Merry Christmas, Cowboy by Charlene Sands

Author:Charlene Sands
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9781952560538
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2021-10-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

All ages of children were to participate in the church choir performance and they’d been separated into groups; grade school, middle school, and high school. Nicole recognized several of her past students in the younger group, as they made their way up onto the steps in front of the altar. The entire church smelled of fresh flowers, every other row of pews decorated with red and white carnations. Two big poinsettia plants sat upon columned posts at the top of the steps, making a beautiful visual.

Nic sat with Julie and Miguel in the center row feeling guilty she hadn’t informed Cody and his uncle about this event. Her friends hadn’t questioned her about it, since she’d made her intentions clear, but still, she thought how much Cody would enjoy being here, experiencing yet another holiday event in Last Stand.

The program began as the younger children, all dressed in white tees and dark slacks, sang several songs. Their harmonizing needed a little work, but their eager adorable faces made up for that. And once they were through, pride shone in their eyes as all in attendance gave them a loud round of applause.

“They did so well,” Julie whispered to her. “Did you see Annabelle and Josh up there? I’m so proud of them.”

“I am too.” They were kids both she and Julie had taught in their class. Now they were third graders.

“I’m glad Cody got to see them too. Josh is his third-grade buddy.” They pair kindergarteners with third graders once a week, to help the younger ones in reading and math. It’s a great program for all of the students involved.

“Cody?”

Julie swiveled around and pointed to two rows back on the opposite side of the aisle.

“See, there’s Garrett and Cody.”

She turned and locked eyes with Garrett immediately. Darn, she didn’t want him to see her ogling him. But then he smiled and gave a little wave. She waved back, her heart beating fast. Garrett was rocking his Sunday best, a dark jacket and tie looking terribly handsome. Oh boy.

She whipped her head around quickly and clamped her hands together in her lap. “I see him.”

“Them, you see them,” Julie teased. “Or are you only looking at Garrett?” she whispered. “’Cause, I wouldn’t blame you.”

“Stop it,” she whispered forcefully. “I bet Paulette invited them.”

“Because you didn’t.”

“Can’t I have one night to myself?”

“Of course,” Julie said. “If that’s what you really want.”

She couldn’t forget seeing Garrett and the woman at Char-Pie the other day. They seemed totally at ease with each other, familiar, as if they were in on a secret that no one else knew about. She’d felt like an outsider, and wondered if Garrett was just another Johnny, playing her until something or someone better came along.

Which was ridiculous. Because she and Garrett were only pretending to be a couple for the pact. In reality, she had no right being jealous. Garrett Brown wasn’t an option and it was silly she had to keep reminding herself of that.

The middle schoolers took the stage in their raspberry-red choir gowns and white snow caps.

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