“The kids do seemed excited. I’m so glad I came back.” She stood there waiting, her eyes filled with hope.
Well, he didn’t know what she expected, but all he knew was he needed to get out of here. Fast. “If you have it under control, then I’ll let you manage it all tomorrow. That will probably be for the best.”
“You’re not even going to help?” The disappointment was clear in her voice.
“You’ll be fine.” She’d thought he’d be fine handling it alone, so she sure as heck could handle it alone herself. He turned to leave.
“Dylan, wait. Do you think you could give me a second chance? Could we just start over?”
“I don’t think so. I’m not going to take the chance you’ll change your plans yet again.” With that he walked out of the town hall on out onto Main Street. He looked up and down the street, at the bright Christmas lights, at the townspeople hurrying along with their last minute shopping. He didn’t want to go back to his lonely house and sit starting at his Christmas tree.
Seeing Missy again had been a punch in the gut. He’d thought it would be years until she dropped into town again, maybe he would have been able to handle it after some time had passed. He’d thought that maybe the next time he’d see her would be on TV, singing with some star, or maybe a star herself. He sure hadn’t planned on her being back here. At the play. Saying she was here to stay.
He turned the other direction and headed to Frankie’s. It would be loud and bright and he could lose himself in the familiar mayhem that was Frankie’s.
~ * ~
Shawn slid into the chair across from Dylan. “What’s up? The scowl on your face is scaring people away.”
“Not up for joking around.”
“Who’s joking?” Shawn shifted in his chair. “Really. What’s wrong?”
“Everything.” Dylan knew that sounded overly dramatic, but it was how he felt.
“Is it because Missy left town? Belinda told me she left. I was afraid of that. Missy has her plans.”
“She did leave.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Dylan took a swig of his beer. “She’s back.”
“What?” Shawn sat up straight.
“I saw her at town hall after play practice.”
“So she came back to do the play? Back for the holidays?”
“She says she’s back for good.” He stared into his drink, looking for answers. The beer wasn’t offering up any clues.
“Well, that’s good, isn’t it? It seemed like you guys were getting close.” Shawn cocked an eyebrow and sent him questioning gaze.
“We were until she all of a sudden, after swearing she was staying here, just up and left for Nashville.” Dylan could still feel the hurt, deep in the pit of his stomach.
“But she picked coming back here over Nashville? That’s big. Really big. She never strays far from her planned out path. Used to drive me nuts. I just couldn’t see living my life with her like that. One of the many reasons I broke up with her.” Shawn grinned. “That and we were totally wrong for each other. You two, on the other hand, seem great together.”
“I thought you warned me to stay away from her. That she’d up and leave. Which she did.”
“Don’t be a fool. Don’t you see? She came back. She chose you over Nashville. She chose Comfort Crossing.”
“I don’t think I can trust her not to change her mind again.” Dylan stared into the still not answering beer.
“Your choice, buddy, but I think you’re making a mistake. I think she’s changed. Sometimes we finally grow up and realize what we always wanted from life… isn’t really what we need from life or want anymore.”
Shawn stood up and punched Dylan in the shoulder. “Think about it.”
Dylan just sat and stared at his beer, still hoping it would show him the answer like someone staring at tea leaves trying to read their fortune.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Timmy, where did you get that scarf?” Missy stared at the winter white cabled scarf tied around Timmy’s neck.
“This old man, Mr. Nick, gave it to me to wear tonight. Said it made wishes come true. ‘Cause I wished I’d remember all my lines so people won’t laugh at me. He told me to wear it during the play. It’s a lucky scarf.”
Mr. Nick, the same man she’d met in the park. Well, if it helped give Timmy confidence, then scarf with his costume it was.
She looked out into the audience, scanning the crowd for Dylan, but she saw no sign of him. Her mother sat near the front with Dwayne and waved to her. Missy waved back then turned to the kids. “Everyone ready?”