“Mayor Crenview, I believe God brought everyone I hired to the island was because the people in question need to be saved, not condemned. I'm going to do everything within my power to save those people, too. That's why I believe they are all connected. I can't make anyone here believe that, but that's what I believe in my heart,” Candy finished in a tired but stern tone.
“Those people put our lives in danger,” Phillip insisted.
“Do they?” Candy asked. “Mayor Crenview, when a pack of dangerous wolves chase a small group of helpless rabbits into your backyard, do you turn your back and walk away?” Candy looked out at everyone. “We can either love and help the broken people God brought to us or allow the wolves to eat them. It's that simple. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I turned my back on them. I don't think you could either. Why? Because you are all good people who I feel will always do what is right.”
“You're a liar! All Haley could do was insult Candy.
Candy held up a firm hand. “I invite all of you out to the island to meet Betty, Peppermint, Sandy, Ralphie, and Marty. Once you meet them, you will understand.”
“Bring them to town tomorrow at three sharp. We'll meet right here,” Bob yelled out. “Then we'll decide what to do! Agreed?” Everyone in the room agreed.
“Very well.” Candy nodded. “In the meantime, I want Mr. Carols...well, his name is Chris. It feels strange to keep calling himMr. Carols. I want Chris to come up and talk to everyone.”
“Why?” Phillip asked.
“Because Chris is going to show you how the Christmas village we're going to build is going to help Pine Snow,” Candy explained. “The village is going to create revenue for Pine Snowas well as create jobs.” Candy pointed at Chris. “Chris, will you come up here?”
“They're liars!” Haley screamed at the top of her lungs.
“Oh, shut up and sit down,” Amy yelled at Haley. “I work at the toy factory here in town, and I've known Candy for many years. She's not a criminal, and if she can create jobs, then so be it. My husband needs work!”
Haley snatched up her purse and stormed away with steam coming out of her ears. She wasn't ready to throw in the towel yet. “I'll just make a phone call to the mafia! Then we'll see who wins this fight!”
Chapter 2
“Ayo, I ain't so sure I want to be some kind of circus freak that people are gonna stare at,” Ralphie fussed and then munched on a chocolate donut that had green and red candy sprinkles on it.
“Like, I'm with Ralphie. Why should we be judged for, like, something that isn't our fault?” Sandy lifted a soda can and took a drink. “Like, my crazy ex-boyfriend got into a fight with someone less than forty miles from here. He went, like, totally insane and now he’s dead.”
I hate to express my feelings about someone's death in such a way, but what were we all really expecting?” Candy asked.
Sandy glanced down. “Like, I don't feel bad,” she confessed in a low whisper. I know I should feel some remorse but like, I don't feel any remorse.”
Chris had to admit he was relieved to find out Sandy's ex-boyfriend was no longer a threat. He had been very worried about leaving Sandy on the island while he and Candy drove into Pine Snow to attend the meeting. “Where is Aunt Betty?”
“In the library with Marty,” Sandy answered.
“Those two are getting real cozy with each other,” Peppermint pointed out. He lightened up some. What was the sense in being tense? “Coffee?”
“No thanks.” Candy studied the warm kitchen she was standing in. Sandy and Ralphie were sitting at the kitchen table. Peppermint was leaning back against a wooden counter with his arms folded over his green and red lumberjack shirt that complemented his character. Snowball and Blizzard were resting near the back door. Everything appeared peaceful and in order. That was good. “Guys, I know that you have no need to explain yourself to anyone. You haven't broken any laws and there are no criminal charges being filed against you.”
“Then why should we go into town and be picked apart by a bunch of fussy birds with sharp beaks?” Ralphie asked. “This castle is our home now. This island is our stomping ground.”
“Ralphie is, like, so totally right.” Sandy nodded. “And, Candy, we've got, like, tons of work to do when the snow melts. I'm not, like, interested in standing before a firing squad who had already marked me as guilty.”
“I'm with Sandy,” Peppermint agreed. “I've been living on this island for ten years, Candy. I go into town only when I need to. I know a few faces at the local grocery store and hardware store, but that's it. I don't socialize. Not because I don't like people; I do like people. But I'm the type of man who feels comfortable on his own land.”
“Preach it, Peppermint. We ain't no lab rats!” Ralphie declared. He went for another donut.
“Like, lay off the donuts, Ralphie. You're gonna turn into a bag of sugar. Eat a piece of, like, fruit or something. Totally.”
“Put some duct tape over your mouth and give my ears a rest,” Ralphie fussed.
Candy and Chris grinned. Sandy and Ralphie were a pair—a sweet, innocent pair who needed to be loved. Candy caughtPeppermint grinning a little, too. “Well, you guys don't have to go—”
“I think they do,” Chris spoke up in a warm and caring voice that held strength and wisdom.
“What's on your mind?” Peppermint asked. “Why do you think we should go to the meeting tomorrow, Chris?”
