Page 21 of The Best Christmas Choir Ever

And maybe he would never understand what happened between them. Maybe he’d never understand why the people he cared about never stuck around. But even if no one ever chose him, he could still choose to make the residents’ lives better. And wasn’t a little hurt and heartache worth that?

Charlie finished the song, the last notes lingering in the echo of the room. They were quickly eclipsed by rousing applause and jaunty whistles. Julian raised his hands, clapping until his palms ached.

Charlie ducked her head demurely, tucking her blond hair behind her ears. It was practiced nonchalance. Somehow, she avoided acknowledging her own talent. Her own greatness. And she did it well. Because there was no way she didn’t know how truly wonderful she was.

“You’re going to need a bigger room if this keeps up,” Doris said, leaning in close enough for him to hear over the clapping. “Maybe an entire auditorium.”

Julian grinned at the image that conjured. “I sure hope so.”

Charlie thanked the group for listening and wished them all a great rest of their day. Before the crowd could disperse, Julian inched his way to the front of the room.

“Can I get everyone’s attention, please?” he called. The murmurs quieted as the residents turned to face him. “I’d like to thank everyone for attending today, and Charlie for being such a wonderful volunteer.” Her eyes cut toward him, suspicion written into her features, but Julian plowed on before he lost his nerve. “We are beyond grateful to have someone of her talent among us. And I know I keep saying that I’m going to find a way to keep the music program going…”

Charlie’s brows arched with interest. “Did you find a permanent solution?”

“I…definitely have an idea,” Julian offered. “The Twentieth Annual Christmas Choir Competition. This year there’s a prize being awarded by the Elm Springs Arts Council to an amateur choir to support musical development. A twenty thousand dollar prize.”

“Oh my,” Maggie said, giggling as she laid a hand against her chest. “Imagine winning that.”

The murmurs in the room picked up again. Julian looked at Charlie, gauging her reaction. At first there was nothing, and then his hidden request seemed to dawn on her, and she shook her head hard, her cheeks flooding with color that reminded him of sunset. “No. Absolutely not.”

Julian folded his hands together, pressing his fingers to his lips, trying to hide the smile that threatened to overtake his face as Charlie glared at him. He failed. Grinning, he addressed the room again. “I think Glendale should give it a shot. So what we need to do is put together a choir. And we could really use an experienced music volunteer to help with that.”

He could practically hear Charlie’s teeth grinding together. “I know what you’re trying to do, and the answer is still no,” she muttered under her breath.

“You wouldn’t run off on Doris so soon?” he whispered, using the best card he could. Charlie had no reason to do it for him, but for her grandmother—that was a different story. She’d always been so devoted to Doris. Julian could understand that love. He could use that love. “She only just moved in. Don’t you want to make sure she’s comfortable?”

A muscle in Charlie’s cheek twitched. “That’s not going to work.”

“I know you want her to settle in and feel connected here. You know what could be a really great bonding experience for her? A choir.”

“Julian—”

“I’m just saying… Feels like a really great opportunity. I would hate for Doris to miss out.”

Charlie crossed her arms, her shoulders hunched up by her ears. He was a spider weaving his web, and he knew she was almost caught. Almost his.

Glendale’s, he corrected himself.

“Do you really think we could be a choir?” Maggie asked, looking astonished at the idea. “That we have the talent?”

“Of course,” Harriet cut in. “How hard could it be? We just slap a group of people together and sing.”

“Sure, Julian,” Charlie said, tilting her head, regarding him through narrowed eyes. “How hard could it be?”

“I mean,” he said with a laugh, “according to Harriet, not very.”

“What do you even know about putting together a choir?” Charlie demanded.

“I’ve got the basics down,” Julian said, lying through his teeth. “I know you need people. We’ve got people.”

Charlie scowled at him.

“And!” he said. “You need music.” He walked toward the piano and hit the keys. “Do. That’s Do, right? Rei. Mi. Fa. So. La… La… La…” He frowned, hitting the key repeatedly. “That doesn’t sound very La-ish.”

“The piano is out of tune,” Charlie said, uncrossing her arms to put her hands on her hips. Those perfectly curvy hips. “Thanks for noticing.”

Julian licked his lips, getting back to the music, plucking another discordant note. “Okay, so that’s a hurdle we’ll have to overcome.” He gestured to the residents. “But we like a challenge, don’t we? We rise to a challenge. Perseverance is our middle name.”