Melody Carlson - Christmas Shoppe, The

2011 by Melody Carlson

Published by Revell

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.revellbooks.com

E-book edition created 2011

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4412-3417-9

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Contents

No one in Parrish Springs could recall exactly when Matilda Honeycutt came to town. No one seemed to know where she came from either, but most everyone remembered the day Matilda Honeycutt purchased the old Barton Building. Not because she made much noise when her bid won the run-down brick building in the sealed-envelope auction conducted by the city, but because Councilman Snider swore so loudly that patrons in the coffee shop next door to his real estate office actually heard his tantrum.

Word spread quickly about the interloper whod snuck into town and practically stolen that property right out from under the noses of the good citizens of Parrish Springs. Experienced in rumor circulation, Councilman George Snider made sure of this. He also requested that the city extend the close of the bidding so that he could have a second chance at securing the Barton Building. Ill pay 10 percent more than what that woman paid, he promised the new city manager behind closed doors. But as the city manager pointed out, and rightly so, doing this would put the city at serious risk of a lawsuit should Ms. Honeycutt choose to take legal action.

Now, most people wouldve given up at that point, counted their losses, and just moved on. But not George Snider. Having served as councilman for more than thirty years, he was used to getting his way, and he was not one to back down from a fight, particularly if money or profit was involved. So when he observed the city manager walking down Main Street with that intruderthat blasted Matilda Honeycuttit took all his self-control not to break into swearing again. Seeing the two of them walking up to the Barton Building, unlocking the front door like they owned the placewhen he doubted that the sale even wouldve been through escrowwas adding insult to injury. Good grief, why not just give that fool-headed Honeycutt woman the blasted keys to the city?

George felt certain this state of affairs would not have occurred back when Leroy Stanton managed their fair city. But Leroy had retired late last spring, and after many interviews and candidates, Susanna Elton was hired to replace him. Her work experience hadnt even been all that impressiveshed been an assistant to a city manager for less than ten years, although it was a larger town. George suspected the other council members were swayed by her appearance as much as by her fancy college degree. Despite his attempt to warn them of the dangers of youth in positions of power, the upstart got the job. And now this. Leave it to a woman to foul things up royally!

He scowled at the two of them. Susanna, as usual, looked like she planned to be photographed for some highfalutin fashion magazine, whereas that strange Matilda Honeycutt character looked more like a bag lady. What a pair. And what a mess theyd made of things too!

It didnt take Susanna Elton long to figure out that Councilman Snider was going to make her life difficult. Although she had to admit that her first impression had been deceiving. Taken in by his easy smile, silver hair, and sparkling blue eyes, shed let her guard down a bit. But when he called her a youngster during her third interview with the city council, she knew exactly where he stood.

Dont let Councilman Snider get to you, Councilwoman Laxton had told her during a break, when their paths crossed at the sinks in the womens restroom. George is a card-carrying member of the Good Ol Boys Club, and trust me, old habits die hard with that man.

He thinks Im too young and too female to manage Parrish Springs, Susanna stated as she touched up her lipstick. That just makes me want to prove him wrong.

Their eyes locked in the mirror above the sinks, and the older woman simply winked as she gave Susanna a slight nod. Then, without saying a word, she dried her hands and left. At the time, Susanna had been unsure as to the meaning of the wink and the nod. But at the end of the day, when she was offered the job of city manager, she understood. When Councilwoman Laxton warmly congratulated her as they were walking to the parking lot, Susanna suspected that the only woman serving on the city council might prove to be an important ally.

At times like now, when Councilman Snider was acting like a complete jerk, Susanna was tempted to run crying to Councilwoman Laxton. Except that she knew better. Small-town politics were tricky at best. At worst they could derail a career before it ever got fully started. No, Susanna was determined to deal with this herself. If Councilman Snider wanted a fight, shed give it to him. In a ladylike way, of course. It wouldnt be the first time shed stood up to a bully.

At least thats what she told herself when she spied him scowling at her and Matilda Honeycutt from across the street. It didnt escape her attention when he ducked into the newspaper office, probably off to one of his Good Ol Boys Club meetings. Susanna felt confident she could deal with the old coot, but she felt bad for Ms. Honeycutts sake. It wasnt a very friendly welcome to their town.

Im new to town myself, Susanna admitted as she unlocked the door to the Barton Building.

I thought perhaps you were. Ms. Honeycutt glanced across the street, making Susanna suspect that shed observed the ill-mannered councilman as well.

I havent actually been in this building yet, although Ive admired it from the outside. The city I moved from didnt have much in the way of old architecture.

It does have nice bones, doesnt it? Ms. Honeycutt smiled up at the brick building. A good feeling too.

Susanna handed her the key. Feel free to poke around as long as you like. As soon as your check clears at the bank, well get the deed paperwork going.

Wouldnt you like to see the interior of the building?

Sure. Susanna nodded. Id love a little tour.

Hopefully the electricity is on by now. Ms. Honeycutt flipped the switch, and after some initial blinking, the overhead fluorescent lights came on. Let there be light!

How did you manage to view the property before, without electricity?

Your assistant ran over to the hardware store and borrowed a couple of lanterns. We made do.

That Alice is a resourceful girl. Susanna chuckled as they walked across the dusty floor. It appeared to be hardwood, but it was hard to tell beneath all that grime.

Yes, she is. Of course, I already knew this was the building for me. Unless wed discovered something terribly amiss, which I knew would not be the situation, I was certain I wanted this building. Your assistant promised to call the power company and get the electricity turned on as soon as possible.