Backstage Romance: An Austen-Inspired Romantic Comedy Box Set by Gigi Blume (ebook reader with highlighter txt) 📕

I clung tight onto Reeses just in case. His furry little ears perked to attention at the sight of all the other animals.

“Do you want to play with the camels, Reeses?” He responded to my question by licking my face.

Finally we reached a choir of angels singing Gloria In Excelsis Deo to a group of shepherds. Of course there were real sheep. Why not?

That’s when Lois whipped out her camera, clicking away at a particular shepherd who exposed his toothless grin at his Grandma every time the flash went off. Georgia and I stayed behind with her as those in line behind us passed to the next station.

“That must be the incredible A.J. we’ve heard so much about,” said Georgia as she waved at the boy. He waved back with unbridled enthusiasm. All the other shepherds were frozen in their poses. Not A.J.

“Hi Grandma! Hi.” More energetic waves. “Hiiiiiiii.”

He was quite a bouncy little kid.

Lois got out of line to give him hugs and passed him some candy canes.

We continued on. I was surprised the heat lamps worked so well. I didn’t feel the cold. And then we came upon the main tableau.

They spared no detail with the crèche scene. It was as picturesque as a Michelangelo painting. A wooden structure to resemble a stable stood prominently on a raised stage, which was covered in hay to resemble a tiny hill. Shepherds and barn animals surrounded the Holy Family. Everyone posed perfectly still.

That didn’t seem to sit right with Reeses who wiggled out of my arms and bolted to warn the other animals that their humans were comatose or maybe taxidermic. He leaped onto the scene, barking, issuing his battle call.

Beware fellow four-footed friends. It’s PEOPLE!

He spooked the sheep and the horses. Grown men dressed as shepherds tried to calm the animals by double-downing on their tethers.

“Reeses, get back here.” I chased him into the nativity scene, stepping over the empty manger to catch him. I don’t know what got into him. He was usually better behaved than me.

He yelped at me as if to say Run! Save yourself while you can. They’re stuffing humans.

So I dove for it. The sheep bleated. The horse neighed. The humans gasped.

But I got him, squirmy little bugger.

“What’s got into you, peanut butter cup?”

That’s when I noticed my foot was tangled in Mary’s robes. My shoe had somehow gotten caught on the hem, dragging the fabric with me as I flew through to catch my dog. There was a mile of fabric and I was stepping on a piece of it. The rest of the skirt rode up to her waist, exposing her long johns and almost covering the baby in her arms. He was fast asleep, not bothered by any of it thank goodness.

“Sorry ma’am.” I righted her skirt, fluffing it up into a giant, pillowy meringue.

Joseph scowled at me.

I scooped up Reeses and returned to Georgia. She covered her face, likely embarrassed to be seen with me, but Lois laughed like it was the best thing she’d seen all year.

“That is Suzy McCormick,” she said, doubling over. “And now you’ve been aquatinted.”

“Lucky me.” I sent Reeses back into his bag. “You’re in trouble, mister.”

Lois was watching Suzy, shaking her head. “She insisted on making her own costume.”

“Well, that’s pretty crafty of her,” said Georgia. “I can’t sew to save my life.”

Suzy was the only one who didn’t quite look like she stepped out of a painting. Her platinum blond hair was styled in crinkly waves, feathering out of a loosely placed blue satin veil. It was the shiniest type of satin, reflecting the white twinkle lights with a bright shine. She wore enough mascara to ward off ninjas and her lips were painted a fire engine red.

Lois went on. “And her husband! Poor fella. Just look at how tired he is.”

“Which one is he?” I asked. “Let me guess. Joseph?” The scowly one.

“Yup.“ She lowered her voice for dramatic effect. “Nine kids. Baby Jesus makes ten.”

“Yikes.” Georgia winced.

I laughed. “And I thought I came from a big family.”

“How about you two?” asked Lois, wagging her brows at us. “Any children?”

“Us?” Georgia exclaimed, half laughing. “No.”

“Why not?”

Hmmm, maybe because we’d known each other for less than forty-eight hours? Strangely enough, it didn’t feel like that. It was almost as though Georgia had always been in my life, tucked away in that dormant part of my heart. And now here she was, smiling and laughing. Being radiant.

Georgia turned her gaze to me. There was softness in her eyes communicating a deep thought. My chest filled with warmth as we stood there, eyes fixed on each other. Georgia’s lovely lips parted. She wanted to say something. Maybe answer Lois’ question. But Lois had moved along down the line without us noticing.

How long were we staring at each other like that?

“Shall we?” I asked, offering Georgia my hand.

“We shall.” She laced her fingers through mine, lazily strolling with me. Even through our gloves my skin burned from her touch. Electricity shot up my arm, jolting my heart to a gallop. Perhaps she felt my reaction because she squeezed my hand tighter, inclining her body closer as we walked.

We followed the crowd around the corner of the great barn where everyone gathered to listen to the combined adult and children’s choirs. They had just started the most beautiful rendition of O Holy Night. Harmonies soared to our ears accompanied by pre-recorded orchestrations. The sound was full and powerful—how I imagined a true choir of angles would sound. I couldn’t imagine the moment could be more perfect but then it began to snow and the heavenly experience was complete. Soft, white flakes descended upon us, dancing with a feathery glow as they reflected the Christmas lights. Georgia’s features gleamed. She smiled, watching the choir perform while snowflakes landed on her hair to form a halo. I’d never seen anything so angelic in my life. And all I wanted to do in that moment was to absorb her in