“I don’t hate him.” Once, Tasha had. But no longer. “That would mean I cared for him. I’m…indifferent. I feel sorry for him and Savannah.”
Tasha should make sure the skater was okay.
“I’ll give Sam a heads-up to watch the guy.”
“Thanks.” She didn’t know what else to say.
Elias motioned to the dress bag. “You’ll make a beautiful angel.”
“Thanks.” Skating was the last thing she wanted to do, but she would do it. For Belle and the other kids, but also for herself. As Phoebe had told Tasha, she needed to believe in herself.
“Break a leg.” Phoebe hugged her. “Text if you need Kristen to help with the costume.”
“Thanks.” Tasha stared at Elias. “And thank you for being here tonight.”
“I have to get over to the tin soldiers, but I…” He wiped his face. “If you get nervous—not saying you will—but if you do, just remember, you’ve poured your heart into this show. Your skating will blow everyone away.”
Tasha clutched the dress bag. “Thank you.”
He nodded. “See you around.”
If only… She sighed.
* * *
The show started shakily. As Elias watched from the side, Drew and Savannah made mistakes and fell twice. The audience, whether or not they followed skating, could tell something was off with the pair. But each act after that did a fabulous job. Not perfect, but perfectly entertaining. The smiles on the audience members’ faces and applause told him he wasn’t the only one with that opinion.
When the final number started, Elias’s heart wanted to explode out of his chest. As Tasha skated onto the ice, he held his breath. She was the perfect angel.
Hisangel.
He wanted her to be his, but how?
CHAPTER TWELVE
The final strains of “Angels We Have Heard on High” played. Instead of a single spin, she did a combination spin ending with the Biellmann, a layback variation with her legs in almost a full split.
She came to a stop.
The applause went from her ears to her heart.
I did it!
Tasha joined the choir of angels to finish the nativity number. And when that ended, the crowd rose to their feet.
The kids stared in awe. Tasha felt the same way.
She directed the curtain calls on the ice, and the show was over. People were leaving. Volunteers packed up, and she still had her skates on.
“This is for you, Tasha.” Katie handed her a Christmas present. “Thanks for doing the show. Performing was so fun.”
“You were an excellent Mary.” Tasha hadn’t expected a gift. “Thank you for being a part of it.”
More kids dropped off presents until she could no longer hold them all in her arms. She couldn’t believe at the generosity of everyone. A part of her felt as if she belonged there, something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
“Let me help you.” Phoebe held a box. “A certain hunky lawyer thought you might need this.”
“That was thoughtful of him.” Tasha didn’t check to see if he was there.
