In the back room of Daisy’s Country Store, Michelle stood on the stepstool. She tiptoed on one foot trying to reach for a large box on the top shelf in search of the candles she needed for the processional tonight.
“Hey. Are you okay? Do you need some help?” Thomas asked from the doorway.
“No. I just need to look for the…” She moved a box to the right. “Where are they?” She reached into a brown cardboard box in the top corner of the shelf.
Thomas stepped forward to spot her.
“Yes!” She held a candle up. “I found them. They’re here.” She pulled the long, narrow box from the shelf. “Way to go, Daisy.” She stepped down from the stool. “She’s still coming through in a pinch.” She was pleased to have found them. It would have been hard to find replacements at this late hour.
“Wow,” Thomas stood there looking at her. “You really do think of everything.”
Michelle laid the single candle back in the top of the box. “More like over-think. You know I’m a little scared that maybe once you get to know me more that—”
“Hey, listen. None of what you’re feeling worries me, Michelle. I get it. You don’t think I spend a lot of time worrying and thinking about the complications?”
He was thinking about the same things she was. That was a relief.
“There are still a lot of things to work out if I’m going to expand a logging company down here. It may not happen. I have a son to consider.”
“Who’s great,” Michelle said. “He’s funny, he’s bright, he’s—”
“He’s a big fan of yours, too.” Thomas looked pleased. “And so am I. I’d like to still keep getting to know you, Michelle. Either way.”
He took her hand in his and caressed her fingers. “I like you.” Their eyes locked. “I like this.”
I like this, too. Michelle took in a deep breath, hoping she wouldn’t cry. Her heart was so full right now. She stepped closer and tiptoed to kiss him on the cheek, then walked back out to the front of the store where Hannah and David were both helping to decorate the tree.
“David, I have something for you.” Lisa walked over to the counter to get the gift Nick had left for him. “Nick wanted you to have this.”
David took the car, and held it in his hands. “Thank you.”
Michelle hoped Thomas would explain to him that there was probably some significant value in that antique tin toy. It appeared to be in mint shape. She looked between father and son standing together now. She could picture herself part of that family. It was as exciting as it was scary to imagine.
David turned the car over in his hands, then looked up at Lisa. “Does it have a remote?”
“No, I don’t think it has a remote. It’s pretty old. I think they worked a little bit differently back then.”
“Cool.” He waved the car in the air, steering it down an imaginary highway in the sky. “Thanks.”
“You ready to go have some fun?” Thomas asked him.
“Sure. Are you coming with us, Michelle, or are you staying here with Hannah?” David asked.
Michelle’s heart warmed at just the fact that he’d asked her to join them. “Thank you so much. I’m going to help Hannah and Lisa until the buyer gets here, but then I’m all yours.” Michelle smiled at him. “Deal?”
“Deal!” David and Thomas walked out into the crowd, and Michelle was looking forward to joining them later.
Lisa walked over to the counter where Hannah and Michelle stood. “Before Polly gets here, I just want to thank you all again for everything you’ve done to help get Daisy’s ready for Ezra to sell. Not just for Ezra, but for the whole town.”
Michelle nodded agreement. “It’s been exciting. I hope this works out.”
“We all do,” Kevin said.
“We’ve given it our best effort, and I think it really shows. I’m really proud of how it looks. I just know she’s going to love it.”
Hannah pointed toward the street outside. “They’re here!”
“Oh, my gosh.” Lisa rushed around the other side of the counter to greet them.
A hush fell over the room, and a moment later the bells jangled, the front door opened and in walked Polly followed by Ezra, and then Oliver.
It didn’t take even one full second for Polly’s jaw to drop and sheer joy to spread across her face. “Lisa, this store is absolutely gorgeous!” She threw her hands wide. “I love it.” Still bundled in her camel-colored coat, she walked over to the left of the store, her head on a swivel. “Look at these gorgeous pillows. They must’ve been hand-done.” She picked one up, clearly impressed by the quality. She ran her fingers across the tiny button on the fabric wrap of the fragrant goat milk soap. “What a cute touch. I love that.”
Polly hadn’t even said hello yet, she was so enthralled by the store. A very good sign.
“Beautiful.” Polly’s excitement was contagious. Lisa’s pulse quickened.
“Look at all those nutcrackers. They’re all lined up and ready to go,” Polly said.
Lisa stood with her new Evergreen friends as Polly made a turn to see what she’d missed on the right side of the store.
Ezra beamed with pride.
“Oh my goodness, maple syrup, which I love.” The Sugar Shack had really come through with a special Christmas batch of maple syrup that had wreaths on the labels. Their display was adorable with their mascots, two chubby squirrels made of buri needles holding acorns. The same person who made the owl on top of the Christmas tree must have made those, too.
“Everything is just…”
It was the first time Lisa had ever known Polly to be at a loss for words.
“Incredible?” Ezra tried to fill in the blanks.
“It’s exquisite.” Polly said. “It really is.” She turned to Oliver. “I love it. The way you mixed the antique items with the new items. Very smart.” She wagged a finger toward him and then Lisa.
Michelle quietly moved closer to Lisa, trying not to interrupt Polly’s vibe. She put her hand on Lisa’s arm and whispered, “Good luck.”
Lisa gave her a nod. Michelle and Hannah slid toward the front of the store, smiling back at Lisa and saying quick goodbyes to Ezra as they all filed out.
Kevin started to follow.
Lisa grabbed his arm. “Wait. You’re going too?”
“Yeah, listen. Do your thing. Work your magic.” He wrapped his hand around her arm. “But…we’ll talk later?” He sounded like he was looking forward to it.
“Yes. Definitely.” She was looking forward to it too.
Polly went on. “Handcrafted paper? Would you look at that?”
Oliver walked over to stand next to Lisa in front of the Christmas tree. It was the perfect addition to the store. She glanced back at the special surprise. Kevin had done this just for her.
Polly stepped in front of them. “You two have really done it again. It’s quaint. It’s charming. It has fascinating merchandise.” She walked to the back to keep looking. “I just love everything. It’s just beautiful.”
Ezra stood behind her, nodding with a huge grin. He looked like he was about to burst from the excitement. Lisa was so happy for him.
All the hard work had paid off, and so many people in this town had come together to make it happen. She proudly stood between Oliver and Ezra. “Polly, I can’t tell you how much this means to us—”
“And I’m not going to buy it,” Polly said matter-of-factly.
Oliver, Lisa, and Ezra all stopped. “What?” The chorus of surprise was followed by silence.
The beads of sweat forming above Ezra’s brow made her worry that he might faint. Lisa felt sick. This wasn’t what she’d expected, either.
Polly faced Lisa and Oliver. “I came up here with an offer for the both of you. And I wanted to do it in person.” She turned and gave Ezra an apologetic nod as she extended her hand. “I’m so sorry to have wasted your time.”
Ezra didn’t say a word, just heaved a heavy sigh, still staring at Polly in disbelief.
Lisa reached for Ezra, just as Polly began to speak again.
“You have a beautiful store,” Polly said, “and I know you won’t have any trouble selling it.”
“I’ll…” Ezra swallowed. “Give you a minute.” Crestfallen, he turned toward the door.
Lisa patted his back as he walked away. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, then glanced over at Oliver, who was speechless too. She was so disappointed, but Ezra had to feel worse. He’d probably now lose this beautiful store that meant so much to everyone in this town.
“I’ve come to offer you jobs.” Polly lifted her chin.
“What?” Lisa and Oliver shared a confused glance.
“Come work for me. Help me expand, and over time, you’ll become part owners. And eventually have your own store.”
Oliver looked at Lisa, but Lisa didn’t know what to say either. She loved being in business for themselves. Working for Polly, or anyone else, had never been the goal.
Lisa couldn’t even believe what was happening. This place seemed perfect for Polly. But not knowing what else to say, she figured the polite thing was to let her continue to explain her offer. “Yes?”