“Oh, we're like...having a crying session. Want to, like, join us and all?” Sandy asked Peppermint.
“Why are you crying?” Peppermint hurried down the hallway dressed like an overstuffed lumberjack. He knew how to keep warm out in the early morning cold.
“Tears of joy,” Candy promised. She reached out and touched Peppermint's hand. “And you're part of our tears because we love you very deeply.”
“Very deeply,” Chris assured Peppermint. “You've become like a brother to me.”
“Well...” Peppermint rubbed the back of his neck. “I...feel the same way.” Peppermint wasn’t the greatest at expressing intimate emotions. A smile, a quick hug...that worked. But anything more required the man to step out of his comfort zone.
“I know you do.” Chris smiled. He squeezed Peppermint's shoulder. “Give me and Ralphie a minute to get bundled up and we'll help you clear the snow. You can teach Ralphie how to drive the snowplow, and I'll handle the snow blower.”
“Ayo, maybe I shouldn't drive a snowplow? I mean, I ain't—”
“Time for you to learn, son.” Peppermint threw a loving arm around Ralphie. “You're my boy, now. It's time for you to start learning how to take care of this island.”
“Like, you tell him, Peppermint.”
“Oh, you're coming, too.” Peppermint smiled.
“What? But, like, I—”
Peppermint threw his other arm around Sandy. “Women can drive snowplows, too. Come on. Let's get you two bundled up. Betty is going to take care of Marty. Candy, looks like you'll be driving into town alone.”
Chapter 6
It felt wonderful to be back at the old toy factory in town. It was home. Candy knew every inch of the toy factory by heart, every smell, and every box holding teddy bear stuffing. Being inside the toy factory was like being at the North Pole to Candy. “So, at two sharp today, the grocery store is going to deliver all the turkeys. Also, whatever groceries you need, go get them. The groceries will be charged to me. Take me to the bank as the old saying goes.” Candy laughed.
The cozy break room full of women laughed back. One of those women was Amy. “Candy, you've already given us all such a wonderful Christmas bonus, and now the turkey and groceries. I can't speak for everyone, but I don't know how to thank you.”
“No need to thank me, Amy. We're a family,” Candy promised. “I won a lottery, and that money was given to me. I didn't earn it. I didn't work hard for it. I won it, but God allowed me to win the money in order to share it with those I love. I'm going to invest every penny into building a Christmas Toy Island and hopefully turning Pine Snow into the very heart of Christmas.” Candy pointed to the woman standing in the break room. “You are my investment. Love is going to be my reward.”
“Yeah, but this bonus...” Fran stared at a check she was holding.
“Not nearly enough to express my love,” Candy assured Fran. “You guys are the heart of the toy factory. You work here because, yes, you need a job, we all do, but you also work here because you love the toys. I know that in my heart. You need the toys, and the toys need you. I need you.”
“You're going to go broke before you know it,” Fran worried.
“Not really.” Candy beamed. “Betty is a smart investor. No one knows it, and I'm not supposed to say a word, but we invested a large sum of the lottery winnings into a particular stock two days ago. The stock soared overnight, and Betty sold the stock this morning. We not only doubled our money, we quadrupled our money. A miracle? I doubt we'll ever run out of money, just as long as we spend the money on those we love and on making sure Christmas remains alive every day of the year.”
“My goodness...quadrupled...” Fran gasped.
“Betty told me the good news before I left the island this morning.” Candy beamed. “Every year you ladies can expect the same bonus you just received.”
“Yes, but this bonus is more than our yearly salary,” Fran pointed out.
“So be it,” Candy promised. “Now, after you all get your turkeys, take the rest of the day off. Go home and start getting ready for Thanksgiving; after you go to the bank, of course.”
Amy began to cry. “I can fix my husband's truck, and I won't have to count pennies this Christmas. The kitchen will be full of food.”
Candy hurried to Amy and hugged the woman. “You're also getting a very nice raise. A very, very nice raise, Amy. You all are. You deserve it and you earned it. Without you, the toys would not have life.”
After leaving the toy factory, Candy drove to her home. She checked the heat and water faucets to make sure everything was okay. No problems were visible. Candy smiled, cooked herself a pot of delicious stew, and settled down at the warm kitchen table. It felt peaceful having time alone to think about everything. “Life sure has been hectic lately. The way that stock soared overnight, I expected to sit on it for at least a year. My goodness. Now, I have more money than I had after winning the lottery and more money to invest in Christmas. Maybe Chris will get to build the stadium he wants after all.”
After eating her lunch, Candy cleaned up the kitchen and prepared to drive back to the island. However, Chris knocked on the front door before Candy could leave her home. “Oh, Chris, is anything the matter?” Candy asked, surprised to see him.
“May I come in?” Chris asked.
“Of course.” Candy invited Chris into the small but cozy and warm living room—a far cry from the castle but still home.
