Tasha said yes!
Wednesday night, Elias sat on a hard plastic chair at the town hall. Higgins lay at his feet. After spending the day in the crate while Elias worked, the dog didn’t need to stay in there any longer. He listened to Tasha’s vision for the Winter Extravaganza Ice Show—tryouts, on- and off-ice practice sessions, costume fittings, a dress rehearsal, and a performance date of December twenty-third. It was a little later than usual, but they’d never been so late getting started.
On Monday, when she’d texted him, he had no idea she would arrive at the meeting so prepared. Every person on the committee appeared impressed, including Penelope Jones, whose perpetual frown had disappeared for once.
Leave it to Tasha to soften the hardest of hearts.
His gooey heart was ready to melt in a puddle at his feet. Not that Tasha could tell. But she’d been on his mind since Sunday. Before and after work, he’d taken Higgins to the lake in case she was skating, but he hadn’t seen her.
You’re seeing her now.
She was more beautiful than he remembered. Flutters filled his stomach as if a flock of starlings decided to migrate off-season. He had it bad.
But Elias didn’t mind. Knowing Tasha would be at the meeting had made his day go by faster. He didn’t complain to himself once, even if he had complained to his father about how the ice show would require him to be at the rink more.
“I’ll take care of signing up volunteers to help at the tryouts, practices, and rehearsals,” Sabine said from her seat in the multipurpose room where the committee was meeting. “I’d rather have more than we need than too few.”
“I’ll be there on the weekends.” Elias couldn’t commit to helping during the week because of work. He might stop by the rink each night to see how things were going, but that was a far cry from chaperoning.
Sabine nodded. “I’m sure Max can help.”
“My three daughters too. But we’ll need more than family members.” Charlene typed on a tablet. “I’ll spread the word so people show up at the tryouts on Wednesday and Thursday. I can also tell potential volunteers to email or call you, Sabine.”
“The more, the merrier.” Tasha’s enthusiasm bubbled over in her voice and eyes. She hadn’t said yes out of obligation. She wanted to do that.
That pleased Elias. Who was he kidding? He felt almost giddy.
“I’ll provide treats during the practices.” Penelope sat ramrod straight with her white hair pulled into a tight bun. She had to be in her eighties and was more stubborn than Sabine’s rescue goats. For decades, Penelope had taught etiquette classes and would make Miss Manners appear feral.
“I’ll add Tasha to the committee’s email loop.” Sabine scribbled on her legal pad. “Thanks for coming, everyone, and have a good night.”
The four women stood. Higgins remained in place with his eyes still closed and an occasional twitch of his rear paw.
Penelope hurried toward the door. Charlene and Sabine left together.
And then there were two…
Elias’s palms sweated. Too bad he couldn’t blame it on the forced-air heating. But the room was far from warm. He brushed his hands over his pants. “You wowed us with that presentation.”
“Thanks.” Tasha slung her purse strap over her shoulder. “Higgins is out.”
Elias nodded. “Napping all day must be hard work.”
“I may have to test that myself.”
“Do it before tryouts.” Elias got lost in her eyes. The interesting part? He didn’t care, but he didn’t want to make Tasha uncomfortable. He forced his gaze onto Higgins. “It sounds like you won’t have much time after that.”
“I hope it all works out.”
He didn’t need to be a longtime friend to see how amazing she was. “It will.”
Heat rose up her neck to her cheeks. “Thanks.”
Her glance at the exit told Elias she was ready to go. He didn’t want to say good night. Not when he wouldn’t see her until this weekend. “I came here straight from work. I ordered a pizza to pick up on my way home. Want to come over and eat?”
He didn’t want to scare her off so tried to keep it light. As if this was hanging out with him and Higgins. Casual. Chill. Comfortable.
“I haven’t eaten yet.” She patted her stomach. “Pizza sounds good.”
