Christmas At Hollaway Castle (A Holiday Mix-Up) Read online

  Christmas at Hollaway Castle

  A feel-good holiday mix-up with plenty of sparkle

  Rimmy . London

  Copyright © 2018 by Rimmy . London

  -Cover by Blue Valley Author Services-

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Dedicated to everyone who fell in love in December

  … or with December—we don’t judge.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Afterword

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Victoria was accustomed to being greeted at work like a favorite cousin.

  ‘Hello Tori!’

  ‘Mornin’ Tori!’

  But what she found that Monday morning was far from usual. Mark, the ever jolly, ever boisterous manager, had become a force. Like a heavily laden freight train that had reached full speed. She hopped out of the way as he barreled by with a massive box.

  “Pardon me, Tori.” He paused to gasp in a breath as drops of perspiration dripped from his chin. “Are you just getting in?” he huffed. “Don’t you know what today is?”

  He continued down the hall, disappearing around a corner before she could reply. Leaning to the side, she peered after him, her long auburn hair sliding off her shoulder. The rest of the building was just as frenzied. With a quick scan of the upper floor, she spotted at least a dozen people, not all of them familiar. She’d never seen anything like it at Avalon—and she’d worked there since she was fifteen. In that time, she’d managed to go from staging all the way up to head planner. It was something she took to naturally.

  “Better get your office straightened up, Tori,” Shae said, holding a large potted plant. “The merger is today. Didn’t you read the email?” With a sigh, Tori thought about the sad state of her inbox. Her office was the only enclosed room on the floor, and she doubted having papers strewn about would inspire the new owner’s confidence.

  “Getting to it,” she called after Shae. When she opened her office door, someone gasped behind her, clearly seeing the mess. Tori stepped in quickly and closed the door. It really wasn’t that bad—not to her. There was order amongst the chaos. The papers stacked long were invoices, while the papers stacked wide were plans. Then there were the future projects and piles of pictures. Quickly whipping out a few file folders, she got to work sorting it all. The task was easy and hardly took ten minutes. After the floor was uncovered, there wasn’t much more to do. She twisted the blinds to let in light and switched on a candle warmer for essence.

  Done.

  It wasn’t until she returned to the main floor that she started to get nervous—like, butterflies nervous. Which was strange. Sure, she felt anxious from time to time, but it just didn’t belong at Avalon. It wasn’t what customers wanted to feel when booking an event company. They had enough stress already with whatever wedding, party, or gathering they were hosting. Tori’s job was to take away as much of that stress as she could. She was there to make sure their event was more beautiful and tasteful than they’d ever imagined. And she had a reputation for delivering on those expectations. But now, as she looked around at the rigid and terrified faces of her co-workers, she lost her famously ever-present confidence.

  “So, remind me of the schedule for today?” she asked Mark, both of them standing along the back wall with their eyes on the elevator.

  Mark snorted, clearly irritated. “For goodness sake Tori, check your email!” He glanced at her. “The merger is today. This is big—like, New York big. Global big. Ms. Ava Randall-Cullens—you should have that name memorized, by the way—is our new queen. So be ready to bow so low your nose touches the floor.”

  The elevator opened before Mark had the chance to wipe his brow, and the room snapped to attention. Everyone waited with bated breath as men in brown work shirts filed out of the small elevator. They each stepped aside, right and left, until they formed a symmetrical V pointing to a woman whose gaze could only be compared to ice. It chilled the room, snuffing out every last smile. Her movements were slow and purposeful, as if she were communicating with each step. Her expression, even behind massive, round sunglasses, was hostile.

  Tori glanced to Mark, her superior. She waited for him to say something, but he stood frozen with another bead of perspiration hanging off the tip of his nose. Tori brushed forward and held out her hand, ignoring the snort-like cough behind her. “Hello, Ms. Randall-Cullens, welcome to Avalon.”

  Nothing happened. And as the seconds ticked by, Tori’s hand wavered in the air between them. Slowly, Ms. Cullens removed her sunglasses. Her face was beautiful, with the delicate features and high cheekbones of a model. Her black hair shone like ebony against her smooth, pale skin. Still Tori waited, her shoulder pinching a little with the effort of keeping her hand extended. It wasn’t until Ms. Cullens took a step back that Tori finally let her hand drop.

  “Thank you,” Ms. Cullens offered, looking like she would rather have said nothing. “Let's understand each other right now,” she continued, addressing the room, her voice a low hum. “I do not want input on the direction of this company. It has already been decided. Also, you are not to deviate from my designs. They need nothing added or taken away. This change will elevate Avalon to compete in the global market, and I have every reason to believe we will dominate. I ask that you give this merger your full support and embrace it wholeheartedly. Thank you.”

  With that, she turned a slow circle and began her ghostly walk back to the elevator, her crew filing in after her.

  The room was completely still, even after the doors had closed. Tori was sure that at least half of her co-workers had already posted their resumes to job sites. And she didn’t blame them.

  * * *

  It had been her first Christmas at Avalon that had kindled her adoration of the company. All its brilliance showed through at Christmastime. The first day of December had been nothing less than magical, with the entrance to Avalon strewn with a thousand twinkling lights and lampposts wrapped in boughs of thick pine. But inside the building was where the magic really happened. Christmas trees had graced every spare corner and sparkled through layers of glittering white stars and red satin bows. Wreaths as big as a car hung in the entrance, and the smell of pine filled every room. She’d walked through that day as if in a trance. She’d been amazed and inspired. From then on, she’d planned every event with one goal: to make each client feel like she had that day. Christmas at Avalon was something she looked forward to every year.

  Now as her gaze wandered the room, she couldn’t help but wonder if this would change all that. Her co-workers stood dazed and disheartened, looking to each other for reassurance. But all their hopeful faces were met with was silence.

  Mark cleared his throat, gaining everyone’s attention. “Let’s try and give Ms. Randall-Cullens a warm welcome.” He smiled about the room in an attempt to lighten the mood. “There are bound to be some bumps in a new venture like this. Don’t be discouraged. It will all turn out fine.” He straightened up. “So let’s get on with it. Back to work. We’ve only got one week until December, folks, this is our golden time of year. Let’s make sure Avalon shines like never before.”

  A few smiles appeared, but whether it was due to his over
ly zealous speech or because he’d actually set them at ease, Tori wasn’t sure. Regardless, everyone headed back to their desks and got to work.

  Mark and Tori headed back to her office. “Please tell me you know what she means by my plans,” Tori complained, leaning against her desk.

  Mark closed the door behind them. “Now Tori,” he started. “She’s not here to change things that are running smoothly. As it is—”

  “Sounds like she’s here to change everything,” Tori interrupted. “We’re almost into December, Mark! And she’s talking like we have to turn in every project we’ve got. It’s crazy! Do you know how many clients I have lined up right now?”

  Mark shook his head, holding his hands up in front of him. His signature move, like he was trying to calm the aura around him. “If you think about it,” he said, quietly, “all she is asking for is a chance. Does that sound so terrible? Didn’t I take a chance on you?” He gave her a small smile. “And now you’re handling our top clients, so what does that say?”

  “It says that I’m good.” Tori huffed, irritated at the way he was softening her heart. She didn’t want to give Ms. Ava Randall-Cullens a chance. All she wanted to give her was a ride back to Arizona.

  * * *

  Tori’s biggest clients that Christmas season had even the upper class feeling envious, but Tori was determined to wow them. Mr. and Mrs. Daventry—with their yachts and vacation homes scattered about the world. She had taken to calling them “client x,” and she might have classified them as snobs if they weren’t so gracious. At every turn, they had asked if she was in need of anything. And compliments poured from their lips like rain. They adored her. And now, the night before their Christmas soiree, she was sure they would be impressed.

  Tucked in a snow-kissed canyon between two of Utah’s Wasatch mountains, the event space glowed with life. Beads of light twinkled behind white, billowing curtains and lifted to touch the rustic wooden archways outlining the area. Even though she’d been the creator, it belonged to the mountain as much as the aspen trees surrounding it.

  Tori walked between the tables and stopped to meticulously center an ivory china plate. The settings were elegant by any standard. Napkins rolled artfully around golden silverware, were decorated with sprigs of pine and red berries and sat atop the stacked, shimmering plates. At first, she’d been concerned about an outdoor event during the winter in Utah. She might have used the word crazy—more than once. But now, with heat lamps scattered about the perimeter and fire-pits crackling, it felt very cozy. Even in her red silk dress, the snow was like a painted backdrop with no chill to intrude on the evening.

  At the sound of jingle bells, Tori stood beside the entrance arch and clasped her hands in front of her—setting the stage for her approaching clients. A grey-dappled Clydesdale clomped up the trail, its shaggy hooves moving steadily over the slippery snow. The sleigh it pulled was draped in red ribbons and leather straps laden with apple-sized jingle bells. Its approach sounded like Christmas morning.

  “Tori! Tori, is that you?” Mrs. Daventry stepped down from the sleigh. “My dear, you’re exquisite! And this place…oh my…this place!” She stopped in her tracks, scanning their surroundings in stunned silence. Mr. Daventry stood beside his wife, his lips parted slightly as he took it all in.

  Tori took a step forward. “Welcome to the Daventry Christmas party,” she said. “Everything is exactly as you will see it tomorrow. Please wander the space and let me know if you have any concerns.”

  They both broke into smiles, and Mrs. Daventry wrapped her arms around Tori. “You’re incredible,” she said, a bit breathless. “I just don’t know how you did it. This will…” She paused to gather her emotions as her lip trembled. “It just means so much to me.” She gazed at Tori like she would a best friend. “Thank you,” she whispered, before walking through the archway.

  Her husband lingered behind. “With this beautiful scene,” he said with a low voice, “it will make saying goodbye to family and friends so much sweeter. Thank you.”

  Tori nodded. “I wish you the best of luck in Tokyo.” She stepped aside and watched as he joined his wife. Their excited chatter filled the night. With a deep breath, Tori sat near a flickering fire and enjoyed the warmth. She took a glass of sparkling water and lifted it in a toast to the mountain. “To your dreams,” she whispered. “May you be one of the lucky ones who see them come true.”

  * * *

  The day after the Daventry Christmas party, Tori still had excitement fluttering through her. The evening had been a great success. And when Ms. Randall-Cullens called her upstairs she was sure it was to congratulate her. Why would she not after such an impressive success with their top-paying client?

  Tori stepped into the head office, trying to hold back a smile. “Yes, Ms. Randall-Cullens?”

  “Ms. Randall is fine,” Tori’s new boss corrected. “Or Ms. Ava if you wish. Since my divorce, I would be happy changing my name altogether. But it’s become something of a trademark, and people don’t like change. So there you have it. I am left to carry his infuriating name like a sack of garbage I can’t shake free.”

  Tori shifted her weight, feeling awkward. Ms. Ava didn’t sound like she was about to congratulate anyone.

  “Well, sit if you’re here, girl.”

  Tori shuffled forward and sat in the chair across from Ms. Ava, keeping her back straight.

  “I have news for you, and I wanted to deliver it personally.” Ms. Ava glanced up briefly before turning back to her computer. “This merger has brought Avalon together with a London-based company—the Kent Company. I’m sure you’ve heard of them?”

  Tori nodded.

  “They are having a summit event to celebrate the merger and unite our two worlds. It’s the week of Christmas, and I cannot attend. I would like you to go in my place.”

  Tori stared back shocked, not sure she had understood the request. “What about Mark?” she asked, hoping Ms. Ava had mixed up their job titles. But Ms. Ava was shaking her head.

  “No, he will not do. He isn’t the face we want to put forward for Avalon. He is just too commonplace and… sweaty.”

  Tori might have laughed if she hadn’t been slowly filling with dread. “So, you’re saying I will be in London for the entire week. Even Christmas day?” She envisioned how crushed her parents would be.

  Ms. Ava nodded. “Yes, that’s right,” she answered. “Thank you, I will email you the details. You may leave now.”

  Tori remained seated. “ Ms. Ava, as exciting as this trip sounds, my parents have been looking forward to seeing me on Christmas. I’m an only child and—”

  Ava waved her hand in the air, stopping Tori mid-sentence. “Oh, nonsense. They can see you two days after Christmas. Is that so bad?” Ava glanced up to stare at Tori. “Be sure to read through the email I will send you. You must follow the instructions, or it could mean an entire sweep of Avalon. Everyone here would lose their jobs, including you.” The change in Ms. Ava’s voice was alarming, and Tori could see her fingertips begin to shake as they hovered over her keyboard. “There is no one else that can go in my place, only you. Do you understand?”

  Tori didn’t understand in the least, but she nodded anyway.

  “Good,” Ava breathed. “Now please go.” With visibly trembling hands, Ms. Ava reached for a coffee cup and sipped it with her eyes closed.

  Tori stood slowly, feeling the argument rising in her chest. What had just happened? She felt betrayed. Mark should be going instead. But even as she thought it, she knew she couldn’t ask it of him. He had such a young family—he’d be missed at Christmas more than Tori would.

  She knew it was silly to hold onto the childish magic she still felt for her favorite holiday, but it seemed impossible. Every wonderful thing in her life happened on Christmas. Her first kiss was under a small bunch of mistletoe. And it was when her parents had announced their pregnancy so long ago. But it was also when her baby brother had given up the fight only a few months af
ter he was born with severe heart problems. She’d been feeling it especially strong—that this year with her mother hurting, her parents needed her more than ever. And now she would be leaving for the entire week just to check a box with a new company.

  Back at her desk, she spent the remainder of her day checking her email and deleting month-old baby shower and wedding invites. But there was nothing from Ms. Ava. Not until five o’clock when Tori had looked again just as she was leaving. And there it was—her flight information along with a single sentence.

  “I will send you more instructions on how to represent the company. Make sure you follow them.”

  There was no thank you, no apology for ruining the most important week of the year. Just an abrupt order.

  Tori grumbled the entire way home, wondering if now was the time to say goodbye to Avalon. She was young and single after all. Shouldn’t that mean freedom? But her dreams of adventures around the world were still far away, mostly because she spent every penny she’d earned on her mother’s medical bills. Cancer was a vicious thing, but her mother had nearly beaten it. Still, even with Tori’s help, they didn’t have enough for the transplant surgery her mother now needed. The chemotherapy had battered her body so severely that it destroyed her kidneys as well as the cancer.

  Tori walked the cement steps to her apartment mostly unnoticed, catching a curious eye here and there. Surrounded by college students, she’d planned to get a house long before. But that was when her mother had received her diagnosis. After that, it didn’t matter where she lived—as long as it was cheap.

  And she didn’t mean to be unsociable—she just couldn’t relate to the parties outside her apartment anymore. She thought back to her college years, laughing and spending time with friends, and a lump swelled in her throat. But she didn’t let herself feel it, and instead brushed a hand across her face. She settled at the small kitchen table to flip her laptop open and scroll through emails again. Four times in one day—that was a record. A second message with Ms. Ava’s name had appeared, and she read through it quickly.