Read Online Sweet Montana Christmas by Casey Dawes - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Casey Dawes
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card. “I don’t know your living situation, but I’d love to help you out with your realty needs.”
“Thank you.”
“When’s your opening?” Liz asked.
“We’re open right now—kind of a soft launch—no big promotion.” She passed around her cards. “I invite everyone to stop in for a free sample.”
“Can I have your attention, please?” The woman who had greeted her at the door was at the microphone. “My name is Melissa Anton, and I’m president of this organization.” She introduced the speaker, a woman from the heart association.
Sue Anne vaguely listened while scanning the room, looking to see if there was anyone she knew. Missoula might be a city, but it was still a small town in the way most Montana cities were. The chances of running into someone you knew were high.
A few faces looked familiar, and others, obviously doing the same thing, smiled at her. This was a different group of women from the ones she’d known at the university. Time to take another step toward adulthood. She’d join.
“And now I’d like to have Brittany Johnson talk about the spring social,” Melissa said when the speaker was done.
Brittany walked to the podium spine ramrod straight, her bright smile and confident stride bringing everyone’s attention to her.
“We’re having our social a little early this year, but it’s going to be very exciting. We’ve made arrangements to hold it at the airport, and they’re going to give us a tour of the facility, including the old tower. It’s going to be the best ever.”
The woman knew how to take control of a room. It was the kind of presence Sue Anne was going to need to make her business more than a small-town shop. She studied Brittany’s flawlessly made-up skin, professional haircut, and glistening nails. Sue Anne’s mother could command that kind of attention.
It was time to stop dismissing Mom’s advice without looking at it first.
“We’re still looking for a few more of you to supply extras for the meeting. We have the main snacks covered, but it would be great to have some fill-ins—chips, cookies, that kind of thing.”
Once the meeting was over, she made her way to Brittany, who was standing with Melissa.
“Oh, hi there,” Melissa said. “Did you enjoy the meeting?”
“Very much.”
“I forgot your name.”
“Sue Anne.”
“Sue Anne’s opening a chocolate shop. Isn’t that exciting?” Melissa said to Brittany.
“We’ve already met.” Brittany smiled—not a we’re-going-to-be-best-friends-tomorrow kind of smile, but one that bespoke professional control.
“I’d love to provide chocolates for your social. I could do a variety of styles and flavors—truffles, fudge, some spicy, some traditional.” Remembering Zach’s airport buddy, she added, “I’d provide some without nuts so people who are allergic could try. I use separate equipment for non-nut chocolates, so there’s no risk of contamination.”
She forced herself to stop talking. She could talk about chocolates for another half hour without stopping.
“You have to be a member,” Brittany said.
“I’ll join right now.” She dug in her leather purse for her checkbook.
“I think that would be wonderful,” Melissa said. “I’m sure we can find room for Sue Anne’s chocolates at our event, don’t you?”
“Absolutely...” Brittany answered.
“I do!” Melissa pointed to the check-in table. “I’m sure they can get you signed up right now.”
Putting sugar in her smile, Sue Anne said, “Thank you,” and walked to the table, allowing the debutant walk her mother had worked hard to instill in her take over. The shift in her own self-image caught her unaware. There was more to learning how to walk than she’d imagined.
She’d have to call her mother soon.
• • •
He really needed to stop kissing Sue Anne.
Zach pulled his radio from his belt. “Crippin.”
“We need your help by the upstairs gates. Two passengers inbound from
“Thank you.”
“When’s your opening?” Liz asked.
“We’re open right now—kind of a soft launch—no big promotion.” She passed around her cards. “I invite everyone to stop in for a free sample.”
“Can I have your attention, please?” The woman who had greeted her at the door was at the microphone. “My name is Melissa Anton, and I’m president of this organization.” She introduced the speaker, a woman from the heart association.
Sue Anne vaguely listened while scanning the room, looking to see if there was anyone she knew. Missoula might be a city, but it was still a small town in the way most Montana cities were. The chances of running into someone you knew were high.
A few faces looked familiar, and others, obviously doing the same thing, smiled at her. This was a different group of women from the ones she’d known at the university. Time to take another step toward adulthood. She’d join.
“And now I’d like to have Brittany Johnson talk about the spring social,” Melissa said when the speaker was done.
Brittany walked to the podium spine ramrod straight, her bright smile and confident stride bringing everyone’s attention to her.
“We’re having our social a little early this year, but it’s going to be very exciting. We’ve made arrangements to hold it at the airport, and they’re going to give us a tour of the facility, including the old tower. It’s going to be the best ever.”
The woman knew how to take control of a room. It was the kind of presence Sue Anne was going to need to make her business more than a small-town shop. She studied Brittany’s flawlessly made-up skin, professional haircut, and glistening nails. Sue Anne’s mother could command that kind of attention.
It was time to stop dismissing Mom’s advice without looking at it first.
“We’re still looking for a few more of you to supply extras for the meeting. We have the main snacks covered, but it would be great to have some fill-ins—chips, cookies, that kind of thing.”
Once the meeting was over, she made her way to Brittany, who was standing with Melissa.
“Oh, hi there,” Melissa said. “Did you enjoy the meeting?”
“Very much.”
“I forgot your name.”
“Sue Anne.”
“Sue Anne’s opening a chocolate shop. Isn’t that exciting?” Melissa said to Brittany.
“We’ve already met.” Brittany smiled—not a we’re-going-to-be-best-friends-tomorrow kind of smile, but one that bespoke professional control.
“I’d love to provide chocolates for your social. I could do a variety of styles and flavors—truffles, fudge, some spicy, some traditional.” Remembering Zach’s airport buddy, she added, “I’d provide some without nuts so people who are allergic could try. I use separate equipment for non-nut chocolates, so there’s no risk of contamination.”
She forced herself to stop talking. She could talk about chocolates for another half hour without stopping.
“You have to be a member,” Brittany said.
“I’ll join right now.” She dug in her leather purse for her checkbook.
“I think that would be wonderful,” Melissa said. “I’m sure we can find room for Sue Anne’s chocolates at our event, don’t you?”
“Absolutely...” Brittany answered.
“I do!” Melissa pointed to the check-in table. “I’m sure they can get you signed up right now.”
Putting sugar in her smile, Sue Anne said, “Thank you,” and walked to the table, allowing the debutant walk her mother had worked hard to instill in her take over. The shift in her own self-image caught her unaware. There was more to learning how to walk than she’d imagined.
She’d have to call her mother soon.
• • •
He really needed to stop kissing Sue Anne.
Zach pulled his radio from his belt. “Crippin.”
“We need your help by the upstairs gates. Two passengers inbound from
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