Noel, Alabama
Page 19
“In what way?” Bailey asked, truly interested in what was bothering him.
“Big corporations are starting to take notice of the uptick in our tourism. They are nosing in on our small businesses. Trying to buy up blocks of our historic homes for development.”
A lead weight dropped in her gut. “Oh, no. That’s horrible.”
“So far, we’ve been able to block the tearing down of the protected historic homes through the historic home registry. Those can’t be touched. But nothing prevents them from buying real estate that’s not protected and building big box stores and condominiums.”
Bailey frowned as she pictured Ministry becoming exactly like everywhere else. “I can’t bear the thought of it.”
“I know,” Seth said. “I guess that’s what we get for our progress.” He indicated the restaurant by gesturing with his hand. “But Ben and I have been working on some legislation and hope to at least slow the big stores from coming too close to the city limits.”
“Keep them a little farther out and less convenient to customers? That way, the mom and pops still have a chance,” Bailey said. “Great idea.”
The waiter brought their wine and they tasted it before she poured. It was a very good Pinot Noir.
The menu was somewhat simple but it was hard to choose, being that everything looked delicious. “I’m interested in the jalapeno pimiento fritters as an appetizer. Have you had them?” Bailey asked. Yes, it was fried cheese, and yes, it was a Southern thing.
“Sounds good, and no, I haven’t. But I have had the rosemary roasted chicken, and it’s fantastic.”
“Ooh, look at the creamed corn and fried okra. I definitely want those for sides.”
“Sounds like you’re hungry.”
“Starving. And don’t think you’re getting off easy. Appetizer, dinner, and dessert. Oh, and this lovely wine too,” she teased, but then said quickly, “unless you want me to pay half, because I am happy to.” It had just occurred to her that she had no idea how he was set financially. She’d simply assumed he was okay.
He grabbed her hand and stopped her rambling. “Bailey, I’ll be paying for our dinner, even if you order everything on the menu. Got it?”
She nodded, breathing a sigh of relief at his reassuring tone and manner. “We’ve never discussed your finances is all. But I mean, why would we, right?” she said, a bit awkwardly.
“Let’s order, why don’t we?” he suggested.
They both went back to their menus. “So, what do you think about this shrimp n grits? Or maybe the meat loaf and mashed potatoes?”
“I think we’re going to end up with a lot of to-go bags if you don’t narrow it down,” he said. “I think I’ll try the fried catfish strips with horseradish remoulade and hush puppies.”
“Ooh, that sounds heavenly. I’ll get that with a side of creamed corn.”
They ordered as soon as the waiter came by and sipped wine a bit awkwardly. “Why are you now worried about my finances?” Seth asked.
“I’m not, really. I mean, I expected you to pay for my dinner without making sure you were up for it, I guess,” Bailey said.
“How about you not worry about that. I’m fine. There’s a loft above the sheriff’s office downtown that’s very spacious where I now reside. Before that, I lived in Momma’s house. She’s alone, so it’s worked out. But I’ve always made money and saved. I own land, I’ve got a degree, and I’ll always have a job here.”
“I didn’t mean to imply otherwise, Seth, really,” she said softly. “How much money you have means nothing to me.”
He frowned at her.
“I said that wrong, didn’t I?” Bailey groaned. “Seth, I wanted our evening to be special.” She took his hand in hers. It was warm, and weathered from working outside. “I want to come home, Seth, to live here again.”
He pulled back as if she’d shocked him with a cattle prod.
“You what?”
Bailey would have sworn he was angry.
“I-I have an opportunity to start a venture—a business at Grandview.”
“So, you’re coming back home for Grandview?”
She teared up; she couldn’t help it. “I was hoping you might give me another chance.”
“You and me? Like, date each other?” His voice quavered, as if he were on the verge of tears as well. “Are you serious?”
A tear fell from her left eye and rolled down her cheek. “Seth, I haven’t been able to move on without you. I tried. I went to college; I worked hard and told myself I was chasing my dreams, but I lost sight of what I truly needed. Love. You.”
“Why? Why now? After twelve long years? Lost years?” he demanded, agony in every word.
She grabbed his hand in hers on top of the table. His precious hand. “I nearly died from hurting when I left you after high school. I was so lonely, but stubborn and determined to find a new life; one without the stigma of a motherless girl in a small town with no future. One where people understood me. But it didn’t work. It wasn’t better out there. I’ve grieved you the entire time I’ve been away. Since I’ve been back here, every single day has been a gift of healing and love for me.”
His face crumpled. “Bailey, all I’ve ever truly wanted was you. I love you.”
Tears were unashamedly streaming down her cheeks now. “Can you give me a chance?”
“I’ve spent every day that you’ve been back here doing whatever I could to prove to you how much I cared. My heart is yours. Please don’t break it again.”
“I love you, Seth McKay.” They both leaned in and finally indulged in the kiss they’d been waiting for.
Their food arrived at that very special moment, and somehow they ate every last bite.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The cookie and candy swap took place as it always had in downtown Ministry, Alabama. Alexis and Bailey (as much as she could) helped Mrs. Wiggins bring down her many tins and plates piled high with shortbread. It appeared that every person, both men and women, came with offerings to share. It was a gathering of friends and neighbors. And this year, it was being filmed.
“Cut. And that’s a wrap,” the director yelled. There was applause and hugs between all the cast and crew, and pretty much everyone nearby. Bailey avoided the hugs as much as possible due to her still-sore shoulder, but she was included in their celebration, as were the townspeople swapping cookies and candy. It was a festive night in the town square, with the massive and colorful tree standing sentinel, while all around them was the beauty of the town and its lights.
Seth found her among the revelry and handed her a hot chocolate. Bailey took it from him and grinned. “Thanks.” The moment reminded her of the tree lighting right after she’d arrived in town. But this time he put an arm around her and they walked together, an obvious couple.
This was her home, and Seth was her guy, just as he’d been for so many years before. It had taken so long for Bailey to find her way back to him. He was happy, and it thrilled her to watch his transformation. He laughed easily and seemed so relaxed around her now, whereas before, he’d been a little tense.
And tomorrow night, they would gather around the Christmas tree at Daddy’s house and open presents together, a family. And next year, they would do all this again, minus filming a movie. And again, the year after.
Epilogue
Daddy, Alexis, Seth, and Bailey stood outside the cabins at Grandview. Hollywood had wrapped up filming last week. They’d paid for cleaning, so that had been done the day they’d cleared out. This Christmas had been the best of Bailey’s life.
Now, it was time to figure out how to accomplish this new venture. Bailey planned to breathe new life into Grandview. It would be a children’s camp for the arts: music, writing, visual arts (drawing, painting, and other mediums). Daddy had handed over the keys and the ownership of the property. She could make of it what she chose.
Bailey immediately foresaw what she’d missed in her own childhood: a safe space where kids could let their creativit
y flow. She’d had to stifle it in Ministry because it wasn’t the norm. Bailey had felt like a “weirdo” running around with her notebook, writing stories. Only the kids who’d excelled in sports and beauty pageants were celebrated for their talents and beauty, or so it had seemed.
This town had come a long way since then, but this plan of hers, a program for kids like Bailey had been, might help normalize their gifts and allow for more young local artists to thrive here instead of running off to find their dreams like Bailey had done.
Epic Studios had given her a substantial grant for scholarships to disperse to underprivileged deserving students. They’d done so when Bailey had resigned her position with them. It was a thanks to her for saving the movie filmed here in Ministry.
Apparently, things had gone incredibly well, and they’d finished early and under budget. The studio executives had traced that to Bailey Boone’s quick thinking and organizing the move for filming in Ministry. When they found out about her plans for the arts camp at Grandview, they put their money where their mouth was and made the donation.
“There are already accommodations for wheelchairs. I made certain of that when we built the place,” Daddy said. “But the codes and standards now might be somewhat different than they were thirty years ago.”
“Got it.” Alexis added it to her list of items. Alexis would be the details’ person, while Bailey would be the creative director, determining the kind of curriculum and who the staff would be. Those hires would be vital.
“You know that there’s a huge liability insurance policy to run a business beside a body of water,” Daddy said. “I’ve paid an umbrella note over the years, but less since the kids don’t come anymore. You’ll have to shop around for that.”
“Got it,” Alexis said.
Bailey’s excitement was boundless for this new project. It would have most of the elements for summer camp, too, because, who didn’t love summer camp? And kids, in her opinion, didn’t get enough of that experience these days. Plus, it would be an art immersion, which meant no devices during the day and during certain times in the evening, like during meals and guitar playing beside the campfires and s’mores time. Kind of old school.
Summer camps were still popular in lots of places, but this would be different. Hopefully, she could sell it. Alexis would be awesome at promotion, along with whomever she hired to do an amazing website. Daddy had given her the money and the Grandview property as her legacy. And she planned to make it a roaring success.
And well, there was Seth, who’d decided they were going to be a roaring success as well. Bailey had never, and would never, meet a man who was a better match for her. He loved her in a way that nobody else ever would, and she could appreciate her love for him after their years apart. So deep and so true, Bailey now understood her momma and daddy’s love for one another.
The End
Want more? Check out Cammie and Grey’s story in Again, Alabama!
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If you enjoyed Noel, Alabama, you’ll love the other books in the….
Alabama series
Book 1: Again, Alabama
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Book 2: Love, Alabama
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Book 3: Forever, Alabama
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Book 4: Christmas, Alabama
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Book 5: Noel, Alabama
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About the Author
Susan Sands grew up in a real life Southern Footloose town, complete with her senior class hosting the first ever prom in the history of their tiny public school. Is it any wonder she writes Southern small town stories full of porch swings, fun and romance?
Susan lives in suburban Atlanta surrounded by her husband, three young adult kiddos and lots of material for her next book.
Visit her website at SusanSands.com
Like Susan on Facebook and follow her Twitter @SusanNoelSands
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