Blue Ridge Christmas by Rachel Hanna

Author:Rachel Hanna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rachel Hanna

"Are you sure we haven't gotten enough donations yet?" Greg asked, honestly wondering why he had chosen to bring so many pairs of uncomfortable dress shoes to a tiny mountain town. He desperately needed some sneakers.

Holly continued walking, looking from side to side at every business. She was definitely on a mission.

"We only have eight things. We have to have a lot more than that. There's a great little gift shop on the corner I want to talk to." She stopped and looked at him . “Why on earth did you bring those shoes?"

"I've been asking myself that for the last thirty minutes. I think I have blisters on my heel that are bigger than my actual foot."

She started laughing. “We’ll run by the shoe store. I need to ask them for a donation anyway."

They turned the corner and walked into a small shop. Greg didn't think he had ever seen a shoe store like this. He was used to the large chain stores where he could walk in and get any number of the same pair of shoes. But this place was different. Small, quiet, dimly lit. They didn't have a whole lot to choose from, but when he spotted the sneaker section, that was all he needed to see.

"How can I help you?" an older man asked.

"Well, Mr. Teague, my friend here needs a pair of sneakers before his feet fall off. And I’m here to collect your donation for the holiday bazaar."

"What size do you wear, son?" he asked Greg.

“Twelve, please.”

The man walked over to the wall of shoes. "These are really good, especially if you're doing a lot of walking."

Greg nodded. "Those work fine. I'll take them."

"Let me get the right size for you to try on. And then I need to talk to you about the donation, Holly."

He went to the back and came out with a shoebox, handing it to Greg. Greg sat down on a stool and started slowly removing his expensive dress shoes that had now maimed his feet for life. He listened as Holly talked to the owner.

"So you can't make a donation this year? Not even a pair of shoes?"

"Times are tough, Holly. We’re barely making ends meet here now. Everybody's ordering online these days. Or going to one of those awful mall stores."

"I understand. It's just that your shoes are always a popular attraction every year."

He smiled sadly. "If things don't improve soon, we're going to have to shut the doors after forty-two years."

"I'm so sorry. I'll tell all my friends to come here, and the people who stay at my inn. A lot of people like to support local small businesses."

"Thanks, dear. "

Greg quickly paid for his shoes, which were still on his feet, and they walked back out onto the street. The snow had started falling already, and the sidewalks were getting a bit slick. He was happy to have shoes that wouldn't send him careening down on his head.

"That's really sad. To go out of business after so many years just because people are buying shoes online.

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