Page 46 of Whiskey Kisses For the Mountain Man
“Mayor Pierce, I am working diligently to right this in time for the scheduled lighting.”
“In a week? Even I have to recognize when to throw in the towel and pivot.” She begins to pace. “We’re going to have to reimburse so many families and workers.” She rubs her forehead, counting off all those who will be affected by my failure.
I take subtle deep breaths to stave off the tears that keep welling up. I sit straight and allow her to rightfully vent.
Four days since my followers notified me of Silver Lakes doubling their bid to take the tree. Not only did they offer way more money, but the nail in our coffin was that Silver Lakes would provide pick up instead of delivery.
Harold apologized profusely, but I understood. The costs and labor to deliver a fifty-foot pine tree safely and on such short notice is costly. Silver Lakes offering to cover that charge and feat made the decision a no-brainer for Harold.
“I wanted Eden Ridge to have it,” his weathered voice said softly. “I really wanted the Christmas Queen to have her successful Christmas event featuring our farm’s tree. But you understand. Our business needed the funds. Hence, we offered to auction a last-minute tree.”
I went in person and hugged him, thanking him for believing in what I wanted to bring to Eden Ridge and assuring him everything would work out in the end. Owen drove us back home. It wasn’t until he left for work and kissed me goodbye that I allowed myself to cry.
I leave Mayor Pierce’s office with my tail between my legs and walk over to Rebel Pine offices. Daniella is in town across the street, helping vendors as the Christmas Festival is in full swing as of this week. Every post I’ve made and every live I’ve done since the festival’s opening has been inundated with comments either asking to see Christmas Mountain King or what I was going to do about the tree lighting.
I’ve smiled and deviated from directly answering either, keeping my optimism on display. Owen keeps promising me that everything will work out in the end, but the reality is, I’ve failed. I know it’s not directly my fault, but I overpromised. I operated as if everything was a guarantee, and now there are consequences that are greater than my reputation. People’s livelihood is affected. On Christmas.
Once I’m locked in my office, I let the tears fall.
Not two minutes into my cryfest, my phone rings. It’s Nora.
“Oh, no,” I mumble, sniffling and clearing my throat.
“Merry afternoon, Nora. How’s the desert?”
“We lost the tree? And to those fuckers?”
Of course, she found out.
“I didn’t want you worrying on your holiday,” I say weakly.
Nora scoffs. “Lettie, you’ll come to learn this about me. I know everything. I’ve known, but I wanted to look into what that soul sucker in Silver Lakes was up to.”
“Pardon?”
“Ingrid Granger. Silver Lakes event coordinator.” She makes a sound of disgust. “Lettie, I apologize.”
“You? You’re apologizing?” I ask, shocked.
“This was personal. Ingrid’s been trying to one-up my ass for years. She resents that our Fall Festival was featured, and Silver Lakes wasn’t even mentioned. Seeing your posts and knowing I went away was catnip to that bitch. She pounced immediately.”
“Either way, Nora, I should’ve been more open with Mayor Pierce about the probability of not winning the bid on the tree. Had a plan B in place. Not have all those people counting on this job and pay lose out. And on Christmas.”
I turn my chair to face the large window in view of the festival park in motion. From here, I can see the huge patch of land roped off for the tree delivery.
“Lettie,” Nora’s voice softens. “In marketing and event planning, we overpromise. That’s just what we do. We have to enthuse clients into believing our crazy ideas in order to get them approved and paid for.”
I laugh because it’s very true.
“But I also sold it to a hundred and twenty-seven thousand followers and they’ve already seen me fail before,” I confess.
“I looked you up before we hired you,” Nora says, and my breath stalls. “That asshole did you a favor. He helped remove allthe fake ass people who didn’t give a shit about you succeeding. They only get a thrill out of watching people fail. They want to be entertained. Nothing more.”
“What he did gave you permission to tear yourself away from that world and walk into who you are, fully,” she continues, bringing renewed tears to my eyes.
“Lettie Donovan. You are sunshine personified. Eden Ridge is lucky to have you. Mayor Pierce was just appointed. She’s feeling pressures that have nothing to do with you and are not your responsibility. We can brainstorm ideas for next week.”
“Nora, I appreciate you. More than I can say. But you’re on vacation. Enjoy your Christmas with your boyfriend. I got this. I won’t let you down.”
