“Sorry, we have to be diligent in keeping our students safe,” said a short woman with blond hair and a saggy double chin.

  “I understand. Thank you.” Taye nodded. “I guess I can’t wander through the halls.”

  “Not by yourself. You’ll need an escort.” The woman turned away and yelled to someone in a side office within the main office. “Robyn, do you have time to accompany Miss Thomas down memory lane?” She chuckled to herself.

  “I attended class with Nate Cooper,” Taye said when Robyn appeared in the doorway.

  “Yes, our band director.” The woman nodded

  “Is it possible to sit in on Nate’s class?” Taye asked as they began a leisurely stroll down the long hall.

  “Hmm, he might be in the auditorium practicing with his students for the school musical,” Robyn said as they stopped in front of the glass case that boasted the school’s accomplishments—from sports to academics—with ribbons and trophies.

  Sounds of musical instruments echoed in the distance. Taye smiled. “Seems like I’m right on time for an impromptu concert.”

  “That you are.” Robyn grinned and led the way.

  They tried to discreetly open the door and stand in the background, but Nate spotted them right away. He acknowledged them with a slight nod without losing his flow with his students.

  Closing her eyes, Taye remembered her attempts at playing the clarinet. She never mastered it. That didn’t stop her from enjoying the talents of others. The whimsical melody of the Christmas carols entertained them. Taye didn’t want to leave, but Robyn hinted she had to get back to the office. The tour wrapped up not long after leaving Nate’s class. Taye thanked her and the other staff members, then wished them a Merry Christmas.

  On her way to her car, Taye spied Home Sweet Home, the group foster home for girls who had no family to claim them. Praise God for a grandmother who intervened in her life and never failed to remind Taye how much she was loved.

  Plus, her grandmother never lost sight in nurturing Taye’s ethnic diversity by seeking out cultural events that would help her build character as a biracial girl. She couldn’t believe Home Sweet Home still thrived—or maybe not, judging from the moving boxes on the porch. It might not be opened much longer. Where will the girls go then? she wondered. Brea came to mind. Without Donovan, what would have been the girl’s fate?

  In a perfect world, no child would be left behind. Stuffing her hands in her coat pockets, she turned away and walked to her car. “In a perfect world, I would be employed, a wife, and a mother by Christmas.” She laughed at the same time she received a text.

  Are you bored yet? Melissa asked. Do you need a rescue?

  Nope. Taye grinned. I’m enjoying the memories and catching up with friends while staying on top of my job hunting.

  They exchanged a couple more texts before Taye promised to talk with her soon.

  Once behind the wheel, she called Donovan to double-check that he was okay with Brea staying with her the rest of the week until Saturday evening.

  He answered in a tired voice, and she wasn’t surprised. Taye noted how weary he appeared last night, so she proposed to drive and get Brea that day. Although she appreciated his willingness, there was no room for downtime until Christmas Eve. Plus, she could save him the hassle. Surprisingly, Donovan didn’t protest.

  “Did you get any rest last night?” she asked.

  “Not enough for sure.”

  “I’m sorry.” She felt bad about that. “Well, at least you can get your rest while Brea and I burn the midnight oil.”

  He didn’t say anything right away. “Taye, don’t make me regret this. Christmas is exactly two weeks away. I don’t think I can handle two disappointed ladies.”

  To know he cared about her feelings was touching. Donovan made her smile, probably without realizing it. “Then pray for us.”

  He chuckled. “Done. So are you driving up now?”

  “Soon.” They ended the call with him telling her to be safe, make sure she had gas in the car, and other precautions. It dawned on her that this was the first time in years where a man made her feel important to him.

  It wasn’t long before Taye drove away from Snowflake for the short trip to Englewood. The area appeared pricey, and when she turned onto Inverness Boulevard using the roundabout to Donovan’s place, it seemed to fit his personality—upscale, distinguished, and polished. Brea opened the door waving before Taye stepped out of the car. “Come inside.”

  Surveying the two- and three-story condos next door and on the block, Taye noted most were decorated with red bows and garland, strings of lights, or wreaths the size of innertubes. Donovan had nothing.

  If she was at her apartment, her door would be decorated with a custom-made wreath from a craft store and a daily stock of peppermint candy canes hanging from her door handle for neighbors to take in passing.

  Taye crossed the threshold, and she sucked in her breath in awe at the décor—hardwood floors, spacious rooms and a few Christmas decorations. Brea’s brother made some serious money. “I would ask for a tour.” She blinked, impressed by his taste.

  “Can’t now.” Brea grabbed a small suitcase nearby. “We’re on the clock, remember?” She nudged Taye out the door, then locked it.

  “How could I forget?”

  They toted the suitcase down the steps to the sidewalk and stored it in the trunk.

  During the short drive back to Snowflake, Brea was in her element as she chatted away about everything foreign to Taye in the sewing world. Once they arrived at the B&B, Brea seemed impressed. “Wow. This place is cool. It looks like a Christmas store, and you once lived here?” Her eyes blinked in fascination.

  “Yep, with my grandmother.” Taye chuckled. “Miss Tessie took the place over when my grandma passed away, and like her, she goes overboard with decorations.”

  As if in a trance, Brea made a beeline to the fireplace where Black angel tree toppers lined the mantel. Cotton filling was laid at the bottom to resemble snow.

  Taye smirked. I guess Brea forgot about us being on the clock.

  “These are beautiful.” Brea’s eyes sparkled as she reached out to finger the mahogany robe one angel was draped in. Each angel had unique facial details.

  Taye folded her arms and admired the tree toppers with pride. “I had forgotten about them. Miss Tessie must have just put them out.” She lowered her voice so no one would overhear them. “We better head to the studio.”

  “I’m ready.” Brea grinned and followed Taye to her bedroom to leave her suitcase, then they were out the door, but not before Brea snagged two cookies off the check-in counter.

  At the makeshift sewing studio, Taye immediately felt out of her element with mountains of intimidating fabrics surrounding her. “Tell me what you need me to do.”

  “Stay out of my way...please,” Brea said as she slipped off her jacket. Her soft expression took the sting out of her words. “You said you believe in me, and even God believes in me, so let me work.”

  Taye stepped back. “Okay. Sorry, but the mad rush for Christmas shopping is underway.”

  “No problem. I’ll make three to five different outfits a week.” She made a whooping sound when she succeeded in threading the machine in a zig-zag fashion and revving the motor as if it was a car engine. They exchanged a high five.

  “That’s ambitious, but we don’t have weeks.” Taye gritted her teeth. The heat was on in a sense. “How soon can you make one garment? Saturday is a busy shopping day in Snowflake.”

  “If I concentrate on one design, I’ll have three or more done by Friday night or Saturday morning.” Brea stood and circled the table, shuffling through the bolts of fabric. “As soon as I saw satin print, I knew I would make lounging pants or pajamas with a matching quilted jacket. Celebrities would pay up to a thousand for a set.”

  Fascinating idea, Taye thought. “Friday night sounds even better. I guess you’d better get to work.”

  Taye felt like she should be doing something, like submitting résumés, making Christmas greeting calls, or performing diagnostics on Miss Tessie’s computer, but the project had her distracted.

  Bundling up, she left Blue Spruce Plaza to check on Miss Queenie. Ten minutes later, before Taye opened the door into Royal Fashions, she could see nothing had changed from the previous week. The clientele was sparse, and those who did make a purchase, usually bought jewelry.

  “How’s it going, Miss Queenie?” Taye smiled.

  The woman blinked. “I keep forgetting you’re staying in town until Christmas. What have you been up to?”

  Besides trying to help you stay in business? she thought. “Troubleshooting Miss Tessie’s computer and still looking for a job.”

  “I think the Grinch is stealing my Christmas sales. So much inventory, so little business. Maybe I should shut down before Christmas. I doubt anyone will notice anyway.” She sighed with a discouraging shrug.

  “No!” Taye said too forcefully. “I mean, I’m sure things will turn around. I can spruce up your website too—free of charge. You never know, an increased online presence will drive more business your way. Miracles do happen at Christmas, beginning with Christ’s birth.”

  “It’s going to take a miracle to save my business,” Miss Queenie said sadly. “After all these years, maybe the Lord wants me to close.”

  Taye’s heart began to ache. Lord, I know You can fix all situations, and it doesn’t take You long. “Then let me twinkle with Royal Fashions’ site and see if that will move some merchandise.

  Miss Queenie shrugged unenthusiastically. “Sure.”

  Mr. Sam entered the shop. He had a notable smile on his face.

  “What’s got you grinning like you’re wearing a new set of dentures?” Miss Queenie lifted a suspicious brow while Taye hoped it was some good news.

  “The best sales day on my book in months.” Sam rocked on his heels. “I guess it was for that big high school program. My nephew, who was babysitting the store, said a young girl came in and bought a lot of fabric with her father.”

  Her father. How would Donovan take that? Taye turned away to hide her smile.

  “It’s not enough, but it was a good day. I wish for steady good days.” Mr. Sam shrugged. “At least I’ll go out of business with a bang.”

  If only I had more money to give you that steady business, but Taye had spent almost a thousand dollars on the machine, fabric and rent. The rest she had for incidentals. Plus, Brea announced she would need notions for her outfits. Who knew that buttons, elastic, interfacing and other stuff weren’t included with the cost of the fabric? The Rowenta steam force iron ran more than a hundred dollars. Her phone rang and put her brainstorming on pause.

  “How’s it going?”

  Why did her heart flutter at the sound of Donovan’s voice? Looking over her shoulder, she spied Miss Queenie watching her. “Hold on.” Taye waved goodbye, stepped outside in the brisk air, then strolled toward her car. “I hope good. Don’t know. Your sister kicked me out.”

  She cringed when he lifted his voice. “What? She’s a child, Taye, and shouldn’t be calling the shots. You need to supervise her.”

  Taye had a few choice words to help him understand she didn’t need to be told what to do, but she couldn’t. She needed him. “Donovan,” she said softly, “let’s trust God, please.”

  He was quiet for a while. “I’m stressing you out, aren’t I?”

  “Yes.” She heard him yawn. “I’ll keep you posted, and I’ll see you this weekend.”

  “Okay, T,” Donovan said, surprising her with his playful streak.

  She chuckled. “And Donnie, get some rest—for me.” After they disconnected, Taye closed her eyes. “I like him. I really like him.” So much so, Taye wouldn’t mind having him as a Christmas present.

  “Mr. Edwards, I’m doing a final head count for the Christmas party on Saturday. You mentioned last week you plan to bring someone,” Nan Phillips, a company events planner, said standing in his office doorway. For the past three years, she stated she would announce her retirement any day. That day had yet to come.

  “Right.” Donovan bobbed his head, then rubbed his beard. How had he forgotten about that annual event? He had been the one to sign off for their three hundred and twenty-three employees to receive fifty-dollar gift cards.

  Closing his eyes, he had to think. The only thing that had been on his mind was driving to Snowflake for the weekend. He told himself it was to supervise Brea, but in all honesty, he wanted to be in Taye’s presence. He doubted he could convince her to come with him. Opening his eyes, Nan remained rooted, waiting for his reply. “One—just me.”

  She tilted her head and studied him. “Again, this year?”

  He chuckled. “Yep.” Could be the last year though, if he and Taye really connected.

  As a result of Donovan’s guilt trip, Taye returned to the office and popped in on Brea. To say it was a mess was an understatement. Scraps of fabric were on the floor, along with sewing pins. “You okay?”

  “Of course,” Brea replied, frowning as her attention was glued to a video on YouTube.

  Taye said, “Okay,” but wasn’t feeling it as she backed out. She really didn’t want to leave Brea, but to stay would probably annoy her. Lord, nothing is too hard for You. Please give her the ability to create more than she ever imagined. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

  Taye returned to the B&B, and Miss Tessie was waiting for her. “Come on back to my office.” Once there, Miss Tessie pointed to the computer. “She’s all yours.”

  Taye’s initial assessment was the computer needed an overhaul as much as the programs. “I’ll do my best, Miss Tessie, to troubleshoot and remove viruses, but if I were you, I’d drive to Denver and catch one of those after-Christmas sales and buy a new computer.”

  “I’ll think about it,” the woman simply said and walked out of the room.

  While Brea was in her element, Taye slipped into hers. The entire task would take hours, if not a couple of days. Definitely, not equal to her weeks-long stay.

  When Taye’s stomach growled, she spied the time. If she was hungry, Brea probably was too. Stretching, Taye decided to check her email before leaving. Her heart leaped when she saw responses from two companies to whom she had submitted her résumé a while back. Minutes later, her spirit deflated after reading their polite rejections.

  Her eyes misted as she whispered, “Lord, where’s my blessing?” She didn’t see it in sight.

  Where is your faith? Know you not that I’m a Rewarder to those who diligently seek Me? God whispered Hebrew 11:6 to her spirit. People of old died in their faith. They didn’t receive their promise but saw them afar off. I’ve made you a promise to supply your every need. Trust Me.

  Of course, the Lord was right. She sniffed and shut down her computer. No more job searches until after Christmas. If she couldn’t renew her lease in January, then she would move in with Melissa as a temporary fix. Until the project was completed, Taye would stay by Brea’s side, whether it annoyed her or not.

  To Taye’s surprise when she opened the door to the sewing hub, Brea had made progress. Garments weren’t complete, but Taye could make out the loungewear on the hanger with bright piping. Somehow, Brea had quilted the same fabric to make a matching jacket as she said she would.

  “Wow. You do good work,” Taye said in awe.

  Brea beamed. “See. I told ya.”

  “Yes, you did.” Taye lifted the pants, scrutinizing the workmanship. The seams were even, and the finishing was professional. “I ran into Mr. Sam at Royal Fashions. He was pleased with the brisk business the other day, but one day won’t be enough.” She gnawed on her bottom lip. “I don’t have that much money left to finance another shopping spree.”

  Brea continued stitching. “Thanks again for this beauty, even if it wasn’t the one I originally chose. It sews so smooth, much better than the one in class.” She stopped and looked at Taye for the first time since she had entered the office. “Don’t worry about more fabric. I know how to use every scrap to create more.” She frowned and twisted her lips. Something was brewing in her head. “Why not let the customers pick their own fabric and colors. On Project Runway, the judges always comment whether they can see themselves wearing an outfit.”

  Taye shook her head in disbelief. Brea had so much confidence. “I’m in awe of you. I believe that whatever field you decide to pursue, you’ll excel. I’m proud to know you.” She had to sniff back her emotions. “Right now, you’re the boss of Queen B Designs.”

  “Uh-huh.” Brea moved her body side to side to a silent beat, then out of nowhere, she asked, “Do you like my brother?”

  Blinking, Taye stuttered, “Where...where did that question come from?”

  “I asked Donovan the same thing.” She resumed sewing as if she hadn’t delivered a bombshell.

  “Really? You’re going to leave me hanging?” Taye set the to-go container on a nearby desk and stepped closer until she stood in front of the makeshift sewing table. Yes, he had asked her out, but that told her nothing about the depth of his attraction. “Brea Edwards, don’t make me unplug this machine until you answer,” Taye threatened.

  “How many days is it until Christmas again?” Brea giggled. “My brother avoided answering, too, and instead asked me questions about you. I feel so used.”

  Taye laughed. “You’re truly a character and a little sister after my own heart.” She smiled.

  “I think you two like each other, so do what grown folks do...”

  Clearly, the girl wasn’t talking about sex. Practicing Christians didn’t succumb. Did Donovan have that type of reputation? Taye felt disappointed.

  “Get your mind out of the gutter. You and my brother should talk.” Brea stuck out her tongue.

  “Whoa.” Taye feigned fuming. “I’m going to get you back for that, but I’ll wait until you finish. Seriously, put me to work.”

  “If you cut by using those cut pieces as your guide, I might be able to get six sets done by Friday night, but no more slacking off.”