“Come on, Alex. We’re going to be late.”
Chloe’s complaint brought a smile to Janell’s lips. The girl was more verbal now than she’d been before, and she’d even begun to boss her brother around a bit.
The children’s Christmas pageant had just ended and Chloe looked beautiful in her angel costume. The program had gone off without a hitch, other than the Davis boy tripping when he walked on stage. Chloe had even managed, with Lily’s help, to get on and off stage on cue.
Alex had seemed quite happy to be part of the choir, and now he and Jack Barr were having sword fights with the shepherd’s staffs. Thus Chloe’s complaint.
But Hank, her handsome soon-to-be husband, stepped in, signing as he spoke. “Chloe, there’s plenty of time.” Then he stepped between Alex and Jack. “Boys, we do not have sword fights in church.”
“Can we go now?” Chloe asked.
By this time, Lizzie had made her way up from the audience, Olivia perched on her hip. “You were all wonderful,” she exclaimed, waving her free hand. “I do declare this is the best Christmas pageant ever seen.”
Janell appreciated her sister’s enthusiasm, especially given she’d sat through a performance she couldn’t hear.
Wilfred appeared from the crowd, carrying Elliott. “Wonderful performance, everyone.”
The mayor took the stage just then, thanking the children for their performance and reminding everyone that there were only a few minutes left to cast votes for the best decorated shop window.
What had the children excited, however, was the fact that cookies and cocoa were being passed around outside while the votes were being counted.
At last Hank gave Chloe and Alex the go-ahead to run outside with the other children. Lizzie and her family, prompted by Elliott, were right behind them.
Hank put an arm around Janell’s shoulders as they followed more slowly. She never tired of his protective touch.
She still couldn’t believe they would soon be man and wife. And that she would be mother to those two special children. What better present could a woman hope for?
When they stepped out into the churchyard, there were people everywhere. The children were all still in costume and Janell could see two wise men and a shepherd playing tag. There was a large crowd by the refreshment table, so Janell and Hank hung back a moment longer.
For the first time this felt truly like her town. She was no longer living a lie, no longer holding herself apart. On this Christmas Eve, Janell was ready to experience what life had to offer her—both the good and the bad. Because with Hank by her side, she could face anything.
Hank shifted, standing behind her, his arms around her waist. “A penny for your thoughts,” he whispered into her hair.
“I was just thinking that I can’t regret anything that’s happened in my life, because all of it led to this moment, to you. And there’s no place I’d rather be than in your arms.”
She heard his quick intake of breath, felt his arms tighten around her. “I love you. And it’s a good thing we’re getting married in three days’ time because any longer would be the end of me.”
She took his hand, tugging him around to her side. “Then it’s a good thing indeed.” And standing on tiptoe, she planted a kiss on his cheek, right there in front of the ladies’ auxiliary refreshment table.
* * * * *