“I don’t have all the answers yet! But given Elijah’s explanation of Cass’s vision of a new Carrigan’s, and the downturn in Christmas business, I started thinking about ways to get people up here. I thought about classes local experts could offer, and seasonal experiences we could host, ways to partner with businesses in Advent. We have so much to offer, it doesn’t have to just be Carrigan’s Christmasland.”

“You’re talking about a complete overhaul of everything we’ve ever done, our entire relationship with the town of Advent, and moving our whole focus away from growing and selling Christmas trees.” Hannah began chewing on the end of her braid thoughtfully.

“No,” Miriam disagreed quickly, trying to keep them both from immediately dismissing the idea, “the trees are crucial. I just want to add things during the other ten months of the year. I know it’s a huge departure from what we’ve always done, but it’s a pretty normal business model.”

Hannah scrunched up her nose. “This feels really risky, Miri, and the Rosensteins and the bank want a feasible plan. We don’t have any experience planning an event calendar on this scale. And by we, I mean me.”

“You love work,” Miriam pointed out. “You’re happier the busier you are. Think of how many things you could be in charge of! How many people you could boss around! The spreadsheets it would require!”

Noelle cleared her throat. They both turned to her.

“First, look, I hate the name, but that’s neither here nor there,” Noelle said, her arms across her chest. Miriam’s heart sank. “Otherwise, it’s a solid start. Some kind of all-year event destination is probably what we need to pivot to, even if it’s going to mean so many more people in my damn woods. If we can get the Rosensteins on board as investors, and give the bank numbers, we might be able to sell them on it. But there’s something you’re missing, Miriam.”

She was pointing at the paper, and Miriam looked at it, trying to figure out what she’d missed.

“We need to get people here. And of the three of us, only one of us has a fandom. Ugh, I can’t believe I’m saying this.” Noelle scrubbed her hands over her face. “The best way to attract tourists would be for you to be here full-time.”

Miriam blinked at her, her mind blank. She couldn’t do that. And Noelle couldn’t really want her to.

Hannah looked thoughtful. “We could do a lot of stuff targeted around art if you were here, really carve out a niche as a destination. Art classes, local artist collaborations, week-long artist retreats, antique auctions.”

“DIY ruin your own antiques,” Miriam said, seeing it in her mind.