67. Merry Christmas, Tare-bear
SIXTY-SEVEN
Merry Christmas, Tare-bear
STEVE & TARA
Steve
“What?” Tara whispered, drawing the attention of those close to her.
Ken squeezed Helen as he smiled over at her. “I’ve accepted an editing job with a major publishing house, and Helen has been wanting to work more with aspiring writers, so we’re taking the plunge at what we feel will be a terrific next chapter in our lives.”
Silence filled the room as Ken’s words settled over the room.“Terrific. Next. Chapter.” Tara mumbled out loud. She skidded her chair back from the table and leaned back in her chair. Her knuckles were white in her clenched fists.
Steve dropped his hand to the small of her back. Her breathing grew shorter and faster, and his own worry for her grew at the same time. Her face dropped, utterly crestfallen as if she were teetering on the precipice of anger and sadness.
To his right, Tristan looked confused as if he wasn’t quite understanding what was happening.
Steve felt anger rear up inside of him, but he kept his emotions in check. The fleeting though of whether the new owner of the building would force him to move passed through his head. Then he thought of his brother. Steve would be fine, but Nick was just getting his start in life, and his job at the bookstore was an important first step. This would be a major setback for him.
Or so he thought.
Steve glanced around the room. Tristan and Lydia both suppressed smiles as if they were in on some vast, nefarious book-selling conspiracy. Helen smiled as if anticipating her loved one’s reaction to opening an early Christmas gift, and Tiffany shot a quick sideways smile to Derek, sitting beside her.
Ken took a step forward as his smile broadened. “Now, I don’t want you all to worry.” He held up one hand, using the other to grip the cane that helped him maintain his balance. “Especially you, Tare-bear.”
Tara
Color returned to her knuckles as Tara furrowed her brow. “What?”
“Between the Lines isn’t going anywhere.” Tara’s parents exchanged a few words, then Helen patted Ken on the arm before he continued. “I apologize for maybe giving all our news out of order, but we have some happy announcements. This may be our annual holiday party, but we always work in a little bit of a business meeting before the fun begins. Our kids are used to this, but for everyone else, please indulge us just a bit of shop talk.”
Ken rested both hands atop his cane and leaned forward as if starting a tap dancing routine. With a big smile, he took a deep breath and began speaking. “I’d like to start by saying that Lydia has made herself invaluable to our store. And we’re thrilled that she has accepted our manager position.”
Lydia gave her daughter a squeeze and broke out into a broad smile. Applause accompanied words of congratulations from everyone in the room.
“We’d like to welcome Nick Cook to our family,” Ken said to more applause. As Nick’s cheeks turned bright pink, Ken continued. “A couple of weeks ago on Black Friday, someone asked Nick about a book, and he’s been helping customers ever since.”
Tara squeezed Nick’s shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re here, Nick.”
Steve leaned behind her to wish his brother well. “Proud of you, Nicky!”
Nick smiled at both Tara and Steve, but tapped away on the table in front of him.
Tara had quickly learned that Nick didn’t like the attention, so she was glad when her father continued speaking.
“Now, before we all dive into some of these delicious pastries for dessert, we have one last announcement…of sorts.”
Tara’s stomach entertained a whole army of butterflies when her parents looked her right in the eyes.
“This is something that we’ve just started working out, but…” Ken shot pointed looks at Tiffany and Tristan, who wore smiles. Theo was just as confused as she was.
Confused, Tara turned back to her parents. “But, what?”
“We’d like for you to take over the shop.”
Excitement and fear fought for control in Tara’s heart and mind. More than anything, she wanted to be the next generation to take over her family’s shop, but she’d already been turned down for a business loan. She couldn’t buy it now. Besides, it wasn’t supposed to be something she’d do until her parents retired. They weren’t supposed to take new jobs.
They weren’t supposed to just leave.
“But, I can’t,” Tara fought back the tears that began to form. “Not yet, anyway. You know that.”
Steve rubbed circles on her back which gave her a moment to breathe.
Ken took a step closer and spoke gently. “We know, Tare-bear.”
Tara sniffed. “Then how?”
“We have ideas, which,” he glanced around the room before continuing, “thanks to some creative ideas from your brothers and sister, would help you take over the shop by this time next year.” He paused for a moment, tilted his head to the side and took on a mischievous tone. “If you want to, that is.”
Tara blinked a few times. “And if I can’t?” She wiped a tear off her cheek.
“We believe in you, Tare-bear.” Her father rounded the table and placed his hands on her shoulders. He shrugged. “But, if you can’t this year, we’ll figure something out. But, as Scrooge would say, we can work that out over a Christmas bowl.”
“I do love a good mulled wine,” Tara said as she wiped another tear off her face. She finally smiled and stood up to face her father, giving him a warm hug, which he enthusiastically returned.
“I love you, Tare-bear.”
“Love you, too, Dad! And congratulations on the new editor job.” Tara hugged her mom as well. “I love you, Mom.”
“More to be grateful for, honey,” her mom said.
“It’s about time,” Tristan said with an overly dramatic eye roll. “May we get on with dessert now?”
Laughter rang out around the room as Tara turned to give her brother a friendly, tear-filled glare.
“No kidding,” Tiffany retorted.
Her sister earned an eye roll as well.
Laughing, Theo got up and started helping himself to dessert. Most of the others followed, but Celeste popped up and skittered over to Tara with a squeal. “I’m so happy for you,” she said, wrapping her best friend in a hug.
“I don’t know any details yet, but I’m happy to not have to go it alone,” Tara said.
“Come on, baby,” Kiro said to Celeste with an outstretched hand. “Let’s get some dessert.”
As they walked off, Tara released a slow exhale. She turned to Steve who reached for her hands.
“Does this mean you won’t have to go back?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “No. I don’t know. I…I don’t know. This won’t happen fast, I’m sure.”
He gave her a quick kiss and pulled her into a hug. “Whatever you need, Sugar. I’ll be here.”
Tara wanted to melt into his arms until her sister gave her a friendly shove. “Save it for later, Tara,” Tiffany said with a laugh as she walked by to fill a dessert plate.
Tara pulled back with a smile. “Dessert?”
Steve laughed. “Yeah. Let’s go.”