Page 33 of A Bright Winter Season

Judd McCormick smiled as if it was his office, and she was only there by his permission. “I’m just here to chat. Nothing formal.”

Vivian cleared her throat. A chat with Judd McCormick was the last thing she wanted at that moment. “Well, what is it that you want to talk about?”

“I just wanted to let you know that we’re going to be remaining open during The Lighthouse Grill’s Christmas event. A special lengthening of our regular hours in honor of Christmas.”

Vivian did her best to smile politely. “What you do with your business is your business, of course. Our pub isn’t trying to compete with the McCormick Brewery.”

“Of course, of course. I just thought you should know. With the crowd split between the two places, ours and yours, the community event that you’re planning might not be so communal after all.”

“I’m not sure why you think people will avoid our Christmas party just because you’re open later than usual.”

Judd shook his head, smiling. “We’re giving out free samples, free tours, and some Christmas swag. We’re expecting a big turnout that night.”

Vivian felt herself stiffen as she realized that the McCormicks were hosting their free sampling event the same night as the pub’s Christmas party. She felt she should have seen that coming, but it still felt like a low move, even for Judd. She was struggling to think of something to say that wasn’t rude, when at that moment, Terrence Rawlins walked into the office.

Under other circumstances, she would have been frustrated by a surprise visit from Terrence, but she was glad of the interruption.

“Mr. Rawlins.” She stood up, smiling at Terrence. “How nice to see you. Unfortunately, Mr. McCormick, I’ll need to speak to the health inspector now.”

“Sure.” Judd smiled, unfazed. “Just a quick word before I go—it’s not too late to cancel your event. You wouldn’t want to put a lot of work into something that isn’t going to get a lot of attendees. And besides, a free event isn’t the smartest business move anyway. We’re charging tickets for ours. Sold a lot already.” With another patronizing smile, he left the office.

Vivian watched him disappear, trying to stifle her indignation. Normally, she was a patient woman, but Judd coming into the office like that, just to blatantly tell her how he was planning on sabotaging her Christmas party, made her want to march out after him and tell him a thing or two about basic human decency. She felt tears well up in her eyes, and she did her best to hold them back. She was frustrated, but it was more than that. Judd seemed out to bully her and her family, and his meanness hurt even though he was essentially a stranger to her.

“He doesn’t sound particularly nice.”

Vivian turned to Terrence in surprise. She had almost forgotten that the health inspector was there, and she wondered why he’d come to her office. He hadn’t sent her an email telling her that he would be there, she knew that—she’d just checked it half an hour before.

She cleared her throat, hoping Terrence wouldn’t notice the mist of tears in her eyes. “That’s Judd McCormick.” She realized that her voice sounded tight, and she took a deep breath to try to steady herself. “He owns the McCormick Brewery.”

Terrence grunted. “I don’t know why he’s being so competitive. It’s not as though he’s another restaurant across the street from yours. A brewery across town shouldn’t feel in any way threatened by your place, extra popular though it may be.”

Vivian smiled, heartened by his compliment to the pub, and sniffled back her tears. “He wanted to buy our place. We didn’t sell it to him.”

“Ah, I see.” Terrence grabbed a napkin out of a napkin holder that was placed on a corner of the desk—since Julia and Vivian ate meals while working so often—and handed it to her.

She nodded gratefully at him and used the napkin to dab her eyes.

“Well, I wouldn’t listen to him,” Terrence said. “I think your community event sounds great. Guys like him are all business. Well, business and money. I’m guessing your event is about more than just profit, and he can’t understand that.”

“Yes.” She folded the napkin carefully, surprised that he was so insightful. “I have to admit, I didn’t expect to hear that kind of sentiment from you. You seem to be ‘all business’ yourself.”

He gave her a hint of a smile, showing a side of himself that he usually kept under wraps. “I am, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t harbor some affirmation for what you’re trying to do.”

“Well, thank you.” She smiled at him, and then looked down at the folded napkin, smoothing it out against the desk. “What can I do for you? I know this isn’t an official visit, I’ve been checking my email.”

Her eyes twinkled at him, and his smile widened.

“It’s just an informal visit, you’re right. I make visits like this now and again. I was passing the restaurant, and I wanted to make sure that you’re on track to get the vents repaired.”

Vivian opened her mouth, about to assure him that she had been doing everything in her power, but he held a hand up to stop her.

“I can see you’re about to tell me that you have everything under control.” He chuckled. “My goodness, you look almost as indignant now as you did when Judd McCormick was talking. Don’t worry. I’m sure you’re on track. Just be on the lookout forthat email.” With another unexpectedly cheerful smile, Terrence left the office.

Vivian blinked at the doorway, feeling a strange draw toward the health inspector. She didn’t quite understand him, but it was becoming clear that underneath his stiff exterior was a kind, perhaps even playful, man.

I wonder what he’s really like,she thought, feeling a surge of curiosity.I suppose I’ll never know.

“What did Terrence want, Mom?” Alexis appeared in the doorway of the office, and Vivian smiled at her. Alexis was decidedly her most welcome visitor of the past five minutes.

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