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Page 10 of A Perfectly Splendid Christmas (On the Way to Christmas)

“Everyone,” Drew called over the murmur of conversations in the community center choir room the following Thursday afternoon,

“you’re all doing great, and practice is almost over. Let’s try it from the top again.” He played the introduction, and the

children began to sing, “Silent night, holy night...”

Drew smiled. The choir sounded fantastic today. The children were paying attention, and they all seemed as if they wanted

to be at practice instead of somewhere else.

When the song ended, clapping sounded from the back of the room, where a group of adults stood waiting to collect their children.

His pulse ticked up when he saw Kacey standing near the doorway. She met his gaze and blessed him with a gorgeous smile.

They had shared a brief conversation Tuesday and traded a few texts, but they hadn’t made plans to see each other again. He

hoped to remedy that as soon as he had a moment to speak with her.

“Great job today, everyone,” Drew announced. “I’ll see you Tuesday.”

Conversations broke out around the room as the children gathered up their coats and bags and the adults herded them toward

the door.

Drew nodded greetings and slipped his music into a folder and then into his backpack. He looked up just as Kacey approached

him. “Hey, stranger.”

“Hi.” She gave him a little wave.

“Do you have plans tomorrow night?”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Dinner and a movie?”

“Sounds perfect,” she said as one of the children’s mothers walked over behind her.

“Excuse me,” the mother began. “I have a few questions about the performance at the festival.”

“Just give me one moment,” he told the mother. Then he looked back at Kacey. “I’ll text you the details.”

“Okay.” She smiled and Riley walked over, threading her fingers with Kacey’s.

Riley waved at Drew. “Bye, Mr.Murphy!”

“Bye,” Drew said before Kacey, Riley, and Colleen headed out of the room. He couldn’t wait to see Kacey tomorrow.

“I have a question, Aunt Kacey,” Riley announced after Kacey had dropped off Colleen.

Kacey backed out of Colleen’s driveway and then steered toward the end of the street. “Sounds serious.” She peeked over at

her niece and gave her a feigned frown. “Is it top secret?”

Riley shook her head. “No, not really.”

“Then lay it on me.”

“Is Mr.Murphy your boyfriend? Are you going to marry him and stay here in Splendid Lake?”

“Slow down there, Riley.” Kacey braked at the stop sign at the end of the block and turned toward her niece. “What makes you

ask all these questions?”

Riley seemed to eye her with suspicion. “You get googly eyes around him!” She giggled.

Kacey laughed. “Well, we’ve been friends since we were in middle school, and we like to spend time together.”

“I think he likes you.”

“What gives you that idea?”

Her niece shrugged. “He always looks happy to see you.”

Kacey turned down the street that led to her sister’s house as Riley’s observation settled over her. During the past week

she’d tried hard to convince herself that Drew only wanted to be friends, but the curiosity took hold of her again.

When Kacey arrived at Dani’s, she helped her mother and sister deliver their supper—breaded pork chops, mashed potatoes, and

green beans—to the table and then took a seat beside Riley.

Soon they were all filling their plates, and the sound of scraping utensils filled the room.

“So, how was everyone’s day?” Mom asked.

“Aunt Kacey has a date with Mr.Murphy,” Riley announced, and heat immediately filled Kacey’s cheeks as everyone turned to

look at her, even little Kelly. “I told Aunt Kacey that Mr.Murphy likes her, but she says they’re only friends.”

Kacey gave a little laugh and then looked down at her niece. “Thanks, buddy.”

“That’s very interesting,” Dani cooed. “That makes three weekends in a row that he’s asked you out.”

Mom beamed. “Good for you, Kacey. It’s about time you dated someone. I can’t remember the last time you mentioned being interested

in a young man.”

“Let’s talk about something else,” Kacey said as she slid a pork chop onto her plate beside her mashed potatoes and green

beans. “Since Mom is hosting Thanksgiving next week, what are you going to bring, Dani? Besides dessert, of course.”

Dani lifted her glass of water. “I thought I’d make pumpkin pie and cookies for the kids. Also, Travis’s parents would like

to join us. Peggy said she’ll bring cranberry sauce and green bean casserole.”

“You know they’re always welcome,” Mom said.

“Great.” Kacey looked over at Mom. “We can handle the rest, right?”

Mom nodded. “Sure.”

Then Kacey smiled over at Kelly, who sat in her booster seat and forked a small bite of green beans into her mouth. “Kelly

and Riley need to make up their list for Santa, right?”

“Yes!” Riley exclaimed. “I’m already working on mine, and I’ll help Kelly with hers.”

While Riley announced her wish list, Kacey glanced over at her sister, who frowned, and guilt filled Kacey’s gut. She would

get her sister alone and tell her that she’d help her with the girls’ gifts this year. She wanted to be sure her nieces had

a magical Christmas morning.

Kacey had to write a shopping list. She would find gifts for all her family members and also something special for Drew.

“Dinner was delicious, and the movie was pretty good too,” Kacey announced as she and Drew strolled toward his car the following

evening.

Drew peered up at the clear, dark sky, the bright moon glowing above them, and the stars twinkling. Then he turned toward

Kacey, her face seeming to glow in the streetlights. “You actually liked the movie?”

“No.” She laughed and shook her head. “I thought it was really boring and talky.”

He chuckled. “I did too. I’m sorry I recommended it.”

“It’s not your fault. I enjoyed the company.” She bumped his arm with her side.

“Me too.” He actually had considered holding her hand in the movie theater, but he didn’t want to come on too strong and scare

her away.

“What are your plans for Thanksgiving next week?”

“I assumed I was going to my mother’s house. Why?”

“How about you come to my house for dinner and then go to your parents’ house for dessert.”

He stopped moving and faced her. “You want to spend Thanksgiving with me?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Her expression was incredulous. “Besides, didn’t you once tell me that your mom doesn’t like to cook so

she doesn’t even make a turkey on Thanksgiving?”

“That’s true.”

“So enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving with me and my family.”

“I’d love to.”

“Great.” Her smiled widened. “I’ll find out what time we’re eating and let you know.”

They made their way to his car and talked about old friends as he drove her to her mother’s house. When they arrived, he walked

her to the door.

“Thank you for tonight,” she said.

“You’re welcome.”

To his surprise, she wrapped her arms round his middle and hugged him. He closed his eyes and breathed in the flowery scent

of her shampoo. Or maybe it was her perfume.

“Good night,” she said before slipping in the door.

Drew felt as if he were floating on a cloud as he drove home and pondered how he could convince her to stay.

He was still contemplating his predicament of losing Kacey when he sat down in front of the laptop in his office. He powered

up the job website and began searching for teaching positions.

He sat up straight and sucked in a breath when he found a posting for a music teacher in Charlotte. Then he clicked on the

position and began to apply.

“Happy Thanksgiving!” Kacey sang as she opened the front door and found Drew standing on her mother’s front porch the following

week.

He looked handsome dressed in chinos, a plaid button-down shirt, and a black leather jacket.

“Happy Thanksgiving to you.” He handed her a serving dish. “I brought mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows. You might have

to warm them up in the oven.”

“Thank you,” she said as she motioned for him to come inside.

The delicious smells of turkey and all the trimmings washed over them as Kacey and Drew walked into the family room.

“Have you ever met Travis’s parents?” she asked Drew.

“I don’t think so.”

Kacey set the serving dish on the kitchen counter and then took Drew’s arm and towed him over to where Travis’s parents stood

by Travis and her nieces. “Peggy and Tom, this is my friend Drew Murphy.”

Tom shook Drew’s hand. “Great to meet you.”

“We’ve heard so much about you.” Peggy shook his hand next. “Riley was telling us about the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival.”

“It’s only two weeks away,” Drew said.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to help serve the meal.” Kacey slipped into the kitchen and helped her sister and mother carry

the food out to the dining room.

Soon they were all gathered around the table with their bountiful Thanksgiving dinner in the center—a golden turkey, green

bean casserole, mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows, cranberry sauce, biscuits, and gravy.

“Before we eat,” Mom began, “how about we each say what we’re most thankful for? I’ll start. I’m grateful for my family.”

Dani glanced around the table, smiling at her daughters and her husband. “I’m most grateful for this family too.”

Travis and his parents all echoed Dani’s and Mom’s declarations.

“I love my doll,” Kelly said, and everyone chuckled.

Riley sat up straight. “I’m thankful for my family—even my baby sister.”

Kacey turned to Drew, and her pulse picked up speed. “I’m thankful for special friends.” She looked around the table. “And

I guess my family too,” she teased, and everyone chuckled.

Drew studied Kacey for a moment and then he said, “I’m thankful you’re back in my life.”

Kacey’s heart hammered as she stared at him.

“Nana,” Riley whined. “Can we eat now?”

“Yeah, eat!” Kelly echoed.

Everyone laughed again.

“Yes, sweeties,” Mom said. “Let’s enjoy this wonderful meal.”

“I don’t think I can eat another bite,” Kacey told Drew as they climbed up the front steps of his parents’ house. She shivered

in the late November air.

Drew rubbed his hand on her shoulder to warm her. “But now we’re having dessert. That’s the best part of the meal.”

He opened the door, and they entered a large foyer with an open staircase that led up to five bedrooms. Conversations carried

over from the spacious dining room nearby.

After Drew hung their coats in the closet by the door, he took her hand and steered her into the formal dining room, where

his parents, grandparents, and a few aunts, uncles, and cousins she recognized sat.

“Here they are!” Marilyn announced. “You’re just in time for dessert.”

Drew and Kacey greeted his family members and then took a seat beside each other while his mother and two aunts delivered

a pumpkin pie, a chocolate cream pie, and a platter of assorted cookies to the table, along with coffee.

Kacey talked about work with a few of Drew’s cousins while she enjoyed a piece of pumpkin pie and a cup of coffee.

“So, I hear you’re directing the children’s choir for the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival,” Drew’s grandfather said.

Drew picked up his coffee mug. “That’s right. The festival is two weeks from tomorrow.”

“I think that’s wonderful,” his grandmother said. “I can’t wait to hear the children sing. It truly feels like Christmas has

come to Splendid Lake when the tree is lit and the choir sings.”

Marilyn nodded. “I agree, Mom. And Drew has more exciting news. He applied for a music department head job in Newton. That

means he’d be in charge of the entire Catawba County Schools music program!”

“Department head. How fantastic,” his grandmother said.

His father pointed his fork at him. “Have you heard anything about the job?”

“Yes.” Drew nodded. “I have a telephone interview next week.”

Kacey turned toward him. “You didn’t tell me that.”

“There’s not much to tell.” Drew shrugged.

Kacey tried to hide her frown as she took another bite of pie. Sadness settled over her as she imagined Drew moving to Newton

while she headed back to Charlotte.

Now that she had Drew back in her life, she didn’t want to let him go, but she also didn’t know how to find a way that they

could stay together.

Drew parked his Honda in her driveway later that evening and then turned toward her. “You’ve been quiet ever since we left

my parents’ house. What’s on your mind?”

She heaved a deep breath and tried to put her confusing feelings into words.

“Is it that bad?” A look of worry flickered over his handsome face. “Did I do or say something to upset you? Did my family?”

She shook her head. “No. I’m just wondering why you didn’t tell me you have an interview in Newton.”

“It wasn’t deliberate. I didn’t think it was worth mentioning. I have a phone interview, and that doesn’t mean I’ll get the

job.”

But what if you do? What will happen to us? She shook off the questions. After all, she was leaving too!

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” he said.

“It’s okay.” She smiled before pushing open the car door and walking up to the porch with him.

“Do you have plans tomorrow?” he asked.

“I was going to work at the bakery. Why?”

“I’m terrible at picking out the right Christmas tree. I was wondering if you might go with me to buy one and then help me

decorate it.”

“Do you want to come inside? I’ll ask my mom if she’ll take care of the bakery for me.” She opened the door and found Mom

sitting in her favorite recliner watching A Christmas Story .

Mom sat up as Kacey and Drew walked in. “How was dessert?”

“Very good,” Kacey said. “I was wondering if you were planning to help Dani at the bakery tomorrow.”

“I can. Why?”

Kacey placed her hand on Drew’s arm. “Drew asked if I’d help him pick out a Christmas tree and decorate it.”

“That sounds like fun. I’ll cover for you at the bakery.”

“I appreciate it, Mom.”

“Thank you, Mrs.Williams,” Drew said before Kacey walked outside.

“Call me Monica!” Mom called after him.

Kacey turned to Drew when they reached the porch. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“I can’t wait.” He jogged down the porch steps toward his car.

As he started his car, Kacey hugged her arms to her chest. She couldn’t wait either.