Page 71 of Chocolate Cherry Cabin

Hannah dropped off Calvin’s mom first, then pulled up outside his place. When she began unloading Wade, who was now bounding with energy, Calvin said, “I thought they could stay with you tonight.”

It was after one in the morning and the boys were gearing up like it was 8:00 a.m.—which it was in Paris. That meant they were ready to go at the day full throttle, and she hadn’t yet fallen asleep.

“Maybe the three of you should stay here, take a nap this afternoon, then get up for the concert. Work through your jet lag together, since you’ll all be on the same schedule.” She coaxed Thomas out of the car and put his hand in Calvin’s.

Wade was sprawled on the lawn, staring up at the night sky. “I can see stars!” he said with glee. “I’m up way past my bedtime!”

Calvin was staring at Hannah, looking dazed. “But I really need some rest.”

“I know. So do they. So do I.” Hannah backed away, her heart breaking at giving up the boys on what should be her day with them. But she could see it in her mind as clearly as if it was happening. Calvin would go take care of himself, and she’d be up all night with two boys whose bodies thought it was morning. She’d exhaust herself before the concert and Christmas, moving through both special occasions like a zombie so Calvin could recover faster, when it had been his choice to put himself through the jet lag in the first place. Then he’d boast about how it was nothing to take their kids back and forth through several time zones.

Hannah crouched down to where Wade was still on the grass. “I’m going to go home and sleep, since it’s my bedtime. You can come over to our house in the morning, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Love you.”

He leaped into her arms, giving her a big hug. “I love you, Mom.”

She staggered under the unexpected weight of her eldest, then glanced at Thomas, still standing with Calvin. It was as if her boys had done a body switch during the trip and drive. Wade had grudgingly given her a hug when he’d left for the airport, and now here he was… She buried her nose in his hair, making a point not to overstay this unexpected embrace in case it caused him to not want more in the future.

She tickled Thomas’s chin as she passed him. “Love you, kiddo. See y’all tomorrow.”

Calvin gaped at her as she got back into the car, hurrying before she changed her mind. As she started the engine, her legs were trembling from the way she’d finally stood up for herself, and for what she wanted. What she needed.

A part of her wished Louis had been there to see it.

10

It was Christmas Eve and Louis watched Hannah, who was waiting to play the piano for the children of Sweetheart Creek during the community Christmas concert. She looked nervous, unable to stay still, twisting a song book into a tube before finally dropping it onto the piano bench. Her soft curls brushing the shoulders of her red Christmas sweater, which showed Mrs. Claus surrounded by gingerbread men. Hannah was wearing a headband with reindeer antlers, and he was pretty sure her earrings were holiday themed as well.

Louis looked down at his own green sweater, one with Santa drinking a beer. He hoped she noticed the effort he’d made, because in his world paying money for an ugly Christmas sweater (yuck), one he’d probably never wear again, was athing. A thing worth noticing.

Folding chairs had been set out in the old barn, and several live trees from Cassandra’s sale scented the space with pine. It felt like Christmas in here as bodies warmed the room, colored lights twinkled merrily in the rafters above, and the fir trees in each corner filled the room with their fresh scent. There was a short one with red and green lights by the low stage and the ancient piano. At six that morning he’d nearly knocked it over several times as he and his friend Ryan Wylder toiled over replacing the instrument’s dead key.

The wonky old piano sounded better. Not great, but better. In his imagination, when Hannah played it tonight, it would sound cute, somehow adding to the enthusiasm of the excited children as they sang.

The program began, and behind the MC, Louis spied Hannah helping the first singer onto the stage, bending low to talk to her. Hannah was all smiles, her earlier nerves apparently forgotten as she put the child at ease.

The barn was packed and Louis leaned against the back wall like he had at age seventeen, giving up his seat so Mrs. Fisher could sit along the aisle where her husband was parked in his motorized scooter. He’d decked it out like it was a Harley, complete with a license plate that said BAD ONE, fancy silver tire rims with flames painted around them, and more.

Louis yawned, the warmth of the room and his lack of sleep over the past week getting to him. He eyed the snack table set near the entrance. Under the festive drop cloth were cookies, hot chocolate and best of all, coffee. He sure could go for a cup.

Up front, Hannah was seated on the piano bench, stroking the silent keys with reverence, centering and preparing herself. After fixing the broken one he’d rubbed polish onto the old, lacquered cabinet. He’d thought of Hannah the whole time, wondering how she’d react to the repaired instrument, what she thought about him swooping in to carry Thomas last night. Louis figured from now on the scent of old wood and fresh polish would make him think of her.

He’d even taken time to polish the brass pedals, giving them a glorious shine. He’d poured some serious love into the instrument and Ryan had simply given him a knowing smile and headed home to do his chores once his part of the job was done.

Hannah looked over her shoulder before she hit a key, her eyes locking on his. Louis gave a slow nod of acknowledgment and kept his hands in his jeans pockets, waiting, watching, his nervousness building.

She mouthed a “thank you”and turned back to the piano. Out came the first few bars of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The plinking of the keys was jovial and upbeat, and the little girl began belting out the lyrics. The piano sounded less rich than a properly tuned one might, but people were smiling and he figured that was good.

The child finished her song and curtsied to the crowd, which applauded even louder. She shot them a smile missing her front top teeth.

Louis watched Hannah play the next carol. In between singers she spun on her bench, searching the audience. When she spotted her boys she wiggled her fingers, Thomas’s small head popped up and his arm stretched into the air as he waved at her. His enthusiasm had to make her feel special.

There was an empty seat beside Calvin and the boys, and Louis wondered if it was reserved for Hannah, even though she was on stage. And if so, had it been saved by Calvin or the children?

Would there be a Christmas miracle next year that caused her reserved seat to be beside Louis instead?

---