“It can’t be true,” Dad protests. “What’s Christmas in Gingerbread without a Holiday pie?”
Tanner looks to me as if searching for help. “Business is great in Gingerbread, but even here we’re only selling a couple dozen pies. Places like this have come in with far more exciting desserts to offer, and they’re fresh baked at that.”
Another gasp comes from behind the counter, and I spot Missy ducking once I glance her way. I can’t help but shed a tiny smile, although at the moment there’s not much to smile about. My brother is right. Everyone is doing it better, and now we’re about to pay the price.
Dad takes an even breath. “So, what do you propose we do about this? There has to be some way we can save Holiday Pies.”
Tanner looks to me as if I might have the answer. “Perhaps there was a way, but since the entire operation was saddled on me alone, it sank. The truth is, I can’t run the orchard and the business end of Holiday Pies myself. I’ve tried for years, and I’ve failed.” He bounces his cup of coffee over the table as if adding an exclamation point.
I can’t believe my brother just threw me under the bus like that. Not once has he come to me asking for help. And he waits until now to tell us he’s been saddled with Holiday Pies? If I remember right, he said he would gladly take over the family business. I’ll have to remind him of that later. No use in causing a scene in here any more than we already are.
Dad and Mom exchange a brief glance before Dad clears his throat. “I’ll come out of retirement. It’s the only right thing to do.”
Mom gives a stoic nod. “And I’ll get back to pounding the pavement like I used to do in the beginning. I’ll rustle up as many new vendors as possible, and I’ll do it all by Christmas. You’ll see. We’ll double the orders, and I’ll have that factory bustling far more than it ever has before.”
Tanner pinches his eyes shut a moment as if he’s at wits’ end with my parents’ meager declaration of support. “The factory is running at capacity. I don’t think we could move any faster if we tried.” He offers a sorrowful look my father’s way. “And with your back, I think you might be more of a risk than an asset to the farm. No offense. I could always use your keen eye, though, if you ever want to drive around the property in a golf cart.”
Dad concedes with a grimace. “Come spring, you won’t be able to stop me.”
Tanner looks over at me, and for the first time I feel the weight of my brother’s frustrations, the heft of the burden riding over his back. A horrible feeling of guilt washes over me, coating me on the inside, thick with regret and remorse. While I’ve been living the high life, he’s been breaking a sweat, breaking his back just to keep the cogs in the wheel churning.
“I’ll step up.” I hear myself say.
The entire table freezes solid as if I just offered to nuke the building.
Tanner huffs a dull laugh, those tired eyes still pinned to mine. “That’ll be the day.”
“And that day is today. I’m ready to roll my sleeves up and see what we’ve got. I’m sure I can make this work.” It feels inverting to know I can dig my claws into the business and pump some life back into it. I’m sure I can.
“I knew it!” Mom bleats so loud half the café turns our way. She lunges at me with a tight embrace. “It’s Graham to the rescue. I can always count on you, son.” Her phone pings, and she pulls it forward. “Oh, dear. It’s Caroline down at the shop. She thinks the water main under the bathroom is about to burst.”
Dad lets out a strangled cry of frustration as he gets out of his seat. “When it rains, it pours.” He helps my mother up. “Tell her we’re on our way, and I’ll call a plumber.” He shoots a finger my way. “Thank you for stepping in and helping your brother. I know he’ll appreciate it no matter how small or large the effort.”
They scramble out the door just as a wily redhead makes her way in, shaking the snow from her hair as if it were lice. A hard groan comes from me, and I don’t do a thing to hide it. I can’t help it. In the short time I’ve been here, Sabrina Jarrett has set out to make my existence agonizing. To top it off, last night I dreamed I was being chased down by a redheaded hunter wearing spiked stilettos while wielding a razor-sharp umbrella my way.
The urge to shrink in my seat hits me, so I do. “I mean it, man. I want to help,” I say quickly to my brother, because knowing how relentless this Sabrina chick is, I only have a matter of seconds left with him.
“Sure you do.” He downs the rest of his coffee. “But it’s too late. I’ve already let the managers know the pink slips are coming as soon as Christmas is over.”
My stomach sinks as soon as he sayspink slips. I would never want to be party to letting people go, especially at Christmastime. Even if they are technically losing their jobs after the holidays, I fully understand the fear those people are feeling right about now.
Sabrina lands an icy kiss to my cheek, and I glance to the counter and catch Missy wide-eyed with surprise. I can’t help but hide a smile. I’d like to think she were a tad bit jealous.
“Well, look who’s here.” Sabrina lands between my brother and me as her cloying perfume settles in our midst. “It’s a double Holiday surprise.” Her eyes slit to my brother a moment before reverting to me. “So, what’s on the agenda for today? Apple picking? Pie slinging? You Holidays have always been a barrel of fun.”
Missy comes over and lands in the seat to my right, a cheesy grin growing on her face. “Yeah, Graham, what’s on the agenda today?” There’s a devious look in her eyes, and as much as I want to chuckle, I’m a bit afraid to at the moment. Nothing good ever comes from that look. “A hostile takeover of the entire state of Colorado? A bank heist? Or perhaps just a bite out of the local real estate market? I’m sure you can snap up half of Gingerbread with just the change in your pocket.” She nods to Sabrina as if she’s marketing me. Wait a minute… I glance from Sabrina to Missy. Didn’t Nick mention his little sister was the best matchmaker this side of the Mississippi? I think I know what’s going on here. But why on earth would Missy think Sabrina is the right match for me? It makes zero sense. My stomach drops because maybe it does.
Tanner blows out a breath as he looks to me. That weight of the world stare makes me feel like trash, like I’ve let my little brother down, and I know I have.
“We’re going to Cater,” he announces. “If you ladies want to join us, you’re welcome. It’s Take a Tour of the Factory Monday.” He tilts his head my way and lifts his cup to me. “Let’s see what the golden boy can do. Rumor has it, not every superhero wears a cape.”
Missy looks from Tanner to me as her mouth falls open, and I’m sorry she has to be here to witness Tanner’s display. But it could be worse. She could take him up on that tour of the factory. They both could.
Sabrina rises to stand and raises her shoulders at Missy. “I hope patent leather boots are the right look for Cater this time of year.” She hikes up a heeled hoof before skipping over to the door.
Missy sheds a tiny smile sealed with deviant intent as she looks to my brother and me. “Bring on the pies, boys. I’m ready if you are.”
The four of us walk out the door, and just like that, it indeed gets worse.
