Page 122 of My Merry Mistake
He flips on the music and an upbeat rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock” comes on. He starts singing, even though he only knows about half the words, and soon both boys join in.
I catch a snippet of Grace’s I’m-so-over-it face in the side mirror, then look back at Finn.
He’s actively trying to bring joy to these kids’ lives. Just because he can.
The least I can do is try to go along with it.
Finn glances at me as he starts the chorus, bellowing loudly (and very off-key) about the bright time being the right time, and I make the conscious choice to set aside my awkward insecurity and start singing along.
I’m quiet at first, but then I realize I might be the only person in this car who A. knows all the words and B. can actually match pitch, so I start singing a little louder. When Finn notices, he cheers, and instead of letting it embarrass me, I let it fuel me, and pretty soon, we’re all singing. Everyone except Grace.
The song ends right as we reach downtown Loveland, all decked out for Christmas. Finn flips off the music and flashes me a smile.
I do my best to hide a smile of my own, but I fail. “I did it for the kids,” I say as he parks the car in a lot near the bank.
He shrugs. “Whatever you need to tell yourself, chief.”
After he turns off the engine, the kids scramble out, the boys clambering over one another until they fall out in a pile, then Grace, leaving me alone with Finn.
“I had no idea you could sing,” he says, smiling.
I laugh. “You also have no idea that you can’t.”
“No, I do know.” He chuckles and gets out of the car, watching as Scarlett runs over to the kids.
“Thanks for letting me bring them,” he says.
“I didn’t even know you were coming, so you’re thanking the wrong person.” I smile so my words don’t come out harsh. “But I am glad you brought them. I’ve been thinking about Grace.”
“She thinks you’re beautiful, by the way.” We start walking toward our group.
“Aw, she does?”
He smiles. “Yeah. She asked why I’m not married, and I told her I haven’t found the right person yet. She said, ‘What about the beautiful lady with the black hair’?”
This makes me smile as I turn my attention back to the kids, who are all now in line for roasted chestnuts. “And what did you say?”
“I said that the beautiful lady with the black hair”—he looks at me—“iswayout of my league.”
And then he walks away.
Finn
Being with the Hart family takes away the sting of not being with my own family.
We spend a full day downtown, taking in all the sights of the Loveland Christmas Carnival. We stop to eat giant, decorated Christmas cookies, admire the handmade decorations, and shop at the countless booths and displays that are set up throughout downtown.
Streets are blocked off for this carnival, with an entire section just for kids—bounce houses, a hot chocolate train car straight out ofThe Polar Express, and soft, climbable presents in an open playground area.
I might’ve spent some time in there with Bodie and Brady.
The boys are a whirlwind, and every new thing is an adventure, something they’re seeing for the very first time. By contrast, Grace is quiet and keeps to herself.
I understand why she reminds Raya of herself.
Though, to her credit, Raya actually seems to enjoy herself. She’s more relaxed. She smiles more than she frowns. And she even tells us about the times she spent here as a kid.
“The Christmas Carnival,” she says, “is a Lovelandanda Hart tradition,” and to prove it, each member of her family takes turns sharing what they claim is “the best part of the whole carnival.”
