That’s what doing the right thing did for a man.
For one perfect moment, it felt like the whole world smelled like hot cocoa and Christmas Eve magic. Also wet sheep, hay, and something at the very back of the manger that Gracie preferred not to inhale.
Scents aside, the Live Nativity was one of the most beautiful things Gracie had ever seen.
They launched with a play that retold the entire story of the birth of Jesus, including Mary arriving on a very confident donkey, with much singing from a choir of angels, and—to the delight of the crowd—a real baby in white swaddling.
While they watched and listened, Gracie sat next to Benny, her hand on his back as the message and moment pressed on all their hearts. When the angels sangSilent Night, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place, including Olivia, who rested her head on her father’s shoulder in a move that melted Gracie’s heart.
After the performance, the whole set was open for people to walk through, take pictures, and pet the animals. Lights twinkled overhead and snow floated down in gentle flurries that looked too perfectly timed to be real.
Off to the side, Elise beamed at all of them like a proud mama, tugging a faux fur wrap around her. Wade stayed close toher, and they both happily guided the family to meet Shambles, who was clearly their favorite star of the show.
The old ewe bleated at Benny and nuzzled a delighted Olivia while Elise explained why she had a patch on her eye.
As they moved through the stalls and met the animals, Marshall stayed close to Gracie, making comments and jokes and doing his level best to ignore Bianca—a woman who didn’t get ignored very often.
Benny and Olivia stood pressed against the rails, faces glowing from the cold and pure joy, their mittened hands waving at the goats like they were celebrities.
“This is the best one yet!” Benny declared, nearly vibrating as he pointed at Eeyore. “That donkey winked at me. That means good luck. It’s, like, scientifically proven.”
“It is not scientifically proven,” Olivia said, though she was bouncing, too. “But it was really cool.”
Gracie smiled, warmth blooming in her chest. Christmas Eve, a Live Nativity pulled off flawlessly, her family all around her…and Marshall standing close enough that his coat brushed her sleeve whenever he shifted. If she turned her head just slightly, she could feel his breath mix with the icy air.
It should have been perfect.
But there was Bianca, lingering a few steps away like an unwelcome shadow. She all but batted her lashes at Marshall, announcing how much she “loved anything wholesome and cozy,” as though she were doing an interview for the local paper.
Marshall moved away in a subtle but unmistakable inch backwards—one Gracie doubted Bianca noticed.
Gracie tried to focus on the animals, the lights, the kids, the music, but Red’s story kept replaying in her head.
Maybe Bianca didn’t say what he thought. Maybe she was talking about a TV show or… some terrible reality program. Maybe she’s late on her period and just complaining toher sister. Maybe she’s joking in bad taste. Red could have misunderstood.
Except Red wasn’t prone to imagination.
And Bianca was…Bianca.
Gracie exhaled a shaky breath that fogged the air in front of her, so frustrated that the night couldn’t just be lovely and uncomplicated. Determined to enjoy the moment, she joined Elise, Wade, Nicole, and Cameron as they fussed over Shambles.
“Hi, Gracie,” Elise called, the sheep’s head nuzzling against her chest. “I think Benny loved this, don’t you?”
“He’s in heaven.” She leaned down and hugged her. “This event was incredible. Seriously. People were glowing watching it. You pulled off a masterpiece, Elise.”
Elise’s eyes twinkled with genuine joy and a little sparkle eyeshadow. “The whole thing was really special,” she agreed. “I already got roped into running it again next year.”
Something in the way she said that made Gracie think Elise didn’t mind the work at all.
Behind them, Wade was talking to Matt, laughing with his uncle, chatting with Gracie’s mom, who looked…troubled. Still? Hadn’t she talked to Matt about the music yet?
Gracie stepped closer to MJ. “Hey, Mommy,” she said in a teasing voice. “How are you?”
Her mother sighed and lifted a shoulder. “Tired.”
“It hasn’t stopped?”
“Every morning at three a.m. on the nose.”
