After getting help unbuttoning my gown, I carefully removed it and put it in a garment bag. I said my goodbyes to everyone and started down the long hall that ran past the bathrooms and up to the lobby.
I came to an abrupt halt when I saw Nancy.
“Nancy, what a pleasant surprise.”
She scowled at me. “Looks like you’re getting everything you wanted.”
With a tilt of my head, I gave her a questioning look. “How exactly wouldyouknow what I want?”
Rolling her eyes, she took a step closer to me. “He’s going to get bored with you, and when he does, I’ll be waiting. If there’s one thing you should know about me, Emma, it’s that I’m averypatient person.”
I laughed. “I’d say so. I mean, not many people would have waited for the best friend to pass away before making a move on their husband.”
A low growl came from the back of her throat. “You mark my word, Ms. Nanny. You’ll be gone by the first of the year. I see it when he looks at you. He’s bored already. I just hope that when he fires you,thislittle gig,” she motioned around the hallway with a smirk, “will be able to pay your bills.”
Smiling, I said, “It’s always not a pleasure seeing you, Nancy.”
Her smirk vanished when my words sank in.
“Toodles!” I called out as I swept past her and made my way to the lobby.
The moment I saw Aiden, the tightness in my chest eased.
He leaned down and kissed me. “Everything okay? You look tense.”
“I ran into Nancy, but everything’s perfect.”
He groaned. “Let me guess. She told you I’ll get bored with you.”
“Yep. And that she was patiently waiting in the wings.”
“She’s going to be waiting there forever.”
I chuckled. “Let’s go. I’m starving.”
“Someone told me there’s a pot of Emma’s famous chili at the house,” Lance said.
“Dad, you’ve never had her chili, so how do you know it’s famous?” Aiden asked as Lance swung Hadley up onto his shoulders before we walked out into the frigid night air.
“I’m sorry, son, have younoteaten any of her food?”
Patty laughed. “Hadley, sweetheart, are you riding with your daddy and Emma or us?”
Hadley looked at Patty and covered her mouth to keep from giggling. “You and Papa.”
I gave Aiden a questioning look, and he shrugged.
Once we were in the truck, Aiden mentioned he needed to make a quick stop for gas.
Nodding absently, I said, “I have to tell you, I’ve never been so happy in my entire life, Aiden. I don’t think this year could get any better.”
Aiden turned the truck on and put it in drive. “Really? And what’s made it the bestest year ever?”
“Well,” I said, chuckling at his use of Hadley’s favorite word. “You and Hadley are the major reason for my happiness. And now, being able to play with the symphony? It’s a dream come true.”
He reached for my hand. “Emma, you were amazing tonight. And I know you’re exhausted after five nights in a row of playing. That Beethoven song tonight, was that planned?”
“It was. Doug thought, with most people in the crowd just there to listen to Christmas music, if we could play one piece that might move them to come to non-holiday performances, it was worth giving it a shot.”
