Candy Cane Christmas Read online

  Candy Cane Christmas

  Jodi Allen Brice

  Copyright © 2022 by Jodi Allen Brice

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  “A righteous person cares for the life of his animal but even the most compassionate acts of the wicked are cruel.”~ Proverbs 12:10

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  About the Author

  Also by Jodi Allen Brice

  Chapter 1

  Missy Long sat in her Volvo at the parking lot of the Harland Creek Pharmacy and stared out the windshield. The townspeople burrowed down in their winter coats as they walked along the tree-lined sidewalks. The bare trees looked less like trees and more like lace pressed upward against the gray-colored sky. Workers from the electric company were busy putting up green garland and red Christmas decorations along the lamp posts. Someone was even playing Jingle Bells on their truck radio.

  The small town always put up Christmas decorations during the week of Thanksgiving, and the business owners would decorate their storefronts for the upcoming shopping season. It had become tradition, and year after year, all the business owners would try to outdo each other with their holiday adornments.

  Christmas was Missy’s favorite time of the year. A time to go all out on Christmas decorations, elaborate meals and, of course, gifts.

  Except this year, Missy feared all her extravagant spending had caught up to her, and she hadn’t even bought the first gift to go under the tree.

  The reality of her financial situation had arrived in the mail this morning.

  Missy bit her lip and glanced around, making sure no one was watching her.

  As usual, no one seemed to notice her.

  She picked up the letter from the passenger’s seat. She glanced at the return address from the credit card company and quickly opened the envelope as if ripping off a bandaid.

  Her heart sank inside her chest as her worst fear came true.

  Credit limited maxed out.

  Minimum payment increased.

  “I know better than this.” Missy shook her head. With the holidays coming up, the last thing she needed was a maxed-out credit card.

  She leaned her head against the leather headrest and closed her eyes.

  Why couldn’t she be like the rest of her family? Successful, thriving and flourishing without a care in the world.

  She couldn’t ask her father for more money. He was already giving her a monthly allowance. At twenty-four, she should have her life figured out and not have to rely on her father’s money, but she hadn’t. She was a failure.

  It wasn’t like she hadn’t tried to be a success. She had. She just couldn’t figure out what her purpose in life was.

  She’d gone to college, but kept changing her major, and finally came out with a business degree.

  Living in a small town, it was hard to put that degree to work, so she started working part time as a pharmacy tech for Samantha Vaughn, the pharmacist.

  Now, even her part-time job and her father’s allowance would not help her get caught up on her bills.

  Feeling the world closing in on her, Missy reached for the door handle. As she stepped out of her car, she quickly calculated that she could catch up on her credit card bill if she stopped spending so much money, and asked Samantha for some extra hours. With the holidays coming up, Samantha would surely give them to her. It was their busiest time of the year and Samantha needed the help.

  Perhaps her situation wasn’t as dire as she thought.

  Missy breathed in a lung full of cold air as she hurried to the front door. Her Jimmy Choo heels were a poor choice against the cold. But Missy knew it was always important to dress to impress. She’d chosen the black slacks and expensive red silk blouse to complement her dark brown hair. The only one in her family with brown hair and brown eyes. After her mother had told her it was a pity Missy had brown eyes instead of blue like her sister, Missy made the effort to go the extra mile to look good, which meant designer clothes.

  Patting down her hair, she pulled open the door. The bell jangled above her head.

  Samantha’s head popped up over the pharmacy counter and she smiled when she spotted her.

  “Oh, Missy, I’m glad you are here.” Samantha stood and stepped out from behind the counter. “I can’t wait to tell you the news.” She waved her back to her office.

  Missy felt hopeful and let the stress of the letter drift away.

  Everything was going to work out just fine.

  Missy stepped inside Samantha’s crowded office full of boxes of Christmas decorations strewn across the floor and cringed. “Looks like you’ll want to get these up this week. I can help with that.” The sooner the decorations were up, the sooner she could put away the clutter. Missy hated clutter.

  “Ignore that,” Samantha laughed and picked up a file sitting on her desk. “Remember when I told you I was hiring extra help for Christmas?”

  “About that, I know how busy you are during the holidays and I would be happy to pick up extra shifts. I know you need the extra help and I have the time.” Missy smiled and picked up a string of sparkly garland hanging out of the box. She carefully rolled it up.

  “That won’t be necessary.” Samantha said brightly.

  Missy froze and looked over at her boss. “It won’t?”

  “No. I have six applications from high school seniors that want to work during Christmas. They all have applied to college for either nursing school, radiology, or pharmacy school. This is the perfect opportunity for me to give back to the community by giving them a chance to work during the month of December.” Samantha’s smile grew and she waved the file of applicants in the air. “And I know how sweet you are to offer to work extra during the holidays, but now you won’t have to. Besides, it’s not like you even need the money. This will work out for everyone.”

  Missy felt like someone had hit her in the chest with a bat. “Wow, it seems like you have it all planned out.” She blinked and tried to mask her overwhelming disappointment at the sudden turn of events.

  Samantha hugged the file to her chest and sighed. “I’ve been trying to come up with some way to contribute to our small town, and I think this is it.”

  Missy slowly nodded. “I’m sure they’ll be excited about working here. It’s a great place to be.”

  The bell over the front door jangled. Samantha tossed her file back on the desk and squeezed Missy’s arm. “I better get out there.”

  Alone in the office, Missy blinked back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks.

  She would have to formulate a new plan and find a place that was hiring, even if it meant flipping burgers at the diner.

  Chapter 2

  Zander Howell, leaned closer to his laptop and read the description of the land that was for sale. When he first saw the listing, he knew it was what he’d been looking for.

  “It’s perfect.” He smiled.

  “What’s perfect?” Shirley Winstead, his receptionist and office manager, stepped up behind him. She clinked her spoon on the side of her mug as she stirred her coffee.

  “This property. I think it would make the perfect place for a dog farm rescue.”

  She leaned over his shoulder and shoved her glassed up on the bridge of her nose. “Looks kind of pricey.”

  “I think I can swing the monthly payments.” He gave her a hopeful look. “But I am concerned about the down payment.”

  “If you keep taking non-paying clients, then you won’t be able to afford the down payment or the monthly note.” She scowled. “I noticed Bertha Mills still hasn’t paid for her cat’s last visit.”

  He sighed. “She said she was a little short on cash.”

  Shirley straightened and pressed her lips together. It was a look he didn’t like on her.

  “That old woman is playing you. She has more money than she lets on. She’s buried three husbands and had life insurance on every one of them.”

  He looked back at the computer screen. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I am too soft.”

  Her expression softened. “That’s what makes you the best veterinarian in Mississippi.”

  “I doubt that. But thanks, Shirley. I don’t know what I would do without you.” He smiled.

  Shirley had been Dr. Brantley’s office manager before he retired, and Zander bought the practice from him. Since she had been with Dr.
Brantley for twenty years, Zander had expected Shirley to retire as well. She said she was staying on long enough to get everything organized before she left. That had been five years ago, and she was still here.

  He knew she stayed because of her devotion to animals along with the work they did at Harland Creek Vet Hospital. She loved staying busy so he didn’t see her retiring any time soon.

  “I’ve got to work on the schedule for the holidays. It might be tight with some techs being out, but I think we can manage.”

  “Good. Now, if you can think of a way for me to get enough money for a nice down payment on this land, we would end the year on a wonderful note.” He pointed to the computer screen.

  She laughed. “You’re going to need more than a few donations from your clients. Honey, you’re going to need a Christmas miracle.” She took a sip of her coffee, headed out of his office, and back to her desk.

  He frowned. Donations. He hadn’t thought about that.

  He turned his attention back to the computer, typing different animal charities. Some around the state were raising money for new kennels while others were raising money for chew toys for the dogs for Christmas.

  “Dr. Howell?” Nancy poked her head in the door. “Your nine o’clock appointment is here. Mrs. Lincoln is here with her Chihuahua, Miss Lizzy. She is due for a checkup and shots.”

  Nancy Wallace had been a vet tech for a little over a year and was hoping to one day go to vet school. With her short brown hair and kind brown eyes, all the animals, and their owners, loved her.

  “Thanks, Nancy.” He shoved his chair back from the desk and stood.

  “A fundraiser. At Christmas.” He smiled. “It just might work.”

  Chapter 3

  After her shift at the pharmacy ended, Missy headed for her car.

  “Missy!”

  She cringed at the sound of her name, and slowly turned. Stacey Landers, owner of Bettie’s Boutique, waved as she hurried toward her.

  Missy groaned. She really didn’t want to be around anyone today. Not even her friend, Stacey.

  “Are you just now getting off work?” Stacey gave her a quick hug and shoved her purse back on her shoulder.

  Missy forced a smile. “Yes. I’m about to head home.”

  “I was going to head over to the diner for a quick bite to eat. It was so busy today that I missed lunch. I was trying to get caught up with all the new inventory. Want to join me?”

  Missy opened her mouth to say yes, that she’d love to, but the image of the letter from the credit card company flashed before her eyes. She had to cut back on her spending.

  “Sorry, I can’t. I’ve got to be heading home.”

  “That’s too bad. I got a lot of new outfits at the boutique. You could stop by after we eat so you can see what I put aside for you to try on.” Stacey grinned. “I know how much you love to shop. I got some great new red boots in.”

  “Red boots?” Missy blinked and debated telling her friend the truth about her new financial situation.

  “Yes. Got them in from Dallas.” Stacey frowned. “Why are you getting off so early at the pharmacy?”

  “My hours just got cut. Samantha is hiring some high school students over the holidays to help.” Missy cocked her head. “You don’t happen to need help, do you?”

  “No.” Stacey shook her head. “Samantha is braver than I am. The last time I hired a high school student, I caught her making out with her boyfriend in the dressing room. From then on I swore I wouldn’t hire anyone else, even at my busiest time, Christmas.” Stacey’s smile slipped from her face as she looked over Missy’s shoulder. “Oh, Missy. Look who’s coming.”

  Missy frowned and followed Stacey’s gaze. Colin Bennet, along with his dog, Ringo, were walking down the sidewalk with a bouquet in his hand.

  She groaned. She’d made a fool out of herself a while ago, when she had flirted with the bookstore owner. He was from England, and it was his accent that drew her interest. But he had quickly made it clear to all the women in Harland Creek that he only had eyes for the ex-supermodel, Gabriella Jackson. The pair had been dating ever since.

  Not that it mattered. She hadn’t known he had a dog when she’d been crushing on him. She had a history with dogs, and it wasn’t a pleasant one.

  “Hi, Colin!” Stacey blurted out.

  Colin spotted them and changed his direction to come over and speak.

  Missy gritted her teeth, gave her friend a glare, and desperately wanted to throttle her. She took a step back when Ringo sat too close.

  “Hello, ladies.” Colin smiled at each of them. “How are you both today?”

  “Very well. Just headed to the diner to get something to eat. The boutique has been crazy busy.” Stacey smiled.

  Colin nodded his head. “Yes. I’ve been doing a good deal of business as well. Both online and in the store.”

  “Yes, I heard Gabriella made you a website. I’ve been talking to her about expanding my website that she set up for me. I feel E-commerce is the way to go.” Stacey nodded.

  “Yes, I heard you two were getting on well.” Missy smiled sweetly and cut her eyes at her friend.

  Stacey flinched. When Gabriella came back to town, Stacey hadn’t been too nice to the girl.

  “How’s Ringo? I heard he is coming to the bookstore with you.” Stacey quickly changed the subject.

  “He has. Since the weather has been so cold, I didn’t want him staying out of doors for so long. He seems quite content to lounge behind the counter while I work.” Colin smiled at them both.

  Missy’s heart fell. There went her trips to the bookstore to buy books. She’d have to go to the library if she wanted to avoid close contact with the large dog.

  “Well, I must be going. Good day, ladies.”

  They watched as he walked down the sidewalk.

  “Hey, what’s that about?” Stacey glared. “Why did you bring up Gabriella? I know you two have had issues, but she’s really not that bad when you get to know her.”

  “You shouldn’t have called him over here. I’m still terribly embarrassed at how I made a fool out of myself over him. He’s not even that cute.” Missy narrowed her eyes. She left out the part of being terrified of Ringo.

  “It’s the accent. All women like an accent.” Stacey nodded thoughtfully.

  “I need to get going.” Missy finally said.

  “Be sure to stop by the store and try on those outfits I picked out for you.”

  “I will.” Missy lied.

  As she walked to her car, Missy wondered how in the world she was going to find a job that paid what she needed to get her credit card debt under control without the whole town of Harland Creek finding out she was a fraud.

  Chapter 4

  After a few days of hitting up people he knew would donate to his cause with little results, Zander was ready to pull his hair out.

  “You are going about this the wrong way. If I were you, I would hire someone to do this. A PR company or publicist. You don’t have enough time as it is.” Shirley gave him that look that told him she was right and he needed to listen to her.

  “Where am I going to find a PR company in Harland Creek?”

  “Ask Gabriella.” Shirley shrugged.

  “Gabriella Jackson? The model?” He blinked.

  She sighed heavily. “Ex-model. Since she’s been back from New York, Gabriella develops websites and business plans for clients.” She playfully hit him on the arm with a stack of folders in her hand. ”You’d know this if you came to church and didn’t go off with your buddies every few weeks to elk hunt or skydive.”

  He snorted. “It’s deer hunt and hike. I’ve actually never been skydiving.” He corrected.