Meghan

Meghan knew better than to believe in fate. When she awoke the morning of the Christmas special and saw what it looked like outside, she could only smile.

“I think maybe God wanted them to use our family too,” Nick said, standing at the bedroom window. “No way anyone can fly in from LA today.”

The Hollywood family was supposed to arrive in an hour, but judging by the blizzard outside, no one was getting in or out of Sweethaven—maybe for several days.

Nick’s phone buzzed on the side table. “It’s Martin.”

“Put him on speaker.”

Nick answered.

“It’s a mess out there. I don’t even know if I can get out of the driveway,” Martin said. “I just heard from Liz and she and the others didn’t make it out of California. I’m not sure what to do about the show tonight, but I’m making some calls.”

“Martin, if you can handle the crew, we can handle the cast,” Nick said.

“You sure?”

“Absolutely. I’ll go pick up everyone myself if I have to. By tonight, we’ll have a full house ready to film.”

“All right. And I’ll stand in Liz’s place.”

Meghan bit her tongue but thanked God silently.

When Nick hung up, he turned to her and smiled. “See, all that worrying for nothing.”

Meghan grinned, picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Mama, have you looked outside?”

“’Course I have, darlin’. It’s a good thing I stocked up at the store yesterday. I’m gonna stay home and bake all day long.”

“Actually, I have a better idea. Why don’t you let Nick pick you up? I need some really good singers—and someone to play my mom—in my Christmas special.”

“Is that right?”

“I know you’re still a little sore about the faux family, but this is just how I wanted it all along. Please?”

The line went silent.

“Mama?”

“I’m here.”

“So, what do you say?”

“Which one of my Christmas sweaters do you want me to wear?”

*   *   *   *   *

Campbell

Campbell stood in front of the mirror in Meghan’s foyer, fresh makeup on her face. Meghan had invited them all back over for a second chance at filming the Christmas special. Only this time, the cameras would actually be rolling.

“I think the blizzard is God’s way of smiling down on us today,” Meghan said. “Oh, and I told them you could all sing. Can you sing?”

Campbell shook her head. “But I can lip-synch.”

Megan’s jaw went slack, and then she smiled. “It’ll do.”

A few of the crew members had stayed in Sweethaven, but Liz and most of the actors were planning to fly in that morning. Now they had what seemed to be a more intimate feel, and Campbell had to think the show would be better for it.

Jane and Lila sat in chairs having their makeup done, a flurry of activity filling the house. Campbell spotted Luke in deep conversation with Nick in the corner of the living room.

Would Luke go to Nick for advice? He took something out of his pocket and shielded it from the rest of the room. Nick smiled, patted Luke on the back and then walked away. Luke put whatever it was back in his pocket.

Before he could catch her, Campbell disappeared into the makeup room.

“What’s wrong with you? You’re white as a sheet,” Lila said.

Jane met her eyes. “How was dinner the other night?”

Campbell shook her head.

“Hon, I’m so sorry.”

“Let’s talk about something else.” Campbell tried to catch her breath. What if this new filming was all a sham—a way to catch her by surprise? Men always seemed to think proposals had to be big, grand gestures. How could she begrudge him that?

“Sorry for what? What’s going on?” Lila swatted at the hand trying to apply powder to her T-zone.

“Nothing. Drop it.”

Lila looked surprised.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t want to talk about it right now,” Campbell said.

“Talk about what?” Luke appeared in the doorway and Campbell forced a smile.

“Nothing.”

“Okay.” Luke surveyed the three of them, then turned his attention back to Campbell. “Hey, can I talk to you for a second?”

Campbell nodded. He turned toward the porch, and she glanced back at Jane, whose smile and eyes both widened. She took a deep breath and followed him into the kitchen. Snow had begun piling up on the deck, and Campbell wondered if any of them would make it out of the driveway.

“It’s crazy in there,” Luke said.

She nodded.

“You okay? You seem nervous.”

“I’m not a big fan of cameras.”

“You’re a photographer.” He laughed.

“Cameras pointed on me.” She smiled.

“Well, you’re going to be great in there. I’m the one who has to sing.” When he met her eyes, his smile faded. “You sure you’re okay?”

She nodded. “Fine.”

A woman with a headset and clipboard appeared in the doorway. “Luke, we need you in here.”

“Be right there.” He brushed Campbell’s hair away from her face. “I’ll see you inside, okay?”

“Sounds good.”

She watched as he walked into the living room, where he met the new producer.

“I love you, Luke,” Campbell whispered.

Once they were all gathered in the living room, Campbell did her best to follow the lead of the people who actually knew what they were doing. As long as she didn’t say anything, she should be fine.

But the nagging idea that Luke might end up on one knee in front of her wouldn’t go away.

As they went to their first commercial break, the director clapped his hands. “Just need everyone to look a little more relaxed.” He met Campbell’s eyes. “Okay?”

Her eyes widened and she nodded. Relaxed. She could do that. She scanned the room until she found Jane’s eyes on her. Jane frowned and mouthed the words “Are you okay?”

Campbell nodded. She’d worked herself up into a panic over what she was sure would be nothing. Just like the concert. And dinner. Luke would’ve proposed by now if he was going to.

“We’re back in ten-nine-eight.” The director began holding up fingers. When he reached three, Meghan smiled, telling a story about one of her earliest Christmas memories. Luke wound his hand around Campbell’s shoulder and leaned closer.

“This is about to get really good.”

Campbell shot him a look. When she looked back, Meghan had paused, the end of a segment, but before the music began, Nick leaned forward and looked into the camera.

“I can still remember the first time I heard Meghan sing,” he said.

Meghan looked at the director, who seemed unfazed by Nick’s going off-book.

“We were in high school and she used to walk home with her guitar slung over her shoulder. She looked like an angel.”

Their little crowd began to murmur.

“Anyway, we’ve had our ups and our downs and just a few months ago, we decided to get married again. Like a dummy, I gave my beautiful wife the same old ring I bought her when we were just kids.”

Nick reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a little black box. “I thought it was about time you had a real wedding ring.”

Campbell’s heart dropped as Meghan opened the box, revealing the same ring she’d found in Luke’s apartment. The same ring that had caused her to panic like a frightened school girl every time she was with him.

Campbell watched as Meghan slipped the ring on her finger and threw her arms around Nick. “I love it. Thank you.”

The music started and the director pointed at Luke. A second camera focused on the two of them, and Luke began singing “Grown-Up Christmas List.” Campbell’s mind spun and humiliation settled on her shoulders.

How could she have been so stupid?

The director started motioning for her to smile, but Campbell couldn’t muster the strength.

The ring had never been for her. There was no ring. No proposal.

And that left Campbell with an ache in her stomach the size of the Grand Canyon.