Christmas Clash by Dana Volney Read Free Book Online

for people and families to see what all of our businesses provide to the community. Then we will inform them of the evil plans to move us to the other side of the city.”
    “The ol’ bait-and-switch.”
    “That sounds a little shady. Don’t call it that. We are giving people fun and probably food. I should write that down, we’ll need food.” She looked around for a notepad, found one with purple sparkles, and jotted her jumbled thoughts. “It’s a win-win.”
    The door chimed for a customer, and Sophie went to assist a frantic-looking man in a Santa suit. Candace slowly pushed off the island and tuned out their conversation to search for items to make a neon green door wreath. They received the weirdest requests some days.
    She heard the door chime again and, since she could still hear the Santa’s worried voice, she made her way toward the front to assist the newcomer. She was glad her boots didn’t have soles that clicked on the cement. Her head couldn’t take it.
    “Hi, Kaye.” Candace moved out from behind the counter to greet the perfect-bodied yoga instructor from across the street.
    “Hi.”
    Kaye wore her typical outfit: black yoga pants and a brightly colored shirt that today was yellow. Her naturally beautiful face made Candace want to throw up. Candace didn’t dare leave the house without mascara and rosy lipstick that sometimes doubled as blush.
    “Need some holiday cheer for your studio?” she asked.
    “No, the flowers I picked up earlier this week are still going strong. Beautiful, by the way.” Kaye looked like a deer caught in headlights, wide-eyed and quiet as she studied her surroundings.
    “Is there something else I can help you with?” Candace asked.
    “Last night, that stuff you said. Is it true? Are we really getting run off because Mr. Dean doesn’t like you?”
    Bam. The $1.7 million-dollar convention center question.
    “It’s more like other members of my family, although I’m sure I’m on the list now,” she said with a grimace. She’d pretty much played her cards last night. There was no sense denying it now. All of the business owners would have to decide for themselves how they handled the news and if they were going to go along with the plan she and Luke discussed.
    “Oh.”
    “But”—if she spoke quickly enough, maybe she wouldn’t lose Kaye—“I have a plan. Luke and I came up with it after the meeting last night.”
    “Really?” Kaye looked so innocent, Candace couldn’t decide whether to smile or shed a tear. Guys were probably lining up at her door.
    “Yup. We want to meet with all of the owners this afternoon. Did you not get my email this morning?”
    “No. I haven’t checked it yet. I start classes at six. I’ve been dragging. I didn’t sleep last night.”
    You and me both, darlin’.
    “I’m sorry. I really should’ve warned you guys what I thought was going on, but I didn’t know, not really, until it was too late to tell all of you.”
    “Mr. Dean shouldn’t be using the city as his personal instrument for revenge. This isn’t affecting only you.”
    “I know. I feel horrible about all of this. I really do.”
    Kaye started to smile and before Candace knew it she was embraced in a hug, patting Kaye’s back a couple of times. Candace wasn’t exactly the hug-it-out type—but it was better than a slap, so she’d go with it.
    “We’ll talk about it more soon, okay?” she reassured.
    Kaye nodded, then her perfect body disappeared out the door.
    Candace made a beeline for the coffee maker.
One down. Four to go.
    • • •
    “Can you help me rearrange some stuff before the others get here?” Luke asked.
    He really needs to work on his greetings.
She’d barely walked through the front door.
    “The big strong man needs help?” Candace taunted.
    Luke rolled his eyes and headed up the steps at the back end of The Pub.
    “Geez. I’m coming.” She hopped up the stairs right behind him. “No humor today. Got it.” She had a