Page 173 of The Blessings of Christmas
Malcolm wasn't thinking about town spirit. He was wondering if what his mother was telling him was true. It was as if he'd been swimming underwater all this time. Finally he broke the surface and saw the shore.
CHAPTER 16
CHRISTMAS EVE
The air held a nip as Malcolm and his mother stood in front of the gazebo, song sheets in hand. While the band played, the entire town sang “It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” His mother wasn’t that familiar with it but enjoyed humming along. Her eyes sparkled and she wore the holly earrings and brooch she brought out every Christmas. Right behind them stood Josie's parents, Carol and Ricky. Josie had been right. Her dad had a great baritone, and he seemed to be having a lot of fun. Malcolm was loving this. A year ago, he'd been deep in the Amazon for Christmas. He’d missed the caroling on Christmas Eve and the Sweetwater Creek community spirit.
Since his mother's arrival, she’d really gotten into the spirit of the town. Yesterday she’d spent most of the time in Victoria’s Pantry, chatting with the ladies. And she could hardly wait for tomorrow when they all drove over to Amblebury with the Christmas Wish gifts.
Was she still thinking that the town was “provincial,” as she’d put it when she arrived? He didn't care. When he looked over at Josie, she glanced up and smiled. Dressed in a red sweater with a little elf cap on her head, she looked so darn cuteand unassuming. Josie wasn’t a woman who would worry about looking proper. How long would it take Darcy to get dressed for the Christmas Eve buffet at the club? He’d dodged a bullet with that one.
Tonight he felt restless. Malcolm knew that soon he had to straighten things out with Josie. Maybe what he had to say would not be well received. His stomach knotted. In any case, he had to take that chance.
When the group sang “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” all eyes went to the nativity scene where the young couple knelt, waiting. The shepherd’s staff in Joseph’s hand was a nice touch. Whose baby would be added to the crib scene tomorrow? Josie had told him that last year, the manger was filled with a succession of babies. Of course the mothers hovered nearby, and the babies had not been newborn. That would be a little too realistic to be safe, or so Josie had said.
Under the edgy feeling pulsing through his veins, Malcolm also felt peace. If his mother hadn’t come, and if she hadn't taken up with the local ladies, he might still feel confused.
When the snow began to fall on the crowd, he couldn't believe it. What was this?
“Didn't you say it doesn’t snow here?” His mother stared up at the night sky.
“It doesn't.” He looked to Josie for confirmation, and she nodded. Swiping a hand over his cheek, he came away with something that looked like a soap flake.
“The mayor is trying something new this year. If you look behind the gazebo there's a huge blower spinning soap flakes into the air. Isn't it magical?” Holding out a hand, Josie smiled with the wonder of a child. That was one of the great things about her. Some of the white stuff had caught in her hair. He wanted to brush it from each soft curl. Instead he curled hisfingers into a fist. His mother had turned to talk to Carol, Josie's mom, as the Christmas song neared its end.
Now.His heart pounding, Malcolm knew it was time. “Josie, all I want for Christmas is you.”
The caroling had stopped. His voice sailed into the air, much louder than he’d intended. The band director stood poised in the gazebo, baton in hand. People turned to look at him. Blinking, Josie stared down at her caroling sheet. “Is that song on here? I don't see it.”
Taking the paper from her hand, Malcolm knew it was now or never. “Josie, I love you. I’ve probably loved you from the first time I saw you in that library.”
“Really?” Her lips tipping into a smile, she looked up at him. Was she thinking about that stupid boss and employee problem?
“And don't worry about my position or your position. We can work that out.”
But she wasn't saying anything. In fact no one was saying anything. Had he made a complete fool of himself? “Please,” he murmured. “Please tell me that you love me too.” Boy, if his mother was wrong, Malcolm didn't know where he’d go from here.
“You love me?” Josie’s face opened in sweet wonderment as if he’d pressed a special button. Malcolm saw the love in her eyes. There would be no closed door this time. No, there would be no denying this. From somewhere his mother had brought out a handkerchief. And she wasn't the only one wiping damp eyes in this crowd.
“All this time?” she asked, tears brimming and her nose turning pink.
“Yes, I'm afraid so. But you kept fixing me up with other people.”
“I know. And it killed me.”
“I thought for sure that when I came back, you'd be taken.”
“Taken? But I've been right here.”
This wasn't going as smoothly as he’d hoped. “I thought you would be married. Engaged.”
His mother leaned forward. “Spoken for.”
“Right. Spoken for.” Good grief, his mother really had to help him with this?
Josie was shaking her head and looked as if she might cry at any moment. And he just couldn't have that. Why didn't the band play another Christmas carol? Was everyone listening? His heart thudding in his chest, Malcolm came closer and took Josie in his arms. She might be his boss, but they could fix that. She didn't know the details of the app he’d developed that seemed wildly promising, not only for him but for the communities that it would help.
But she still wasn't saying anything. “Josie, this is the point where you tell me you love me too.” He could see her two friends behind her. Waiting. Had Emily given her a nudge?
