Leah, who’d dressed as one of the kings, stood next to Connor. As did Leah’s boyfriend, Dr. Sebastian Grant, also dressed as a king.
Sebastian was one of the best heart surgeons in the country. A former foster kid, he’d climbed the ranks through sheer determination. Because Connor and Sebastian had Ben as a mutual friend, Connor had interacted with Sebastian a few times in the past. His initial impression of Sebastian? That he was incredibly confident and intelligent, but also closed-off. Despite trying, Connor hadn’t been able to connect with him at all.
However, Leah seemed to have transformed the blunt, unapologetic doctor. Sebastian couldn’t take his eyes off his girlfriend. He smiled at her easily and there was almost always a physical link between them. Either her hand rested on his forearm, or their fingers interlaced, or he was freeing a piece of hair from her eyelashes, or she was whispering something in his ear.
No wonder Ben had stepped aside to make a way for these two. Clearly, they were a perfect match.
Ben and his family had other plans tonight, so he wouldn’t be present. But Shay would be pleased because three of the Miracle Fivewerehere. In addition to Sebastian, Natasha was present. She was playing the part of a shepherd. Even now, he heard her interrupt the talk about golf swings to explain how she was finishing up a year of living C.S. Lewisly. Strangely, she was also wearing terribly knitted mittens, which one of the costumers would definitely swap out for a style of gloves they’d approved.
Genevieve was also present, not surprising seeing as how she lived in the cottage on this property and was engaged to be married to the farm’s owner, Sam.
“The crown suits you,” Sebastian said to Leah. “Don’t you agree Connor?”
“I do.”
“It doesn’t suit me,” Sebastian stated, looking toward his forehead, where a huge fake gold crown rested on his dark hair.
Leah rolled her eyes. “No one’s buying your false humility, darling.”
“Did it ring false?” Sebastian asked.
“Humility from doctors always rings false,” she teased. “Connor and I and the rest of the people in America know how arrogant you all are.”
“Want to know something that I’m very arrogant about?”
“Inspiring the crushes of young female nurses and saving the lives of infants?”
“The fact that I won you over,” he said smugly. “In fact, I think I should announce to all these people how proud I am of that.” He straightened, cupped a hand around his mouth, and angled toward the center of the barn.
Laughing, Leah clapped her palm over his mouth. “The fact that you’ve already arrogantly announced to Connor and me how proud you are of that will suffice.”
“I’m not sure that it will.”
“It will.” She drew Sebastian’s hand down and linked their pinky fingers. “Right, Connor?”
“Right.” His only contribution to this conversation seemed to be serving as a yes-man for their banter.
Genevieve approached. She was portraying Mary tonight, and they’d dressed her in pale blue robes. An even paler blue piece of fabric draped over her head, framing her pretty face and the long hair falling forward over her shoulders. All six of the sheep trailed behind her like lovestruck puppies. “I don’t have any idea why these sheep keep following me everywhere I go,” Genevieve said to them. “I think they’re confused. I’m not a shepherd.”
“Are you Little Bo Peep?” Sebastian asked.
“A sheep whisperer?” Connor suggested.
“As you both know, I’m a Bible study author and teacher.”
“Maybe that’s what they’re picking up on,” Leah said. “The biblical link between them and you.”
“The Bible talks a lot about sheep,” Connor pointed out helpfully.
“Feed my sheep,” Sebastian quoted.
“My sheep listen to my voice,” Leah added.
“Take care of my sheep,” Connor said.
One of the sheep casually gummed the fold of Genevieve’s robe.
Sam joined them, dressed as Joseph in brown robes. He was one of the few lucky men in the room who hadn’t been forced to wear a headpiece. “Are these sheep following you around like I do?” he asked Genevieve.
