The Christmas Scarf(23)

They all nodded, their eyes wide with excitement. “Okay then. It’s time to start.”

The lights dimmed and the music of the first song started. The kids’ faces glowed with excitement and when it was time for Timmy’s entrance, he strutted on stage and glanced at her. She smiled at him and nodded, and he said his lines, loud and clearly.

At the end of the play, the kids basked in their standing ovation. She was so proud of them. The whole play, and practices, and getting to know the kids had been so rewarding.

Timmy walked up to the microphone at the edge of the stage. “‘Scuse, me.” He tapped the mic. “Hey, we have one more special surprise this year.” The audience quieted down and sat back in their seats.

Missy walked out onto the stage and sat on a stool. “This song is for someone special. Someone who showed me this town means everything to me. I’d lost my way for a lot of years, but now I’m back. I’m home.”

She strummed the guitar and started into the first verse of My Town. The audience grew quiet as she sang the words of her heart. About her town, their town, Comfort Crossing. The kids joined in on the chorus, just like she’d taught them yesterday at practice.

As she finished up the last verse, and the kids’ voices drifted off after the last chorus, the entire town hall was silent for a moment. A lone person stood up in the back and started clapping, breaking the silence.

Dylan.

The entire audience jumped to their feet, clapping. The applause washed over her, but all she could see was Dylan walking towards her down the center aisle.

He got to the front and swung easily onto the stage. She set her guitar down. He reached down and took her hands and pulled her to her feet.

“Missy Sherwood. I’m a fool. And one other thing. I love you. Should have said that before.” He leaned down right there on stage and kissed her in front of the whole town.

“Yuck, they’re kissing,” Timmy piped up.

“That’s ‘cause they’re in love,” Anna said with her seven years of knowledge.

“I love you, too.” Missy whispered, with no thought of the microphone placed directly in front of her, picking up every heartfelt word. The audience was once again on their feet, clapping and cheering their approval.

Dylan looked at her and grinned. “Guess it’s no longer a secret.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

~ * ~

Dylan and Missy took a stroll along Main Street on Christmas, trying to walk off the big Christmas dinner they’d had at her mother’s house. Dylan held her hand in his as they strolled. They cut through the town park and walked by the gazebo.

She looked up and saw Timmy and his brother come running towards them. “Miss Sherwood. Look what I got for Christmas.” Timmy scooped up the puppy he and his brother were taking for a walk. “A puppy. I got a puppy.”

She bent down to pet the pup. “He’s adorable.”

“His name is Nick. After that Mr. Nick guy.”

“That’s a great name for a puppy.” Dylan petted the dog.

“Oh, and Miss Sherwood.” Timmy put the dog down and took off the cabled scarf he was still wearing. “Mr. Nick said when I was done with the scarf, to give it to someone else so their wishes could come true.” Timmy tugged her down so he could wrap the scarf around her neck. “Here, you get your wish now. You know, Mr. Nick was just like the stranger in the play. Granting Christmas wishes. I didn’t mess up my lines and I got a puppy.”

“Thank you, Timmy.” Missy watched as Timmy and his brother raced back across the park. She reached up and touched the scarf. It all felt right to her now, like the last jigsaw puzzle piece had fallen into place. She’d spent so long chasing a dream, a dream she didn’t even have any more. Maybe the real dream was just finding happiness.

“So you think that scarf will make all your wishes come true?” Dylan stood before her, his eyes a reflection of love exploding within her.

“I do.” She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed Dylan.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a lone man standing at the edge of the park. Dylan kissed her again, and when she opened her eyes the man was gone. She slipped her hand in Dylan’s.

All her wishes had come true.