Free Buffalo Valley by Debbie Macomber Page A

she said confidently.
    â€œHow?” Vaughn asked. “Isn’t that a little like David fighting Goliath?”
    â€œPerhaps, but like David, you can bet we aren’t going to idly sit by and do nothing.” Already plans had started to form in her mind. “Other communities have succeeded. We can, too.”
    â€œYou’re serious about this?”
    â€œDamn straight I am.”
    â€œDon’t you think you’re overlooking the positive aspects of a company like Value-X opening a store in Buffalo Valley? They have a lot to offer.”
    Carrie glared at him. “You don’t get it, do you?”
    â€œI guess not. Help me understand.” Vaughn leaned back in his chair, his expression serious.
    â€œValue-X will ruin everything. We don’t want it, we don’t need it.” Carrie struggled to keep her voice even.
    Vaughn studied her. “I imagine you’re a formidable opponent when you put your mind to something.”
    â€œIt isn’t only me,” she told him. “The entire town is up in arms. We haven’t come this far to let some heartless enterprise wipe out all our efforts.”
    Vaughn frowned. “Value-X will mean the end of Knight’s Pharmacy, won’t it?”
    That was only the beginning as far as Carrie could tell. “And AceMan Hardware.” She ran one finger across the tines of the fork. “The only business I can’t see it affecting is the Buffalo Valley Quilting Company.” Carrie shot him a look and wondered why she hadn’t thought of this earlier. “That’s it!”
    â€œWhat is?”
    â€œA quilt. It’s the perfect Christmas gift for your mother.”
    Vaughn didn’t appear convinced. “A quilt?”
    â€œThey’re special. Hand-sewn, and you could go traditional or innovative.”
    â€œHow much are they?”
    â€œI don’t know the full range of prices,” she said, “but if the quilt is more than you want to spend, there’re table runners and place mats and lap robes.”
    â€œHmm.” The idea seemed to take hold. “That does sound like a gift she’d enjoy.”
    â€œI’m sure she would,” Carrie said. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of it earlier.”
    â€œSo how do I go about this?”
    â€œIf you don’t want to drive back to Buffalo Valley so soon, I could choose one for you,” she offered.
    â€œPerhaps Mom should pick it out herself.”
    â€œGreat idea—and I know Hassie would love to see her.”
    â€œI think it would do my mother a world of good to renew her friendship with Hassie.”
    The waitress arrived and took their orders. Seafood linguine for her, lasagna for him. And a glass of red wine for each. “Hey, it’s Christmas,” Vaughn said with a grin.
    He took his cell phone from his jacket and flipped it open. Within seconds, he had his mother on the line.
    â€œWhat about tomorrow?” he asked, looking at Carrie.
    â€œI’m sure that’ll be fine.”
    â€œHassie will be there, won’t she?”
    Carrie nodded. “She’s scheduled to work in the morning, but she has the afternoon free. I’ll cover for her, if need be.”
    He relayed the information to his mother, then ended the conversation and slid the phone back inside his jacket. Smiling at her, he said, “Thanks, Carrie.”
    A warm feeling came over her, and once again she lowered her gaze. Vaughn Kyle—kind to old women and a thoughtful son. He was exciting and he was interesting and he made her heart beat furiously. She could only regret that he was heading back to Seattle so soon after Christmas.

Chapter 4
    â€œI suppose you heard,” Hassie said when Leta Betts came bustling into the pharmacy late in the afternoon. The word about Value-X had filtered through Buffalo Valley, and the town was rife with speculation. Nearly everyone she knew had stopped by to