“Oh, Dave.” Sniffling, Mira clutched her husband’s hand, then Mac’s. “Our baby.”
Nell’s prediction had been on target. When Kim stepped back in position, there were damp eyes in every row. They closed the concert with “Silent Night,” only voices, no piano. The way it was meant to be sung, Nell had told her students. The way it was written to be sung.
When the last note died and she turned to gesture to her chorus, the audience was already on its feet. The kick of it jolted through her as she turned her head, saw the slack jaws, wide eyes and foolish grins of her students.
Nell swallowed tears, waiting until the noise abated slightly before crossing to the mike again. She knew how to play it.
“They were terrific, weren’t they?”
As she’d hoped, that started the cheers and applause all over again. She waited it out.
“I’d like to thank you all for coming, for supporting the chorus. I owe a special thanks to the parents of the singers onstage tonight for their patience, their understanding, and their willingness to let me share their children for a few hours every day. Every student onstage has worked tremendously hard for tonight, and I’m delighted that you appreciate their talent, and their effort. I’d like to add that the poinsettias you see onstage were donated by Hill Florists and are for sale at three dollars a pot. Proceeds to go to the fund for new choir uniforms. Merry Christmas, and come back.”
Before she could step away from the mike, Kim and Brad were standing on either side of her.
“There’s just one more thing.” Brad cleared his throat until the rustling in the audience died down. “The chorus would like to present a token of appreciation to Miss Davis for all her work and encouragement. Ah …” Kim had written the speech out, but Brad had been designated to say it. He fumbled a little, grinned self-consciously at Kim. “This is Miss Davis’s first concert at Taylor High. Ah …” He just couldn’t remember all the nice words Kim had written, so he said what he felt. “She’s the best. Thanks, Miss Davis.”
“We hope you like it,” Kim murmured under the applause as she handed Nell a brightly wrapped box. “All the kids chipped in.”
“I’m …” She didn’t know what to say, was afraid to try. When she opened the box, she stared, misty-eyed, down at a pin shaped like a treble clef.
“We know you like jewelry,” Kim began. “So we thought—”
“It’s beautiful. It’s perfect.” Taking a steadying breath, she turned to the chorus. “Thanks. It means almost as much to me as you do. Merry Christmas.”
“She got a present,” Zack pointed out. They were waiting in the crowded corridor outside the auditorium to congratulate Kim. “That means we could get one tonight. We could get her.”
“Not if she goes home right after.” Zack had already worked this out. He was waiting for his moment. When he saw her, he pounced. “Miss Davis! Over here, Miss Davis!”
Mac didn’t move. Couldn’t. Something had happened while he sat three rows back, watching her on the stage. Seeing her smile, seeing tears in her eyes. Just seeing her.
He was in love with her. It was nothing he’d ever experienced. Nothing he knew how to handle. Running seemed the smartest solution, but he didn’t think he could move.
“Hi!” She crouched down for hugs, squeezing the boys tight, kissing each cheek. “Did you like the concert?”
“It was real good. Kim was the best.”
Nell leaned close to Zeke’s ear. “I think so, too, but it has to be a secret.”
“We’re good at keeping secrets.” He smiled smugly at his brother. “We’ve had one for weeks and weeks.”
“Can you come to our house now, Miss Davis?” Zack clung to her hand and put all his charm into his eyes. “Please? Come see our tree and the lights. We put lights everywhere so you can see them from all the way down on the road.”
“I’d like that.” Testing the water, she glanced up at Mac. “But your dad might be tired.”
He wasn’t tired, he was flattened. Her lashes were still damp, and the little pin the kids had given her glinted against her velvet jacket. “You’re welcome to come out, if you don’t mind the drive.”
“I’d like it. I’m still wired up.” She straightened, searching for some sign of welcome or rebuff in Mac’s face. “If you’re sure it isn’t a bad time.”
“No.” His tongue was thick, he realized. As if he’d been drinking. “I want to talk to you.”
“I’ll head out as soon as I’m finished here, then.” She winked at the boys and melted back into the crowd.
“She’s done wonders with those kids.” Mrs. Hollis nodded to Mac. “It’ll be a shame to lose her.”
“Lose her?” Mac glanced down at his boys, but they were already in a huddle, exchanging whispers. “What do you mean?”
“I heard from Mr. Perkins, who got it from Addie McVie at the high school office, that Nell Davis was offered her old position back at that New York school starting next fall. Nell and the principal had themselves a conference just this morning.” Mrs. Hollis babbled on as Mac stared blankly over her head. “Hate to think about her leaving us. Made a difference with these kids.” She spied one of her gossip buddies and elbowed her way through the crowd.
