“I can promise work,” Candy pleaded. “And just to show you how committed I am, I called the grocery store. I'm going to pay for everyone's Thanksgiving meal—”
“We don't need handouts,” Esther cut Candy off.
“Please, Esther, hear me out.” Candy drew in another deep breath. “I'm not offering a handout. If anyone needs help with heating or groceries through the winter, I'll help them. When the snow melts, we'll start building. Your husband David will no longer have to drive an hour south every morning to work. He'll have all the work he will want right here in town.”
“But the work will run out concerning certain jobs.” Esther began to worry.
“Esther, David is a construction worker, but if I remember right, he's also an all-around handyman, right?”
“Well, yes,” Esther confessed.
“Then, he'll be hired to be the senior maintenance supervisor,” Candy promised. “The job will be a year-round position, salary-based, with health insurance. Tell David he can start today and I'll have his first paycheck ready by this evening.”
Esther almost fainted. “Candy, are you—”
“I'll pay David a very nice salary. You'll be able to stay home with Sally and Brandon,” Candy promised. Tears began to fall from Esther's eyes. “I'll call you and David this evening. We'll meet for dinner, and then you'll see how serious I am. I promise.” Candy hurried to Esther and took the woman in her arms. “I'm so sorry. I didn't think of the town. I was only thinking of building my island and I was so wrong. Chris was the one who showed me that I need you and you need me. We need each other, and we have to love each other. I was blinded by my dream. Please forgive me.” Candy began to cry.
“Forgive you? But you didn't do anything,” Esther cried back.
“In a way I did. I forgot what God taught us, and that's to love each other as we love Him. I want to build a Christmas island for children, and yes, for my toys, but I forgot about the people I love. I thought making sure the toy factory here in town stayed open was enough.”
“Is this the end of the meeting?” Ralphie asked in a confused voice as he watched Candy and Esther hug and cry. Amy hurried to them and joined in.
“No, Ralphie, this is just the beginning of a Christmas miracle,” Chris answered and then smiled at Peppermint. Peppermint folded his arms and smiled back. Yes, the beginning of a beautiful Christmas miracle was in progress.
Chapter 5
Candy hummedSilent Nightas she stood at a tall window looking out at the early morning snow. The window was located in a long hallway holding many closed doors. The hallway was nearly empty, with few furnishings. Soon, Candy knew the hallway would be filled with Christmas decorations. Soon the entire castle would look like the home of Santa Claus. Candy felt hope and excitement speak to her heart.
The meeting in town had ended very well the day before. Phillip had talked to Brad, and when he learned that Haley had indeed been arrested, he nearly flipped his wig. When he announced the news at the meeting, all the people present began to realize that Haley had attempted to deceive them. Anger flared up. Candy quickly put the fire out by convincing everyone to forgive Haley and focus on turning Pine Snow into a Christmas wonderland. “We need to focus on what's important, everyone. Haley will answer to justice.”
“I still pray Haley finds her heart. Somewhere deep inside that woman, I believe there is a heart, three sizes too small, at least right now, but someday, who knows?” Candy whispered asshe quit humming. She took a sip of hot coffee and continued to look out at the morning snow.
The snow wasn't falling like a mighty river breaking free from a dam. That was good. The snow was soft and gentle. Still, the snow was deep. Peppermint would have to use the snow blower and snowplow. Candy had to drive back into town with Betty. She had arranged a meeting at the toy factory. Chris opted to stay on the island and work on a few drafts. Marty, bless his grumpy soul, had gone to bed with a sore throat. Sandy and Ralphie volunteered to take care of him with loving attention as Marty was becoming a grandfather figure to them. “Everyone is becoming a family.”
“Talking to yourself?”
“Huh?” Candy looked to her right. She spotted Chris smiling at her. “Oh, I didn't hear anyone walk up.”
“That's because you're so lost in thought.” Chris approached Candy without any tension or stress. He was completely relaxed. “What are you thinking about?”
Candy studied Chris. He was such a sweet and handsome man. His eyes glowed with warmth, intelligence, compassion, and yes love. “Everything.”
Chris laughed. “I bet.” He looked at Candy. She was beautiful. More than beautiful. The woman was the very essence of what love should be. Her piercing eyes consumed Chris. Her smile captured his heart. Her courage to love consumed his own love. Candy was a dream. He felt as if she truly belonged at the North Pole, unseen to the world, but celebrated daily in the hearts of toys and snow and Christmas trees.
“Nice sweater.”
“Oh, it’s a present from Aunt Betty.” Chris blushed. He was wearing a green sweater with a silly snowman on the front. Candy was wearing a simple blue sweater that complemented her beauty.
“Betty is sweet, but she doesn't have the best taste in sweaters at times. Neither do I, I'm afraid.” Candy smiled.
“Well, with Thanksgiving being tomorrow, maybe a few silly sweaters are in order?” Chris took a sip of coffee. “You're going to give out turkeys today, right?”
Candy nodded. Some of the people don’t know yet. I told Fran to make sure no one buys any turkeys. She'll make up a good excuse that's believable. Fran can make a cat believe it's okay to cuddle up to a lion. She can be very convincing.”
“I like Fran. I look forward to getting to know her better.”
“Fran is a sweetheart. I couldn't imagine life without her.” Candy drank some more coffee. “The grocery store will deliver the turkeys later on today.”
