“She does, and I know it, so I don’t need that."
“This is a little different, the duet version, and I was hoping?—”
“The one with Michael Bublé and Thalia? I love that!” She took the sheet music. “I’d be honored to sing it with you.”
“Great.” He smiled. “I’ve had this tucked away, too, waiting for a Spanish-speaking vocalist to take her part.”
“You found her. Give me a minute to show this to Cole so he’ll be up to speed. He doesn’t know the song.”
“Sure.”
Sheet music in hand, she approached Cole, who was chatting with Billy, the drummer.
He glanced up. “Did you say yes to the Feliz Navidad duet?”
“You bet I did. I thought you’d like to take a look at the music. Ever played the song?”
“No, ma’am. Billy says the original is really simple, but the duet adds quite a bit to it.”
“Right.” She grabbed the music stand they’d set aside and laid the sheet music on it just as Sam walked over.
He glanced at Cole. “I see you reaching for your glasses, but I don’t think you need to see the sheet music. Ever improvise?”
Cole smiled. “All the time.”
“Then don’t worry about the melody. Just get a sense of it and jump in with some flourishes whenever you want.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” He picked up the music stand. “C’mon, Mila, let’s go impersonate Michael and Thalia.”
When Sam announced what they were about to attempt, a ripple of excitement moved through the room. “You’re welcome to join in on the chorus,” he told the crowd before adjusting his guitar strap. “Ready Thalia?”
She grinned. “Ready, Michael. Start us off.” If she hadn’t been performing for almost an hour, she’d be scared stiff, but she’d become comfortable on this stage. On top of that, she’d sung Thalia’s part a million times. Still, she kept the sheet music in front of her because it was a complicated duet.
And a romantic one, weaving a love song into the traditional Christmas greeting. Sam delivered the Spanish opening perfectly, his voice that of a tender lover pledging his heart to his beloved.
She barely had time to wonder if Sam had a sweetheart before it was time to join him in the song. Ah, how she wished Cole knew more Spanish so he’d understand what she was saying with those words.
Her family did, and when she peeked at them, the joy on their beloved faces, especially Tia Ezzie’s, made her tear up. But she never lost her concentration, not even when Cole began to play, overlaying the melody with rich tones that emphasized the romantic words. Maybe he knew those words, after all.
Would the crowd join in? She hoped so. This song was made for that, for bringing everyone together in the spirit of the season.
Then she heard them, the Dazzling Damsels, singing for all they were worth. That was all it took and soon the room was vibrating with the heartfelt words — Feliz Navidad. How could Cole not love this outpouring of goodwill?
As the final notes of the song were followed by thunderous applause, she glanced over at him. He looked dazed, and maybe that was a good thing.
Sam decided to close out the set with All I Want for Christmas Is You, and insisted she perform it solo. Caught up in the moment, adrenaline pumping, she sang directly to Cole.
He responded by locking his gaze with hers during the entire number. As the last note died away and the applause began, he tipped his hat to her. None of that went unnoticed by her brothers, who added whistles of approval to the round of applause.
As for Cole, he chuckled and ducked his head. But then he glanced up and sent her a look so intense she quivered with longing.
The effect of that intimate moment remained with her as the party broke up and everyone headed outside. Cole took her hand, his fingers sliding through hers and tightening as they exited surrounded by the Bridger Bunch.
Her family kept up a steady flow of alcohol-induced banter, alternating between raving about hers and Cole’s musical abilities and teasing them about the heat they’d generated onstage. The joking continued as Claudie, Monty and Rio piled into the backseat of Cole’s silver truck and Cole helped her into the passenger seat.
“Is it me or is it hot in this truck?” Rio settled in and buckled up.
