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Father Mike came into the café the next morning a few minutes after they’d opened.
“Hi, Lauren, and Zoe.” He smiled at them. “Hi, Annie.”
Annie ran to greet him.
“Look what I’ve bought for Mrs. Snuggle.” He pulled out a stuffed, furry brown squirrel. It looked very squishy. “It has catnip in it. Do you think she’ll like it?”
“I’m sure she’ll love it,” Lauren assured him.
“Definitely,” Zoe agreed.
“Brrt!” Yes!
“It’s for her Christmas stocking,” he told them. “I want her to enjoy her first Christmas with me.”
“I’m sure she will,” Lauren replied.
“Do you know much about Jay and Kyle?” Zoe asked as Lauren took his order.
“Not really,” Father Mike replied. “Their mother is in assisted living in town, and they recently moved to be closer to her. I think they’re from LA. Why?”
“I was just curious,” Zoe told him.
“It’s kind of them to help out with the play,” Father Mike continued. “I’m afraid I didn’t get a big response from my posters asking for volunteers.”
“That’s terrible,” Zoe said indignantly.
“People are busy at Christmas,” Father Mike said philosophically. “But I think it would be a shame if I stopped putting on the play each year.”
“Yes, it would be,” Lauren replied, feeling guilty for not assisting more this year.
“You can put my name down to play head elf next year,” Zoe told him.
“And I can help out more backstage.”
“Brrt!” And I can play Mrs. Claus again!
“That would be wonderful.” Father Mike beamed at all of them. “Thank you.”
Lauren prepared his order while Zoe chatted to him. Then Annie led him to the table she’d chosen for him.
“I didn’t get a chance to ask anything else about Jay and Kyle.” Zoe frowned.
Lauren glanced over at Annie and Father Mike. The Norwegian Forest Cat kept him company as he drank his latte and enjoyed his gingerbread cupcake.
“He was telling me about Mrs. Snuggle, and how he thinks she’s starting to settle in,” Zoe said.
“I hope she hasn’t scratched him again,” Lauren said.
“Me too.” Zoe snapped her fingers. “Oh, guess what? Father Mike just said the play has sold out!”
***
ON SATURDAY NIGHT, the small theater was packed – standing room only. Lauren and Zoe peeked out from behind the crimson velvet drapes. All their friends and regular customers were in the audience, including Claire, her husband, and little Molly, Martha and her pals from the senior center, Mrs. Finch, Hans, and Ms. Tobin. Brooke and Jeff sat in the third row.
Jay and Kyle had escorted an elderly lady to a seat near the front – Lauren assumed she was their mother. She was a little unsteady on her feet, despite hanging on to both men’s arms.
Chris had helped out at the final dress rehearsal last night, Zoe’s face lighting up when she saw him. Mitch stopped by the cottage afterward, and the four of them enjoyed the cupcakes Lauren had saved from the café.
Now, Mitch and Chris sat in the front row, saving a seat for Lauren.
Lauren wanted to watch the play from the audience, but she also needed to be backstage for Annie – and Zoe.
Mitch had promised to record the show for AJ and Toby, Annie’s feline friends.
“I think I should stay backstage,” she told Zoe, who was already dressed in her elf costume.
Annie wore her lavender harness, standing quietly by Lauren’s side, her green eyes wide as she watched the cast bustle past, getting ready for the first scene.
“At least for Annie’s first scene,” Zoe agreed. “Maybe you and Annie could watch the rest from the front row until it’s time for her to go on again.”
“Good idea.” Lauren smiled. Annie could sit in her lap.
“Is everyone ready?” Father Mike appeared in his Santa outfit, looking harried. “I do like starting on time.”
“I am, Father.” Mrs. Wagner spoke from behind him. “As you can see, I’m ready to go on.” She gestured to her green and white elf costume.
“Wonderful.” The priest smiled at her. “Where is Ed? And Jay and Kyle?”
“Here, Father.” Ed’s gruff voice sounded from the wings. He jammed the elf hat onto his head, the bell jangling.
Father Mike scratched his white cotton wool beard. “How are we going to change the scenery between acts if Jay and Kyle aren’t here?”
“Mitch and Chris might be able to help with that,” Lauren suggested.
“That would be a wonderful solution.” Relief flickered across Father Mike’s face.
“I’ll go now and ask them.” She handed Annie’s harness to Zoe. “But I saw Jay and Kyle with an older lady in the audience – maybe she’s their mom?”
“Sorry we’re late.” Kyle and his brother Jay jogged into view.
“We brought Mom to see the play,” Jay said.
“We were just getting her settled,” Kyle added.
“Not to worry.” Father Mike nodded. “I think we should get started.” He gestured to the stage curtain blocking them from the view of the audience.
Zoe handed Annie’s harness back to Lauren and suddenly clutched her stomach.
“I think I’m going to be sick!”
Lauren stared at her. She’d never suspected that Zoe might suffer from stage fright, while she on the other hand ...
“Brrt?” Annie peered up at her.
“My tummy feels really weird,” Zoe told her.
“It’s okay, Zoe,” Father Mike told her gently. “We have time if you need to go to the bathroom. It happens to a lot of people.”
“It’s not supposed to happen to me!”
“Amateurs.” Mrs. Wagner tutted, shaking her head.
Zoe’s nostrils flared and she straightened her spine.
“I feel fine, Father,” Zoe declared after a few seconds. “Perfectly fine.”
“If you’re sure.” He looked at her doubtfully.
“Let’s get started!” Zoe took her place on the stage.
“Okay.”
The rest of the cast took their places. The curtain rose.
Lauren and Annie watched from the wings. She glanced at Annie, noting the cat’s wide-eyed look of wonder as Father Mike, Zoe, Mrs. Wagner, and Ed spoke their lines perfectly and moved around the stage, the audience laughing when appropriate.
“It will be your turn soon,” she whispered to Annie.
“Brrp,” Annie replied just as softly.
The applause was loud as the curtain closed.
“That was wonderful, everyone!” Father Mike beamed at the small cast. “Now, Annie, are you ready to be Mrs. Claus?”
“Brrt!” Yes!
“Let me put on your hat.” Lauren had it in her purse, and bent down and placed it on Annie’s head, making sure the white trim at the base didn’t obscure her vision.
“Brrp.” Thank you.
“You’re going to be the best Mrs. Claus ever,” Lauren whispered to her.
Annie nudged her hand as Lauren unbuckled the lavender harness.
“She’ll be perfectly fine, Lauren.” Father Mike seemed to understand her sudden anxiety.
It had seemed a great idea to have Annie take part in the play but now Lauren suddenly fretted about what could go wrong.
What if the size of the audience scared Annie? She was used to people coming and going in the café, but not a crowd as big as this one.
What if the applause frightened her and she ran off the stage?
“Brrt.” I’ll be fine. Annie nudged her hand again.
Lauren took a deep breath.
“Okay.”
Annie jumped into the sleigh. Father Mike clambered in after her.
“It’s going to be perfect,” Zoe murmured. “Just wait and see.”
The curtain rose.
A burst of applause sounded in the small space as the audience caught their first glimpse of Annie.
Father Mike leaned back so everyone could see the silver-gray tabby sitting in the sleigh.
“Annie!” Molly called from near the front of the audience, her chubby hands waving in the air. “Annie!”
“Brrt!” Annie replied, peering sideways in front of Father Mike, her furry face alive with pleasure. “Brrt!” Hello!
The audience laughed. Once they settled down, Lauren could hear them talking to each other.
“I didn’t think it would be possible!”
“I know!”
“She’s such a lovely cat.”
“She’s definitely helped out Father Mike by taking part.”
Father Mike waited until the chatter died away, then with a smile on his face, spoke his first line for the scene.
“Well, Mrs. Claus, do you think we have enough presents for all the good boys and girls?”
“Brrt!” Yes!
“Pwesent for Molly?” Molly called out anxiously.
The audience laughed, and Molly looked around with wide eyes, her little cheeks flushed.
“Brrt!” Annie replied.
“Yes, I think we do have a present for Molly,” Father Mike improvised. “I’m sure she’s been a very good girl this year.”
“Yeah!” Molly cheered.
Lauren saw Claire kiss her daughter and whisper in her ear. Molly settled down in her seat, a big smile on her face.
“I’ve been good, too!” a boy yelled from the middle of the audience.
“I’m sure you have been, Peter,” Father Mike said gravely. “Now, Mrs. Claus, let’s deliver these gifts to children all over the world. We must hurry, or else we won’t finish before dawn.”
“Ooh!” Molly’s mouth parted.
“Brrt!” Annie said her line.
“Wait, Santa!” Zoe ran onto the stage as head elf. “Do you have all the toys?”
“Zoe!” Molly called out.
“Hi, Molly!” Zoe turned and waved at the little girl. She followed Father Mike in improvising. “I must finish this special job for Santa right away!”
Molly’s eyes grew even bigger.
The rest of the scene flowed smoothly, with no more interruptions from the audience.
To Lauren’s relief, the applause and interactions from the audience didn’t seem to faze Annie at all. By the time the scene ended, Lauren had a smile on her face. Father Mike definitely knew how to write a lovely Christmas play.
“Yay!” the kids cheered as the curtain closed on Annie, Father Mike, and Zoe. “Yay!”
“You were wonderful,” Lauren told Annie as the feline hopped from the sleigh into Lauren’s arms.
Annie’s green eyes sparkled as she snuggled into Lauren.
“Brrt.” Thank you.
“Everyone is going to talk about tonight.” Zoe grinned. “Even more now that they’ve seen Annie on stage.”
“I think you’re right,” Father Mike agreed.
“You did very well, Annie.” Mrs. Wagner came up to them.
“Brrt.” Annie blinked modestly.
“Let’s get ready for the next scene, everyone,” Father Mike told them.
“Annie and I will sit in the audience,” Lauren said. “Mitch saved me a seat.”
“Have fun.” Zoe beamed at them.
“You’re an amazing head elf,” Lauren told her cousin.
“Thanks!”
There was a buzz in the crowd as Lauren made her way to the front row, Annie in her arms.
Mitch smiled at her, and made sure she and Annie were settled comfortably, Annie sitting demurely in her lap.
“You were great, Annie,” Mitch murmured.
“Brrt!” Thank you.
“Definitely.” Chris nodded, as he sat on Lauren’s other side.
“Brrt!”
“Isn’t Annie in it anymore?” A child’s voice wailed from the middle of the theater.
The curtain rose. This scene featured the naughty elf played by Ed, stealing the toys.
This time, there were no interruptions from the audience who seemed delighted at the conclusion, with the mischievous elf made to clean the reindeer stables every day for the next year, as well as keeping the sleigh spick and span.
Then, it was time for Annie to appear in the final scene with Father Mike, sitting in the sleigh. It went off without a hitch, all the children in the audience cheering when Annie appeared on stage again.
When the curtain closed for the last time, everyone cheered.
“Awesome!”
“That was wonderful!”
“Even better than last year. Annie really stole the show!”
Lauren heard the audience’s comments and kissed the top of Annie’s head. She was so proud of her fur baby.
Lauren and Mitch found it hard to go backstage, as practically everyone wanted to congratulate Annie on their way out of the theater.
“Saw you, Annie!” Molly beamed as she held onto her mother’s hand. “Up there!” She pointed to the stage.
“Brrt.” That’s right.
“You were wonderful, Annie,” Claire told her. Her husband wrapped his arm around her.
“Never seen anything like it,” he said.
“Hi, cutie pie.” Martha rolled to a stop in front of them and winked at Annie. “That was terrific. You’ll have to take part again next year, or the whole town might stage a protest!”
“Do you think?” Lauren asked, crinkling her brow.
“Definitely.” Martha nodded vigorously.
“Would you like that?” Lauren murmured to Annie.
“Brrt!” Yes!
“We’ll have to talk to Father Mike about it next Christmas,” Lauren replied.
Lauren and Mitch waited until the crowd dispersed. Chris had made a break for it and gone backstage.
“I recorded the whole thing,” Mitch said, tapping his phone. “I’ll send you a copy.”
“Thanks,” Lauren replied with a smile. “I’ll email a copy to Ed so AJ can watch it, and one to Toby’s owner, Jerry.”
They finally made their way backstage and headed to the dressing room.
Lauren heard Zoe’s animated voice before she saw her.
“Do you think my improvised dialogue was okay when Molly called out to me?”
“It was perfect,” Chris’s reassuring voice from inside the room.
“Oh, good. And what did you think about ...”
Lauren turned away.
“Maybe we should give them some time alone,” she suggested to Mitch.
Mrs. Wagner came out of the dressing room, dressed in her regular clothes of a navy jacket and matching pants.
“I don’t think there’s much privacy in there,” he replied.
Ed walked out of the dressing room next, wearing a flannel shirt and faded jeans.
“I’ll send you the recording that Mitch made,” Lauren told him. “You were great.”
“Thanks,” he replied gruffly. “I’m glad to get that hat off – all that jangling reminded me of AJ’s jingle ball she likes playing with.”
Lauren laughed.
Zoe and Chris came out of the dressing room, Zoe dressed in her usual outfit of jeans and a sweater – this time red with purple zigzags.
“I’m definitely going to play head elf next year,” Zoe declared. “It was so much fun!”
“Thank you, everyone.” Father Mike approached. “You’re a natural, Annie. I’m sure Mrs. Snuggle will be interested to hear about tonight. I’ll tell her how the play went as soon as I get home.”
“Do you need a hand cleaning up, Father?” Mitch asked. “Chris and I can help out.”
“Thank you,” the priest replied. “That’s very kind. Jay and Kyle had to take their mother back to the senior home. So I’ve decided I’ll clean up on Monday, as I have church services tomorrow.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Lauren said guiltily. She’d forgotten about that, although she and Zoe didn’t attend every week.
“It’s all right, Lauren,” Father Mike said kindly. “You and Annie have really helped me out – as well as the rest of the cast. I’m sure Annie would like to sleep late tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Father.”
“I can come over and help after work on Monday,” Mitch said.
“The café’s closed on Monday, so Zoe and I can be here as well,” Lauren offered.
“Me too,” Chris said. “I have an early shift on Monday so I should be free late afternoon.”
“Wonderful!” Father Mike beamed at them. “With so many people here, we’ll get this place cleaned up in a jiffy!”
They said goodnight to Father Mike and headed to Lauren’s cottage.
Mitch walked Lauren and Annie to the porch, the warm golden light shining above them.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he murmured, placing a kiss on her forehead.
Annie nestled in her arms, her eyes closed. A soft sigh sounded, as if she was having a lovely dream.
“I hope this hasn’t been too much for her,” Lauren said. “I know she enjoyed herself, but—”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Mitch replied reassuringly. “And she’s got all day tomorrow and Monday to relax.”
“And all of next week if that’s what she wants,” Lauren added. Annie was free to come and go from the café to the cottage all day long, but she usually chose to assist with the customers.
“Of course.” Mitch kissed her softly. “You’re a great mom.”
“Thanks.” Heat hit her cheeks. What would it be like if she and Mitch got married and had children one day? She gazed up at him, hoping he could not read her thoughts right now.
He unlocked the door for her, as she still held Annie, and turned on the living room light.
She watched Zoe exit Chris’s car and hurry up the porch steps.
“Don’t shut me out,” she teased. “I need my beauty sleep!”