Chapter Eleven

“Pick me up. I can’t see the big tree, Daddy.”

Birley smiled as his daughter tugged on his coat. Her big eyes pleaded with him, so he lifted her onto his shoulders. “Better, sweetheart?”

“Yup! Are they gonna light it soon?”

“When it gets darker.” Hopefully, they’d be home within the hour, but he wouldn’t stake a fat wad of cash on it. At least the police were still keeping an eye on the place.

Every year, the town rang in Christmas by lighting a huge tree in the town square. Countless people now converged around the balsam fir and the mayor’s podium, and several more hustled along Main Street. Laughter and chitchat reverberated from the crowd.

Were they townsfolk or tourists? Was Delwin among them? If only Birley could’ve weaseled out of attending the ceremony. His children had been moping since Susannah’s abrupt departure, however, and their pitiful faces guilt-tripped him into taking them.

Birley shuddered. A chill hung in the air, raking goose bumps down his arms. Weak shafts of sunlight pierced the dreary sky and lit the snowcapped mountains at the west of town in an ethereal, mystical glow. Now, that was something Ruby would love to paint.

“Is Harmony coming?” White air puffed from Andy’s mouth. He crossed his arms in a pose far too serious for a little kid, but then he pushed out his bottom lip.

There was his boy. Birley rested his hand on his son’s head. “Of course. She and Aunt Erica headed to Waterbury to buy paint. They’re supposed to be here anytime.”

With Susannah gone, Harmony had slid back into his tight-knit family with ease. The neighboring town of Waterbury was only twenty miles away, but she and Erica had been gone for over two hours. His gut clenched. Had they run into trouble? He texted Harmony.

—Everything ok? When will u be back?—

The cell beeped.

—All good. See u soon.—

Harmony’s typed words soothed his nerves. He stuffed the phone back in his pocket.

David Kramer, his sons, Ted and Brett, and their team had discarded the drywall, ceiling, and insulation in both burned-out rooms the previous day, but his father had monitored their progress while Birley crashed in bed. The long nap had done wonders for his state of mind, but he couldn’t shake the feeling the other shoe was about to drop.

“Can I help paint? Aunt Ruby lets me use watercolors.” Andy rubbed his hand across his red nose.

“Painting walls and ceilings are big jobs. Maybe you and Kay could have a corner away from the construction areas.” He grinned as the kids cheered. Even though he or someone else would likely have to paint over their work, he wanted to bolster the kids’ spirits. Besides, if he didn’t let them help, he’d have to find a babysitter when the time came to break out the buckets.

Ruby was right. How dare he use Mom as his personal daycare center, but what else could he do? The teenage girl who lived down the street from him couldn’t watch them more than once a week.

The mouthwatering scent of roasted chestnuts wafted on the breeze. His stomach gurgled. He would kill for a hotdog slathered in mustard and chili, and he eyed one of the food booths across the square.

“Yoo-hoo, Birley!”

The voice echoed behind him, and he turned.

Paige Norman darted between the bystanders. Her green hat sat atop her salt-and-pepper hair at a right angle. As the managing editor for the Willow Springs Gazette, she and her staff had always supported the Haynes Music Academy.

“Paige, hi. How are you?” He shook the woman’s hand. “You remember Andy and Kay?”

“I’m fine, and of course I do.” She smiled down at his son and up at his daughter. Then she grinned at Birley. “But in my head, they’re still in diapers. My, how they’ve grown.” A faraway look tightened her eyes. Then she blinked rapidly and straightened her shoulders. “When will the academy be up and running? I would love to do a grand reopening feature and post pictures of the remodeled rooms. All on page one.”

“That would be great.” Birley’s pulse raced faster. A major feature? Yes! “We’ll probably reopen in January—maybe February—after Ryan Kramer inspects the place.”

Ryan, the local building inspector, was as honest as his father and brothers. Thank God, or the town would be overrun with shoddy construction.

Paige crinkled her nose. “Will the instruments at the repair shop be done in time? Don’t the students need those?”

He shook his head. “Most students rent and take the instruments home with them. The fire, water, and ice damaged the display items, which Ruby and I use to show the kids what to do. I’ve already ordered replacements for the ones damaged beyond repair, as well as new furniture. When the reopening time draws near, I’ll be able to give you an exact date.”

“Wonderful.” She withdrew a crisp white business card from her purse.

Birley slipped the cardstock into his pants pocket, even though he already had a dog-eared copy in his wallet.

“Let’s show the folks of Willow Springs that you and your family will rise above this setback. After all, you have a new generation to think of.” Again, Paige smiled at the kids. “Before long, Andy and Kay will take the job over from you.”

“That’s right.” Andy’s grin reached his wide eyes. “When I’m the boss, I’m gonna give candy to all my students. We’re gonna watch cartoons while we play the flutes.”

Paige laughed, her cheeks reddening.

Birley arched his eyebrow, but his heart warmed. He wanted more than anything for his children to share his love of music and to take over the business someday. If not them, then maybe Sapphire, or Dylan’s future children, if he had any, would be up to the task. In either case, he would have to put his foot down on his son’s future mandate. He hugged the boy close with one arm, and Andy wrapped his little arms around Birley’s leg. Kay shifted to the side, so he tightened his grip on her ankle to hold her steady.

“Thank you, Paige. Your support and that of the Gazette means a lot.”

“Local businesses are the backbone of our town, so thank you. I better go. See you around.” She hurried back into the bustling crowd.

“Look, Daddy! Harmony’s here.” Kay squealed, shifting back and forth.

He clutched her tighter, then eased her down to her feet. He scanned the crowd. There!

Harmony’s red winter jacket glowed like a beacon in the sea of brown, black, and gray coats. Her curls poofed beneath her red-and-silver beanie. She wove through the crowd, her head on a swivel. A grin suddenly lit her face, and she zipped toward him.

“When did you get back?” Birley kissed Harmony’s cheek.

His daughter giggled and blushed.

“Not long after you texted me. Erica and I have already dropped the paint cans off at the school. Sorry it took so long, but we couldn’t decide which shade of yellow would look best in the hall. Cream finally won.” She hugged Andy, then picked up Kay. “I’ve missed you guys. Are you having fun?”

They nodded.

She smiled back at Birley. “Dylan, Ruby, Brad, and your parents are getting hotdogs. Erica is with them. I’m surprised you guys aren’t stuffing your faces too.”

“We gotta see the tree first. Then we’ll get food.” Andy pointed in the general direction of the massive balsam fir. “It’s a hundred feet tall.”

“It’s not that tall.” Birley chuckled. Hard, packed snow covered the grass and the brick walkways that crisscrossed the expansive square. He stomped his feet to circulate his blood.

“How much longer?” Kay shivered in her pink parka. “I’m cold.”

“Soon. Don’t worry, sweetie.” Harmony pecked her rosy-red cheek. “We’ll warm you up with some hot food before long.”

Birley glanced at his watch—almost five o’clock. “How about we—”

“Found you!”

The high-pitched shout silenced the words on his tongue. Ah, man. His stomach lurched.

Bethany Wilton darted through the crowd, bumping into a few bystanders, and trudged on without apologizing. Her long brown hair whipped over her shoulders. “I’m happy you’re here.” She launched herself at Birley.

He stumbled back but grabbed her upper arms and righted himself before they tumbled in the snow. Heat flushed his neck and face. At least a dozen people stared his way. He pushed her gently back and dropped his hands. “Where are your parents?” He breathed a sigh of relief as their audience turned away.

“Around somewhere.” The girl batted her dark eyes and rested her hand on Birley’s arm. “After all the trouble you’ve had at your school—I can’t believe that happened, by the way—I wasn’t sure if you’d show.”

He slid free from her grasp. “The kids wanted to.”

Bethany whipped her blinding smile to Andy, who frowned at her. “Right. I haven’t seen Andy and May in a few months. You’ve gotten bigger, little man.” She pinched Andy’s cheek.

The boy swiped at her hand. “My sister’s name is Kay, not May. Who are you?”

Bethany arched her eyebrow, likely at the disdain in Andy’s voice.

Harmony shifted Kay to one arm as the little girl scowled. A tight-lipped smile stretched Harmony’s mouth.

“This has to stop, Bethany.” Now wasn’t the time or place, but what choice did he have? His chest tightened. Was a snake coiling around his heart? “You’re far too young for someone my age. Besides, you’re my student. That’s a double no in my book.”

“I’m eighteen. That’s the legal age.” She braced her hands on her hips.

“I’d like you to meet Harmony, my girlfriend.” He grasped Harmony’s elbow and drew her closer, but Bethany’s gaze never wavered from his. “I have a woman in my life. I don’t need or want a teenager.” He winced. That sounded nicer in his head. If he hurt her, would she spread lies? Claim he did something when he hadn’t? He could have another disaster on his hands.

Tears welled in Bethany’s eyes. She sniffled and ran off.

The pressure in his chest faded. He dragged in a shaky breath. Chatter, laughter, and the crunch of snow beneath stomping feet echoed around him.

“Girlfriend, huh?”

He lifted his shoulder in a half-shrug. “Sorry. I needed something to push Bethany away.”

“I don’t mind.” Fine lines creased her eyes. “I’ve seen that young woman working at the grocery store.”

“Bethany has been in my classes for the past two years—first in the beginners’, now the advanced. Her harmless crush has turned into outright flirting.”

“Love is hard at any age, but she’ll learn and move on.”

Birley snorted. He’d moved on from his first love—Harmony—right to Susannah, and that had turned into a mess of gigantic proportions. At least Harmony had reciprocated his love back then. Would she again?

With luck, Bethany would find someone worthy of her.

“I won’t approve her application for the upcoming term, which is a shame. She’s a great flutist and would’ve done well in the June recitals.” The music school hosted an annual student performance at the local community center, which Birley had been directing for the past few years. “It’s not smart to keep her around, but I’m worried about what she might say or do.” He shouldn’t be admitting this in front of his kids, but the words slid uncensored from his tongue. Why hadn’t he confided in someone about this sooner? “After what Delwin did, who would believe me over her?”

She gripped his hand. “Speak with her parents. You haven’t done anything wrong, and she doesn’t have anything to hold over your head, right?”

“As far as I know. I’ve never showed her any favoritism.” He brushed his thumb across Harmony’s knuckles. Their gloves prevented skin-to-skin contact, but her body heat seeped through his clothes. The fine hair on his nape prickled as his wide-eyed kids stared at him. How could he explain this to them?

Andy opened his mouth, but then a loud, garbled voice echoed beyond the bobbing heads in the square. The boy clapped. “It’s time, Daddy. Pick me up. I can’t see.”

Birley settled Andy on his shoulders. Saved by the mayor. What a joke.

“Good evening! Welcome to the annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration.” Mayor Russ Pomeroy’s voice echoed through a loudspeaker. “Thank you for coming out on such a cold night. Several youth-sponsored fundraising groups have prepared all sorts of treats to warm you up.” As the mayor droned on about the history of the celebration, he waved to select people in the audience.

Kay stretched her arms toward the tree, as though she was trying to grab it.

“Easy, now.” Harmony rearranged her and tucked the girl’s arms back down.

Old-fashioned street lamps and the white lights decorating the trees along Main Street pushed back the shadows and encroaching night. Strangers held up phones, recording video or snapping pictures of the mayor on his podium with the tree behind him.

“Three, two, one!” Mayor Pomeroy raised his arm.

The attendees applauded.

Thousands of bright white lights crisscrossed the old fir and illuminated off countless glass ornaments. The magnificent cascade cast a silver glow across the smiling, laughing faces staring up in awe.

Harmony grinned. The dazzling display snagged the green specks in her hazel irises. She and Kay oohed and ahhed as they pointed out their favorite ornaments.

Tears burned his eyes. He normally juggled the kids in his arms or let Dylan hold one, so both kiddos could see the tree.

“It’s amazing! Brighter than last year.” Andy tugged on Birley’s hair.

“Don’t make me go bald.” He laughed and fixed his cap. The gaudy tree nearly blinded him, but he loved it. “Enjoy it while you can. Come New Year’s, the town council will unplug the lights.”

Kay pouted, and Andy surely did the same.

“I’m hungry. Let’s rustle up some grub.” Harmony set Kay on her feet. “Baloney sandwiches and green herbal tea?”

“Ew.” Kay wrinkled her nose. “I want popcorn.”

Harmony flashed Birley a smile, then faced Kay. “We can crumble the popcorn in the sandwich?”

“Yuck,” Kay and Andy blurted at the same time.

Birley chuckled and dropped his son gently back on the ground.

The boy grabbed Harmony’s hand. “We have hotdogs and hot chocolate every year.”

“Oh? I had no idea.” She fluttered her hand over her chest and sighed dramatically. “If we must, we’ll follow tradition. Dogs, cocoa, and popcorn, it is.”

“Yay!” The children shouted, jumping up and down.

Birley winked at the playful woman. His ready-made family needed a mom. Would Harmony choose them, and him? With her heart in his hands, he would be set for life.