The video message came to life.
Ben’s image smiled at her. “Hi there! Okay, so the dance is two weeks away and... well, I can’t wait to see you. I have a feeling this is going to be the best Christmas of my life. Maybe it’ll be the best Christmas of your life, too. Oh, and did I mentionI’m a good dancer? Because I am. I really am.” He laughed. “Anyway, let’s talk later.”
At the end of the video, Ben’s image froze. Vanessa stared at him. “Wherever you are tonight, Ben, I hope you know how much I cared.”
She sighed and got ready for the dance. As she left thehouse she looked down at her hands. She had no Christmas ring, no wedding ring, and no corsage. But she was going to have a good night anyway. A hundred families were about to get the help they needed this Christmas.
And at the end of the day, that was what tonight was about.
Chapter 18
The police officers keeping an eye on Interstate 85 south that night must’ve caught a glimpse of Ben and known he needed a pass. A Christmas gift, maybe. Because he took the whole trip ten miles over the speed limit. He would’ve gone faster if it would’ve been safe.
He wore a dark suit and tie and a white dress shirt, and again he stopped at the florist when he got into town. They were just closing. The woman working behind the counter grinned at him. “You’re Vanessa Mayfield’s friend, right?”
Ben paid for his purchase. “I hope so!”
And with that he hurried out. He pulled into the Veterans’ Hall five minutes after the evening’s program was set to begin. A few stragglers were making their way from their cars to the entrance. Ben jogged past them all and ran into the hall.
The lights were dim and Christmas filled the room. He waited for his eyes to adjust. Every table was full of people in their celebratory best, but where was Vanessa?
Then he saw her. She was taking the stage, walking to the center with a microphone. She looked like a vision, andBen had a thought he couldn’t deny. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
If only she could forgive him.
“Welcome to the Fourth Annual Columbus Cares Military Dance.” Vanessa wore a long deep red dress. The sight of her left Ben in something of a trance.
Between bursts of applause, she welcomed the attendees, thanked her volunteers, and moved straight to the families being sponsored. “Columbus Cares was a dream of mine, and tonight you have made that dream come true. Thank you.”
Ben watched her check her clipboard. “Our goal tonight was to see a hundred families sponsored. Besides the basket of generously donated gifts and gift cards, each family will receive a hundred dollars. The cost of sponsorship. Right now, we need just five more sponsors to make sure we take care of every military family’s needs.”
With that, a few hands shot up. As people volunteered, Vanessa kept track. Ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine. “We’re just one short now.” Vanessa looked around the room.
Ben couldn’t hold back. He stepped forward into the light near the stage and looked straight at Vanessa. “One hundred.” He held up his hand.
The room erupted into applause, but Vanessa clearly had to work to hide her shock. She thanked everyone and told them that the food tables were open. The dancing could begin.
Vanessa took the stairs on the side of the stage and came straight to him. The hurt in her eyes was enough to makeBen physically sick. She kept more distance than usual. “Thank you. For your support.”
“Listen.” Ben thought about moving closer to her, but he changed his mind. She deserved an explanation. “Vanessa, I’m sorry. I never should’ve left like that.”
“I called you.” She still had walls up. He’d never seen her like this.
“I know. I can tell you everything.” He glanced back at the door. “Come with me. Please.”
He led her to a table near the door where he took the white corsage from its box and slid it onto her wrist. He didn’t have to tell her how he felt about corsages. Her eyes told him she already knew. And she appreciated the gesture. But that didn’t mean things were okay. Not yet.
Ben motioned for the exit. “Let’s talk outside, okay?”
He had no idea how the next ten minutes were going to go, but he was encouraged by this much at least. She was wearing his corsage. And she was following him.
As soon as they left the building, Vanessa stopped short and looked up. It was snowing! Something that happened in Columbus only a handful of times since Vanessa was a little girl. The light dusting fell like something in a snow globe.
She laughed and held out her hands. “I can’t believe this.”
“Right on cue.” Ben was trying. She would give him that much.
He led her around the corner to a quiet garden. A gazebostood nearby, but they didn’t make it that far. “The other night. Vanessa, it was all my fault, but I had to leave.”
