Page 67 of Christmas at the Ranch
And so am I. It’s not a big-city newspaper, but working here, in this community, is what I’m meant to be doing, too. We started a website, got the newspaper online, and hired a high school student to do our social media, which has had some great results. This summer was busier than the town has been in years. And it turns out that even if I don’t like Carrie’s wacky cookies and donuts, other people do. They’ve become a viral internet sensation, and she comes up with a new flavor every week. There are lines out front almost every day in summer. But since I’m now a local, and in the know, I always get there early so I can get thegoodcookies.
Although I’m writing exclusively for theEnquirernow, I realized I had a lot of contacts at city newspapers and magazines, so I put together a media and influencers event earlier this year, inviting as many journalists as I could to come to Evergreen for a day and check out the atmosphere, sample the food at local establishments. Mya and her parents’ secret menu is now a not-so-secret sensation, and foodies travel from all over to sample it—then post about it. Gill’s Fish n Chips n Bait n Tackle is doing so well. One of Canada’s top food writers took one bite of his fish a few months ago and declared it the best on the planet. He’s been writing about him all over the place, and now Gill sells out of fish every day, even in the offseason. Especially the Haliburton Gold. I know I can never truly make up for what my family did to Gill—but this does help, and Gill is so happy.
Reesa’s inn has gotten some great press, too. A journalist fromFood & Drinkmagazine tried her scones, then ended up basing an entire feature on the inn and itsrecipes. It’s been on several “Best Road Trip Destinations from Toronto” lists, and they’re so busy now, Reesa can’t keep up. They’ve had to hire someone to help.
I’m keeping myself busy, too. In addition to my work at the paper, I used my trust fund to start the Starlight Foundation, which provides scholarships for underserved youth in the region so they can do the activities they love but their families can’t afford: horseback riding, hockey, dance. It doesn’t make everything that happened with my family go away, but it feels so good to give back. My mom is helping me with the foundation, too. She’s in her happy place, planning galas. We had a fundraiser at the beginning of the month that was better than any holiday party she has ever thrown. Some of her old friends even came.
My dad’s trial is in the new year, and I know that’s going to be hard. He wrote an op-ed inThe Globe and Mailapologizing for his actions, but public sentiment seems to be that he’s just trying to curry favor. I know him, so I know he really is sorry. But he’s going to have to face the consequences of his actions. I keep telling my mom she’s not alone, and telling him that, too. My relationship with my parents continues to grow and change. I sometimes can’t believe any of us are the same people. Maybe we’re not.
And then, there’s Tate. What can I say about Tate?
We’re so in love. Every moment with him feels the way it used to, except so much better.
But I’m burying the lead here, dear Diary, something Bruce always tells me not to do.
Last night, after the Starlight Ride, when we went inside for Charlie’s fondue, the lights were all out. Andwhen they turned on, the room was full of everyone I love: Tate, of course, and Charlie. My mom, with my dad somehow on speakerphone. A beautiful surprise: Lani and the twins. New friends, too: Mya and her parents. Reesa and Sam. Bruce and Michael. Gill.
And then, in front of all those people, in that room already so full of love, Tate looked at me with his amber-brown eyes reflecting everything I feel for him so perfectly back at me. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, offering an amethyst ring that belonged to his mother, and that he had engraved with three words.
“Hey, City Girl.”
I said yes, of course.
