“No. I don’t know.” She stumbled on, “He just wants to be friends, and he’s… he’s trouble, Dad. He always has been.. and…”
“And what, Georgia? Can’t people change? Is God not able to make a blind man see and the lame walk? How much greater of a miracle would it be to see Lakeland Lovett following Christ instead of his own wayward heart?” He pulled his daughter’s hair behind her head and rubbed her shoulder, lovingly. “No greater than the miracle of you or I, blind in our own ways. And yet our eyes were opened to the truth of salvation and what Christ offers to anyone who believes and follows Him. No greater, Georgia Snow. You remember that.”
She nodded but felt her eyes fill with chastened tears. “Yes, sir. You’re right.” She tucked herself into her father’s arms again and allowed him to wrap her up in a hug only he could offer. She reminded herself of how easily his presence, his tender wisdom and advice, could have been stripped away from her.If he hadn’t survived the heart attack—if he hadn’t recovered—what would her life have looked like? Where would she be?She hugged him tighter and thanked God for giving them more time.
Georgia came home that night to the coffee shop already closed and the sounds of her siblings’ voices lovingly bickering and laughing in her small apartment. The sights and smells of Christmas hit her as soon as she walked through the door. Her favorite Christmas album blared from her vintage record player. Caroline’s voice harmonized with Dolly’s as she pulled out a batch of cookies from the oven. Ginny followed Dakota in circles around the tree as they strung up the large, colored bulbs Georgia liked best.
This was one of Georgia’s favorite traditions. Since she’d moved back to Sugartree, she and her siblings set aside one free night over the holidays just for the four of them. They gorged themselves on cookies and frosting and listened to Christmas records as they decorated the tree. Each year they made handmade ornaments, usually out of paper or found items, based on a theme. Then they’d spend the night watching old claymation Christmas movies from their childhood.
“Hey, y’all,” she greeted them. “It looks amazing in here.”
“Course it does,” Dakota said, grunting as he lifted the bulbs higher up the tree’s trunk. “I’m in charge.”
Ginny pinched him on the side and then wiggled away quickly when he tried to retaliate. “Why don’t you use white lights like Mama, Georgie? They’re so much prettier.”
“Colored lights are classic, Ginny. And I thought we agreed onChilly Christmasthis year?” Tipping her head, Georgia asked, “What in the world are all those cans doing strung up?” Because as she’d stepped a little closer to the only-slightly tilting tree, she’d realized one of her brilliant siblings—likely Dakota—had strung tin cans together with twine and looped them from branch to branch.
Dakota peeked around the tree with pride. “Chili Christmas… some of the labels are still on.”
Ginny groaned. “Because you’re the worst.”
“Hey, I sprayed glitter on them. They’re on theme.”
“Cookies are ready!” Caroline brought the plated cookies, frosting, and sprinkles out and met them in the living room. They each grabbed one and tapped them all together.
“Cheers,” they said in unison, gazing at the tree.
Although she still had a list of things to accomplish before Christmas arrived, Georgia relaxed into the simplicity of the night and her lopsided tree, covered in scarves, bean cans, glittered cotton-balls, and paper snowflakes. Her favorite people squabbling and teasing before finally plopping in the living room together, snuggled in throw blankets, and falling asleep to the sounds ofFrosty the Snowmanplaying late into the night.
The church lock-in rolled around, and when Georgia saw Lake mixed in the crowd of youth boys, rowdy and loud during a game of dodgeball, she caught herself smiling with anticipation. To her surprise, just as her dad had said, Lake found her eyes in the crowd and smiled too.
Lakeland looks at you like he’s seein’ ya for the first time every time you come in the room. Could that really be true?After all this time, Georgia didn’t really know how to feel about the possibility.
They had little chance to talk during the chaos that ensued for the next several hours. Music, dancing, countless games, pizza, and a movie took up the first half of the night. When the group started a game of sardines, Georgia took the first turn to hide, hoping for a blessed few moments of quiet while the others looked for her. She’d known from her own days as a youth that the tiny music room the band used for instruments and equipment had a small hidden cove just beyond a set of couches laid out like a living room. She stumbled her way quietly in the dark and nestled against the wall, thinking maybe she’d just fall asleep right there, and hopefully they’d never find her at all…
“Peaches… Pstttt… Georgia.”
A finger tapped her forehead in the darkness.
“Wake up. Move over,” that voice—HISvoice—said as he crammed his giant body next to Georgia’s in the too-small space.
“How did you find me so fast?” Georgia whined, whispering through her grogginess.
“Said I had to pee… Followed you instead.”
Georgia turned her face to his in the dark. She didn’t need to see clearly to know he was grinning. “What!? That’s cheating, Lake! Get outta here!” She started to shove him from her hiding place.
“No.” His body didn’t move an inch. “That’s strategy. Now, hush. I’d like some peace and quiet for a few minutes before one of those kids worms their way in…”
The music door opened and closed quietly again. Georgia and Lake both froze, and somehow Lake’s hand found Georgia’s in the dark.
“Ha! I knew it,” Evan whispered indignantly as he crouched low enough to see them. Georgia whipped her hand away as Evan looked between them. “Are y’all makin’ purple?”
“Purple?” Lake asked.
“Boys blue. Girls pink. Smush ‘em together and…”
“No!” Georgia nearly yelled, but remembered they were playing a very quiet game. “Of course not. Sit down.” She pulled Evan between her and Lake, his just-as-large body squishing her further into the corner. It was an act of pure wizardry that both large men could make themselves so small in the tiny area they’d crammed into.
