Candy turned her jeep around, drove back to the toy factory, let herself in, and walked straight to the old toy room she had spent many years working in. To her shock, Fran was in the room. “Fran...it's late. I didn't think anyone was here.”
“What are you doing here?” Fran asked in a curious voice. She studied Candy's eyes. “You've been crying.”
“Tears of joy. The toy factory isn't going to be torn down...but Betty—”
“Betty told me.” Fran smiled. “I came here to...well, after spending thirty years working in this single toy room...a person's heart can grow fond of what they see and love.” Fran folded her arms over her warm, winter coat. “Betty is going to make me a manager.”
“The factory manager,” Candy pointed out. “You're also going to get a nice raise. All the girls are.”
Fran smiled again. “So I was told. I'm just not sure if I'm up to all the work, but I'm sure in time I will be.” Fran let out a happy breath. “My heart was breaking at the thought of seeing this old toy factory get plowed to the ground.”
Candy unzipped the white winter coat she was wearing and pulled out a folder. She put the folder down on her old worktable. “In that folder are papers that make me the legal partner of Betty Vance. As long as I live, Fran, this toy factory will never be demolished. That I promise. Also,” Candy bit down on her lower lip some, “Fran...I've been thinking...and pleasedon't take this the wrong way...but I want to give you some money.”
“I knew you would and the answer is no—”
“The answer is yes,” Candy quickly objected in a voice she allowed to become stern. “Fran, the money I was going to use to buy the rights to the toys and the island...I saved millions and millions of dollars. Now I want you to have some money. You're like a sister to me, and I love you, which means I'm not going to take no for an answer.”
“Candy—”
“Fran, I mean it!” Candy walked up to Fran and hugged the woman. “I want you to be okay...you and your husband. You're both good people, and I love you.”
“Oh, Candy...what am I going to do with you?” Fran started to cry. “I love you for who you are, not because you won the lottery.”
“I know.” Candy looked into Fran's eyes. “I have to meet Betty at ten sharp tomorrow morning. Meet me at the bank at nine sharp. I'm going to make sure you leave the bank set up for life.”
“Candy, I have always loved you. I know you love me—” Fran cried.
“And I love my family.” Candy hugged Fran again and then whispered through a falling tear. “Think of the money as a bonus for all the work you're about to do running our toy factory. You said you have about five more years’ worth of good work in you. I'll accept your offer.”
All Fran could do was hug Candy and cry.
Yes. Life can be very amazing—as long as love guides the heart. Candy received many beautiful miracles and shared her blessings with the people—and dog—she loved. So what should have been a happy ending filled with tears of joy should have completed a wonderful Christmas book. Instead, unknown toCandy, her story was only beginning. All the miracles that had been pulled out of a jolly present bag designed by God only completed the first sentence in her story.
After spending a few hours with Fran at the toy factory—talking and laughing while drinking coffee and eating donuts—Candy drove home and crashed. When morning arrived, she happily put on a warm, green Christmas dress and hurried to cook Snowball his breakfast. “I'll just have a bagel this morning, Snowball. I'm too excited to eat a full breakfast.”
After eating a bagel, Fran picked Candy up and drove to the bank and met with Mrs. Samantha Ingles, the bank manager. The downtown area was small and humble but so very beautiful to look at. Being downtown was like being on the set of an enchanted Christmas movie—well, at least during the winter months. Candy always felt like she was in the movieIt's a Wonderful Lifeevery time she drove downtown. “It's going to be a beautiful day, Fran.” Fran was far too nervous to speak. She knew Candy was about to make her a very rich woman.
Over an hour later, Fran left the bank with Candy at her side—a very rich woman. “I can't believe—” Fran began to speak as if she were lost in a dream as she stepped out onto the snow-covered sidewalk.
A car horn cut Fran off. Candy spotted Betty driving down the street in a gray SUV. She didn't think anything of it when she saw Betty. Candy had called her and explained that she might be held up at the bank for a little bit. So, when Betty drove up to the bank, Candy simply smiled and walked to the driver's side door. “Hello, Betty. Fran and I just finished at the bank. We're going to drive back to my house and I'll get my jeep—”
Candy stopped speaking when a handsome man who appeared to be in his early forties leaned forward and looked past Betty. “Candy, this is Chris Carols.” Betty beamed. “Forgetyour jeep, dear. You're riding with me today. You better say hello, Chris. He'll be riding with us.”
“Aunt Betty has told me a lot about you.” Chris smiled. “I'm Aunt Betty's nephew, by the way.”
“Nephew...Betty, you never told me you had a nephew.”
“There's a lot you still don't know about me, dear.” Betty focused on Fran. “Fran, I want you to go to the factory and put all the workers back on the clock. I'll be back tomorrow with Candy and we'll sit down and get all the legal matters handled. I want everyone back at their worktables first thing Monday morning. Your job today is to create new timecards and a solid working schedule that will fill two eight-hour shifts.”
“I...Betty, I don't know how to do that,” Fran objected in a nervous voice. “I don't even have a high school diploma. I'm not management material.”
“Then learn,” Betty ordered in a loving tone and then smiled. “You're the new manager, dear. It's time for you to take charge. As for you,” Betty tossed a thumb at the back seat, “get in. We're off to the island. And Chris,” Betty pointed at her nephew, “is going to help us build our island. He's an architect—”
“Was an architect,” Chris cut Betty off in a quick voice and then looked at Candy. Candy sure was beautiful. “I let Aunt Betty talk me into helping you two build your island.”
“And I'm going to pay you very handsomely,” Betty pointed out.
Chris laughed. “My first real job in quite some time. I hope I don't get fired.” Candy stared at Chris. The man resembled a very handsome...well...Santa Claus, minus the beard. Rosy red cheeks, bright green eyes and a smile that belonged in the hearts of giggling children drew Chris' face with child-like crayons instead of harsh, hateful adult hands.
