Chapter 5

5

T he bell jingled above the door of Stony Creek Christmas Tree Farm, interrupting Alyssa as she finished up for the day. “We’re closed,” she called out, emerging from the back room.

The clicking of boots filled the space, and Alyssa found herself face to face with Denise Adams. This time, the actress looked every bit the movie star, her hair flawless, and her outfit—a blazer, jeans, and stylish boots—oozing sophistication.

Alyssa felt a flicker of awe, but she quickly tamped it down. “Looking for a Christmas tree this early?” she joked, trying to keep her tone light.

Denise smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “No.” She pressed her lips together for a second. “I want to apologize for yesterday.” She looked away. “And the day before.”

Alyssa nodded. She wanted to say something, but the chances of it being something snarky were too high.

“I was hoping that we could start over.” Denise met her gaze. “I’m here to make you an offer.”

Alyssa’s heart skipped a beat. She had a feeling she knew where this was going, but she waited for Denise to continue.

“I want to buy you out,” Denise said, her voice smooth and businesslike. “I know my father left you half of the business and the farmhouse, but I’m willing to pay you a fair price for both.”

Alyssa’s mind raced. She had expected Denise to contest the will, not offer to buy her out. The idea of selling felt like a betrayal to Wayne. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested in selling.”

Denise’s smile tightened. “I understand your attachment to this place, but I’m prepared to make it worth your while. Name your price.”

Alyssa shook her head. “It’s not about the money.”

“One and a half million dollars,” Denise said, her voice silky smooth. “For your share of the business and the farmhouse.”

The staggering amount hit Alyssa. Her knees went weak.

One and a half million dollars?

Her gaze drifted past Denise to the window. Outside, rows of young saplings stretched toward the setting sun – trees Wayne had planted just last spring. Trees that would take years to mature. Trees she’d promised to tend.

“That’s...” Alyssa’s voice cracked. She cleared her throat and tried again. “That’s a lot of money for a Christmas tree farm in the middle of nowhere.”

“It’s prime real estate,” Denise replied, moving closer. Her perfume, subtle and expensive, mingled with the pine scent that was never too far away. “The location, the acreage – it has potential for development. The offer is more than fair.”

“Development?”

“This town could use a ski resort,” Denise said. “It would bring in jobs, tourists, money. It’s the perfect location.”

Alyssa stared at her, disbelief and anger bubbling up inside her. How could Denise even consider such a thing? Did she have no respect for her father’s legacy, for the generations of memories tied to this land?

“No,” Alyssa said, her voice trembling slightly. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. “No, I won’t sell. Not for any price.”

Denise’s perfectly shaped eyebrow arched. “Are you sure about that? It’s a lot of money, Alyssa. More than you’ll ever make running this place.”

Alyssa’s jaw tightened. She knew Denise was right about that much. But it wasn’t about the money. It had never been about the money.

“I’m sure,” she said, lifting her chin.

For a moment, something flickered in Denise’s eyes – surprise, perhaps, or a hint of respect. But it was gone as quickly as it had come, replaced by a cool, calculating look.

“Two million,” she said, her lips curving into a smile that was more of a smirk. “That’s my final offer.”

Alyssa’s frustration boiled over. Denise thought she could waltz in here and throw money around like it was nothing, like it could solve everything. But this place, this farm, it meant more than Denise could ever understand.

“You’re wasting your time,” Alyssa said, her voice sharp. “I’m not selling. Not for two million, not for ten million. This place isn’t for sale.”

Denise’s eyes narrowed. “What’s the solution then? Are you going to buy me out?”

The question hit Alyssa like a punch to the gut. Buy Denise out? She almost laughed at the absurdity of it. She barely had enough in her savings to cover a month’s expenses, let alone buy half a farm.

“I...” Alyssa faltered, her mind racing. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. All she knew was that she couldn’t let this place go, couldn’t let Wayne’s legacy be bulldozed for some soulless ski resort.

But Denise was right. If Alyssa wasn’t going to sell, and she couldn’t afford to buy Denise’s share, then what was the solution?

“I don’t know,” she admitted, hating the way her voice shook. “But I know that selling isn’t the answer. This place, it’s not just a farm. It’s a part of this town, a part of people’s lives. You can’t put a price on that.”

Denise scoffed. “Everything has a price. You’re just too naive to see it.”

Alyssa bristled at the condescension in Denise’s tone. “And you’re too jaded to see the value in anything beyond money.”

They stared at each other, the air between them crackling with tension. Alyssa’s heart raced, her palms sweaty. She knew she was treading on thin ice, but she couldn’t back down. Not on this.

“I’m not selling,” she repeated, her voice firm despite the tremor she felt inside. “And if you try to force me out, I’ll fight you every step of the way.”

Denise laughed softly to herself. “You really think you can run this place on your own?” She gestured around the shop, her perfectly manicured hand sweeping through the air. “I called Mr. Peterson this morning and he put me in touch with my father’s accountant.” Her voice took on a sharp edge. “The financial records show the farm’s barely breaking even. Do you have any idea how much debt this place is carrying? My father took out loans he couldn’t afford. There are credit card debts piling up. The property taxes alone—” She broke off, shaking her head. “You’re living in a fantasy if you think you can manage this on your own.”

“I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you?” Denise stepped closer, her boots clicking against the wooden floor. “Because from where I stand, you’re in over your head. This isn’t some quaint little hobby farm. It’s a business that requires capital, planning, proper management-”

Alyssa clenched her jaw, hating the way Denise’s words cut straight to her deepest fears. She’d been running the farm for years, but always with Wayne’s guidance. The thought of doing it alone, with the added pressure of debt hanging over her head, made her stomach churn.

But she couldn’t let Denise see that. She couldn’t give her the satisfaction.

“I’ve been working this farm since I was a teenager,” Alyssa said, lifting her chin. “I know every tree, every trail, every inch of this place. I can handle it.”

Denise’s lips curved into a smug smile, and Alyssa hated the way her heart skipped a beat at the sight. Even in the midst of an argument, with her condescension and her infuriating superiority complex, Denise was strikingly beautiful. It was a fact that Alyssa resented deeply.

“Knowing the trees and trails is one thing,” Denise said, her voice smooth as silk. “Running a profitable business is another. But if you’re determined to run this place into the ground, be my guest.”

“I’m not going to run it into the ground. I’m going to make it thrive, just like Wayne always wanted.”

Denise laughed, the sound rich and mocking. “You really believe that, don’t you? That you can save this place with sheer stubbornness and some Christmas magic?”

“I believe in this place,” Alyssa said, her voice steady despite the riot of emotions inside her. “And I believe in myself. I’m not going to let you or anyone else take that away from me.”

“We’ll see about that,” Denise said, her voice a low purr. “I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting Christmas.”

With that, she turned on her heel and strode out of the shop, leaving Alyssa alone with her racing heart.