“Where’s Cherri?” Kylie asked as she stood up.
Belle took the platter of sweet rolls from Evan and placed them on a long table against the wall. “She had to help out at Paisley’s school today,” she said over her shoulder.
Scattered around the table were small red and white poinsettia plants. Trays of croissants, sliced fruit, and mini bagels along with tubs of cream cheese, apple butter, and various jams spread across the table. Kylie picked up a plate and speared a slice of cantaloupe.
“So sweet,” she murmured as she popped a bite into her mouth.
“I’ll have to try a slice,” Cara said, picking up a plate.
“Kimber wanted to come, but Hawk told her she had to watch the shop because he had some club stuff to do.” Kylie nabbed a blueberry sweet roll.
“Those are my favorites too. I love blueberry. And what can I say? Hawk does what Hawk wants,” Cara replied.
“It’s the same with all these guys,” Clotille added.
“But we love them that way, don’t we?” Addie placed a couple of bagels on her dish. “Did you make the apple butter, Belle?”
“I did. And you don’t know the meaning of stubborn, rough, and independent until you’ve married a president of the club.” Belle shook her head. “Sometimes I want to kill him, but then he does something so sweet and gentle and I turn into putty.”
“I don’t think you have to be a biker to be stubborn as all heck. You need to meet my husband,” Torey said, pouring a glass of orange juice. “Mitch’s head is made out of steel. He won’t budge at all.”
The women laughed, and Evan cleared his throat as if to remind the women that a man was in the room.
Torey Sinton was the Director of Children and Teen Services and had been working with Brighter Lives for the past ten years. She and Cara had gone to the same high school, and even though they hadn’t been best friends, they stayed in contact through their social connections. Cara had dragged Hawk to Torey’s wedding two years before. Her husband, Mitch, came off as a grumpy cynic, and from Torey’s comment, it seemed like he wasn’t improving with age. Each time Cara saw him at the social events he’d attend, he usually had a frown on his face and rarely spoke to anyone.
“Hello, ladies,” a cheerful voice boomed.
Putting her plate down on the conference table, Cara looked up and smiled widely at Joseph Ross. At forty-seven years old, Joseph was CEO and President of Brighter Lives. He’d taken over the position when Dianna Wheaton, who’d been with the organization for over two decades, retired. He was a hands-on CEO and not only attended the fundraising events but put in hours at Brandon House, the residential program for homeless and runaway teens. Cara admired his dedication in helping minors have safe and better lives.
After Joseph called the meeting to order, Lindi Dixon, Vice President of Program Operations, confirmed that the community center would be decorated by the city for the charity event that was coming up in a couple of Saturdays. As they discussed the logistics of passing out the toys, setting up the tables, and where Santa would sit, among other things, Cara felt the flutter of excitement she normally did when all the hard work she and her committee had done was finally going to come to fruition.
She noticed how tired Lindi looked. She was only thirty-five years old but looked fifteen years older. I’m being so catty. But it was the truth. Lindi worked more than full time, had three little ones at home, and a husband who worked insane hours for a realtor. Dale was always at work, even at night. Cara couldn’t help but wonder how many buyers really wanted to see homes in the late evening. He always seemed distant, rarely offering any gestures of intimacy with Lindi when she’d see them at functions together.
Maybe he’s having an affair. She mentally chastised herself. Stop being this way. Focus on the meeting.
“Who’s going to play Santa this year?” Cara asked, looking at Evan and Joseph.
Joseph shook his head. “I’ve done it for the past several years. I’d like a break. What about Dale doing it?”
“I’m not even sure he can be at the fundraiser,” Lindi replied.
“I can ask Mitch, but he’s so down on the holidays, I don’t think he’ll want to.”
“Who doesn’t love the holidays?” Addie said.
“My husband just isn’t into them. I absolutely love this time of year, and I wanted to go all out, but he wouldn’t have it. I had to fight to get a tree up.”
“That may be a good thing, considering what’s happening with that wacko who’s breaking into people’s homes,” Lindi said.
“What does the paper call him?” Joseph asked.
“The Crazed Grinch,” Cara and Evan said in unison.
Joseph’s brow knitted together. “I can’t believe we have someone like that in our town.”
“We have a lot of nasty stuff going on in our town,” Kylie said. “Jerry insisted we totally deck out our house this year. I think the macho in him wants the guy to come after our house so he can catch him.” She giggled.
“I never thought about the crazy person who’s roaming the streets looking for houses to hit. I guess I shouldn’t be too upset with Mitch.” Torey leaned back in the chair.
“A lot of people hate all the commercialism that’s defined the holiday. I read in the Denver Post that there’s a backlash against commercialism this year,” Cara said.
“Simpler is better,” Evan said, the others nodding in agreement.
“But the kids love all the lights and decorations. If I had it my way, it’d be a small tree. It’s so much work to put everything up, especially when I’m doing it alone,” Lindi remarked.
“I just wanted a little bit more pizzazz since I’m hosting the Christmas party for the volunteers this year. Remember, the party’s on the 22nd,” Torey said as she rose from her chair.
Lindi, Evan, and Joseph also stood up.
“Ladies, if you want to stay and chat, the conference room is yours for the next hour, and then we have a financial meeting,” Evan said before leaving the room.
The women said their goodbyes to the staff, then went back to the table for a second round of goodies. As Clotille walked around, refreshing everyone’s coffee, she said, “I’ve been offered a job in Human Resources with Brighter Lives. I applied for it never thinking I’d get it. Now I don’t know what to do. I want the job, but I know Rock will flip out. He thinks a mother should be home with the kids. I think it stems back from when he was a child and his mother had to work all the time because his dad blew all his earnings on drink and women. Rock hated seeing his mother so overworked, and he missed her in the home.”
“Just because he has those ideas from his childhood doesn’t mean they’re yours,” Addie replied.