She caught herself staring out of the window too often, wishing for snow like a child hoping for a school holiday.
It felt wonderful. Wonderful to anticipate the winter, to remember the fall. She often thought about Halloween night, and all the children who had come knocking on her door dressed as pirates and princesses. She remembered the way Zeke and Zack had giggled when she pretended not to recognize them in the elaborate astronaut costumes Mac had fashioned for them.
She found herself reminiscing about the bluegrass concert Mac had taken her to. Or the fun they’d had when she ran into him and the boys at the mall just last week, all of them on a mission to complete their Christmas lists early.
Now, strolling past the house Mac was remodeling, she thought of him again. It had been so sweet, the way he’d struggled over choosing just the right outfit for Kim’s present. No thoughtless gifts from Macauley Taylor for those he cared about. It had to be the right color, the right style.
She’d come to believe everything about him was right.
She passed the house, drawing in the chilly air of evening, her mood buoyant. That afternoon she’d been proud to announce that two of her students would participate in all-state chorus.
She had made a difference, Nell thought, shutting her eyes on the pleasure of it. Not just the prestige, certainly not simply the delight of having the principal congratulate her. The difference, the important one, had been the look on her students’ faces. The pride, not just on Kim’s face and that of the tenor who would go to all-state with her. But on the faces of the entire chorus. They all shared in the triumph, because over the past few weeks they had become a team.
Her team. Her kids.
“It’s cold for walking.”
Nell jolted, tensed, then laughed at herself when she saw Mac step away from the shadow of a tree in his sister’s yard. “Lord, you gave me a start. I nearly went into my repel-the-mugger stance.”
“Taylor’s Grove’s a little sparse when it comes to muggers. Are you going to see Mira?”
“No, actually, I was just out walking. Too much energy to stay in.” The smile lit her face. “You’ve heard the good news?”
“Congratulations.”
“It’s not me—”
“Yeah, it is. A lot of it.” It was the only way he knew to tell her how proud he was of what she’d done. He glanced back toward the house, where lights gleamed. “Mira and Kim are in there crying.”
“Crying? But—”
“Not that kind of crying.” Female tears always embarrassed him. He shrugged. “You know, the other kind.”
“Oh.” In response, Nell felt her own eyes sting. “That’s nice.”
“Dave’s going around with a big fat grin on his face. He was talking to his parents when I ducked out. Mira’s already called ours, as well as every other friend and relative in the country.”
“Well, it’s a big deal.”
“I know it is.” His teeth flashed. “I’ve made a few calls myself. You must be feeling pretty pleased with yourself.”
“You bet I am. Seeing the kids today when I made the announcement … well, it was the best. And it’s a hell of a kickoff for our fund-raiser.” She shivered as the wind shuddered through the trees.
“You’re getting cold. I’ll drive you home.”
“That’d be nice. I keep waiting for snow.”
In the way of every countryman since Adam, he sniffed the air, checked out the sky. “You won’t have to wait much longer.” He opened the truck door for her. “The kids have already gotten their sleds out.”
“I might buy one for myself.” She settled back, relaxed. “Where are the boys?”
“There’s a sleepover at one of their friends’.” He gestured toward the house across the street from Mira’s. “I just dropped them off.”
“They must be thinking a lot about Christmas now, with snow in the air.”
“It’s funny. Usually right after Halloween they start barraging me with lists and pictures of toys from catalogs, stuff they see on TV.” He turned the truck and headed for the square. “This year they told me Santa’s taking care of it. I know they want bikes.” His brow creased. “That’s all I’ve heard. They’ve been whispering together about something else, but they clam up when I come around.”
“That’s Christmas,” Nell said easily. “It’s the best time for whispers and secrets. What about you?” She turned to smile at him. “What do you want for Christmas?”
