Her mother looked up and a huge smile spread across her face. She reached up a hand and touched her heart. Missy was pretty sure the look on her mother’s face was all she needed for Christmas this year.
Well, that and Dylan’s forgiveness. She crossed the lobby and knelt down beside Mrs. Greene’s wheelchair. “Missy, my dear. How good to see you.” The woman leaned forward and hugged her.
“It’s great to see you, too. Merry Christmas.”
Missy stood back up and walked over to her mother. “You were right, Mom. Sometimes you just need to follow your heart.”
“Well, I’m glad to have you home.” Her mother hugged her then laughed. “Here, help me play Santa.”
Missy took a pile of packages and played Santa’s helper to her mother’s Santa. After the presents were opened, she sat at the piano in the lobby and sang Christmas songs with the residents. This is what Christmas was all about. The giving of time. Bringing joy to others.
They finished up their carols and Missy stood up from the piano. “Mom, I need to go. I want to get to play practice.”
“Okay, you run along.” Her mother reached out to stop her. “And, dear? I’m glad you figured out what you really wanted.”
“Me, too, Mom. Me, too.” Missy hurried out to her car, anxious to get to town hall and help with the play. And see Dylan. She needed to talk to Dylan.
~ * ~
Missy got to town hall and rushed inside. She couldn’t wait to tell the kids she’d be there for the play after all. She walked down to the front of the stage. The kids were running around getting dressed in costumes. Dylan was nowhere in sight.
Timmy’s mother, Bella, came up to her. “Dylan got tied up at work. He called me asked me to stand in for him. As you can see, I have nothing under control.” Bella paused and looked at her. “Timmy said that you’d left town. That you weren’t going to be here for the play. He was really upset.”
“I’m sorry I upset him. I needed to… well, I needed to figure some things out.”
“Miss Sherwood. You’re back.” Timmy climbed off the stage and rushed over to wrap his arms around her waist. “You’re going to stay, right?”
“I’m going to stay, Timmy. Sorry for leaving. I have it all sorted out now.”
“Mom, not that you aren’t a good director, but Miss Sherwood is here now, so you can go.”
Bella laughed. “I think I’ll take you up on the suggestion. I’m good at a lot of things, but directing the Christmas play isn’t one of them. I’m going to run over to Magnolia Cafe and see Becky Lee while you practice. You meet me there, okay?”
“Okay, Mom. I gotta practice now.” Timmy climbed back up on the stage. “Come on, guys. Miss Sherwood is back. We gotta practice.”
Missy knew she was back where she belonged. Where she wanted to be. Where she was needed. “Let’s start from the beginning.”
They ran through the play, then Missy had them sit on the stage.
“I have a surprise, but I need your help.”
“We’ll help you, Miss Sherwood.” Anna bobbed her head.
“But we need to keep it a secret.”
“I can keep a secret real good.” Timmy nodded his head vigorously.
She let them in on her secret and they all agreed to help her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Dylan pulled up in front of town hall, even though he was pretty sure he’d missed all the practice. He couldn’t help it. Steve had needed him to help finish up the house they’d built because they’d promised it would be ready by tomorrow morning. He’d felt terrible asking Timmy’s mom for help, but hadn’t known where else to turn.
He walked into town hall and saw all the kids were already gone. Then he saw her. Missy. Standing on the stage and collecting the costumes.
“Dylan.” She stood up when she saw him.
“What are you doing here?” He stood where he was, not willing to move any closer.
She jumped down from the stage and crossed the distance to him. “I came home.”
“What about your plans? Your big break?”
“I decided that maybe plans change. I came home to help with the play. I just couldn’t miss it.”
“And then?”
“I plan on staying in Comfort Crossing.” She reached her hand out towards him.
He took a step back. “But your plans change often, don’t they?”
“Dylan, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. To disappoint the kids. I just needed time to figure things out.”
“I’m sure the kids appreciate that you’ll be here for the play.” He knew his voice sounded cold and flat. He couldn’t help it. He was not going to open up his heart to this woman who kept changing her plans, dragging him along for the ride.