“No one’s preached there since the 70s.” She removed her wrap, and he slipped off his jacket. An attendant, a young woman wearing black pants and a white button-up shirt, took them to the coat closet and gave him a slip of paper.
“It’s not that we weren’t religious. Mom and Dad preferred to go to the church several towns over.” She reached for his hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and he stood tall. “Which meant we only made it about once a month. But we read the Bible often and prayed as a family every day. What about you?”
He handed their tickets to an usher who showed them to their seats. The chapel had a high ceiling and beautiful stained glass windows. Christmas trees and decorations filled the front where the cameras pointed.
The room was impressive, but it would be even more amazing on a Sunday morning when the light filtered in. He’d have to bring Lizzie. Tonight wasn’t just a date; he wanted to see if this was a church he and Lizzie could attend. “We were in church every Sunday. Mom said she needed Jesus if she was going to raise us right, and we needed Him when she passed away.”
Charlotte stepped into the pew first and settled. “I think that’s wonderful. I’m so glad you invited me tonight. I’ve watched Pastor Seth’s Sunday sermons on YouTube since he started.”
Micah’s appreciation of the woman sitting next to him and smelling like fancy perfume grew. He wanted a partner who followed Jesus. It wasn’t an easy path, but it was one worth taking. Looking for something to say that wouldn’t scare Charlotte off because he was thinking fifty steps after a first date already, he offered, “Lizzie is an angel in the pageant this year.” He cut off from spewing every detail about his little girl because this was supposed to be a date.
Charlotte didn’t seem at all upset. Her face lit up. “I was an angel when I was in kindergarten.” She bounced their clasped hands. “It was a disaster!”
“What?” He shook his head. “That can’t be true.”
She nodded with a look of complete sincerity. “The donkey got mad at a wise man and kicked the lever that raised the curtain. My wings caught on one of the ropes, and I lifted right up into the air.” She raised her free hand over her head. “The janitor panicked. He turned so purple I thought he was going to explode.”
“Were you okay?” He had images of her up there screaming and then dropping. Heaven help him. If his little girl took flight, he’d be the one turning purple.
“Oh, sure.” She batted away his concern. “I told the audiencenot to be afraidand tobe of good cheerand got a laugh. They lowered the curtain again, and I floated back down.” She wiggled her fingertips as she fluttered her hand down to her lap. “I think I hold the title for most memorable angel–and that’s saying something.”
They shared a chuckle.
A stagehand quieted the crowd and then pointed to the camera. A red light turned on, letting everyone know they were now filming. Charlotte nestled into his side.
“Welcome. Welcome. Welcome,” said a man in a suit and tie. “We’re so glad you’re all here for a Christmas Music Celebration of Jesus.”
Everyone clapped. Micah did his best to focus on the program, but he had difficulty doing that since the woman beside him captivated his attention.
“We have a special guest tonight,” the announcer stated. “Please welcome Lisa Degarmo, who will sing her version ofLight of the World.”
Charlotte gasped. “Oh my gosh! She’s so good.” She practically vibrated in her seat, and it thrilled him that he’d been able to give her this moment and share in it.
The music began, and his world shrank to Charlotte and the melody. In the middle of the song, he realized his soul was at peace in a way it hadn’t been in a very long time. The spirit of the Lord touched his heart to tell him that he’d done well with Lizzie and that being with Charlotte was good. He soaked in the feeling.
The singing pastor, Seth, took the mic. He wasn’t like any pastor Micah had ever seen before. He was young, with chin-length hair and a guitar slung over his shoulder. When he spoke, his voice was sure.
“Christmas is a time for family, a time for friends, and a time for music. As it should be. The first Christmas was the same. We had a little family coming together, some shepherds who gathered as friends to the Holy Child, and angels brought the music down from heaven.”
He moved the guitar in front of him and positioned his fingers over the strings.
“My wife, Evie, and I hope you feel some of heaven tonight as we unite our voices in praising our Lord who was born in a stable.”
As a slow and hypnotic version of Silent Night filled the chapel, Charlotte leaned her head on his shoulder, and Micah knew–he was in this to the end. Whether it ended with him and Charlotte in front of a pastor or in a fiery crash–he was in this. There was no going back to life without her.
ChapterThirteen
After the concert full of contemporary Christian and Christmas music, Micah and Charlotte headed to Main Street for hot chocolate. A lot was going on downtown this time of year. The community center hosted the annual gingerbread house contest, and they invited the town to wander through and vote for a winner. The assisted and elderly living center set up a booth. They invited one and all to fill out a Christmas card for their residents. Children were encouraged to color or draw pictures, and adults wrote heartfelt letters expressing their love and wishing good cheer.
Charlotte blew over the tiny opening in the lid on her cocoa as they stepped out of the busy store. Her wish trailed behind them like a child wanting to take in the scene and forgetting to move her feet.
She couldn’t blame the little ball of light; Main Street did Christmas right. Her shop was open, with customers streaming in and out. But she wasn’t here to check on her business and trusted her employees to handle the rush.
Her other hand was tucked into Micah’s hand, which was tucked into his pocket, where a warming pack kept them both toasty. Her stomach swooped out from under her every time Micah’s thumb brushed her knuckles.
How sweet was he to think of bringing hand warmers on their date?
She could fall for a guy like that.
