A Green Valley Christmoose Disaster by Chant Zoe

Author:Chant, Zoe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-12-10T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

Linda sat in the bleachers of the gym, watching in astonishment as her grown children expertly helped wrangle the cast of the tiny, active people for the pageant. Shelley had her sewing machine set up to one side and was patiently pinning and hemming and folding for last minute costume adjustments. Shaun was at some points absolutely covered in the smallest of the laughing children as he walked around the gym roaring like a monster.

It was absolute chaos, with shrieking children’s voices echoing from the tall ceiling as they streaked around in happy anticipation.

The older kids, hanging decorations and putting out food, were all cheerful about their tasks, and the air was celebratory. Linda glanced again at her phone, wondering when it would be acceptable to text Turner. They had exchanged numbers, but she kept reminding herself that she was an independent, self-sufficient woman, not some kind of needy, clingy adolescent. They’d made a plan to connect here, at the show. And after that?

He was Santa Claus.

And he had every present she wanted in his red bag.

“Linda?”

Tawny climbed up into the bleachers and took a ginger seat next to her. “I wanted to apologize. I think everyone thought that someone else had told you about me and Damien and I’m sorry if it was an unpleasant surprise.” She was twisting her wedding ring nervously, but held Linda’s gaze bravely.

Linda stared back at her in astonishment. It would have been much easier for Tawny to say nothing, to continue to treat Linda as if she were a stranger. But that wasn’t how Green Valley was. Green Valley was honest—except for the secret shifters!—and valued kindness. Was it only because the town was too small to avoid each other?

“I’m really glad to meet you,” Linda said warmly. “Damien seems happy and I’m nothing but delighted for him. And for you!”

Tawny’s face split into a relieved smile so genuine that Linda could not doubt her sincerity. “I think you’ll fit in here just fine,” she said confidently, as if Linda had just passed some kind of community vetting. “I run a book club on Wednesdays. You should join us! We’re reading Twilight this week.”

“Twilight, the vampire book?” Linda said dubiously.

“It was Damien’s idea. We’ve all enjoyed it quite a lot. Not that there isn’t a lot to be critical of, but everyone needs a guilty pleasure and broody sparkly vampire hunks.”

Linda had to laugh. “I would love to attend that book club,” she confessed. “I tried a book group in Milwaukee that I could not stand.”

“Did they pass out an agenda?” Tawny wanted to know. “I think I know the one, or one like it.”

“Tawny! Tawny! Can you play the accompaniment for the chorus practice?” Andrea stood at the bottom of the bleachers looking shorter than ever.

Tawny waved her agreement and stood.

Linda followed her down the bleachers, hoping to find some way to be helpful. She was used to being in charge of events like this, not idle in the sidelines, but everyone here already had something to do.

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