Page 9 of Merry Elfing Xmas

As we drive through Blue Spruce, Noelle glances over at me. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

I pull up in front of the courthouse and turn to my little elf. “I have an announcement for the town.” Fear fills her honey-brown eyes, and I remind myself that Noelle has no idea what I’ve been up to. Wanting to put her at ease, I hurry to add, “It’s a good announcement.”

“How good?” As she stares at me, I realize I have no hope of ever hiding anything from my girl. Her fear is my fear, and her excitement is my excitement.

“I’m going to back the town’s efforts to buy Santa’s Shoppe.” I give her the bare basics.

“I don’t understand.” Noelle turns in her seat, and I can feel her anxiety filling the truck cab. “Are you leaving?” Her voice gets louder with each word. “Going home before Christmas?” Outrage mixed with fear fills her eyes. I guess my explanation was a little too bare.

“I’m already home.” I reach for her soft hand and bring it to my lips. “I’m home wherever you are.”

“Explain it again. This time, slowly.” She points at the cup of coffee in the cup holder. “I haven’t had enough caffeine to understand the condensed version.”

“Okay.” I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. I’ve taken part in hundreds of deals throughout my career, but none of them compare to this one. This one is for life.

“The town was several million dollars short in their bid to buy the factory,” I explain.

“I already knew that,” Noelle grumbles. “And your company is buying it.” She throws up her hand.

“My company withdrew its bid this morning, and the town is re-submitting a larger bid. Large enough that the sale should go through pretty quickly.”

“Where did they get the extra money?” she asks, and I realize I’m bungling this explanation badly.

“From me.” I shrug and notice the time. The town council meeting is scheduled to start soon, so I give her a quick explanation. “Since I’m staying in Blue Spruce permanently, I added myself to the pool of investors. We’re going to complete the sale, and I’ll stay on board to advise them until they have the factory back up and running smoothly. Then I’ll have all the time in the world to dedicate to my real job. That job is making you happy for the rest of our lives.”

“And what about your company? Are you selling out of it?” She grabs my arm and stares into my eyes anxiously.

“Don’t worry, little elf.” I place a soft kiss on the tip of her nose. “I’ve got it all worked out. I’ll work full-time from our home while Easton takes over the LA office. We may have to fly out to Los Angeles a few times a year for meetings, but I plan to live in Blue Spruce with you.”

“Okay.” Noelle appears a little shell-shocked by my announcement.

Chapter8

Noelle

“You really found a great young man.” Mr. Elkins pats me on the back while Grey stands at the podium, answering the town council’s questions. We’re standing in the back of the packed room as Grey patiently explains his plans and answers questions.

“I know.” I’m not going to lie. I’m still a whole lot confused about the situation, but I trust Grey and my feelings for him. We’ll just wing all the rest.

Bob Edwin slinks up and blocks my view of Grey. “I can’t believe you’re letting that smooth-talking hooligan pull one over on you.”

Who does this guy think he is? I barely resist the urge to punch him right between his beady little eyes. “What business is it of yours?” I’m not going to let this jerk rain on my happiness parade.

“I want to make you my business. I thought you and I could get to know each other.” Oh, heck to the no. Not in a million years. My skin crawls when Bob reaches over and runs a finger along my arm.

“I’d rather join a silent convent in Antarctica than get to know you better,” I tell the creep truthfully. His male chauvinistic, conceited, nineteen-fifties attitude is almost as big a turn-off as the fact that he still lives with his mother at forty-five. And the rumors going around town of him sexually harassing women on the night shift at Santa’s Shoppe just put his crazy ass over the top on my avoidance scale. “Even if I’d never met Grey, I wouldn’t give you the time of day.”

“You stuck-up bitch,” Bob hisses before Mr. Elkins steps between us.

“I think you’ve said enough, Bob.” I’ve never heard that tone from my boss before. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave Noelle alone from now on. And a word of advice: get the hell out of this meeting before Grey Woodward finishes his talk, or he might kick your ass into next year.”

“Asshole.” Bob’s nose flares as his cheeks turn an ugly shade of red. I’m worried he’s about to make a huge scene when several men come over to us.

“Bob.” Jesse Heller, the mayor, takes on the irate jerk. “This town has had enough of your antics. I think it’s time for you to leave.” Bob stares between all the men for a few moments before the mayor adds, “And you might want to look for another job. The factory’s new owners aren’t going to turn a blind eye to your bullshit.”

“Fuck all of you.” Bob turns on his heel and rushes out like the hounds of hell are on his heels.

“I’ve put up with that asshole’s shenanigans for years since his mother is a wonderful woman, but I’m done turning the other way.” Mayor Heller sighs. “It’s time for that overgrown adolescent to grow up. Sheriff Duncan will keep an eye on him from now on. If Bob so much as drops a used Kleenex on the ground, he’ll find himself in deep shit.”

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