Read Online Sweet Montana Christmas by Casey Dawes - Free Book Online

time.”
    “True. Think your buddy will come in today?”
    “Who?” Sue Anne said, even though she knew exactly who her friend meant. She straightened the doilies that covered the top of the display cases, glass trays of chocolate confections covering them.
    “Your hunky officer.”
    “I dunno.” She shrugged her shoulders, trying to deny the memories of the kiss they’d shared the previous week. Just like the kiss at the airport, it had been followed by a quick wave, departure, and silence, almost like he was running away.
    Was Zach afraid of her? Or commitment?
    She shoved the thought from her mind. If she didn’t get customers, she’d have bigger problems to handle than a flip-flop guy. She’d invested everything she had in this building and business. If it failed, she’d have to go back to Texas and submit herself to her mother’s plan.
    Not happening.
    “We need more fudge,” she said. “Do you want to do it or wait on our nonexistent customers?”
    “Oh, I’ll keep busy,” Julie said. “You can handle the front.” She put her hand on Sue Anne’s arm. “It’ll get better. It’s a freezing cold Monday in February, no one knows we’re here, and it’s only the first morning. People will be back. Especially for Valentine’s Day.”
    “I hope so.”
    “They will be back.” Julie squeezed her arm. “I’m going to make fudge.”
    Sue Anne’s shoulders sagged a little as she stared through the window at the empty street. Julie was right. It was a gray winter day, the kind that inspired Edgar Allen Poe stories.
    Shaking off her lethargy, she pulled out her phone. There had to be some groups she could join to get the word out. She stopped when she found a businesswomen’s group that met once a month and the cost was manageable. The next meeting was Wednesday, the day before Valentine’s Day.
    It was worth a shot.
    • • •
    “Welcome to Missoula Women in Business!” a tall woman in high heels said as Sue Anne approached the door to the hotel ballroom. “Are you new to the area?”
    Sue Anne put on her professional smile.
    “I’ve been here since freshman year at the university. I’m here because I’ve just opened a new business, and I want to spread the word.”
    “Oh. Fantastic. What kind of new business?”
    “Sweets Montana. I make chocolate.”
    “Great. Come on in and find a seat.” The woman’s attention went to the next person in line.
    Women and a few men buzzed around her with smiles and hugs. The muted gray ballroom was packed with round tables, and a buffet table lined the back wall where women already stood in line.
    Seat first? Food?
    “Hi,” a heavy-set woman said. “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. My name is Liz.” She put her hand out.
    Sue Anne took in the brightly colored outfit, mass of reddish hair, mosaic glasses, and warm smile, and immediately took her hand. “I’m Sue Anne Devereaux. I make chocolate.”
    Not very professional.
    “Oooh. Chocolate. My favorite. Why don’t you sit here with me?”
    Sue Anne allowed herself to be guided to a nearby table. Liz took her under her wing, made introductions, and walked with her to the buffet table, introducing her to every person on the way.
    Her cheeks aching from smiling, she felt more at ease as she climbed the few steps to the podium to give her introductory speech. Oohs and ahs emanated from the audience when she mentioned what she did.
    Head held high, she strode back to her seat, where a new woman had joined the group at the table.
    Brittany Johnson lived up to Sue Anne’s image of a moneyed LA princess down to the blond hair and porcelain skin, and she wasn’t surprised to learn the Realtor had spent most of her life in California.
    “The best chocolate shop in the world is on Rodeo Drive. Have you ever been to it?” Brittany asked after Sue Anne explained what she did.
    “No, I grew up in Texas before moving to Missoula for college.”
    “Welcome,” Brittany said, handing her a