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.

  “I’ve got it.” Donovan lifted it, then escorted them down the steps and to the car. He closed Brea’s door first, then Taye’s. “Drive safely.”

  Taye nodded, started the motor and drove away.

  “Wait until she sees the wool ensemble I’m finishing. We can put that one on the dress form outside her shop. It’s going to be a big hit too.”

  Taye believed it as well. “One day I believe you’ll make it big.”

  “Yep. You know it.” Brea grinned.

  Soon they arrived in Snowflake, and they didn’t waste any time getting busy. In their makeshift sewing studio, Taye assisted with the cutting and ironing. She had learned more about sewing than she ever thought possible. The project had been fun—stressful but rewarding. Then the unexpected happened and Brea needed more notions. Donovan wasn’t here to take Brea shopping and keep it undercover. Taye gnawed on her lips.

  “Can’t you improvise with something?” she asked Brea.

  Brea shook her head. “Nope.”

  Taye took a deep breath, then grabbed her keys. Hopefully, Mr. Sam wouldn’t be manning the store today. But he was when Taye and Brea walked into the sewing warehouse.

  There was a group of four huddled around Mr. Sam. One had a camera on his shoulder while another man held the microphone to Mr. Sam.

  Turning their backs from the group, Taye steered Brea toward the notions while both of them eavesdropped.

  “Whoever this Queen B is, she’s stirred a sensation on social media. We spoke with Mrs. Fannie Queen, who said she doesn’t know the designer, only that the fabric came from this store. We were hoping you knew her.”

  Mr. Sam shook his head. “I don’t, but if I saw her, I would give her a hug. Business has picked up. At least people are browsing and buying yarns, fabrics and craft items.”

  The reporter nodded. “I’m sure that’s good for business, which is why we’re on the hunt to track this phantom designer that is the buzz on social media. We want to feature her talents on our new reality show which is a spinoff of Project Runway—discovering new designers in unlikely places like in a small town.”

  Taye exchanged glances with Brea. “We’ll have to get what you need later. Come on.” Looping her arm through Brea’s, she practically dragged the starstruck girl back to her car while keeping a finger to her lips for the teenager to keep quiet.

  Once in the car, the explosion came as Brea screamed, “They liked my designs...they liked my designs! I’m really going to be rich and famous!” Her face glowed, then she snapped with an attitude. “Why did we leave? We should have talked to them.”

  Gripping the steering wheel, Taye wanted to measure her words. “Because you’re a minor, and the media has to have permission from your legal guardian to speak to you.”

  Brea gritted her teeth and balled her fists. Clearly, she wasn’t happy, so Taye was quick to add, “Plus, there’s probably a contract involved, if they want to shadow you, Donovan needs to know exactly what they’re offering you to make sure they don’t take advantage of a young girl who they may think is naïve.”

  Brea was quiet as she seemed to consider the explanation, then nodded. “I guess you’re right. I’ll need a manager when I make it big.”

  Taye was amused that Brea agreed so quickly.

  When Brea called Donovan and told him what they had overheard, he didn’t go ballistic as Taye would have thought, probably Brea too. “I’m tied up now, but I’ll get to the bottom of it once I get there.

  Much later, Donovan arrived. His larger-than-life presence filled the doorway of the makeshift sewing studio. “Now, what is going on?”

  “She told you all we know,” Taye said. “This is something you and Brea need to work out.”

  “Cool. Let’s go!” In a frenzy, Brea slipped one arm in the wrong sleeve of her coat.

  “Hold on. Where are we going?” Donovan frowned.

  “Sewing World.” Her expression read it was a given.

  “That was hours ago. Do you really think they would be staked out there waiting for you?”

  “No, silly big brother, but the owner might know how to reach them. Plus, I do need to get some notions.” She grinned and grabbed his keys. “Should I drive or you?”

  Donovan swiped his keys. “Aunt Sadie didn’t want you on the road, so you don’t have a permit.”

  “Yeah, we need to work on that too,” Brea said, then looked over her shoulder at Taye and winked.

  “Hold on.” Although Taye was happy for any breakthrough moments for Brea, Taye couldn’t jeopardize the secret angel project. “Can meeting with the show producers wait until after Christmas?”

  “Why?” Brea looked crestfallen from Taye’s suggestion.

  “Part of our agreement was no one would know who is behind the designs, at least until after Christmas,” Taye reminded her.

  “If we can’t honor our commitment to Taye, there will be no deal on the table, which means I’m going to this Sewing World store alone.” Donovan held up his hand when it looked like Brea was about to protest, “I’m not finished. Plus, I’m not signing off on anything without a commitment from you to finish high school here, and I’m not talking about getting a GED.” Donovan folded his arms. Only after Brea agreed to his terms, did he leave.

  Taye had never seen Brea so quiet as they worked to complete sewing tasks.

  An hour or so later, Donovan returned and Brea practically jumped when the door opened. His stern expression gave nothing away until he smiled. “We have a deal.”

  Brea jumped in his arms, and he almost stumbled back from the impact. Looking up at him, she begged him to tell her what happened. “It was a Hollywood producer looking for you and he did leave a contact number with Mr. Sam.” He paused and grinned wider. “Want to hear something funny? He’s actually staying at the B&B!”

  “No way!” Brea and Taye said in a chorus.

  Donovan smirked. “What a coincidence. Pierre Carlson is an associate producer at Project Runway. He saw one of your lounge sets on Instagram and followed the account but couldn’t find a website or contact information, so Pierre decided to follow the clues to Snowflake.”

  Taye listened while Brea seemed to zone out.

  “I could have eaten at the same table with him. I wonder if he was the white guy with the red hair or maybe, it was the bald black guy with the kid-size glasses.

  Shaking her head, Taye said, “Go on. She’ll catch up later.”

  Donovan nodded. “They were surprised that the unnamed talent is a teenager and would like to follow her around at school.” He chuckled. “Since she’s not in school, I not only will have to enroll the brat but clear it with the administration.”

  “I’ll be a celebrity!” Brea cheered and rejoined the conversation.

  “Maybe. Don’t let it go to your head. I negotiated for Sewing World to be the exclusive fabric shop for her creations.”

  Overcome with joy and disbelief, Taye stepped forward and bestowed a hug on Donovan too. She blinked at her surprised actions and tried to move back but Donovan wouldn’t remove his hand from her back.

  “One more thing that I hope will earn me another brownie point and hug.” He lifted his eyebrow at Taye.

  Her heart raced for more good news.

  “Brea will be contacted to create a certain number of original designs and license a company to manufacture to be sold exclusively at Royal Fashions.”

  Taye squeezed him so tight, she heard him gasp for breath. “Oops, sorry. Donovan, thank you soooo much.” She was at lost for words to say more. She would have never guessed a fifteen hundred dollar check could do so much.

  “All this is contingent on the details not being released until Christmas Day when Brea and I are back in Englewood.”

  “Wow, Donovan,” Taye was still speechless as she registered everything he had done. “God really used you to make some Christmas wishes come true. Whew. I think we all need to take a praise break and give the Lord thanks. Next, we’d better get busy, Miss Sewing Shining Star.” Taye winked and wrapped Brea in a hug.

  By the end of the week, Brea had sewn every inch of fabric within sight and delivered it to Royal Fashions’ doorstep. The Saturday afternoon before Christmas, she and Brea were exhausted as they collapsed on a makeshift sofa in the studio they’d created by combining cushion chairs. Brea snuggled under Taye’s arm while she rested her head on top of Brea’s. “You’ve done a great job. Charity would be as proud of you as I am.”

  “I wish I could take you home with me,” Brea said in a whimsical tone.

  Her sentiment amused Taye. “Sweetie, I’m not a pet. I need to get home on Christmas to spend time with my best friend.”

  Brea gave Taye a lost puppy-dog expression. “But you’re my best friend now.”

  Taye choked. She couldn’t take that statement lightly. “That gives me two best friends.” She sniffed and squeezed Brea tight, then kissed the top of her head.

  Minutes later, Donovan walked through the door, grinning suspiciously with a small gift in his hand. “For you.” He stretched out the box. When Taye reached for it, he pulled it back. “Can’t open until Christmas.”

  “Now, you have to stay, Taye,” Brea said, jumping up and embracing her brother.

  The Edwards siblings were double teaming her, but Taye had done what Charity wanted. Now it was time to move on, knowing she had made long-lasting friends. But she had one of the best friends in the world, and as single ladies, they had traditions.

  There wasn’t a gift big enough to keep her from heading home back to Kansas City. How could she tell Donovan without hurting his feelings? “Sorry, I can’t stay for Christmas. Maybe I can get a raincheck?” she asked hopefully.

  Donovan twisted his mouth in deliberation. “Your raincheck is valid thirty days,” he said quietly, then opened the door. Before walking out, he added, “I’ll be in Kansas City before it expires.

  On Christmas Eve, Taye closed the chapter on the secret angel project as she took one final inspection of the office. Because of Charity’s giving heart, people’s lives had been touched.

  Taye would turn in the keys and get back the deposit, which she would donate to the humane society, which was showcasing puppies for adoption. Maybe she should get a puppy to take home. Then realization hit. A pet would require more than hugs—food, grooming, shots, and unforeseen expenses. Maybe next year.

  She twirled around when the door opened. Donovan and Brea strolled inside. Words didn’t come easy as they faced each other. Taye mustered a smile. “Hey.”

  Donovan nodded as he slipped his hands into his pockets. He didn’t mask the sadness—or was that longing?—in his eyes. Like his sister yesterday, he wasn’t happy about her returning to Kansas City.

  Taye would miss them, too, but life went on—her life. Whatever her life would look like in the coming months—good or bad—at least Taye would have warm memories of her time in Snowflake.

  “So,” Donovan began, “I guess you’re packed and ready to go?” His puppy dog expression was doing a number of her emotions,

  She swallowed back those emotions. “Not quite. One of the guests at the B&B is getting married in a few hours. “

  “Ooh, a Christmas Eve wedding? Can I go?” Brea pleaded, then looked to her brother, but didn’t wait for his answer. “I want to see what she’s wearing. I plan to sew my wedding dress...and maybe my bridesmaids’ dress too,” she chattered until she ran out of breath.

  “I’m sure Rebecca—the bride—won’t mind,” Taye told her. “You can meet me at the chapel.”

  “That’s an old song, you know.” Donovan lifted his eyebrow. “But I don’t know...”

  Brea squinted and warned, “Come on. Don’t turn into the Big Bad Wolf.”

  Donovan lifted a brow and stared at his sister as if he was debating his next words. The fight in him seemed to deflate, then he slowly consented. “All right. It seems I’ve been invited to meet a certain someone at the chapel. Plus, you’re my favorite spoiled sister.”

  “I’m your only sister and not spoiled.” Brea lifted her hands in a touchdown manner. “Yes!” then raced into her brother’s arms.

  “Yes, you are,” Taye and Donovan said in harmony.

  Donovan whispered close for her ears only. “I haven’t forgotten about dinner.”

  “Me either.” That earned her a twinkle in his eyes.

  He squeezed her hand and softly released it finger by finger. She watched them walk away in unison. The two had come so far in their relationship that the sight was heartwarming.

  “Hey, can I tag along to dinner?” Brea asked in a low voice, but Taye heard it.

  “No,” Donovan said loud enough for anybody to hear.

  Taye chuckled. Why did it feel like her heart was breaking? Was it because she was leaving the Edwards duo or Snowflake? In her car, she drove the short distance back to the B&B. Instead of going inside, she opted to walk the trail around the property to think. As tears moistened her eyes, she looked into the sky.

  “Lord, I feel empty inside. I have nothing—no family.” Melissa would be hurt if she heard Taye admit that, but the yearning was real. She paused in her steps and closed her eyes. She had completed her good deeds, so why was this feeling of melancholy descending on her? Bowing her head, she mumbled, “Forgive me, Lord, for complaining.” Suddenly, her ears tingled.

  No good thing will I withhold to those who love Me and walk righteously before Me, God whispered from Psalm 84:11.

  Opening her eyes, Taye glanced up as snowflakes seemed to sprinkle overhead like a brief shower then were gone before she could blink. She smiled, knowing God had heard her pleas.

  Melissa’s ringtone interrupted Taye’s tranquil moment. “Hey, girl.”

  “I’m so excited you’ll finally be home for Christmas,” her friend practically screamed in her ear, and it probably echoed between the trees.

  “Me too.” Taye laughed. Melissa was a steady rock in her life. If Taye could get on the road tonight, she would. It felt good to be missed. “But first, I’m going to a wedding on Christmas Eve, remember?”

  “Oh, that’s right, Make sure you’re dolled up. Never know if you’ll catch the bride’s bouquet,” her friend advised.

  That’s when it dawned on her she didn’t pack anything extra nice to wear. They chatted a few more minutes before she ended the call so she could make it to Royal Fashions for an outfit before Miss Queenie closed for the holiday.

  On Main Street, she expected crammed parking because of last-minute shoppers like herself. Thanks to the power of social media—Donovan’s emails, Miss Queenie’s flashy website, and the social media posts, the lounge sets were a hit. Taye squeezed her way inside and maneuvered around customers to the dress section.

  Miss Queenie made eye contact with her and beamed. “Can you believe it’s crazy busy?”

  “What’s going on?” Taye played along.

  “The updates you made to my website worked! Plus, it’s like Santa’s little elves have been stitching merchandise for me to sell.”

  “What?” Taye played the part of total surprise.

  Miss Queenie shook her head. “Crazy, huh? At first, I was suspicious of a package of fancy satin pajamas with a note allowing me to sell them without consignment. I was speechless at first, but the more I looked at those ‘pajamas’’ she used her fingers to make quotations in the air, “I’d lounge around my house in them, so I accepted them as a blessing in disguise. May God bless Queen B Designs.”

  Laughing, Miss Queenie was giddy with excitement as she rambled on. “I balked at selling something so expensive. Who would pay that for an outfit?” She leaned closer and lowered her voice, “Can you imagine spending more than a hundred dollars for a pair of pajamas? That is scandalous. But to my surprise, people aren’t blinking an eye for the loungewear and that wool pantsuit—wow.”

  Miss Queenie sucked in her breath and patted her chest. “If I was firmer, I’d be modeling it in my own store, but—” she chuckled—“someone would have probably tackled me for it.” She glanced back at the counter where a line was forming, then turned back to Taye. “Pick whatever you want on the house. You’re my Christmas angel.”

  Taye froze in her steps. Did Miss Queenie know? She blinked and eyed her friend. “Huh?”

  “My website,” her friend said as if Taye should have known, “It looks amazing. I had no idea a flashy website could bring in so much business to the boutique.”

  What a good way to cover her tracks on the secret angel project. Taye grinned. “I’m glad that I was a blessing, Miss Queenie.” The woman would be amazed to know that a sixteen-year-old—no, almost seventeen-year-old—created this fashion sensation. Taye hurried through the racks and found a simple sleeveless black dress with a long-sleeve gold-beaded sweater that wasn’t really her taste, but would work for the wedding.

  Miss Queenie made good on her promise to give Taye what she picked out on the house as her friend placed the items in a bag, then gave it to Taye. “Merry Christmas.”

  Taye hurried down the street to Gifts N’ More for a charm or token for Brea. She guessed she should get Donovan something too, but what—socks, tie, and cologne could break her budget. Still, she would look.

  Back at the B&B, Taye showed Miss Tessie her purchases.

  Tilting her head, her friend studied the clothes, then tapped her lip. “Hmm. Yes to the black dress, but no way to that sweater.” Miss Tessie shivered. “I’ve got the perfect choice. Be right back.” She disappeared at the same time one of Miss Tessie’s guests, a manicurist, insisted she give Taye’s nails a professional look.

  An hour later, Taye descended the stairs ready to leave for the chapel, Taye was in her black dress and a faux mink wrap around her shoulders. Her hair was styled, and her full makeup was on point. Miss Tessie stood at the bottom of the steps with an old camera, aiming it at her.

  “All this fuss you’re making over me. I feel like Cinderella.” Taye felt like she was going to the prom all over again.