Page 23 of A Baxter Family Christmas
“Same.” She was quiet while he ordered Bailey’s tea and then a coffee for each of them. They headed back and not till they reached the door of the auditorium did she stop and turn toward him. “I’m sorry. I haven’t been answering your texts.”
“No.” Connor angled his head, trying to see past the walls she’d raised between them. “Is it something I did?”
She shook her head. “Not at all. It’s me.” Maddie tucked her blond hair behind her ear and stared at the ground. “I can’t talk about it.”
Connor thought he understood. “If it’s another guy, I get it. I never even asked if you were dating someone.”
“I’m not.” She lifted her eyes to him. “I just can’t date. It’s my own thing.”
Connor blinked. What? She couldn’t date? He was going to ask her why, but when he caught the determination in her eyes he let it drop. Instead he held the door open for her. “Then we’ll be friends.” He smiled at her. “Fair enough?”
“Yes.” Her eyes brightened, and for the first time that night, the walls around her heart seemed to lower a little. “Thanks, Connor. For understanding.”
He didn’t let his disappointment show. Like Bailey had said, Maddie was young. She was still in high school. Maybe somewhere down the road they might have a chance at something more.
This simply was not that time.
Inside the theater, Brandon had split the children into two groups. A dance instructor taught one group the steps to the opening number, while the CKT choir director worked to help the others learn the first song of the show.
Connor approached Brandon. “Where do you want us?”
“Here.” He pointed to the front row of seats. “Sit with Bailey and watch for stragglers.” He pointed to a little boy who had strayed from the others in the dance group. He was hopping like a frog near the edge of the stage, completely oblivious to the instructor. Brandon walked toward the boy, glancing over his shoulder at Maddie and Connor. “Kids like that one.”
Brandon took the lead. “Hey, buddy. You wanna get back with your group?”
Maddie stifled a laugh. “That would be me... dancing to my own beat at that age.”
“You need the patience of ten teachers to pull this off.” Connor looked at his sister. “Is it always like this?”
Bailey held the hot tea close to her face. “Every time. A few weeks before opening night I always think we should call the whole thing off.”
“I can see why.” Maddie seemed to spot another wayward little one. She walked up onstage and headed for the singers. “Hey there.”
The little girl lifted her head. “I’m a sheep.”
“Right.” Maddie took her by the hand and led her back to her group. “And sheep need to sing the very best of all.”
Connor watched, his heart beating faster than before.
“I see you.” Bailey turned and smiled at him. “She’s so good with the kids.”
“She’s beautiful.” Connor sat next to his sister. “But she doesn’t like me.”
“What?” Bailey looked from the stage back to Connor. “That’s not what I saw during auditions.”
“Something’s changed.” Connor shrugged. “Which is maybe for the best. I’ll be back at school after Christmas.”
“I think we’ve talked about this before.” Bailey gave him a wary look. “Your challenge, dear brother, is to figure out what’s troubling her.”
Connor let his eyes settle on Maddie once more. “Yes. That, for sure, is the challenge.”
Maddie hated how she’d forced herself to pull away from Connor. But it was only fair. She wasn’t going to date him, so there was no point leading him on. At least he was willing to be her friend.
Rehearsal that evening went better than she thought it might. Ninety minutes into the practice, the kids knew the first two songs and the dance moves to the opening number. At the end of the session, they ran through the songs again and Maddie raised her eyebrows in Connor’s direction.
“I can’t believe it.” She shifted her look to Bailey. “These kids are really getting it.”
“They always do.” Bailey smiled. “That’s the fun of putting on a show. Especially so quickly like this one.”
