Mail Order Mommy by Christine Johnson

Author:Christine Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“No.” Garrett must have told Pearl that a dozen times.

She didn’t listen.

He was not going to narrate the nativity play. Garrett did not speak in public. Bad enough he had to stand up with his brother at the wedding the day after Christmas. That at least did not involve speaking. This? There was no way.

“You’ll be perfect.” She practically danced in front of him. “Your voice is deep and carries well.”

“I can help narrate,” Fiona offered.

Great. Just what he needed. Not only would he have to humiliate himself in front of a churchful of people, but Fiona, a stage actress, would show him up at the same time.

“No,” he said again.

Pearl seemed not to hear him. “Just Garrett. His baritone will ring out, like the teachers of old.” She beamed at him. “You will be perfect, and you simply have to read from the Bible. Amanda said you read aloud every evening. Think of all the hearts you could touch with God’s word. Perhaps He’s calling you to do this.”

If that was true, then why was his throat as narrow as a pencil? He glanced at Amanda. All the color had drained from her face, as if she feared his answer. But which one? Was she hoping he would do it or afraid he would agree? As far as he knew, she didn’t have a role in the play beyond making costumes and animals. And helping Pearl rehearse the little actors. Her investment was completely in the children. His children, especially, who could be disappointed to learn they wouldn’t have speaking roles.

“I thought Isaac and Sadie were playing Joseph and Mary.”

“They are,” Pearl assured him, “but without sufficient time to memorize lines, it would be a lot easier on all the children if they could simply concentrate on where they have to be and not worry about remembering lines.”

Amanda added softly, “Your presence would give Isaac and Sadie confidence. They’re a bit intimidated by having to speak. This would help them so much.”

“Plus you could rehearse together each evening,” Pearl said. “Amanda, give Garrett the pages for Isaac and Sadie. It describes where they are supposed to be during each part of the play. You can read the passage directly from Luke’s gospel.”

She then jotted down exactly which verses to read. “Thank you, so much. It will make our only remaining rehearsal go much more smoothly.”

Garrett had been cut down right where he stood. He could no more refuse Pearl than if a preacher had asked him.

Fiona leaned close and looked over his shoulder. “I would be glad to help you rehearse. I do have some experience with stage productions.”

Garrett stiffened. “No, thank you.”

“You’ll do it, then?” Pearl asked.

At least she sought confirmation, but Garrett didn’t have much choice. If he refused, Fiona would swoop in. Sadie, in particular, seemed to fear the bold redhead. He couldn’t let his children down.

“All right.”

Pearl beamed, but it was Amanda’s shy smile that warmed his heart. He would do this for his children.

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