Peggy didn’t need to sing their praises to Lindy. She could see with her own eyes the hard work and long hours Billy had put into his restaurant. It worried her that he was running himself into the ground, looking to make the most of his investment.

  “The problem is that while Marcus is brilliant when it comes to knowing flowers and arranging them in creative, beautiful ways, he knows next to nothing about social media and user-friendly websites. His investment went into starting up his business. Like Billy, he’s trying to fit marketing in among running the store, filling orders, and balancing his inventory purchases with cash flow.”

  “Go on.” Lindy had a good idea of what Peggy was about to suggest. She needed, even wanted, her friend to say it, although she wasn’t sure what her response would be.

  The way the side of Peggy’s mouth struggled to hold back a smile, it was as if she could tell Lindy was interested. “Like I mentioned, I wasn’t even going to tell you about Marcus and the Rose Bud. You’ve got a lot going on in your life as it is.”

  “True…but?”

  “But then I thought about all the other small businesses in town who badly need services you could provide. Without much effort, I came up with a dozen more opportunities I could easily add to the list, and that’s only the start.”

  “Peggy,” Lindy said, holding up her hand to stop her. “I know what you’re going to suggest, and I have to admit it’s tempting.”

  “Good—”

  “But,” Lindy said emphatically, “moving to Wenatchee isn’t feasible at this time.”

  Lindy hated to admit how tempting this all sounded. Regrettably, there were too many factors that made it impossible. On top of the list was the work proposal she’d put together for the Ferguson Group. If that was accepted, it would require weeks, perhaps months, of work.

  “All I’m asking is that you think about it.”

  “Breaking away from a stable income and building a start-up business is a big deal. It takes more than an investment of time. Moving expenses would be involved, and I would leave the company that has put their faith and trust in me. It’s no small thing to walk away, Peggy. I know you can understand and appreciate that.”

  “Of course, I do,” Peggy confirmed. “I understand your hesitation and appreciate your loyalty to your employer, especially considering how hard the others on the team have been to work with. You could give them proper notice, ease your way.”

  “Owning my own business is a huge financial risk.”

  “It is.” Again, Peggy agreed. “Not everyone has the ambition and the drive to make it a huge success, but I think you do. Furthermore, you’d be helping others succeed. That has got its own share of rewards.”

  Lindy believed that, too, but that didn’t resolve other pressing questions she would need to answer first.

  “There’s my apartment,” Lindy said, thinking out loud. As appealing as this was, all she could see were the obstacles standing in her way. “I signed a year’s lease for my apartment and I’m only halfway through it.”

  “Didn’t you mention that apartments are at a premium in Seattle and how fortunate you were to find one within your price range?”

  “Yes, it was the great apartment search.”

  “You wouldn’t have a problem subleasing it, if necessary, would you?”

  Lindy hadn’t considered that. Shortly after she’d moved in, two of her coworkers had asked if there were other apartments available in the same complex. Without a doubt, either one of them would be happy to take over her lease.

  “It’s more than subleasing my apartment,” Lindy said, not looking at Peggy, for fear her friend would read the eagerness in her eyes. Peggy did make a move sound possible.

  “I know,” Peggy responded, with an understanding that caused Lindy to glance upward.

  “You do?” she asked.

  “It’s about Celeste and Brian.”

  Lindy waved off that excuse. “I’ve forgiven them. It’s in the past and nothing I want to discuss. It’s over.”

  “Maybe so, but deep down I think you’re afraid if you move back home, they’ll assume it’s because of them. That you’ve been unable to put the past behind you. It would be like admitting you hadn’t been able to deal with what they did, even though you have.”

  “Like saying they won and I lost,” Lindy said, and realized there might be some truth in that. How intuitive Peggy was. While she didn’t want to believe it, there was a possibility Peggy was right.

  Her friend appreciated what she was saying. Making this change would require a lot of soul-searching on Lindy’s part. Her head was full of Christmas, and if she’d admit it, her budding relationship with Billy, too. Once the holidays were over and she was back in Seattle, that would be the time to weigh this decision. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, before then.

  “You have time,” Peggy said, once again interrupting Lindy’s meandering thoughts. “I’m bringing it up now so you’ll consider the possibilities.”

  Lindy nodded. “I will, I promise.” And she would give it serious thought, especially if the Ferguson Group went with their competitors. More than one company had put in a bid for this major account, and getting it would be a coup for Media Blast and for her future with the company.

  “I have a couple more little incentives for you to think about while you’re at it.”

  “Incentives? Such as?”

  “Do you remember when we first met?”

  That was a silly question if ever there was one. “Of course. Grade school.”

  “I mean the very first day.”

  Searching her memory, Lindy came up blank and shook her head.

  “My family had moved to Wenatchee from Tennessee, and we were one of only a handful of Black families in the neighborhood. My first day of school, I didn’t see a single other person who looked like me. I felt like the odd girl out. I’d never felt more alone or out of place.

  “At lunch, I sat at a table by myself. Then you slid your tray down next to me and asked if I had a pair of Rollerblades. When I said I did, you invited me to come to your house. You were my very first real friend here.”

  “I did?” Lindy didn’t remember that, but then it’d been years ago. Lindy had loved hearing Peggy’s southern accent, which over the years had completely disappeared. “All I remember is what fun we had and how quickly you became my best friend.”

  “And mine,” Peggy echoed. “Now it’s time for me to repay the favor.”

  Lindy wasn’t sure she understood. The question must have shown on her expression, because Peggy went on to explain.

  “It’s my turn to be your friend when you need one. I see how much you’ve opened up and become freer since you’ve been here. I hate to see you go back and get sucked into the machine that stole your joy.”

  Lindy knew that was true. She’d asked Santa for a best friend, and then right after she’d written it down, she’d run into Peggy. Immediately it was like old times. It felt as if they’d never been apart. The evenings she’d spent with Peggy’s other friends, Chloe and Jayne, had been just the tonic she’d needed. Chloe and Jayne had welcomed her as if Lindy had always been a part of their small group.

  “Even if I did move back to town…” Lindy said, thinking out loud. While it was understood she could live with her parents for as long as needed, doing that didn’t feel right. It would be a giant step backward, living in her childhood home.

  “Even if what?” Peggy pried, unwilling to allow Lindy to drop the thought.

  “Where would I live? Yes, I could move back in with my parents, but that’s the last thing I want. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family. They’re great, but I’m closer to thirty than twenty-five. The last thing I expected when I graduated from college was needing to move home.”

  “That’s the best part of my plan.”

  “Oh, how’s that?”

  “I was saving this until last,” Peggy announced. “I need a roommate.”

  Lindy had been to Peggy’s spacious apartment, which was nearly double the size of hers in Seattle. Additionally, it had two bedrooms and was in an excellent neighborhood, above a retail section in the renovated part of town. The restaurant, grocery, and shopping center below made it possible to collect essentials without having to drive. An ideal location and situation. Because the complex was new, Lindy wasn’t sure she could even afford half the rent.

  “What’s your rent?” she asked.

  Peggy told her, and it was half of what Lindy paid in Seattle. If she were to share it, that meant it would be half again as much. A quarter of what she paid for housing in the Seattle area.

  “That’s reasonable,” she was forced to admit. “But there’s no guarantee I’d get enough work to support myself for a few months. I have savings but—”

  Peggy stopped her. “Trust me, between Greg and me, we can get you enough work for the next six months, and that’s without trying. This area is clamoring for someone to help with social media and website management. You’d be filling a real need.”

  Peggy appeared to have it all figured out. Lindy appreciated that Peggy was giving her the space and time to consider this idea.

  “You notice I didn’t mention the real kicker. The one point I think will probably be the strongest incentive for you leaving Seattle.” Peggy gave her a knowing look.

  “And exactly what would that be?”

  Peggy’s smile took up her entire face. “Billy Kincade. He’s crazy about you, and if I can read the signs, which I have been known to do on occasion, you feel the same about him.”

  Lindy was admitting nothing. “We’ve had a few good times,” she said, with some reluctance. Peggy had read her like a cartoon caption. Billy asking her to stay was definitely on the table, although Lindy didn’t want to admit it out loud.

  “Then I say let the good times roll with Billy and with me…I’ll wait until you make your decision before I look for a roommate.”

  That was fair. Lindy agreed with a quick nod. “You’ve certainly given me something to think about.”

  “Good. Now go have a wonderful Christmas with your family and we’ll connect in a couple days.”

  Lindy nodded. “And, Peggy, thank you for your friendship and support—you don’t know how much it means to me.”

  By then their pizza was cold and Lindy gave the packaged leftovers to Peggy. They left the pizza parlor together. Peggy headed out to her parents’ house. Lindy started toward where she’d parked her car.

  As she crossed the street, her gaze fell upon Santa. He had parked next to her. She’d seen him enter the pizza parlor. It was the same Santa she’d met while in Leavenworth. She’d recognized him right away.

  “Merry Christmas, Santa,” she said, coming to stand alongside him.

  Turning to look her way, he smiled and gave a cheery “Ho, ho, ho.” Santa retrieved a large bag from the truck bed and swung it over his shoulder and waited for her.

  “Oh yes, I remember you,” he said, smiling at her.

  “I saw you on Wednesday in Leavenworth.”

  “Yes, yes. You mentioned that you’d written me a letter.”

  “But you hadn’t read it yet.”

  “Ah, but I have now, and seeing that you’ve been a good girl all year, I’m happy to grant your every wish.”

  “Thanks, Santa.” This was fun. This guy definitely played his part well.

  “I recall an earlier letter from your childhood when you asked for Rollerblades.” He rubbed his hand down the side of his beard, as if checking his memory.

  Rollerblades were likely the most popular request Santa had received during her childhood years. “You should know I broke my arm while learning to operate those skates,” she said, enjoying teasing him.

  “That’s not the only thing that’s been broken, now, is it?”

  “The only bone,” she said, not getting what he referenced.

  “Ah, but one’s tattered heart can hurt as badly as a broken bone.”

  Lindy blinked and studied him more closely. “You seem to know a lot about me, Santa.”

  In response he grinned. “Say, young lady, how are you at handing out candy canes to little boys and girls?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Well, for one thing, I’m in need of an assistant, and for another, I believe you’ve got something weighing on your mind. Perhaps what you need is a listening ear.”

  Santa was right. Perhaps she did.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  The long line of adults with small children awaited Santa’s arrival at the Children’s Closet clothing store, where he was set to make his appearance. He handed Lindy a Santa hat and a bucket of candy canes. Her job was to manage the line, making sure each child had time with him.

  When Santa had first asked for her help, Lindy had hesitated. Yet, there was something about the way he’d studied her, as if he knew the decision that weighed on her mind. He just might have a word of wisdom to share, and she certainly was willing to listen.

  Once Santa was in place and the children took their turns, one by one, Lindy found herself caught up in the magic of the moment. It surprised her how much she enjoyed the exchanges Santa had with the children and their parents. He played his part perfectly. She’d never seen anyone do it better. He asked the children questions and seemed to recognize several as he asked things only an insider would know. She remembered her own time with him while in Leavenworth and how he seemed to know her. He was good, she’d say that. Really good with children and adults alike.

  Most of the kids were eager to visit Santa, while others clung to their mothers, terrified of the man in the red suit with the long white beard.

  “Do you have a special Christmas wish for Santa?” she asked the next child in line, who waited patiently. The little girl, who looked to be about five, nodded enthusiastically. “It’s a secret; I can only tell Santa.”

  “He’s a good listener,” Lindy assured her.

  “I wrote him a letter, too.”

  “So did I,” Lindy told her.

  “Did he read it?” she asked, her eyes round and curious.

  “He did,” Lindy said with a smile.

  When it was her turn, she raced up to Santa and leaped onto his lap. Lindy couldn’t hear what the child said, but Santa got a big belly laugh out of it and gave her a gentle hug before he sent her on her way.

  One little boy stuck out in Lindy’s mind. He seemed sad and preoccupied.

  “My sister is sick,” the little boy said. “If you can help her get well, then I don’t need anything for Christmas.”

  Santa nodded, as if he was well aware of the sick little girl. “I’m sorry little Anna needs surgery, but you know what?” he said, “I believe she is going to get the very best care possible and that she’ll be home soon. Don’t you worry.”

  “Thank you, Santa.”

  “And, Buddy, I think you need to check under the Christmas tree later. Santa hasn’t forgotten you.”

  Hearing the conversation, at first Lindy was alarmed that he might be giving the child false hope, but then she saw how the little boy brightened with the news. At least he would have hope for Christmas. Silently, Lindy sent up a prayer, asking God to heed Santa’s words.

  There wasn’t any need for a photographer, as all the parents had phones, snapping dozens of pictures in the few minutes their children spent on Santa’s lap. The lack of a photographer made Lindy wonder how Santa was being paid for his time and energy, and then realized the store probably compensated him.

  Santa’s patience with the children amazed her. Even the crying, squirming ones. He comforted each fussy child in a way that soon had them staring up at him with faces filled with wide-eyed wonder.

  Santa was booked for three hours, and the time flew. It felt like Lindy had been assisting him for minutes when the shop owner announced the time was up. The store was closing early for Christmas Eve.

  “We can’t thank you enough, Santa,” the woman said. “You don’t know what this means to us and our small shop.”

  “I enjoyed every minute,” Santa returned.

  “Are you sure you won’t take anything…We did a number of big sales while you were here.”

  He held up his hand, stopping her. “It’s my pleasure.”

  So Santa wasn’t being compensated. He’d volunteered his time. That he would do this for the children on his own deeply impressed Lindy.

  She handed Santa the bucket with only a few remaining candy canes. “You were wonderful,” she said, in appreciation of his patience and charm with each one of the children.

  “Been at this awhile,” Santa said, as he stood and stretched, working his shoulders back and forth.

  “It shows.”

  “Now, my dear, it’s your turn.”

  “Are you sure? You must be exhausted.”

  He checked the time. “Not at all. I loved seeing the children, but I’ll need to watch the clock. I’ve got a busy night ahead of me.”

  Santa must have a long list of appearances lined up.

  “Let’s grab a cup of hot chocolate and chat for a bit.” He led the way, even before she could refuse.

  The small coffee shop across the street was open, and he held the door for Lindy. She should have realized Santa would be nothing less than a gentleman.

  “Allow me,” Lindy said, as she started toward the counter to place their order.

  “Nonsense, I owe you for your help this afternoon,” he insisted. “Besides, Santa rarely gets charged. People seem to think one good deed will wipe out all their transgressions for the year.” He chuckled and escorted her to a table, pulling out the chair for her to take a seat.