“Thank you for auditioning,” Tasha said. “I’ll post the cast by Friday night on the town’s website.”
“Thank you.” As Katie skated off the ice, she practically bounced.
Juliet wiped tears from her eyes. “Oh my.”
Tasha touched Juliet’s arm. “Are you okay?”
Juliet nodded. She blew out a breath. “That song Katie sang packed a punch. Her parents were killed earlier this year. She and her uncle moved to Berry Lake in September. I live next door to them. I had no idea she knew how to skate or sing like that. She never said anything, and Roman never mentioned it.”
“She may need time, or he might not know, or both,” Jenny chimed in. “You were young when your parents died. I was in my twenties, but your world shifts when you lose them, no matter what age you are. The fact Katie auditioned is a promising sign she’s adjusting to her new life in Berry Lake.”
Tasha nodded. She wroteMaryon Katie’s form. “Yes, it is.”
“That’s it for the Wednesday tryouts, ladies.” Sabine had been herding the kids auditioning. “We can call it a night.”
“Until tomorrow,” Jenny joked.
Tasha glanced around, hoping to see Elias. She thought he would come by to check the rink after he got off work, but she hadn’t seen him. Maybe tomorrow.
She would text him athank you for dinner. That was the modern-day equivalent of a thank-you card, right?
“But seriously,” Jenny continued. “Thank you for doing this, Tasha. I can’t ice-skate, but I love watching it. After seeing the kids’ tryouts, I can’t wait to see the show.”
“Same.” Juliet’s smile returned. “It’ll be amazing.”
On Thursday afternoon, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation.
Tasha loved seeing so many smiling faces. Kids auditioned one after another. The process went smoother that day without needing as much time between the tryouts. Sabine had the routine down.
The ice-skating levels varied from putting skates on for the second time to spins, but the level of singing, ranging from can’t carry a tune to giving her chills, told her to add more songs to take advantage of the vocal talent. The show would encapsulate the spirit of the season—the joy the holiday brings, awakening on Christmas morning full of excitement.
A teenager named Bentley finished singing “Last Christmas” and bowed. The guy had little skating talent, but his singing made up for it. She got chills.
Tasha and the other two clapped. “And it’s a wrap.”
“I’m even more excited about the show.” Jenny’s face glowed under the lights surrounding the rink. “I wish Briley was old enough to take part.”
Juliet grinned. “If this is as popular as I think it’ll be, the holiday ice show will become an annual event, and Briley can try out when she’s older.”
Was Juliet correct? Were they creating a town tradition?
But who would run it next year? Tasha realized that wasn’t her problem. She needed to get through this show and figure out her future before she worried about a town she might never visit again after she left.
Jenny laughed. “Look who shows up now that the hard work is done.”
“What can I say?” Elias approached the table with Higgins on a leash. “We didn’t want to miss out on all the fun.”
Tasha’s heart bumped. In an overcoat, pants, and expensive shoes, he was dressed for work. Well, except for Higgins being with Elias. He’d never replied to her text.
Okay, it had only been a day. Twenty-four hours.
And he was there. That had to be a good sign, right?
Not that she was looking for signs.
He flashed a charming grin that sent her heart galloping like a horse pulling a sleigh. “I have impeccable timing.”
Higgins barked as if to answer too.
