He was in the biggest catastrophe that he'd handled so far as the unofficial chairman of the Mistletoe Meadows Festival committee. He needed to focus.
"Maybe we should do some other business and give ourselves a little bit of time to think about ideas," Wilson McBride suggested. His wife, Charity, also stood beside him, but Noah did not allow himself to be sidetracked back into that spot where he wished that he had someone like that. It was awfully close to coveting, although he didn't want Wilson's wife. He just wanted to be someone who had a wife beside him.
"I think that's a great idea. Maybe we could even shelve it for a day and convene tomorrow when we’ve had time to think.”
“Yeah, I like that idea.”
They voted on it and everyone agreed this was something they needed to move on, but also needed to think about.
“Alright, that’s taken care of for tonight. Ben, are you and Hannah ready to give the report on the security and medical committee?" he asked, and Ben and Hannah nodded together, holding hands as they walked to the platform.
Normally Noah stood off to the side while committee reports were given, but this time he stepped completely off the podium. He didn't realize he was doing it until he continued to walk to the back door and slipped out.
Having the big band that they had booked two years ago cancel on them at the last minute had been a huge blow. He'd thought he had everything well in hand, but this made him doubt that he was even fit for the job. Of course, it wasn't his fault and he knew that. But he couldn't help but remember that he had talked everyone into booking this big-name performer to draw people in and making a big deal about their thirtieth Mistletoe Meadows festival. If he hadn't done that, they wouldn't have lost so big.
But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. As a business owner, he knew that risk was an integral part of growing. A person couldn't grow and develop without taking risks of some kind. Whether it was a financial risk or a personal one.
He was being too hard on himself.
Although, he didn't really know much about personal risk, not when it came to romantic relationships, except he had bet on his siblings when he'd given up so much in order to raise them.
He supposed that counted.
He had only intended to go out for some fresh air, but the town square and gazebo faced the side door where he had slipped out, and he could see long dark hair and a purple hat he recognized.
Grace had gone over and stood at the entrance to the gazebo, leaning against one of the pillars and watching the ducks on the pond.
He probably had ten minutes while Ben and Hannah gave the report and had a discussion. He hadn't intended to be gone all that time, but he found his feet taking him toward the gazebo.
Such a talented musician, so much beautiful music came from her fingers, and she was here in this town. Sure, he was a little starstruck, but also concerned. Was she okay?
It was the protective instinct that had enabled him to raise his family, that had wanted to pull everyone close after his parents died and continue to be together. After all, that's what families were for. And, he believed he had been successful. His siblings were all close, even if they weren't home, and everyone got along with everyone else, which was better than eighty percent of the families that he knew.
But he wasn't patting himself on the back, because he'd spent a lot of time on his knees, asking for God's favor and help. If he had been successful, he knew the credit all belonged to the Lord.
Still, he had made the choice to give up a career and possibly a relationship in order to do what he knew God wanted him to do. And he'd do it all over again, although he was lonely.
Grace heard him as he approached the last five feet, and her head turned, her eyes widening in surprise.
He couldn't tell if she had been crying, but he wasn't really looking for that. He was caught by the vivid blue of her eyes, which contrasted nicely with her dark hair. And maybe brought out a little by the purple of her hat. Her cheeks were rosy, and her lips full, and they turned up in a little smile.
"I'm Noah Parker," he said, holding out his hand.
"Grace," she said. He noticed she didn't include her last name.
He thought about letting it go, but he wasn't going to pretend that he didn't recognize her.
"I thought so. Grace Dempsey, famous concert pianist."
Her face pinched, and her hands, which had been warm and squeezing his, pulled away quickly.
"Yes," she said, and then turned away.
"I know who you are, but that's not why I came over to talk to you."
"Oh," she said, as though it didn't matter, her shoulder lifting.
"I just noticed that you seemed a little upset. I thought I would come out and check to make sure you're okay." That hadn't really been his plan consciously, but he realized subconsciously that was exactly what he had planned to do. She had been on his mind since he'd first seen her crying during the first hymn that morning.
