The Christmas Scarf(14)

“I…” Missy’s brow crinkled. “I guess so. But I’m enjoying helping. I can’t believe how much fun the pageant rehearsals are. Watching the kids’ eyes light up as they conquer more of their lines. And watching them in their costumes, they had such a good time at the dress rehearsal.”

“Timmy is convinced you’re going to be the magic that helps him remember his lines. He’s so proud that he gets to play the stranger this year.”

“He’s going to do great. Just needs a bit of encouragement.”

“Well, I think you’re a big part of that. He’s really taken to you.”

“He’s a great kid. They all are.”

“Now that you’ve sorted it all out and gotten the play organized. I was a disaster when I was put in charge. Why they thought that just because I can sing I could run the play, I’ll never know. Okay, the play does have songs in it, but that’s about the extent of what I could sort out for them.”

The Christmas lights on the front window bathed them both in twinkling, magic light. No they didn’t.

Dylan took another step back and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I better let you go in then. Sounds like you have a busy day.”

Missy cracked open the door, then turned back to him. “See you at rehearsal?”

“Yep, see you then.”

Missy walked into the house and he was left standing alone with his thoughts. With his regrets. He should have kissed her when he had the chance. Then he shook his head. Missy was going to stay in town, he had all the time in the world to take things slowly with her and see what happened between them.

He walked down the sidewalk to the street, whistling a Christmas carol.





CHAPTER SIX





“Mom, you have a mountain of presents here.” Missy looked at the stack of gifts they’d wrapped, and the pile of things still left to be wrapped and decorated with the festive ribbon her mother insisted be tied on each and every gift.

“There are so many residents at the nursing home who have no one visiting them for the holidays. Either their families are out of town, or they are the last one left in their family. I like to make sure everyone gets a gift or two.”

Her mother had a whole system set up with the wrapping paper so she would know which gifts were for males, which were for females, and which were for either. Then she had a stack of presents she’d specifically picked out for some of the residents and carefully tagged with their names.

“You’ll help me at the Christmas party, won’t you?” Her mother paused, a strip of tape hanging from one finger, her other hand firmly holding the paper closed at the end of a box.

“Sure, I will. I think it’ll be great.”

Missy looked over at the large box of wrapping paper her mother had next to the table. “Did you get all that on sale after Christmas last year?”

“Of course. I never pay full price for wrapping paper.” Her mother looked shocked at the very idea.

Missy grinned. “No, I suppose you don’t.”

“A penny saved is a penny earned.” Her mother deftly sealed up another gift.

Two things she could count on from her mother. Bargain shopping and an adage for every situation.

Missy stood up and stretched, surprised to see how many hours they’d been working at wrapping the presents.

“I’m going to have to wrap things up here…” Missy paused and smiled at her unintended pun. “I need to get over to rehearsal. Going to hem up the Mrs. Claus skirt. Evidently this year’s Mrs. Claus is much shorter than last years’. Don’t want her tripping on stage.”

“Well, I appreciate the help, dear. You have fun.”

Missy left her mother’s house and got to the town hall in time to hem up the skirt before the kids started drifting in for practice.

~ * ~

Missy and Dylan headed over to Frankie’s after the play practice. It was getting to be a nice routine Missy enjoyed, spending time with Dylan.

They ordered up burgers and fries and sat at a table enjoying the bustle around them and laughing about the kids and the play.

“I think even Timmy is going to get his lines memorized.” Dylan grinned.

“I think so, too. He’s trying so hard.”

Frankie walked up to their table. “Hey you two. Good to see you in again.”

“Hi, Frankie.” Missy set down her burger and wiped her hands on her napkin.

“I’ve got a favor to ask. Couple of them, actually.”

“Shoot.” Missy looked at Frankie.

“Well, I wondered if you two could do a set later tonight. The crowd loved you.” Frankie looked at both of them.

“How about if just Missy does tonight? Let her do a solo act.”