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

A brisk gust of wind swept over us and she shuddered.

“Do you want to go inside?” I asked.

She nodded, letting go of my hand to pull her coat tighter around her neck. I guided her through the door with a hand at the small of her back. She shuddered again. I hoped that time it wasn’t from the cold.

Inside, several people gathered around the refreshment table. Children walked away carrying plates piled high with cookies and cakes. It was like a competition amongst themselves.

The child among us with the largest dessert mountain wins a tummy ache. Hazzah!

We stood back, waiting for the sugar mob to disperse. Most everyone had come inside now. I noticed Teresa laughing with a couple of the beige skirt ladies. They were chatting and smiling, full of Christmas cheer. This town had a way of bringing that out in a person.

“Should we get in line for some sweets?”

Georgia shook her head in response. “I want to, but I fear for my life.”

“Are you sure? It might be our last meal for a long time. We could stuff our pockets with Lois’ fudge and make a run for it.”

“Don’t forget the banana bread.” She giggled, turning a few heads. She was magnetic like that.

Teresa noticed us from across the room and waved. We waved back. That’s how it goes when you know exactly two people in town. Three, if we’re counting the gravy lady.

She hugged her friends in parting and came over to talk to us. There was a lot of hugging going on in this town.

“What did you think of the nativity?” Teresa asked.

“Absolutely gorgeous,” said Georgia. “It was the coolest thing ever.”

Teresa beamed. “Ever? Wow, that’s quite the endorsement.”

She thanked us again for helping in the kitchen, inviting us to an after-hours party of sorts.

“It’s just some friends getting together at the Light Hope Cafe. Hot apple cider is on the house.”

She explained how the old cafe was going under when Hope Church took over and saved the business, changing the name. They served sandwiches and coffee but drew in a good crowd of folks after dark for the open mic night every Wednesday.

“It’s a good way to witness to those in town who want to go somewhere at night besides the bar,” she explained. “But tonight it’s a private event for all our volunteers.”

I exchanged a look with Georgia. I was silently saying Christmas miracles all around. She was probably thinking Why not? We have no other options.

Both were true. But I had faith it would all work out.

“We’d love to go,” said Georgia.

“Perfect. I just need to help my husband clean up and I’ll see you there.”

“You need some help?” I asked.

“Oh, how nice. I could ask him.” She scanned the room, looking for her husband I supposed. “There he is, talking with the Sisters. I’ll give him a minute.”

She pointed to the sweet ladies she was talking to earlier. They were in an animated conversation with Pastor Kevin.

Georgia raised her brows. “I didn’t know you’re the pastor’s wife. He’s a really good speaker.”

I wondered how Georgia could know what kind of speaker the pastor was with Lois chatting in her ear the whole time. But I had to agree the man had a strong stage presence. Tall and confident. Plus, he seemed like a straight up guy.

“Who are those women?” I couldn’t resist asking. “Did you say they’re his sisters?”

They didn’t look like they could be his sisters. One was olive-skinned with dark hair and the other was much older while Kevin was a forty-something guys who looked like he stepped right off the Scottish Highlands.

“Not his sisters,” Teresa explained. “They’re the Sisters from the Sacred Heart Convent. They run a charity house about ten miles from here.”

Nuns. Boy was I way off.

Georgia giggled. “Wyatt thought they were candy shop employees.”

“It was a good guess,” I cried defensively. “Nuns make chocolate, don’t they?”

“You’re thinking about wine,” Georgia said.

“Oh yeah.”

“So that’s Sister Edna with the salt and pepper hair.” Teresa nodded in their direction. “And the younger one is Sister Patty. The other Sisters are scattered about. They’re the ones who donated all that turkey. They make a trip once a week to bring food for the poor.”

Georgia‘s eyes glistened. “That’s so wonderful. I think it’s awesome how you all work together for the community. I’m not used to seeing that kind of generosity in the world.”

The few last words got caught in her throat. She was deeply touched. Whether it was the people, the soup kitchen, the living nativity, or just exhaustion, I couldn’t tell. But something lit up Georgia’s expression and she had that squishy, doughy look about her—like she was ready to turn into a puddle.

Teresa wrapped her hands around Georgia’s shoulders and looked into her eyes with a soft smile. “You could if you look hard enough, sweetheart. There’s kindness everywhere.”

Oh no. I sensed a cry fest coming on.

Watch out gentlemen, the feels have been set free.

Aaaand then of course...they hugged.

“You two go on,” said Teresa dabbing her eye. “We’ve got the teenagers to help clean up. They need service hours to graduate high school.”

We set out for the long walk back into town but before we left we raided the dessert table and wrapped plenty of fudge and banana bread in napkins.

We hadn’t made it far down the road before Georgia burst into peels of laughter.

“What? What’s so funny?”

“You. And Reeses in that manger.”

“That was kinda funny, wasn’t it?”

She took my arm, pressing into me as we walked along. “There’s never a dull moment with you, Charlie Brown.”

Good grief.

16

Wyatt

The return trip into town wasn’t exactly a romantic stroll. The road seemed to stretch on like in those nightmares where your destination gets farther and farther away the more you walk.

The crisp evening chill had turned to a harsh, biting cold. I just about lost feeling in my feet and Reeses’ bag was getting heavier by the second. I knew