“Deal!” Brea beamed.

  They were about to leave when Donovan swaggered through the front door. “What deal?” He smiled and eyed both of them.

  Taye had to catch her breath because his presence stole it, leaving her speechless.

  “Okay.” He grunted. “It must be some type of girl talk.”

  Actually, I put my foot in my mouth that would probably make you mad, despite you looking at me like that, Taye wasn’t about to speak her mind.

  “We’re leaving.” Brea saved her. “And what are you doing home?”

  Donovan shrugged and slipped his hands in his pants pockets after removing his hat. “What? I can’t say goodbye to my little sister?”

  Brea rolled her eyes. “You came to see Taye, but we have to go.” She slipped her arm through Taye’s and practically dragged her to the front door. “Bye.”

  Without putting up a fight, Taye laughed and waved at Donovan. There was something about that man that was magnetic.

  “I can’t wait to get started,” Brea said as she bounced in the passenger seat before clicking her seatbelt. “Do you know if Miss Queenie liked the sets? Did they sell out?” She fired one question after another.

  “I don’t know.” Taye did good to find her way back to Highway 285. Suddenly the secret angel was taking a backseat in her head because thoughts of Donovan were starting to take up a lot of space.

  The bachelor life was getting old and more like lonely. Although he planned to take his vacation the week following Christmas to celebrate Kwanzaa, he was determined to wrap up his projects and take a couple of days off before Christmas. There was a perk to being assistant vice president of operations. Snowflake suddenly became appealing, all because two ladies had taken root in his heart.

  Donovan wondered what Taye wanted for Christmas. If he had a hint, he would spare no expense to give her a memorable gift. That’s when an idea came to him, and he picked up the phone to set things in motion.

  Three days later, he arrived at the office in Blue Spruce Plaza, Taye and Brea were so immersed in their tasks they barely acknowledged him or acted surprise at his early presence.

  “Unless you bought food, we don’t have time to talk,” Taye said, ripping a zipper from a pair of pants.

  Brea was stitching on autopilot. “Two more to go,” she shouted at Taye.

  “Okay. I’ll grab something and be back.” He backed out of the room and found his way back to the Little Corner Bistro he had passed on his way.

  When he returned, Donovan saw the reason for their concentration. Brea had created a one-piece wool pantsuit thick enough for the winter elements. Taye was modeling it after Brea snapped on a wool skirt that hung longer in the back at the waist of the pants. With the right figure, which Taye possessed, any woman would catch a man’s eye in the getup. His jaw dropped and “wow” escaped between his lips.

  “I know, right? She did a fantastic job.” Taye beamed and struck a pose.

  “How much?” Donovan couldn’t take his eyes off Taye.

  “How much would you be willing to pay for it?” Brea asked with a serious expression.

  I would be the highest bidder if Taye Thomas came with the outfit, he mused, then cleared his mind when Brea called his name.

  “What do you think is a good price?” His sister was growing impatient.

  Stepping farther into the room, he placed the takeout from the Little Corner Bistro on an unused space, which happened to be a stack of boxes. “It’s priceless.” Did that get him off the hook? “Every woman in Snowflake would scramble to buy it.”

  “Yes!” Brea pumped her fist in the air.

  “I’m starved. Give me a sec to change, then we can eat,” Taye said and disappeared down the hall to the restroom.

  When she returned minutes later, they gave thanks and dug in. As they ate, Taye brought him up to speed on the pajamas/lounge sets Brea had sewn. “She needs publicity. I made a fake Instagram account to let folks know there’s a new designer in town, Queen B Designs, and where they could find her latest fashions.”

  “Hmmm. In addition to that, I can send out a mass email to my employees and remind them about helping homeless families and say Royal Fashions is clearing out its inventory. I’ll remind them that the company matches donations,” he fingered his beard. “I’ll have the department’s admin to add wording about the small-town charm of Snowflake.”

  “Thanks, Donovan.”

  “Business has picked up at Miss Queenie’s. I can’t remember ever seeing her so excited. Mr. Sam happened to stop by and was shocked to see that the garments were sewn with his fabric selection. There has to be a way to direct traffic to Mr. Sam’s store. Customers have to know that if blue is their favorite color, Sewing World has a big selection.” She gnawed on her lips.

  “I got it.” Brea snapped her fingers. “Why don’t you include a note in the boxes to Miss Queenie and have her tell her customers that Sewing World has hundreds of colors for a pantsuit in his store? What do you think?”

  Taye grunted. “As big as that store is, he might just have that many colors.”

  “This is cool!” Brea’s eyes shined as bright as flashing Christmas lights.

  Donovan nodded. “What about the money?”

  “My outfits did sell for a hundred and twenty-five bucks,” Brea said with a humph.

  “Impressive.” Donovan whistled. “Your creations are in demand, which is why you need to know how to run a business. If Miss Queenie keeps forty percent, you get sixty percent or seventy-two dollars per outfit. Not bad, sis.”

  He had to give Brea her kudos. Not only was she making a believer out of him, but Brea had a beautiful accomplice with her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  S unday morning, Taye would have dozed in the chapel during the music performance if it hadn’t been for a tap on her shoulder. She glanced around, but no one was in the pew behind her. Donovan and Brea, who were sitting on either side of her, didn’t seem privy that something had startled her.

  She squirmed in her seat to stay alert as Pastor Callahan walked to the podium. After a few pleasantries, he began his sermon about giving. “I pray you won’t lose track of God’s will

  during this season. God’s will for us is to be givers in everything,” he said. “We may want gifts for Christmas, and we might even be disappointed if we don’t receive them, but let’s not make Christmas about ourselves. Let’s make it about blessing others.” He paused and stared out into the congregation.

  Charity gave to others, even as she was dying. The thought made Taye tear up, and she sniffed.

  It was so soft, Taye didn’t think anyone heard her. But Donovan did and glanced at her with questions in his eyes. “You okay?” he mouthed.

  She answered with a smile.

  Pastor Callahan continued, “Don’t make Christmas about you. Give to those in need by seeking God’s will, and He will direct your path and lead you to whom to bless.”

  Before dawn Monday morning while the town of Snowflake was deep in sleep, Taye was wide awake, so she prayed, read her Scriptures, then decided to slip out and drive past Royal Fashions. The outfit Brea had sewn was still on the mannequin, but there was a white envelope pinned to it.

  Curiosity propelled her to pull to the curb, park, and hurry to see it. The envelope was sealed and addressed to Queen B Designs. Brea’s fictitious name had become someone else’s reality. “Wow.” Was it fan mail? Since Taye was a part of the Queen B Designs team, she took it and hurried back to her car. She was itching to open it, but she wanted Brea to have the honors.

  What if it is hate mail? the devil taunted her.

  The spirit within Taye whispered to her that it wasn’t, so she pushed back the doubt.

  Although they should have been in the sewing studio on Monday, Taye thought it best to give the teenager the day off. Plus, Taye needed to finish her commitment with Miss Tessie’s computer and make more Christmas greeting calls to friends on her list. She had gotten behind on them because of the project. That night, Donovan called her.

  “How are you?” he asked in that deep voice Taye had come to swoon over.

  Closing her eyes, she stretched out on her bed and twisted a strand of hair around her finger. “I’m good. How’s Brea?’

  A deep chuckle rumbled from his throat, which made Taye smile too. “She’s knocked out.”

  “She deserves it. Donovan?”

  “Yes?”

  “We don’t know what God has in store for Brea, but please, please nurture your sister’s talents by stepping out of the way and letting God have His way. Our will doesn’t always line up with God’s will for us.” Taye mused, speaking from experience. She had no idea what path God had for her without a job, yet He had given her wisdom about her spending and was supplying all her needs.

  “The Sunday sermon.” He was quiet. “Since this is the last week before Christmas, I guess you can’t spare time for a dinner date, huh?”

  He had no idea how badly she would like that, but she had to see the project through. She pouted. “Do I get a brownie point for wanting to? I don’t see how I can fit it in.”

  “It minimizes the sting of rejection,” he surprisingly admitted.

  “I’d never reject you, Donovan. You know my reasons for the raincheck.”

  “I do. What about Christmas dinner—my house?”

  “You can’t cook, remember?” She laughed, recalling their conversation.

  Donovan laughed too. “I place an order every year. Brea may want to bake some of the desserts my aunt has taught her. We both would enjoy the company without pins and needles around. I think that was a pun. So, do you have any plans?”

  “I’ll be on the road heading back to K.C. This will be the first time in years I’ll miss Christmas morning service at my church to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Afterward, I usually have dinner with my best friend and her family. Then Melissa and I generally close out the holiday watching our favorite Christmas movie.”

  “Which is?”

  “While You Were Sleeping. It’s a romantic comedy. We’re fans.”

  “Hmm. That’s a good tidbit to know about you.” He paused. “As a matter of fact, I’ve learned a lot about you these past weeks.”

  “Such as?” Taye smiled as she scanned the bedroom that reminded her of childhood memories that wouldn’t fade away when she returned to Kansas City.

  “You’re selfless.”

  Umm-hmm. You wouldn’t have thought that when I first got Charity’s check, she thought.

  “You’re a hard worker,” he continued. “You could’ve sat back and let my sister do all the work, but you pitched in. You’re kind, beautiful, sweet, gorgeous…”

  She giggled. “Stop. You’re making me blush.”

  “That is my intent, Miss Thomas,” Donovan said in a serious tone. “I think I’ve been enamored with you since the first time I saw you at the airport. I have no problem starting off with a long-distance relationship. You’re too special to let get away.”

  Her ears tingled at the declaration as Taye’s heart fluttered like a butterfly. Wow, she mouthed to herself, then swallowed. “O-okay, and what do you mean by ‘starting off’?”

  “I’m not intimidated by the distance to be with you, but as things change…”

  Taye was hanging on to his every word when another call came through. She looked at her phone—Melissa. Really? Her timing was terrible. She let it default to voicemail. Melissa would forgive her after she chewed Taye out.

  Donovan Edwards wasn’t subtle about his interest, and he made her crave his attention, but his timing was off. Come January, she had some decisions to make about where she would live while waiting on God to open up the doors for another job. “Donovan, you’ve given me a full plate to think about.”

  His deep chuckle was alluring. “Oh no, you don’t. The only way you’re going to have a full plate from me is when I take you out to dinner.”

  Taye shook her head in amusement. “One thing I have definitely learned about you is your persistence.”

  “With a capital P.”

  The man was wreaking havoc on her emotions, but it was time to step back. “I think we’ve done enough flirting for one night.”

  “Then maybe we can pick it up when I see you tomorrow,” he said.

  Shaking her head, Taye chuckled. The man was shameless. “Won’t you be at work when I come to pick up Brea?”

  “I’m going in late. Get a good night’s sleep, and be careful on the road tomorrow.” Then the call ended.

  “Whew!” Taye sat up in bed and ran her fingers through her mass of curls. She never saw that coming—Donovan enamored by her. She was about to get ready for bed, and she thought about the missed call from Melissa. After taking a deep breath, Taye called her friend back.

  “Hey, Mel.”

  “Umm-hmm. You only call me that when you’re up to something. Voicemail again? What’s going on in Snow Mountain that you can’t talk to me on the spot? Did you rekindle a relationship with an old flame that I knew nothing about? Are you secretly married or something? If you cheated me out of matron of honor—”

  “Girl, calm down.” Taye giggled and sat in a yoga pose on her bed. She noted the light snow falling outside her window. “I’m not married or getting married without you knowing first, but I’m going to a wedding on Christmas Eve. A guest staying at the B&B invited me, and I told Rebecca I would come.”

  “A wedding on Christmas Eve? That should be romantic,” Melissa said.

  “I’m sure it will be.” Taye had met Rebecca Goodman one morning during the community breakfast. The bride-to-be’s excitement was so contagious that Taye said she would be there. “Plus, I’ve been helping a teenager with a Christmas project, so we’ve been burning the midnight oil.”

  “Humph. What kind of project? Who is the teenager, and why do I suspect there’s more to read between the lines?” When she was slow to defend herself, Melissa ordered her, “Spill it.”

  “Ah, Brea is a sewing enthusiast. She’s working on a project, and I’m kinda helping her.” Taye couldn’t mention her secret angel mission. “I was speaking with her brother when you called.”

  “Really?” Melissa said in a slow drawl. “Her brother’s name, description, occupation, and marital status?”

  Laughing, Taye gave her friend the details. “Donovan Edwards, tall, buff, chocolate skin and a black silky beard, assistant vice president of a health insurance company, single…”

  “And you like him,” Melissa finished. “Looks like one of us may be getting a gift not under a tree. You sure you’ll be back for Christmas? The holidays aren’t the same without you here.”

  “I know.” Snowflake had been a distraction from her personal problems, and Charity’s death had taught her to never take life and people for granted. Taye began to sing, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

  “You never could sing.” They both laughed. Soon, Taye yawned, and before long they said their good nights.

  The next morning, Taye was slow in rising, but with Christmas Eve a week away, there wasn’t time for sleeping. She prayed, then she showered and dressed. Downstairs, Miss Tessie forced her to eat at least one biscuit with honey and drink a glass of juice for energy before she walked out the door.

  “Your grandmother would want me to take care of you before you go out doing whatever you and that sweet young girl are up to. Whatever it is, don’t work too hard.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Taye mumbled as she nibbled on her biscuit.

  During the hour drive to get Brea, Taye felt nervous about seeing Donovan. She didn’t know how she would respond, knowing the depth of his attraction. When she arrived at his condo, true to his word, Donovan opened the door and greeted her. He commanded the entrance to his house. There was something to be said about a man—a good-looking man—in a suit. “Good morning.” His smile was brilliant.

  “Hi,” she responded, trying to stop gawking as she stepped higher to meet him at the landing. Whatever he was about to say, Brea interrupted when she appeared at his side.

  “You’re late,” his sister said with a spark of mischief in her eyes.

  Donovan smirked in amusement as he reached for Taye’s gloved hand and guided her inside into his foyer.

  Taye playfully scrunched her nose at both of them. “Maybe I can redeem myself with this.” She pulled the envelope from her purse and handed it to Brea. “It was pinned to your outfit outside Miss Queenie’s shop.”

  “Yes!” Brea tore open the envelope while Taye and Donovan waited and began to read:

  Dear Queen B Designs,

  Thank you for bringing buzz into my shop again. I’ve had people drive as far away as Colorado Springs and beyond wanting a set. They paid upfront, and here is a check. They’re buying my other merchandise too!”

  Brea’s eyes widened looking at the money order and her jaw went slack as it floated to the ground. “It’s for five lounge sets, but the money order is for seven hundred and fifty dollars! She says the extra hundred and fifty is for me.” Tears filled Brea’s eyes before she began to sob. “My first paycheck.”

  Taye’s heart warmed. Although Miss Queenie’s business was struggling, she wanted to bless the person who was blessing her. That was the spirit of Christmas.

  Donovan was at her side immediately and rocked her in a hug. Taye catalogued the moment in her mind. Maybe Charity’s gift was meant for Brea along.

  Looking up, Donovan waved Taye to join them in the hug. The feeling of being included was indescribable. Suddenly, Taye wished she had a family, not necessary for Christmas, but any time of the year the Lord saw fit to bless her.

  “Are you okay?” Donovan asked softly.

  Brea nodded while she wiped her eyes. “Yep.”

  “We’d better go.” She reached for Brea’s suitcase. Taye was grateful Donovan had consented to letting Brea stay in Snowflake until the job was done.