Chapter 1
Madison stepped up to the counter of her favorite juicery and touched her credit card to the machine at the register. “Have a nice day, Ms. White,” said the young woman who handed Madison a tall cup of her standing order. A green power smoothie.
“Same to you,” said Madison as she adjusted her sunglasses and walked the two blocks to the modern glass building where she spent her days at Conwell Advertising and Marketing. The palm trees lining the walkway rustled in the ocean breeze. It was Friday, and the weekend promised even more sunshine.
She nodded to the security guard at the desk downstairs and took the elevator to the top floor. Her assistant, Paige, greeted her and followed Madison down the hallway to her corner office with a view of the ocean in Manhattan Beach. “Mr. Conwell wants to see you as soon as you get settled,” said Paige.
Madison nodded and tucked her purse into a drawer. “I’ll be right there.”
She checked her calendar while she sipped her drink. The intercom buzzed, and Paige announced, “Your mom is on the line for you.”
Madison hit the button and said, “Hey, Mom, I’m on my way into a meeting. What’s up?”
“Nothing new. Working on some orders for a big delivery tomorrow over in Crystal Valley. Trying to get organized for the festival. I have more orders than I know how to handle. How are you doing, sweetie?”
“Fine, just busy. I have all the confirmations for our vacation. We leave on January second. Your flight from Reno down here is all set. Paige should have emailed you the ticket information. I’ll meet you at the airport. Hawaii sounds heavenly right now.”
“I can’t wait. It will be wonderful to see you. Being in Hawaii is a bonus.”
“It will be terrific,” said Madison, eyeing the notes on her desk. “I’ll call you this weekend when I have more time. I need to run, Mom.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to you later. Love you lots.”
Madison disconnected and grabbed a notepad before hurrying down the hall.
* * *
With great care, Grant guided his bakery delivery van around the sharp turn on the icy road outside of Silver Falls early Saturday morning. The sun had risen but was obscured by the heavy cloud cover, making the trip even more treacherous.
Few cars were on the slick roads, as he trekked along to deliver a large pastry order to a neighboring town. As he slowed for another turn, the reflection of headlights shining against the trees on the side of the road caught his eye. He flicked on his hazard lights and pulled to a spot on the road with a wide shoulder.
He shivered as he climbed from the van to investigate. As he neared the source of the lights, he hurried. He recognized the vehicle with its signature red and green Sugar Shop logo. “Peggy,” he yelled. “It’s Grant. I’m coming.”
He pulled out his cell phone and shut his eyes in a silent prayer, hoping he was in a spot with service. The signal was weak, but he stabbed the numbers. He reached an emergency dispatcher and reported the accident, repeating his location numerous times as the connection deteriorated and the voice of the dispatcher became choppy.
Peggy’s van was angled in a ravine alongside the road. It looked like she had skidded off the side and went over the embankment. Grant surveyed the area and started his climb down the steep terrain.
He took it slow, thankful for the hiking boots he had worn. He slid a bit but caught himself on the van as he glided into it. When he reached the driver’s window, he sucked in a breath. Peggy’s head was bleeding, and her eyes were closed.
It took some prying, but he wrenched open the door. “Peggy, Peggy,” he put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Can you hear me?”
She moaned but didn’t respond. “Come on, Peggy, open your eyes.”
He took in the crumpled hood of the van and looked down at Peggy’s legs. The blood on her jeans and the unnatural position of her right leg made him wince. He reached across the seat, grabbed Peggy’s heavy jacket, and tucked it around her.
He took off his glove and put his fingers against her neck. Finding her pulse, he breathed a sigh of relief. He knew the danger in trying to move her and elected to hold her hand instead. “Hurry, hurry, please,” he whispered.
The blood dripping from Peggy’s head prompted him to unzip his jacket and use his pocket knife to cut off the bottom of the t-shirt he wore under his heavy flannel one. He used it as a makeshift compress and applied it to the cut on Peggy’s head. She flinched and gasped. “I’m sorry, Peggy. I just want to slow this bleeding.”
After several more minutes, he heard the faint sound of sirens in the distance. “They’re almost here. Just a few more minutes, Peggy.” He squeezed her hand to reassure her. She moaned again.
The flashing blue and red lights from all the vehicles converging on the road above bounced off the snow-covered trees. Loud voices, doors slamming, and the rush of footsteps followed. “Down here. She’s down here. We need medical help,” Grant yelled.
The firefighters and paramedics, all of whom Grant knew by name, eased him out of the way and went about their work, checking Peggy and freeing her from the vehicle. Grant made his way up to the road. A deputy put a blanket around him and led him to one of the units, parked and running with its lights flashing.
“Hey, Todd,” Grant nodded his appreciation.
The deputy made sure the heater was turned on high and promised to return in a few minutes.
Grant watched the activity as the group of volunteer firemen emerged from the side of the road carrying a stretcher. They loaded Peggy into the ambulance, and it rushed down the road.
Todd returned and asked Grant several questions for his report. After Todd closed his notebook, Grant sighed and asked, “Do you think I could go down and get Peggy’s deliveries out of the back of her van? I know she’ll be worried about her candy.”
The deputy nodded. “The paramedics got her talking a little when they loaded her, and she was worried about the deliveries. I told her we’d take care of it. I know Peggy would appreciate you doing that. We’re going to have to tow it. We can help you get the stuff out of the back.”
Grant nodded. “I’ll put it in my van and take care of it. I’m sure she was doing her weekly run to Crystal Valley. I’m heading there with my delivery. It’s not a problem.”
While Todd organized the emptying of the Sugar Shop’s deliveries from the back of the van, Grant called his customer and explained he was running a bit behind due to an accident. With the help of the deputies, it didn’t take long to load the tins of Peggy’s famous fudge and caramels. Grant found her delivery clipboard and paperwork and added it to his front seat.
Grant thanked them and waved goodbye as he steered back onto the road. After his delivery, he made stops at the three stores Peggy supplied and explained she had been in an accident.
Everyone loved Peggy. Her longtime customers expressed their concern and dismay at the news. When it became apparent that he wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon, Grant called his bakery back in Silver Falls to let them know he would be delayed.
Word spread quickly, and the townsfolk gathered at the last stop, a small café that sold Peggy’s fudge and caramels during the holidays. The owner treated Grant to lunch while everyone gathered to talk about Peggy.
Grant promised to let them know as soon as he received word on her condition. He left with lots of hugs and well wishes, plus a huge cup of coffee for the trip home.
* * *
After an uneventful journey back to Silver Falls, Grant finished his day at the bakery, picked up Luna and Ginger from home, and drove to his mom’s for dinner. He saw Drew’s SUV in the driveway when he pulled behind the Silver Falls Guest House. As he admired the decorations and lights he and Drew had helped his mom install this past weekend, he smiled. Thanksgiving was only a few days away, but his mom was ready for Christmas.
Last year she had taken a nasty fall while decorating. This year the two brothers were taking no chances. She wasn’t allowed to use a ladder or carry anything up and down the stairs. He ushered the dogs through the back door and was greeted with the delicious smell of dinner.
“There you are, Grant. Any news on Peggy?” asked Dottie, as she added a generous pat of butter to a mountain of mashed potatoes.
“Todd stopped by the bakery and said they were transporting her to Reno. She needs surgery on her leg. Sounds like that’s the worst of it. She also injured the knee on her other leg, her wrist is sprained, and she’s got a deep cut on her head.”
Dottie shook her head as she added the biscuits to the table. “Drew,” she hollered, “Dinner’s ready. You guys come on.”
Drew came around the corner, his arm around Hope, with Jake trailing behind, followed by their two dogs. Last year over the holidays, Hope and her son had been unexpected guests at Dottie’s. After losing his wife and son years ago, Drew had fallen in love with Hope and her son in the weeks she spent in Silver Falls. The two had married in the summer. Hope helped Dottie with the guest house and RV park during the busy seasons, volunteered at Jake’s school, and made Drew the happiest veterinarian in town.
“I’d like to go visit Peggy tomorrow. Do you think you could take some time off and we could drive over to check on her?” Dottie raised her brows at Grant.
He nodded as he bit into a warm biscuit. “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea. We can find out if she needs anything.”
“She’s going to be out of commission at her busiest time of year,” said Dottie.
“Her famous fudge she used to make for her friends has grown into quite the successful business,” said Drew.
“She was sort of forced into it when Eddie died so long ago. She had to support her daughter, and she’s worked hard to turn it into a thriving business. Despite her addition of the ice cream parlor in the summer, I know she makes the bulk of her money over the Christmas season.” Dottie passed a platter to Hope.
“We can find out if she needs anything done around the house while she’s in the hospital,” suggested Grant.
“It’s heartbreaking. I’m not sure how she’ll make it without her holiday sales. There’s no way she can work with all those injuries.” Tears filled Dottie’s eyes. “It will be months.” She reached for a tissue. “She volunteered to coordinate the fundraiser this year too.”
“We’ll do all we can to help her. We’ll start with a visit tomorrow and find out what she needs. I know the whole community loves Peggy and would do everything possible to help her.” Grant gave his mother a reassuring look.
Hope squeezed Dottie’s hand. “Trust me. I know what the people of Silver Falls are capable of, especially at Christmas. I couldn’t have imagined my situation last year.” She gazed across the table at Drew. “Who would have guessed that my broken-down car would lead me to love and happiness I never dreamed were possible?”
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