“Well, any way you look at it, it’s a charming part of our town’s history whether it’s based in fact or not.”
“Yep, it is.” Dylan started walking again. “And I’ll sure be glad to have your help.”
~ * ~
Missy said goodnight to Dylan and slipped into Becky Lee’s home.
“I’m back here.” Becky Lee’s voice drifted through the house.
Missy hung her jacket on a coat tree by the door and headed back to the kitchen. Becky Lee sat at the table with a cup of tea and her feet propped up on a kitchen chair.
“Long day?”
“It was. Grab yourself a teacup from the cabinet and join me.”
Missy fixed a cup of tea and sat down at the table.
“I got your note that said you went to Frankie’s. Did you have a good time?”
“I did. Dylan was playing there. Ran into Shawn and Belinda, too.”
“How did that go?” Becky Lee took a sip of her tea.
“It actually was… okay. They seem really happy together.”
“They do.”
“I thought it would be awkward, but it was okay. They’re perfect for each other. And I realized that Shawn and I, well, we weren’t perfect. He never looked at me the way he looks at Belinda. I mean, I guess we were in love, in a young kid kind of way, but what he has with Belinda just seems like so much more.”
“Well, I’m glad it wasn’t awkward for you. I’m sure you’ll run into him a lot during the holidays. Hard to avoid running into people in Comfort Crossing.”
“In my mind I thought he’d be sitting back here in town, pining away for me, regretting his decision to not come with me to Nashville. Instead he was here growing his business, settling down, and has one heck of an adorable kid. But I’m happy for him.”
“Good for you. To be honest, I could never see you two as long term together. There wasn’t ever that big spark between you.”
“Really?” Missy considered what Becky Lee had said. Maybe she was right. Maybe they’d fallen into an easy, familiar high school boyfriend-girlfriend routine.
“So, you have anyone you’re serious about back in Nashville?”
“Nope. I’ve dated off and on. Mostly off. But no one seriously. How about you?”
“No one serious.” Becky Lee set her teacup down and stood up, stretching. “I’m headed to bed. Have a full day tomorrow. You going to the tree lighting?”
“I am. Right after I help Dylan with the pageant practice.”
Becky Lee grinned. “So, you got roped into that already? Good for you. I’m sure he could use your help. I helped out Miss Judy one year and I swear, she can keep those kids in line with just a look while still letting them be kids and have a blast. Me? Not so much.”
“Now, don’t go scaring me off. I guess we’ll see how well I do with it tomorrow.”
“I guess we will.” Becky Lee laughed and headed down the hallway. “See you in the morning. Good to have you here.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Missy was surprised, or more likely stunned, at how much she enjoyed the pageant practice with the kids. She had the kids sing their songs and reciting the few lines scattered through the play. Timmy Hardy, a cute little kid of about eight or nine was playing the part of the stranger.
“Miss Sherwood, I’m gonna forget my lines. I just know it.” Timmy sat on the edge of the stage during a quick snack break they were taking. “My brother Jeremy says so.”
“Well, not to disagree with your brother, but I think you’ll do fine. You’re doing great with your lines at practice today.”
“I get kind of scared about messing up.”
“You know, I get kind of scared too, when I go up on stage with my music, but once I get going the scared goes away.”
“So you’ll help me get going at the pageant?”
“I sure will. I’ll be right there.”
“Wait ’til I tell Jeremy you’re gonna help me. I’ll be the best stranger guy ever.” Timmy jumped up. “Hey, I’m going to go have some of your momma’s cookies you brought.”
Missy wasn’t sure all the parents would appreciate her feeding cookies to their kids when they were sure to fill up on them again tonight at the tree lighting ceremony, but she’d wanted to win them over. The cookies sure seemed to be helping.
Dylan walked over to where she sat on the edge of the stage. “You are absolutely amazing with these kids. You’ve gotten more accomplished in the last hour than I did all week. You’re great with them.”
“I’m having a blast.” Missy smiled. “Who knew?”