Chapter Fourteen
“ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?” Bailey asked Landon, her gaze narrowed as she studied his features. “Jitters?”
He nodded. Bailey knew him so well. She’d easily picked up on his emotions. It was nice that they had grown so close in such a short period of time.
“Why am I so nervous?” Landon asked Bailey. “I’ve done dozens of presentations in my career, yet this one is nerve-racking.” He clenched and unclenched his fists at his side.
Bailey grabbed ahold of his hand and tightly squeezed it. “Well, this is new for you. You’ve never presented on behalf of the cider lab before and in front of Hattie.”
He sucked in a fortifying breath. “You’re right. Good thing is, I’m also excited.”
“Me too. I always get this little rush before a presentation,” Bailey admitted. “Let’s do this!”
“We’ve got this!” Landon said as he pushed open the doors to the conference room.
They walked into the room together as a united team, immediately greeting everyone at the table.
Hattie, her executive team, Xavier, and Caleb were sitting in on the meeting along with Joann and Fritz.
Landon noticed Fritz subtly giving them a thumbs-up sign.
For the next half hour Landon presented the line, with Bailey acting as backup.
He took the lead, and despite his initial nervousness, he quickly found his rhythm.
Now they were all waiting to hear Hattie’s verdict.
Landon knew that Hattie wasn’t one to sugarcoat her opinions.
If she thought the presentation had missed the mark, his grandmother wouldn’t hesitate to say it.
He was actually more worried about Bailey’s feelings than his own.
She had put her entire heart and soul into this line.
A hushed silence settled over the room after the presentation concluded. Landon was sitting at the table, crossing his fingers and toes.
“I’m very pleased with what you’ve come up with,” Hattie said as she swept her gaze around the conference table.
Landon could see the signs of wear and tear in her demeanor.
Being out and about had tired his grandmother, and although she was doing her best to stay alert and project a strong image, he saw right through it.
“And I’m tickled and honored by the name you’ve given the holiday line. ”
Hattie’s Holiday Cheer had been the name Landon, Bailey, and Fritz had come up with. They thought it fit the line perfectly and set the tone for a celebratory hard cider. Not to mention that it was a fitting tribute to the grande dame of Yukon Cider.
“We’re happy you’re pleased,” Landon said. “It was a labor of love.”
“Literally,” Hattie said, looking back and forth between him and Bailey while cackling.
Caleb chuckled loudly. “Good one, Grandmother,” he said.
“Landon, I think the cider lab is a perfect fit for you. Just as I imagined,” Hattie said. She was beaming. “Your team is the heart and soul of this company. We appreciate you.”
Hattie began clapping enthusiastically. The other executives followed suit.
“Thanks, everyone,” Hattie said, concluding the meeting. “Have a wonderful day,” she added with a slight wave of her hand. She seemed a little listless to him, lacking her signature vitality.
As everyone got up from the table, Jacques came forward and whispered something in Hattie’s ear.
Landon sensed that he was acting with urgency.
No doubt he’d observed that Hattie wasn’t up to being at Yukon Cider for much longer.
Hattie waved her hand in the air and frowned at him.
Jacques looked over at Landon and Bailey, beckoning them toward Hattie.
As soon as they reached her side, Hattie gifted them with a beatific smile. “The dynamic duo. What a wonderful pair you make.” She leaned closer. “And not just in a professional capacity either,” she whispered. “You really killed it.”
He and Bailey chuckled at Hattie’s use of slang.
“I think it’s time you said your goodbyes,” Jacques said, stepping forward and standing behind her wheelchair.
Joann stepped toward her team. “I’m very proud of all of you. This line is going to be spectacular,” she gushed. “Maybe award winning. Seeing Hattie so delighted is the biggest win of all.”
Landon agreed. Hattie was a tough customer, so earning her approval meant that they had hit this campaign out of the park. It felt so good to know that he’d finally been able to do something right.
“That couldn’t have gone any better,” Bailey said after Joann left, holding up her hand for a high five from Fritz. She then did the same to Landon.
“Thanks to the two of you,” Fritz said. “I’m sorry that I’ve been MIA. The flu really had me out of commission.”
“Don’t ever apologize for being sick,” Landon told him. “We’re just glad you’re back.”
“And that you were able to be here with us today,” Bailey added, giving Fritz a hug.
“Team cider lab for life,” Fritz said, snapping his fingers. “I better get back to the lab, since I’ll be playing catch-up for a while with my reports.”
Landon looked around the room. They were the last two people around. “And then there were two,” he said to Bailey, taking her hand and pulling her closer. “Come here,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in.
“I’m glad we can have some alone time before we head back to the lab,” Bailey said. “I need some Landon time.”
Just the way she said his name took him to the stratosphere.
Landon placed a kiss on Bailey’s lips, energized by their successful meeting.
It was a joyful kiss of celebration. They had worked so hard on this project, and now that it was approved for production, they could truly kick up their heels and celebrate.
“Mmm. Kissing at work feels so naughty,” Landon told her. He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Bailey giggled. “I consider myself a consummate professional, but this is a moment of celebration. We did it! Woo-hoo, we totally rocked it, which means we can move forward with the campaign.”
“That’s a success, no matter how you slice it.” He reached out and wrapped one of her curls around his finger, then ran his palm over her cheek.
“I say this calls for some champagne later on,” Bailey said, reaching up and pressing a kiss on his lips. He leaned in to the kiss, savoring every second of their embrace. All too soon it was over, causing Landon to anticipate their next kiss.
“Champagne it is,” Landon agreed. He put his finger to his lips. “Just don’t tell Hattie we’re not celebrating with the company’s best cider.”
“It’ll be our little secret,” Bailey said, leaning against his chest and looking up at him with something resembling adoration. It gave his heart a little hitch to see his own feelings mirrored back at him.
“You’re beautiful, Bailey. I know you’ve probably heard that dozens of times, but you are.” He would never get sick of looking at this face—her radiant brown skin and striking features.
“It means so much more coming from you,” Bailey said. She ducked her head down, and he reached out and tipped her chin up.
“Don’t go shy on me now,” he teased. “You deserve all the compliments.” He stepped back and reached for her hand, twirling her around.
“So I did something last night on impulse.”
“Really?” Landon asked. “I can’t wait to hear what it was. Did you and your sisters do an ice plunge in the bay?”
She vigorously shook her head. “Absolutely not. Those waters are ice cold, and I’m not trying to freeze my buns off. Don’t laugh, but on impulse I decided to get a small Christmas tree.”
Landon let out a surprised sound. “Now that really surprises me. I thought you didn’t want to have anything to do with anything Christmasy.”
“I didn’t, but for some reason or other, I keep thinking about my father. What he would’ve wanted for me. What he loved about the season. Which was everything,” she told him.
“I think Charlie and I would have gotten along really well,” Landon said. Charlie Daniels, in his estimation, had been a source of light in the world. Much as it was with Hattie, it was always tragic seeing that light being snuffed out.
“You would have. And I think you’re rubbing off on me, Landon. There’s been a little shift in me lately regarding Christmas. I’m still taking baby steps, but I figured getting the tree and putting a few ornaments on would be a great start.”
“I think it’s amazing,” Landon said, “and pretty brave too. Just remember, if it doesn’t feel right, there’s no harm in getting rid of the tree.
You’re not stuck with it.” He knew the holidays were triggering for a lot of people, particularly those who had suffered loss or dealt with depression.
He didn’t want Bailey to sink while trying to be brave.
“Well, I was thinking you could come over and help me finish trimming the tree. At this point, you’re probably an expert, right?”
“Oh, I definitely know a little something-something about decorating Christmas trees.”
“Okay then, you’re invited,” she said. “We can make a night of it. Decorating. Listening to a little holiday music. Dinner.”
Hearing her talk about Christmas in a positive light was a bit mind-blowing.
He was a big believer that hearts and minds could change.
Bailey was living proof. “Careful there. You’re becoming Little Miss Christmas.
Before you know it, you’ll be asking me to go door to door singing Christmas carols. ”
“Ha!” Bailey said. “That’s a bridge I won’t ever be crossing. I was kicked out of choir as a kid because I couldn’t hold a tune.”
“Ouch,” Landon said, pressing his palm over his heart.
As Landon and Bailey walked back to the cider lab, his mind began to swirl. So much was going on. With Christmas only a week away, Landon found himself getting caught up in the holiday crush of activities.
He glanced at his phone. There was a message for him from Red in a text group that included his brothers: Urgent family discussion. Tonight. My house. 7 o’clock. Feel free to bring your families.