Page 34 of Wish You Faith

“Yeah. Your head is not that heavy.”

“Oh. I don’t feel lightheaded at all.”

He chuckled. “I promised to hold you.”

“When?” There they were, having this conversation while both of them were lying down on the ice by the wall. Rosie could see skates and legs whizzing past her.

“Last Sunday at church. Remember?”

No, Rosie did not remember. It might have been in Sunday school. Speaking of Sunday school…

“Miss Rosie! Miss Rosie! Are you okay?” It was McKenna’s high-pitched voice that caught Rosie’s attention.

Myra and Benjamin joined her, and they tried to get Rosie on her feet, even though she could feel Evan’s strong arms doing practically all the work of lifting her from the ice. Evan held both her arms and didn’t let go.

“Thank you, everyone.” Rosie decided to take things in stride. What else could she do?

“Anytime,” Benjamin replied like a big boy. Then he skated off with Myra and McKenna.

Rosie turned to Evan. “You can stay on the ice. I’m getting off.”

“I’ll go with you.” Evan slid his arm around Rosie’s waist. He had strong arms, and they were long enough to cover her back and the other side of her waist. “Not letting you fall again.”

They made it to the gate before the Christmas music ceased and an announcement came over the speakers. There were screens on walls surrounding the skating rink, so Rosie could see who was speaking.

“Good evening, everyone,” a woman spoke into a microphone. “Hope you’re having a fun evening tonight at Savannah on Ice!”

Cheers went up.

“Today’s free skate night for kids and teens is sponsored by Talon Gym,” the announcer said.

Everyone clapped.

Oh. If Rosie had known that Travis’s company was sponsoring tonight’s event, she wouldn’t have shown up.

“Now we have a word from the President and CEO of Talon Gym.”

Travis stepped in front of the camera. He was carrying a bouquet of flowers.

Evan glanced at Rosie as he led her to the bench where they’d left their shoes. They sat facing the wall-mounted screen. They took off their skates as Travis’s loud voice boomed through the speakers.

“On behalf of Talon Gym and all our staff and coaches and personal trainers, I wish you a very Merry Christmas!” Travis’s chiseled face filled the TV screen. He was buff, and his weight-lifting muscles bulged from his sweater emblazoned with his company logo.

The crowd wished him a merry Christmas back.

“I am happy to announce that Talon Gym has bought Savannah on Ice,” Travis said. “Until Christmas, all admissions will be twenty-five percent off.”

The crowd cheered.

Rosie didn’t. It made no difference to her whether Travis bought the ice skating rink or not. She didn’t expect to return here anytime soon. Much less now that she knew who the new owner was.

“Tonight, we’re giving away three door prizes,” the announcer spoke again. “When your name is called, please come up here to the podium.”

She read out the names of three kids. “As these three winners make their way to the stand, we have a special gift for a certain Sunday school teacher who is here tonight.” The woman looked excited. “Will Miss Rosie Hamilton who works for Christmastown please come up to the stand?”

“What?” Rosie’s eyebrows rose. “Did they just call me?”

“Is there another Rosie who works at Christmastown?” Evan pointed to the screen. In Travis’s right hand was a small red velvet box.

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