“Oh no, it’s only a year old.I use it for my data entry work, so it’s reliable.I’m just being cautious.”
The underlying message was there—she wanted to ensure she had everything covered because she wanted the event to be a big success.Not to mention, she had proof that she was doing what she’d said she would.
“Show me what you’ve done.”
Over the next hour, they went through the lists of items that had been completed and those that still needed to be done.She’d spoken to most of the local businesses, and they were all keen to be part of it.There were only a couple of more that she needed to speak to, and the route for Mary and Joseph’s journey could be locked in.
Copies of approved permits were attached to the applications.The list of people who were playing the various roles was checked off with only two more positions to be filled—that of the shepherds.
“One of the guys at the station has a couple of nephews who live on a ranch just outside of Livingston.I can ask him if he thinks they’d be interested in the roles.It’s not like they need to say too much.”
Tilly’s eyes lit up.“Would you?That would be great.If they say yes, then we can officially begin rehearsals.We don’t have a lot of time and there really isn’t that much we need to rehearse.But we should run through it a few times.”Tilly tapped her pen against her lips, and he waited her out, knowing she was thinking through everything.He didn’t know why everyone in Marietta thought she was flighty—her organizational skills were amazing.
Although, if he was honest with himself, after their first meeting he had been under the same impression as everyone else, particularly considering she hadn’t known what she’d needed.But over the last few weeks, she’d proven that his first impression had been incorrect.And she’d accomplished a lot while he’d been stuck at work and had only been able to do minor things.
There was one screaming void, though.One thing that stuck out like a rose in a bouquet of tulips—they still didn’t have anyone to narrate or emcee the event.
“Have you heard back from any of the celebrities you contacted?”
“No.”She bit her bottom lip.He immediately reached over and gently encouraged her to release it so she wouldn’t bruise the tender flesh.
The news didn’t surprise him.He knew how Hollywood types worked, but he’d thought at least someone may have responded.One whose star wasn’t shining so brightly, but was still glowing, and any publicity was good publicity.
“We’ve still got a bit of time and the good thing is that because of their jobs, they’re fast at learning lines and knowing what to do.”Zach ignored the twinge of guilt that sat low in his belly.All it would take would be one phone call and they’d have someone.The person that was listed on the contest form and the one Tilly had wanted the most.
The dilemma within him was real.He wanted to do the right thing by Tilly, but he didn’t want his mom infecting the goodness of Tilly and the town.Not to mention, he was making a new life here.One he was enjoying.What had been a quick escape to reboot himself was beginning to feel like where he was always meant to be.
The people of Marietta had welcomed him with open arms.If anyone had known who he was or who his mother was, they hadn’t said anything to him or informed the gossip magazines that he lived there.His teammates didn’t treat him differently.They didn’t care who he was, just that he did a good job, and he made sure he did.Zach knew when he asked his colleague’s nephews if they wanted to be part of the show, even though they didn’t live in Marietta, they’d be more than happy to help out.
This was small-town living, and he was loving it.It also helped that the woman sitting across from him made everything brighter.
“What if no one answers, Zach?What if no one even opens my emails and they just delete them?”
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her that wouldn’t happen, but he couldn’t lie to her.She had to know how things could turn out.“I’ve got to be truthful here.It’s a possibility.It’s close to the holidays.Most of the shows are on winter hiatus, so things are slow.”
“Maybe you could do it?”she said brightly, and the sandwich he’d eaten congealed in his stomach.
“No.”The word burst out of him like the first shot of water from the fire hose he worked with.“I’m not the type of person you want.”
“I know, but I’m getting desperate.”
Zach sighed.The last thing he wanted to do was to put himself in the limelight, but with the hype his mother had created around him and what he’d done, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t have some pull with the media.But he wouldn’t.No matter how much he wanted to make Tilly smile and make this event be the moment she needed it to be, he couldn’t put himself out on a limb like that.
Did that make him selfish?
Probably.Okay, definitely.But he also needed to protect himself and his life.
“We’ll work something out, Tilly.”
Tilly nodded.“You’re right, and I’m sorry.I shouldn’t have put that sort of pressure on you.”
He reached across the table and grabbed her hand, rubbing his thumb over the top.“It’s okay.I can take it.Why don’t you email your top ten again?You know what they say about the loudest voice being the one that gets heard, so make your voice loud and let them hear you.”
Zach didn’t know if it would work or not, but if it meant he could direct her attention to someone other than him, he’d be okay with that.
“If you think it will work, I’ll do it, but I won’t email your mom.That wouldn’t be fair to you.”
“It’s fine.You can email her.As I said, I appreciate your support, but I know she’s your number one choice.And we should always have our number one.”He was pretty sure that his mom wouldn’t even look at the email, so he felt fairly safe in encouraging her to send another one.
