Page 63 of Not Another Christmas Movie

“I love him,” Bailey gushed, and Annie strained her neck, craning to get a better listen. “He needs to know as soon as possible.”

“Bailey, you’re doing the right thing,” Felix encouraged her. “You two will make a wonderful married couple.”

“Oh, Felix, I don’t know if he’s ready to propose,” Bailey stuttered, but her voice twinkled with delight and hope.

“It’s written all over his face every time you two are together,” Felix said.

“To be honest, I’ve worried he’s falling for Annie,” Bailey admitted, and Annie felt like she was being dunked in ice. “She’s so polished and cosmopolitan with her big fashion job in the big city, and I’m just a small-town girl,” Bailey said demurely.

“Bailey,” Felix said softly, holding her name in his mouth like it was a precious stone. “Annie is a wonderful woman,” he began, and Annie dug her nails into her palms. “For the record, you’re so much more than a small-town girl, and I’m happy to have it on proper authority that you are just what he wished for this Christmas.” Annie let out a small gasp. Nick wanted his Christmas movie heroine, and Bailey fit the role.

“Thank you, Felix. I appreciate your sage wisdom and support. Can I share one last secret with you?” Bailey asked him, Annie’s body becoming one with the door as she tried to listen. “If he doesn’t propose, I’m prepared to do it myself,” Bailey said, a newfound confidence taking hold. “I found a ring in some of my Great-Grandpa Wally Jones’s collection of antiques and knew he was looking down on me to lend his support.”

“I’m happy for you, Bailey,” Felix said, and she heard Bailey say something in return, but it was muffled. Annie assumed they had hugged and perhaps Bailey’s words had been lost to Felix’s jacket. “Hopefully you’ll save me a dance at the Annual Joyful Jovial Jingle Bell Ho-Ho-Hoedown of Yuletide Two-Stepping and Festive Fiddles Boogie Oogie Jig and Jangle?” Felix asked, and Annie put her ear directly to the door. What did he say?

“And if not there, then at the ball!” Bailey said, sounding like she was moving farther away and out of range of where Annie could eavesdrop.

“Dang it,” Annie muttered. She wasn’t ready for whatever event was happening next or for the impact of Bailey’s words to fully sink in. Bailey was in love. Bailey was about to declare her feelings. Bailey wanted a proposal.

Annie opened the backstage door, wondering if she could sneak out and regroup, but Eve intercepted her with a warm hug before she could attempt an exit.

“Annie!” Eve said, her voice twinkling. “I’m so glad I could run into you! What a wonderful performance. I must say, it was quite moving. And the costumes!” Eve dramatically rolled her eyes up like she was about to faint. “You are so talented!” Eve beamed.

“Oh, I barely did anything,” Annie muttered.

“Nonsense. American women are far too humble. I know your trademark high quality,” Eve said, squeezing Annie’s hand. “I’m heading back to the inn to pack and begin preparations for tonight’s event,” Eve said, suddenly serious. “It’s my last night here in your beautiful Simsbury, Connecticut. They estimate the storm will have passed by tomorrow, and we should be cleared to fly home.” Eve let out a wistful breath.

“How are you feeling about that?” Annie asked, and Eve caught Annie’s eye before lightly biting her lip in thought.

“I need to break off my engagement with Nigel,” Eve said softly.

“Oh, yeah, you go, girl,” Annie encouraged.

“And I will share my true Christmas wish with my forever love, Ferguson. Even if he doesn’t share my affections, I have to tell him tonight,” Eve said, her eyes full of emotion. Annie’s stomach twisted, thinking of Bailey’s similar plan, and a buzz filled her ears. She had no way of knowing how tonight would unfold, and it was making her nervous. For the first time since she had slipped into this version of Simsbury, she wished she had more time to make a concrete game plan. “Oh, Annie, you must come and get ready with me before the ball. Please say yes. I have the perfect dress for you!” Eve said, dangling her words like a treat for a puppy who was being asked to do a trick.

“Hard to say no to that,” Annie smiled.

“It’s settled then! Come over as soon as you can,” Eve said, giving Annie a quick goodbye hug. Annie took it in, grounding herself by closing her eyes and pretending it was the real Marsha holding her instead.

Entering the cafeteria space again, Annie audibly gulped. Everything had been transformed once more. The rows of chairs from the performance had been packed up and put away, and the walls were adorned with rodeo Christmas decorations.

“Welcome to the Annual Joyful Jovial Jingle Bell Ho-Ho-Hoedown of Yuletide Two-Stepping and Festive Fiddles Boogie Oogie Jig and Jangle!” Grant’s voice called out. Sometime between the curtain call and getting everyone out of their costumes, he had been fully mic’d and was now wearing yet another bedazzled cowboy hat. Next to him, Perry stood proudly in a matching outfit, encouraging the crowd to listen. Annie saw Nick approaching, and she gave him a desperate stare.

“Wait, wait, wait. What in the Christmas heck is this now?” Annie asked. “I thought it was time to get ready for the ball. How could there possibly be another event?” Annie asked and Nick looked sheepish. “Nick! How is there another thing?!” Annie nearly spat.

“Yeah, I didn’t think it was worth sharing the full schedule,” Nick admitted.

“So we have a hoedown? An actual hoedown? Why are we pretending we live in the South again? Can I please sit this out?” Annie begged.

“No!” A chorus of townsfolk called out in unison, and a group of active fiddle players aggressively played a rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

“No, absolutely not, I have to draw the line somewhere,” Annie hissed to Nick, her eyes wildly searching for the exit.

“Why not draw it at line dancing?” Nick joked. “It can’t be any worse than the dance card prank Esther plays in Meet Me in St. Louis.”

“How on earth are you encouraging this? A hoedown, Nick? A hoedown. Have some respect for yourself,” Annie said, crossing her arms across her chest in defiance.

“It’s my last dance in St. Louis, I feel like I’m going to cry,” Nick said, batting his eyelashes at Annie in his best Judy Garland voice.