Chapter 9
Natasha
From the reactions of the shop owners, it sounded like there had never been a town meeting before. I was hoping they'd want to come to discuss the future of the town, but apparently, I was wrong.
I was prepared for the evening to be challenging, but I had Eve at my side, and Aspen promised that she'd drop in as soon as she could get away from her family.
The town hall was filling up with people and presents. I was impressed by the response to the toy drive thus far.
I was confident that Eve would drum up a lot of donations so we could have our celebration around Christmas.
Eve appeared at my elbow. "Are you ready to get started?"
I scanned the room, noting that Clara was in the front row next to Angela, who owned the lingerie store, and Meg, who owned the coffee shop. Even the potential bookstore owner, Belle, was present. My throat was tight, and my heart was pounding, but I nodded my assent.
Eve smiled; she thrived at these events in front of an audience. "Want me to announce you?"
"Sure." That would give me an extra few seconds to do some calming breaths. Not that they would help.
Eve moved to the podium and tapped the microphone to get everyone's attention. I was hopeful she could win over the room before I revealed my plans for the parade. "I want to thank everyone for coming. We're excited to discuss our plans with you because this isn't my town. It's everyone's."
The room was quiet as if they didn't quite believe her. But at least they were listening. That was a good sign, or I hoped it was. They could be prepared to mutiny and stonewall our ideas.
"I want to introduce my sister, Natasha Palmer, if you haven't already seen her around town. She's been busy running the inn and just started some much-needed updates."
I watched the faces for any signs of disgust or interest, but it seemed like most people were carefully blank.
Eve moved off to the side as I approached. I appreciated that she'd stayed close for silent support.
I stood in the front of the crowd, feeling slightly woozy. "Thank you for coming tonight. When Eve and I were going over the events from years prior, we knew we couldn't move forward without your input."
Eve put the event spreadsheet on the projector.
Bill sat in the front row, his arms crossed over his chest. "We don't want a parade."
"That's one of the new ideas we're considering. I'm not saying we have to do anything this year—"
"We've been doing this a long time. People come here because of nostalgia. They visited with Santa as a child, or they picked up a toy from the toy store. We don't need new, shiny things to get them here," Merry called from the back.
Eve stepped forward to stand next to me.
"Thank you for sharing. This is why we wanted to hear from you.
My sister and I grew up here, but then left to pursue our degrees and then a career afterward.
As you know, we returned after our parents' death to buy the town and the inn.
It's always been our dream to run something like this, and we want it to be successful.
We can't do this without your valuable insight. "
The ones who'd been around for a long time weren't going to go easy on me.
"Maybe you shouldn't change anything. If it works, don't fix it," Bill said to several nods in the crowd.
"We're keeping the old events. But I think people expect something a little different when a new owner takes over.
We suggested a parade because it gets the surrounding community involved.
As much as we like to operate as a functioning town, the reality is that only a few people live here year-round. It's a tourist destination."
"It sounds like your mind is already made up," Bill grumbled, more to the people around him than to us.
"I think the parade could be good for the town. People love to watch, and then they eat food and go shopping afterward," I said.
"They're watching the people walk by, not going into shops and spending money," Bill persisted.
"But they will shop afterward. I'm hoping that the attendees haven't been here before, and they'll realize there's so much for them to see and do.
" The room remained silent, so I continued.
"The parade would include high-school bands, scouts, dance clubs, and other groups.
It will bring in a lot of kids who adore in-person toy and puzzle shops, where it's easier to persuade their parents to buy. "
Bill didn't respond to that, so I took that as a good sign.
"We wanted to see if you had any other suggestions for us. Most of you have been here for years, and I'm sure you've had ideas," Eve said.
"What if we coordinated a sale together?" Angela suggested.
Bill turned around to address her. "I don't want to be associated with your store."
Eve held up her hand, and surprisingly the room quieted. "Let's not attack each other. We're here to get ideas."
"If the shops haven't worked together on any kind of deal or event before, that could be a nice way of increasing visibility and sales," Eve said.
The room broke into conversation.
I kept my gaze on the crowd but lowered my voice. "You think they like the idea?"
"I think this is something we have to do. So many small towns are getting rid of their parades. People want that small-town feel, and that's what we represent, even if we are a tourist destination."
"I'm probably going to regret this, but—" I raise my voice. "Let's vote on it. All in favor of a town parade, raise your hand."
Clara's went up immediately, as did Belle's, Meg's from the coffee shop, and Reina's from the bakery.
A few looked around to see if anyone else had their hands up, then slowly raised theirs too.
Eve counted the hands.
"Now all who are against the parade in any form, raise their hand."
Bill's and Merry's hands shot up.
They were our toughest owners, older and more set in their ways. If we could win them over, it would be great. But for now, we could move forward without them. "Sounds like we're doing the parade."
Bill's jaw hardened. "What about parking issues and congestion?"
"We're open to any ideas you have about parking and keeping the shops accessible," I said, encouraging him to voice his opinions.
Eve took notes as everyone threw out their concerns.
When the suggestions slowed, I said, "We're going to address each and every one of your concerns. Thank you for coming tonight. Reina from Sweets Bakery donated desserts, and Meg from Coffee Dreams is serving hot chocolate and coffee." When no one moved, I added, "It's free."
That got everyone moving toward the back tables where they'd set everything up.
"We should have started off with food. Maybe they would have been less cranky," Eve whispered to me.
"We'll have to keep that in mind for next time." Then I tensed because Bill weaved through the crowd toward me.
When he stood in front of me, he asked, "Are these meetings going to become a thing?"
"We want to work together, and this seems like the best way to do it. But we can also send emails and talk to you one-on-one if you prefer," Eve said reasonably.
He looked away, gesturing at the food table. "We got along just fine without these damn meetings. Now you're plying us with baked goods."
Eve frowned. "We thought it would be a nice thing to do."
Bill harrumphed and walked away.
I huffed out a laugh. "Was that a good thing? I don't know what just happened."
Eve nodded. "He's not happy about it, but I think he's coming around."
I let out a breath. "I hope you're right."
Eve smiled as the next person approached. "Of course I'm right."
I let Eve handle the questions, deferring to me when I had the answer. By the time we were done, the only thing left on the baked-goods table was crumbs. I helped Meg and Reina clean up the room. Then we carried our garbage to the dumpsters.
"I think we're on the right track," Eve said confidently as I locked the town hall doors.
"I wouldn't have missed it. It was entertaining." Aspen headed for the parking lot, and Eve lingered. "It's going to be okay."
I sighed. "We just want to host a parade, to try something new and see how it works, but there's so much pushback."
"It will get better. I promise. I think they're just resistant to change. When they see how many people it brings in, they'll come around," Eve said confidently.
Eve was the one who believed in us, and I was the one who pointed out all the ways things could go wrong.
She gave me a little push toward the inn's doors. "Go upstairs and take a bath. Relax. We've got this."
"That does sound nice."
"Everything will look better in the morning." It was one of Eve's signature statements. One that our mother had always used on us, and it conjured my mother's memory. I missed her. I wished that she was here for us now.
Eve waved and followed Aspen's path to the parking lot, and I headed into the inn where a couple sat close to each other in the great room. I kept walking, not wanting to disturb them. The counter was empty for the night, so I didn't need to stop and make small talk with anyone.
I headed upstairs to my room, each step feeling heavier than the last. I'd expected pushback, but that meeting had sucked all the energy out of me. I wondered if it really would get better, despite Eve's assurances.
In my apartment, I changed into my bathing suit before heading to my private balcony with the hot tub.
I turned on the jets, then waited for the water to heat before I dipped a toe in.
I let out a breath as I sank under the water.
This was my favorite part of the apartment: the quiet at the end of the day and the jets massaging my muscles.
I laid my head back, marveling at my view of the snow-capped mountains and the stars. There were so many tonight. I wondered if my parents were looking down on me and if they were proud.
The emotion coiled in my chest, making it difficult to draw a deep breath. My phone buzzed, and I reached for it.
Ford: How was the meeting?
Natasha: It was rough.
I snapped a picture of my painted toes at the end of the tub, showcasing the beautiful view I had. I was lucky to live here, to call this place my home.
Ford: Enjoying the hot tub?
Natasha: It's the best feature of my apartment. And the view is spectacular.
Ford: If only you'd let me upgrade your place.
I smiled.
Natasha: Maybe one day.
But not today. I was nothing if not practical. I didn't need fancy or full upgrades to be comfortable, even if it would have been nice.
Ford: Is that balcony private?
Natasha: I'm wearing a suit if that's what you're asking.
It was quieter on this side of the building. But I'd never gotten into my hot tub naked.
Ford: That's a shame.
Natasha: We're working together, remember?
He'd flirt with me when we were kids, and we'd mess around on the phone when we couldn't be together. But this wasn't that.
We worked together. He shouldn't be commenting on my state of dress.
Ford: You're the one who sent a picture of your bare toes in the water.
Natasha: It was to showcase the view.
It was a common angle for pictures on social media. But I could see how it was suggestive.
Ford called, and I answered, grateful it wasn't a video call. The jets hummed around me, and every muscle began the slow process of loosening. The tension had been coiled tight during that meeting. "Was everyone on board with the parade?"
I let my hand float over the water. "Not everyone. But a majority of the owners were."
"That's good."
"Eve did a good job handling their questions and concerns."
"I bet you did too." His voice rumbled in my chest, dislodging the remaining tension that hovered there.
I liked to think I was good with people, but Eve had always outshone me. "I think we alleviated their concerns or at least broadcasted that the lines of communication were open. We're willing to hear them out."
"So the parade's happening?"
"I was thinking we could do it the weekend after Thanksgiving, or the first weekend in December. We could coordinate it with the official tree-lighting ceremony."
"Isn't your tree always lit?"
"It's a ceremonial thing." I was aware that it seemed a little anticlimactic, and I was looking for ways to make it more special. Could we bring in an ice rink for the square?
"I suppose you could make it special."
"We can have carolers and a hot chocolate stand." It was fairly tame as far as events were concerned. But I'd let Eve figure out something extra to wow our guests.
It was nice that Ford called to check on me, but it blurred the lines between business partners and something else.
The water relaxed my muscles, and I sank deeper, setting the phone on speaker so that I could leave it on the edge of the tub.
"Maybe I can see that view one day."
His words sent tingles down my spine. Was it only the view he wanted to see, or was it something else?
Working with him hadn't been as bad as I had feared. But that didn't mean it was a good idea to spend more time with him. "After work one day then."
"Mmm," he said as his voice rumbled through my chest again, threatening to break down all the reasons why this wasn't a good idea.
"Eve is confident she can turn everyone's opinion around."
"But you're not so sure," he said, understanding what I wasn't saying.
I had a feeling that was because he knew me, all my insecurities and hang-ups. Except for the ones that came about because of our breakup. "You know how I worry about everything, and then Eve comes along with her positivity."
"From my short time with Sterling Brothers, I've realized that you have to try things to know if they're going to work or not. If you are too afraid to do anything, then you can't expand and grow. If you're always holding back, you're stifling your business."
"That makes a lot of sense." And it was exactly what I needed to hear. "So there's no harm in trying something new."
"I suspect the people who are against it are afraid of any change."
I chuckled. "That's exactly what Eve said."
"You're doing a good thing in Christmas Town. I'd keep pushing forward if I were you."
"Thanks, Ford. I needed to hear that I was on the right path." He might have been my ex, but his words still resonated with me. I'd lost so much this year, my parents and the life I'd created away from home. But I'd reconnected with Ford. That had to mean something.