She could see Noah pacing in the music room, running a hand through his hair, stopping, and then pacing more.
Obviously, he was as agitated as she was.
It didn't take long for the milk to warm up. She poured it into steaming cups, added some whipped cream on top, and headed for the door.
When Aunt Vivian saw her coming, she got up to open it for her.
"I'm going to head to bed, but I'll leave the living room light on for you and the door unlocked."
"I won't be long," Grace said, truly believing that.
"I wouldn't be surprised if you might be a little bit longer than you think. You guys have some things to talk about."
Grace knew they did. But, she wasn't sure either one of them was ready to talk. What were they going to say? Their ideas felt like they were half-baked, and now that they were away from the meeting, Grace had no idea why she had stood up and volunteered what she did, on top of what Noah had volunteered. How were they ever going to pull that off?
And were people going to come?
She swallowed against her doubts and fear and walked across the deserted street, heading toward the music store.
Maybe Aunt Vivian had texted him to let him know that she was coming, or maybe he had a sixth sense, because he was at the frontdoor of the music store opening it before she had time to figure out how in the world she was going to knock with two mugs of hot chocolate in her hands.
"Good evening," she said, feeling a little bit dumb. Maybe he didn't drink hot chocolate, and maybe he didn't want to see her.
"I looked for you earlier in your living room, but you weren't there."
"Aunt Vivian said you went by, but I was in the restroom. I didn't realize it, or I would've come over right away. I assume you feel like we need to talk too?"
"Definitely. And, I feel so much calmer whenever you're around."
His hair stuck up because he'd been running his hand through it all evening, and although his face looked just as serious and businesslike as usual, she felt the same comfort and security that she always did in his presence. It was funny that he was now admitting that he felt the same thing with her.
"I wasn't sure if maybe you'd like a drink?" she asked, offering him one of the mugs of hot chocolate.
"That smells like hot chocolate, and it sounds like just the thing."
"It is. Chocolate makes everything better, right?" she asked, lifting a brow and stepping inside as he closed the door behind her.
She honestly wasn't sure what could make this better. She had volunteered to perform, and she wasn't even sure she could.
"I need to apologize for not staying. I did look for you, but also... I suppose I was running away a little bit. I don't know why I volunteered the things I did. Probably because I really wanted to help the town, which has been so nice and friendly and welcoming to me. But, I know that I'm not sure I can do what I said I was going to."
Her words hung in the air as she looked at him, waiting for him to respond.
"Well that makes two of us."
His response was simple, and somehow it made her feel better.He was going out on a limb as well. And he didn't know whether he would be able to do what he said.
"Let's go sit down. Maybe in the music room?"
"That's fine."
"We could go upstairs and sit in the living room, but we might need the piano if we start brainstorming about things." She nodded and he turned and led the way through the store and into the back where the piano sat.
His eyes crinkled a bit as he indicated two comfortable-looking chairs in the corner of the music room. He waited until she chose one and sat down before he sat down beside her.
"These chairs are for parents or siblings or anyone who might accompany kids to their music lessons. I don't usually use them myself, but they're kind of comfortable." He settled down with a sigh, and she smiled.
Just in the few minutes that she'd been here, he seemed like he'd settled down and was much calmer and less anxious. Maybe what he'd said about her helping to calm him down was actually true.
