tradition. So, I wound my arms around his neck and kissed him with everything in me.