course, the store was doing well enough that she could afford to pay him; she could even give up work herself if she wanted to. Her father had consistently saved a portion of income for the past twenty-five years, investing it in several mutual funds. In addition to the life insurance her parents had carried, the savings were enough to pay for at least twenty years of living well, without working at all. But she knew the store was in her blood.
“Aren’t you going to eat your lunch today, Sally?” Mary, one of the ladies who came in to work at the store, asked.
“Oh, yes. I was just daydreaming. I’m going to eat now, Mary, thank you.” Sally went to the back room, where a section had been set up for break time, including a table and chairs and a small refrigerator and microwave.
When Sally sat down at the table with her lunch, she told herself she should be glad Hunter Bedford hadn’t come back. But she had to admit that his visit had provided a little excitement for her. Something to lift aside the doldrums of her mourning and the pressure she was experiencing. But she could manage on her own. Of course she could.
Just then, Ethel, the other woman who worked for Sally, came into the back room.
“Yes, Ethel? Is there a problem?” Sally asked.
“No, not exactly. But there’s a man here who—”
“I’ll be right out,” Sally said as she jumped up from her chair. So he had come back!
She brushed back her hair, hanging loose and flowing today, and hurried out into the store. But there was no terrific smile waiting for her. No snappily dressed man standing around. No sparkle.
Just a farmer dressed in his overalls.
“Hello. Can I help you?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m Joe Sanders. My wife picked out a gadget she wanted for Christmas and I’m wondering if you could show me what it is?”
“Oh, Mrs Sanders. Yes, of course, I know exactly what she wanted. Come this way with me, please.”
“Ma’am, I have a little problem.”
Sally stopped and looked at the man. “A problem?”
The man flushed slightly and shifted nervously in front of Sally. “Well, my wife said it costs a hundred dollars and, well, I don’t have a hundred dollars. I wondered if you’d consider letting me pay it out. I have thirty-five now, and I can pay thirty-five the next two months. I promise I’m trustworthy.”
Sally smiled. “I’m sure you are, Mr Sanders. And yes, I’ll sell it to you for thirty-five today and thirty-five in January and February. If that’s what you want?”
The man’s face turned red. “Yes, ma’am. My wife would be very disappointed if she doesn’t get it for Christmas, even though I told her I didn’t have the money. I think she still believes in Santa Claus.”
“I understand. I’ll write out a paper for you to sign. But let me show you what she chose, first.”
When the man had seen the gift his wife wanted and signed the paper, paying his thirty-five dollars today and taking his gift with him, Sally returned to her lunch.
The request from Mr Sanders had reminded her again of the importance of the service they provided here at the store. Her father had first introduced a long payment plan about fifteen years ago. Since then, he let it be known that he could trust a few people to pay out their Christmas gifts. After all, her father had said it served the Spirit of Christmas.
It wasn’t something that regular stores did. They would let someone pay out the cost of the gift, but they didn’t let a customer take home a gift until it was completely paid for.
Sally felt sure Mr Sanders would pay his debt. And she felt good about following in her father’s footsteps.
She’d been disappointed that the man waiting for her wasn’t Hunter Bedford. She’d thought about him a lot this morning and especially when she had been serving Mr Sanders. She had been sure that a man from the city like Hunter wouldn’t have approved of the paying out plan and she would have liked to have talked to him about it. Too bad she wouldn’t be able to do that now. That was the only reason she was sad that he hadn’t come back, of course.
When the store closed at eight o’clock, Sally went home. She hadn’t been in the house more than fifteen minutes when the phone rang. It was probably Penny. She hadn’t talked to her since she’d gone out to the ranch for dinner. She moved to the phone. “Hello?”
“Sally?”
“Yes, who’s speaking please?”
“It’s Hunter. I just wanted to apologize for not coming in today. I had to drive back to Denver today to pick up the non-compete agreement signed by my grandfather. I thought you’d need it in hand before you agreed for me to work in the store. Anyway, I’ll be in tomorrow bright and early.”
“Hunter, I haven’t agreed—”
“Wait until you read what Granddad wrote you and then make your decision.”
“Fine. I can certainly find jobs for you if you’re willing to work.”
“I’m willing. There’s just one problem. Your dad was going to provide me with a place to stay. I know that won’t work now with just you in the house so I was wondering if there is anywhere in town that I can stay?”
Sally thought for a moment about Hunter moving in here with her. She knew the idea was absurd, but part of her thought about recommending it. But Bailey was a small town and people would certainly talk so instead she said, “There’s a bed-and-breakfast in town. It’s the only place, but it’s very friendly.”
“Good. I’ll see if they can get me a room, then I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night, Sally.”
“Good night, Hunter.”
Sally hung up the phone, feeling a little breathless at the thought of Hunter returning in the morning. She knew that his visit was only business and to prove this she began to make a list of possible tasks for Hunter to do. She stayed up a little later than normal and got totally involved in thinking up jobs for Hunter. It was an enjoyable thing to think about.
When she finally crawled into bed, she was pleasantly tired and immediately fell asleep. The ringing of the alarm clock the next morning didn’t really wake her up. Until the thought of Hunter arriving this morning told her she needed to get out of bed.
Unfortunately this was half an hour after the alarm had gone off and Sally had to dress hurriedly and make her lunch and dinner in less than half the time she usually took. She simply tied back her hair after hastily brushing it and ran the short distance to the store.
Billy was waiting at the back door to get in, and had been for half an hour.
“I’m sorry, Billy. I overslept. You must be cold.”
“Naw, I’m wearing a coat,” he answered, rubbing his gloved hands together.
“Yes, but take some time to warm up. Make yourself a cup of coffee,” Sally replied, feeling bad for keeping the elderly man waiting in the cold.
“Okay,
