The mayor climbed up on the gazebo and welcomed the crowd. He signaled the high school band beside the gazebo and they started playing Silent Night. All the people joined in the singing.
Dylan glanced down at Missy, standing by his side. Her eyes were wide with joy as she sang along. He watched while she slowly looked around the crowd as she sang and gave a little wave when she spied her mother. Her mom waved back.
As the music ended, he saw her clasp her hands and look towards the large evergreen beside the gazebo. After a moment of silence where it seemed like everyone in the crowd was holding their breath, the tree came alive with lights and a brightly lit star on top. Missy stood silent, her eyes gleaming. He saw her swipe away a lone tear.
“You okay?”
“I am. I’d just forgotten how wonderful the tree lighting is. How much I’ve missed it.”
He gave her a quick hug. “It is definitely one of the perks of living in Comfort Crossing.”
The band started playing Deck the Halls, and the people started milling around again, talking to neighbors and friends. Dylan and Missy wandered over to the snack table and Missy’s mom pressed cups of hot chocolate into their hands.
“Here. Missy always did love the hot chocolate part of the tree lighting ceremony.”
“I love every part of it.” Missy eyes shone with excitement.
“I’m glad you’re having a good time.” Her mother smiled at Missy. “Dwayne is going to help me load up after the crowd thins out. So you just enjoy yourself.”
“Thanks, Mom. I will.”
“And why don’t you come over for coffee in the morning. We’ll have a chance to catch up before everyone arrives for the holiday and things get crazy.”
“I will. I’d like that.” Missy pressed a kiss on her mother’s cheek.
They strolled through the park, saying hi to friends and sipping on their chocolate. When they finished their drinks and tossed the cups into the trash can, he noticed Missy shiver. “You cold?”
“Just a bit.”
He took her two hands between his and rubbed them quickly.
“Your hands are so warm.” Missy kept her hands in his while he warmed them, then took her hands and pushed them into the pockets of her jacket. “Much better.”
“I’ll walk you home now and you can get all warmed up.”
“Aren’t you tired of walking me home yet?”
He grinned. “Not yet. But I’ll let you know if it wears me out.” He tucked a hand on her elbow and led her out of the park and onto the brightly lit Main Street.
~ * ~
Missy liked hanging out with Dylan. He was funny, charming, and it was just so easy to be with him. She was glad he’d offered to walk her back to Becky Lee’s because she wasn’t ready for the night to end yet. The tree lighting had been magical. The Christmas play practice had gone great. All in all, it had been one of the better days she’d had in a long, long time.
“You want to come in for bit?” Missy stood paused in the doorway to her cousin’s house. The front porch was awash with a twinkling glow from the Christmas lights her cousin had strung around her windows.
“I could for a bit.” Dylan followed her into the house.
Missy stopped and plugged in the lights on the Christmas tree and the front room flooded with a cheerful glow. “I just love the Christmas lights.”
“Do you have a big tree back in Nashville?”
“Not exactly. Honestly, not even close. It’s actually a tree that the Christmas tree lot people had thrown out because most of the branches were broken.”
Dylan’s brow creased. “Really? I figured you had this fancy apartment there with store bought decorations and… I don’t know.”
“No, my life isn’t like that. I share—did share—an apartment with two friends. A walkup in a debatably decent neighborhood.” Missy steeled herself for the inevitable look of disappoint that was coming. “I’ve been more like a receptionist, waitress, store clerk than a singer. I haven’t had a singing gig in months.”
Dylan stood there quietly, but to his credit he wasn’t giving her any pitying looks.
“The last job I had? The company went out of business. I’d given myself until the end of this year to either make it, or realize I didn’t have what it takes and move on with my life. Find something else to do other than being a singer or song writer. I figured losing this last job was a sign. I hardly have any savings. I didn’t know where else to go, so I headed home.”
“I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry. I’m sure it’s tough. I think you’ve said you wanted to be a country singer since… well, ever since I’ve known you.”