Chapter 8
The following day, as the afternoon sun slipped below Heartsprings Ridge and dusk settled over the town square, Penny left the bustle of the bookstore, adjusted her red scarf around her neck, and hurried down the street to where she’d parked her car.
Being away from the store for even a few hours during one of the busiest shopping days of the year was something she wasn’t happy about — at all — but her team understood the deal with Daniel Bedford and recognized the importance of a new roof and had basically just shooed her out the door.
“Go, boss,” Nancy told her. “You have an author to babysit. We’ll be good here — promise. ”
As Penny aimed her car toward Northland Orchard for the second time in two days, her thoughts returned again to her new charge.
Last night, after closing the bookstore, she’d gone online and watched several interviews that Daniel had done while promoting his books.
In the interviews, he came across much like he had in person: serious, courteous, direct, clear.
He spoke with confidence. He listened intently.
Plus, he’s handsome, her inner voice whispered.
With irritation, she pushed against the thought.
Daniel Bedford’s appearance was completely irrelevant to the job she’d signed up for.
Her responsibility, her focus, her commitment, was specific and limited: to be his tour guide during his brief stay in Heartsprings Valley.
She’d accompany him to his events, make introductions, and do what she could to help him and his team craft the tale of personal transformation that they hoped would repair the damage he’d caused with his Christmas essay.
His demeanor remained a puzzle to her. Clara had labeled him a grouch, but that description wasn’t really a precise fit. He was definitely serious, but serious and grouchy weren’t the same thing. Grouchy implied a gruffness or rudeness that he had yet to display.
Still, the label wasn’t completely wrong.
His critique of the business of Christmas was very much a complaint, and if there was one thing grouches were good at, it was complaining.
Also, he wasn’t enthused about being in Heartsprings Valley.
He seemed to regard the visit as a responsibility he owed his publisher.
Instead of calling him grouchy, perhaps it was better to think of him as quietly tense.
He seemed to be holding back, though why or from what she had no clue.
He’d been careful with Nigel on the call.
A dance was going on between them, a subtle sparring.
Announcing that he’d figure out what he’d say about Christmas after immersing himself in Christmas — there was nothing random or casual about that statement. He’d said that for a reason.
Her car headlights played across the snow-covered fields as she turned onto the road leading to the orchard.
Whatever was going on, Daniel’s decision to hold back seemed like a missed opportunity.
The holiday events he’d be taking part in would likely be a lot of fun, or at least would be if he allowed himself to loosen up.
She let out a sigh. Seriously, would it kill him to crack an occasional smile? He might even have a nice one — assuming he was still capable of smiling, of course. She’d read somewhere that dozens of tiny facial muscles were required for smiling. Perhaps his muscles had atrophied from lack of use?
Okay, stop it, she told herself. His face isn’t atrophied and his emotional state is none of your concern. You’re here for a job. Do your work well, do it efficiently, then get back to your bookstore’s blizzard of busy.
The rest of the drive flew by and before she knew it, she was pulling again into the orchard’s gravel lot. A number of cars were already there. With the Wassail event about to start, the lot would likely soon fill up.
Before hopping out, she took a moment to examine her face in the car mirror.
Mascara and eyeliner — check. Lips — almost. After rummaging through her handbag for her lipstick, she applied a touchup, then turned her attention to her hair, which was still pulled back into a ponytail.
She’d meant to brush out her hair before leaving the bookstore, but in her rush, she’d forgotten to do that and time-traveling wasn’t an option, so… .
Rummaging again through her handbag, she discovered, to her annoyance, that she’d also forgotten her hairbrush.
For a brief second she considered leaving the ponytail in place but then visualized her mom shaking her head and saying, “But your hair looks so much better down, mija,” and knew that Mom, as usual, was right.
With a sigh, she unwound the ponytail, then used her fingers to separate her thick tresses as best she could. The result was less smooth than she would have liked, but it would have to do.
She glanced down at the dark jeans and dark blue wool sweater she’d chosen to wear.
The sweater was one of her nicest, which mattered because — and this was the reason she’d given herself while getting dressed that morning — she might end up being seen in the social media put together by Nigel’s team and it was important, for the sake of the bookstore, to present herself in a good light.
Plus, her inner voice added, Daniel’s eyes flashed when he met you.
“Stop,” she said out loud, annoyed with herself again. Don’t even. You’re here to work — that’s it.
With renewed determination, she grabbed her handbag and climbed out of the car. The night air was crisp but still. As she turned toward the farmhouse, she heard her name and saw a slim figure rushing toward her.
“Penny!” the figure said before engulfing her in an enthusiastic hug.
Surprised, Penny accepted the hug with a laugh. “Whoa there, Eva.”
Eva released her and gazed at Penny with undisguised delight. A tall, lanky twenty-year-old with an explosive head of blond hair, Eva was someone Penny had known for most of her young life.
As usual, the girl was bubbling with excitement.
“I just got back to town yesterday and can you believe I was asked by the publisher of Daniel Bedford’s books to follow him around and film him so they can post videos for his socials and they’re paying me to do it?
Isn’t that the most amazing thing ever?”
“Wow,” Penny said. “That’s great.”
“They said they like my posts and need a ‘skilled hand’ and all I have to do is follow him and shoot videos and send the videos to them and they’ll do the rest and they’re paying me and I didn’t even have to apply!”
“That’s great. And it’s great to see you. How’s nursing school?”
“Oh, it’s intense,” Eva said. “There’s so much to learn. But it’s also good, you know? Like, the work is important. If I can make a difference and help people, then….”
“Sounds like it’s going well.”
“Oh, for sure. But enough about me. How are you?”
“All good here.”
“Have you met Mr. Bedford yet?”
“I met him when he arrived yesterday.”
“I haven’t met him yet. I just got here. The publisher only hired me two hours ago. I’m supposed to find him here.”
“I can help with that.” Penny gestured toward the farmhouse. “Shall we?”
Eva slipped her arm through Penny’s. “I can’t believe I get to do this!”
They were almost at the farmhouse when the front door opened and Daniel stepped onto the porch, zipping up his winter coat.
“Penny,” he said, his eyes lighting up when he saw her.
“Daniel,” she replied, ignoring the unwanted jolt of pleasure that shot through her.
He made his way down the steps, just as serious, focused, and handsome as he’d been yesterday.
Stop noticing his looks, she ordered herself. Immediately.
“So I got a text,” he said, “and the videographer that Nigel hired should be arriving soon.” His attention shifted to Eva. “Any chance you’re…?”
“Eva? Yes, that’s me!” The girl disengaged from Penny and stuck out her hand. “I’m the person your publisher hired. So pleased to meet you. I can’t believe I get to do this!”
Daniel shook her hand. “Eva, pleased to meet you. Thank you for agreeing to help out.”
“Really glad to be here, Mr. Bedford.”
He gestured toward the general store across the lot. “I’m popping over to the store for a carton of apple butter for Gabe, but feel free to head into the house. I’ll be back in a few.”
“Can we join you?” Eva asked. “I haven’t been in the general store in ages.” She pulled out her phone. “And I can start the filming.”
“Um, sure,” he said, eyeing her dubiously. “Though I won’t be doing anything very Christmas-y at the store….”
“Don’t you worry. My job is to capture everything.”
“All right, then.” He turned to Penny. “Would you care to join us?”
“Of course,” Penny said.
It was hard for Penny to tell for sure — it was dark outside and Daniel’s expression was still firmly in the serious zone — but it seemed that her answer pleased him. “Shall we?”
Together, they headed across the gravel lot toward the orchard’s general store. As they walked, Eva ran around them, filming them from every conceivable angle.
“Eva,” Penny said, beginning to feel self-conscious.
“Sorry,” the girl said as she dashed ahead and then whipped around to film them approaching. “I know it looks like I’m doing a crazy dance right now, but I have to get the establishing shot.”
“The ‘establishing’ shot?”
“To show the audience where you are.”
“And you know about ‘establishing’ shots because…?”
“Because filmmaking is awesome. I’ve watched so many tutorials and I didn’t even have to.”
“I didn’t know you liked filmmaking.”
“I guess I do? I’ve never done it before. But here’s the thing. As your director, I need you to stop talking to me.”
Penny smiled. “You want me to ignore you?”
“Yes, exactly! Act like I’m not here. Forget the camera.”
“For real?”
“Absolutely. Mr. Bedford, you good with this?”
“Um, sure,” Daniel said.