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She gestured toward the chapel doors. “You should go back in. It looks like Hannah’s about to sing.”
He heard the soft, melodic strumming of an acoustic guitar through the open door and soon Hannah’s pure, achingly beautiful voice began to sing.
Wes slipped back inside to find her seated on a chair at the front of the chapel, bathed in the warm glow of dozens of flickering LED candles.
The sight took his breath away. She looked almost ethereal, angelic, her emerald dress shimmering softly as she held her guitar.
He recognized the song immediately: “Christmas Lights,” by Coldplay. It was a song he hadn’t heard in years, one they had listened to often during their last Christmas together.
He had never truly listened to the words before. Not the way he was listening now. The lyrics about crying floods of tears, about chandeliers of hope, about loving someone forever, thrummed through him, hitting so hard he could barely breathe.
Hannah didn’t look at him, but her voice rang out pure and haunting, each note carrying years of unspoken pain and longing. He stood transfixed in the back of the chapel, wondering as other music continued how she could ever forgive him.
Finally the evening drew to a close. A combined choir of all the performers gathered for a stirring rendition of “Silent Night,” their voices blending in perfect harmony that seemed to fill every corner of the sacred space. Then the entire congregation rose for “Joy to the World,” the chapel alive with voices lifted in celebration.
When the final note faded, Hannah stepped forward again, her cheeks flushed with the success of the evening.
“Thank you all so very much for coming tonight. You have made this an amazing evening for everyone here. Please give our wonderful performers another round of applause.”
The chapel erupted in enthusiastic cheering and clapping. When the applause finally quieted, Hannah gestured for everyone to be seated.
“At this time, I’m thrilled to announce that we have doubled our donations from last year.”
Her voice rang with genuine excitement. “We will be able to match what we gave the food bank last year, and then double that amount again for our special project. A donation to help offset medical costs for a member of our community, who though she hasn’t been here long has already found her way into our hearts.”
She turned toward where Morgan sat with her father, her gesture gentle but unmistakable. The color drained from Morgan’s face, then returned in a rush as understanding dawned. She pressed both hands to her mouth, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Thank you,” she managed to say, her voice carrying across the hushed chapel. “Thank you all so much.”
In that moment, Wes knew with absolute certainty that he didn’t want to leave Shelter Springs. He wanted to be part of this caring, generous community. He wanted to fight for the woman he loved, instead of running when things got difficult.
He watched Hannah’s face glow with happiness as she looked out over the congregation.
He didn’t know how he was going to convince her that he wouldn’t hurt her again. But he knew, with every fiber of his being, that he had to try.
This time, he wouldn’t be the man who walked away.
Chapter 36
“Such a beautiful night, darling.” Paula Goodwin beamed at Hannah as attendees filed slowly out of the chapel.
“It was fabulous,” Holly said. “The best benefit concert yet.”
No one seemed in a hurry to leave behind the soft, peaceful magic of the evening, which made Hannah’s heart swell with contentment.
“I loved every bit of it, from the children’s choir to the bell choir to the individual performances,” her mother said. “Yours especially. Yes, I’m biased, but I have never heard your voice sound so lovely.”
Grateful for their unflinching support, Hannah hugged her mother before David called Paula and Holly over to greet some friends.
As Hannah gathered her things, Mabel Mulcahy, of all people, approached her. Though the other woman’s features looked as gruff and forbidding as usual, Hannah was startled to see her eyes appeared red.
“This concert has become the best part of the Christmas season,” she said in her usual terse way. She almost sounded accusatory.
“I’m . . . happy you enjoy it,” Hannah said. She didn’t know what else to say.
“Keep doing it,” Mabel said. “It’s important.”
She hurried away as if already regretting her words, leaving Hannah to gaze after her in shock. Would wonders never cease? That actually sounded like Mabel was almost complimenting her.
