Page 45 of His Christmas Love Song

“I’m weirdly nervous,” Hank admits.

“Everything is running like clockwork. They’re professionals. Just let them do their thing and you enjoy the show.”

“Thanks, sis.” They’re at the side entrance when Hank hears the strains of one of Ryan’s songs start up and the crowd goes wild. When he and Emma get inside and head for their reserved seats, he can see how packed it is with people seated in the front and standing in the back. Some backup musician friends of Ryan and Jesse’s are already on stage. Then Cameron takes the stage, settling behind the refurbished grand piano, and there’s a fresh round of cheers. Cameron finds Hank in the crowd and winks. Hank shouldn’t be flustered like a teenager with his first crush, but somehow he’s blushing beneath his beard anyway.

Then Jesse and Ryan bound onto the stage, waving to the crowd that greets them like they’re the Beatles or something. It’s wild. Hank’s cheeks already ache from smiling so hard and they haven’t even played a single song yet.

But that deficiency is remedied right away as they launch into one of their big hits. The crowd is instantly into it, and even Emma starts singing along with the chorus. Hank glances at her.

“What? I like this song,” she says.

He shrugs and takes it all in, the effortless chemistry between Jesse and Ryan on stage, the way they have command of their instruments, the intimacy of their voices in the relatively small space. Jesse, for sure, seems to love the energy coming off the crowd and seems more willing to look out and interact with the audience, while Ryan seems more focused on his guitar. When he’s not focused on Jesse, that is. They can’t seem to keep their eyes off each other for more than thirty seconds at a time, constantly tracking the other, tuned in to each other, literally.

Hank enjoys watching Cameron, too. He hasn’t had many chances to see him perform for a crowd, and it’s clear he’s a pro from the way he can manage to play, sing, and interact with the other band members all at once. Hank never understood the whole “musicians are hot” thing fully until right this very moment. He wants to drag Cameron off that stage and take him to bed, damn the rest of the concert.

But he’s got more self-control than that.

They finish a song, and Ryan takes over the center mic. He waits for the screams and applause to die down, then says, “We’re here tonight to raise money for a really worthy cause, the Columbia Health Clinic. Every penny we make is going to expand access to healthcare for the good people of this part of Vermont and we’re so grateful to everyone for showing up tonight to be a part of that. Access to healthcare is something Jesse and I care a lot about, so we’re also donating the proceeds from our next album to that effort. It’s called Another Corny Christmas Album, it’s coming your way later this year, and we’re working on it right now. It’s been Christmas every day for us lately, hasn’t it, Jess?”

Jesse steps up to the mic. “That’s right, Ryan. We’ve been very much in the spirit of giving, especially since reconnecting with our old friend and Peace Corps buddy, Dr. Hank Moore. Give it up for Hank, everybody!”

Suddenly, a spotlight swivels to light him up. Hank feels very exposed, while the entire crowd hollers at Jesse’s urging. He kind of wants to hide behind Emma, but instead he waves and the crowd cheers again.

“Hank’s not only the best doctor in Vermont, he’s also an owner of Pine Tree Lodge. He grew up here, and he and his sister still run it. It’s a special place, and it holds a special place in my and Ryan’s hearts,” Jesse goes on. “Hank was there when I first met Ryan, and he helped us through some tough times more recently. He’s the best guy I know, a true friend, and an inspiration to me and Ryan to try to be the best versions of ourselves every day. So thanks, Hank. We love you.” Jesse looks right at him and smiles.

Jesse goes blurry as Hank blinks away tears. He nods. Jesse and Ryan know he loves them, too.

“So in the spirit of love, friendship, and all that good stuff, we thought we might play a new song for you. Wanna hear it?”

The crowd goes absolutely bananas, and Jesse chuckles into the mic. “That’s what I thought. Ryan, you wanna say a little something about this song?”

Ryan clears his throat. “Yeah. I wrote this song when I was trying to tell a certain tall drink of water how I felt about him.” The audience coos. “It didn’t exactly have the effect I intended right away. But eventually, he got the message.” There’s a swell of laughter and Jesse grins self-deprecatingly. “But I kept working on the song, and it’ll be on our Christmas album, even though it’s not very Christmassy. But it is universal. So I hope you like it. It’s called ‘An Old-Fashioned Love Song.’ Thanks for the title, Hank.” Ryan winks at him.

Hank’s heart couldn’t be fuller.

The song starts with a traditional country twang, and Ryan starts singing, his voice unfurling like cedar smoke. A hush seems to fall on the crowd as they listen. Even Jesse, who’s playing guitar, is completely transfixed by Ryan, whose eyes are closed as he sings into the mic.

I wanna be more than friends.

My heart’s on the line.

I could be yours

and you could be mine.

My love’s not a gift.

Not a spell or a curse.

It’s just how I feel

for better or worse.

You’re everything to me.

But that’s all it has to be.

Could I be everything to you?