“It’s the tree.”
Her heart dove to her stomach.
She’d kept her eye on the weather when traveling back to the city and hadn’t been aware of any storm fronts moving through the area. It wouldn’t make sense for the tree to have sustained any damage or harm. Last she’d seen, it was still standing, tall and proud as ever.
“Is it okay?”
“It’s perfect,” her father said. “And that’s the entire problem.” A space of several breaths passed before he added, “I don’t think I can cut it down, Rachel.”
Her chest tightened. She’d never heard her father’s voice like this. So unsure and unsteady. Even though she couldn’t see him, she knew he’d removed his glasses and nervously wiped them clean.
“I’m so sorry, Sugar Plum,” he added.
She detected a slight quiver in his tone and wished in that moment that she could reach through the phone and hug him. She’d often looked to him for comfort over the years, but now it felt as if the roles were reversed.
“I know you planted that tree all those years ago hoping it would be in the town square,” he continued. “So I’m sure this comes as such a disappointment. But I just can’t do it. That tree has so much of our family in those branches. And I don’t think I’m ready to cut that out.”
She blinked back tears. Why hadn’t she thought to put on waterproof mascara that morning? She’d certainly needed it the day before when she’d said her goodbyes to Holden. She’d hoped today would be a new day with a sunnier outlook, but things weren’t looking good.
“I’m not disappointed, Dad,” she said. And she wasn’t. Not an ounce of disappointment filled her being. “Honestly, I’m relieved.”
“You are?”
Hope caught in her chest and bloomed. “Yes, I am.”
“You’re really not upset that it won’t have its day on the square?”
“Not even a little. It will have a life with our family, and that’s what that beautiful tree deserves. And it’s what you and mom deserve too. To be able to look out at it every day, knowing it’s not going anywhere.”
They finished their conversation with an exchange ofI-love-you’sand a final reassurance that this was the right move. Unfortunately, it left Main Street without a proper tree for the lighting on Christmas Eve, but she knew there was a solution to that somewhere. If the people of Snowdrift were anything, they were resourceful and resilient. They had a long legacy that beautifully proved that point.
Rachel set up in the conference room early. When Cathryn and the other executives filtered in and took their seats at the intimidatingly long table, whatever nerves Rachel had had during the previous presentation were surprisingly nowhere to be found. She was calm. Composed. It was like she was a different person.
And in a way, she supposed she was.
She wasn’t the same woman standing before her superiors now. She was different, and she knew she had Snowdrift Summit and Holden Hart to blame.
Or maybe, to thank.
“We appreciate you moving things around so we could get this out of the way before the holidays,” Cathryn said, likely completely unaware of the insult slid right into her words.
“Of course.” Rachel rose to greet them and fastened a placating smile onto her lips.
That’s exactly what she was going to do. Get out of the way.
“I’ve spent the last week going over the Mistlefaux product, trying to explore ways I can improve upon the original design—”
Cathryn lifted a halting hand. “Rachel, I’m going to stop you right there. We’re not here for a presentation. This isn’t public knowledge yet, but we’re in negotiations with a global company that has an interest in buying out December Décor. If things go through with the proposed deal, we will no longer be focusing on creating and manufacturing holiday decorations.”
Rachel stifled a laugh and played it off as a sneeze.
“Bless you?” Cathryn offered as a question, not convinced by Rachel’s effort to disguise her ill-placed laughter. “Either way, we will be eliminating your position after the new year. I’m so sorry to have to be the bearer of this news right before the holidays, but as the saying goes, it’s not personal, just business.”
Rachel was shocked by how impersonal the entire exchange seemed, and even more surprised how little this unforeseen news bothered her.
“Of course,” Cathryn carried on while Rachel registered the previous information, “We have a robust severance package for you, along with your usual holiday bonus. You’ve been an asset to our team for many years now, and we’d like you to know how appreciative we are of your hard work and dedication. I’m sure this isn’t the news you were hoping for, but unfortunately, it’s the news we have to deliver.”
Rachel didn’t even bother masking the giggle that passed through her lips. It flew from her mouth full-force.
