Chapter 48
HOLLY
Birch Tree Farm was still dusted in snow when I drove into it later that day.
The cloudy, dark sky meant that as the sun started to set, the Christmas lights were in full glow and the snow glistened like fairy dust. There was a magical feeling to it, like I was looking at a scene picked straight off of a Christmas card.
Or maybe it was because I was still in the afterglow of spending a whole night with Paul.
It had been difficult to leave the comfort of his arms, and his apartment, but he needed to get ready to man the café van here at the farm, and I was curious as to why Willow and the Birchbrook mayor wanted to talk to me.
The feeling that things had been left unsaid with Paul lingered as I parked outside the farmhouse and walked through the door.
He had been unwilling to talk about the future and I knew that was because he didn’t want to scare me off or anything, but I didn’t like him feeling that way.
What if he always had a fear that I would run?
‘Hello!’ I called as I walked into the kitchen, hit instantly by the warmth from the Aga and the smell of coffee and something sweet being baked.
Smells that had been pretty constant since I started staying here, matched by Paul’s place too.
They were the reason that I’d found my flat devoid of warmth and cosiness while I was back there this week.
‘Holly, thanks for coming,’ Willow said from the kitchen table where she sat with Taylor, both of them nursing mugs in the shape of gingerbread houses with a plate of cookies in the shape of Christmas trees in front of them.
‘As you can see, I’m very glad to have my dad back home,’ she added, gesturing to the cookies with a grin. ‘And both of you two as well.’
Taylor smiled. ‘Christmas just isn’t the same being away from Birchbrook.’
‘Mistletoe Lane looks good,’ I said as I sat down. Willow poured me a coffee into a gingerbread-house-shaped mug and slid it over. ‘I was worried about the snow.’
‘There were a few tricky hours but we stayed open and actually, people seem to be loving it even more. Adds to the magic but I’m hoping we don’t get another heavy fall before Christmas.
Dad is upstairs changing. I found a Santa costume online that I had express shipped over so he’s trying it on to show us.
And we need to plan how having him as Santa will work next week, but Taylor wanted to talk to you first,’ Willow explained, nodding at the mayor.
‘Sure,’ I said, taking one of the cookies and having a bite. They were perfectly gooey and sweet. I understood instantly why Willow had missed her dad so much. ‘How can I help?’ I asked Taylor, trying not to talk with my mouth full.
‘Well, the run-up to this year’s tree-lighting ceremony was chaotic.
I had some great volunteers but they found it a lot and were thankful I came back to help at the last minute.
Events really aren’t our speciality. But they are great for raising money for the town and also bringing tourists here.
’ Taylor paused to give Willow an admiring smile.
‘Willow has been a big inspiration on that front. Her events here are amazing. I’d like to bring in someone to help us coordinate events for the town, and work closely with Willow to see what we could do together to really put Birchbrook on the map. ’
‘And,’ Willow said before I could respond, ‘I’d like you to be in charge of all the farm events.
I’ve been thinking about it since you got here.
I need more help and I was looking for a farm manager but just couldn’t seem to get my head around someone who’s not part of the family running this place.
I don’t want to give up managing the farm but if you could take the lead with our events, I wouldn’t need to. ’
I stared at them. ‘You want me to be events manager for the farm, and, like, the town as a whole?’
‘Yes,’ they replied in unison.
‘We already incorporate the farm into the LED lantern trail on Halloween,’ Taylor told me. ‘We could create some really amazing celebrations for the town and for visitors throughout the year, I think.’
‘But I’d need to be in Birchbrook,’ I said, half to myself really. I couldn’t work on these events from the city; I’d be too far away.
‘Yes,’ Willow said. ‘You could keep staying here or we could help you find somewhere in town… and if you wanted to work on other events, that would be fine. I know you love having your own business; you could still be freelance but part of the team here and working with Taylor, whatever you wanted to do.’
That sounded perfect. I wouldn’t have to give up Wynter Wishes but I’d also have guaranteed work, taking a lot of stress and worry off my plate. My year would be full. But I would have to live in Birchbrook. ‘Can I think about it, please?’
‘Of course, it’s a big decision,’ Taylor said. ‘And we have Christmas coming up; it’s a busy time.’
‘Could you decide by Christmas Eve, do you think? When Mistletoe Lane closes for the season?’ Willow asked.
I nodded. ‘Sure,’ I said, my mind whirring with possibilities for the future. ‘Thank you both for thinking of me; I really do appreciate it.’
‘Speaking of Christmas…’ Taylor nodded at the doorway as Willow’s dad came in wearing a Santa suit.
‘Dad, it’s perfect!’ Willow cried happily.
Adam did indeed look like the quintessential Father Christmas.
‘Will the kids like it?’
‘They’ll love it,’ I told him. ‘Let’s start spreading the word that from Monday up to Christmas Eve, kids can meet Santa.
We should allow tickets already bought to book their slot plus offer it to new visitors.
I think this will sell us out for Christmas,’ I said, immediately getting my phone out to update the website and social media.
‘Maybe we could have ten-minute slots so the kids can talk to Santa and have a photo with you in the sleigh. A couple of hours each afternoon, would that be okay, Adam?’
‘Yeah, are you sure about this, Dad? It won’t make you too tired?’ Willow asked him anxiously.
‘I’ll just be sitting down and talking to kids,’ Adam replied. ‘It’ll be fun. And it feels like a thank-you to the town for supporting everything we’ve been doing at the farm over the past couple of years.’
‘I think we’re going to get bigger and better with Holly on board,’ Willow said confidently. She dropped me a wink and I had to smile that she assumed I’d say yes. It was a great opportunity, but I needed to feel sure this was what I wanted. I wouldn’t let anyone down again.
This time, if I stayed in Birchbrook, it would have to be for keeps.