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The Madrigals were wrapping up their rousing rendition of Santa Claus is Coming to Town, directed by Gabe Dennison, one of our local police detectives. Gabe, indeed, has the voice of an angel, so when budget cuts put the Madrigal’s program on the chopping block, Gabe stepped up to direct it as an extracurricular. We’re always glad he did because they provide the music for all our holiday events. I happened to know his wife, Heather, was at the booth signing people up for the third annual cookie walk they hold here at the park on Christmas Eve. Speaking of, Lance and I still had to decide on the Michelle Garland cookie for this year! Our attempt the other night had been laughable, which is what we did more of than baking.
“Hey, Gumdrop,” he said, grabbing my waist and making me jump.
“Lance, you scared me,” I said, swatting him playfully. “You shouldn’t sneak up on someone like that.”
“My apologies, but I thought you heard me coming. I wasn’t exactly quiet. What had you lost in thought?”
“I wish we had time for that lengthy conversation, but the Madrigals just finished. “I’m on in less than five minutes.” I blew out a nervous breath and shook out my shoulders.
“You’ve got this. Just remember what we talked about. Look at the spotlight and it will be impossible to see all the people out there hanging on your every word.”
I swatted him again and bit back a giggle just as the crowd roared with whistling and clapping when Mayor Tottle took the stage. “That’s my cue.”
I had hold of his hand and I wasn’t letting go. I dragged him up the stairs and stood in the shadows while Mayor Tottle briefed the town. I honestly didn’t hear a thing he said. I couldn’t stop thinking about how good it felt to be standing next to Lance with his hand in mine and his shoulder pressing into me for support.
There had been a visual change in him since the kiss in his front yard earlier. It was as though he’d decided to stay hot rather than vacillate. I hoped that was the case, anyway. He was grieving, and I understood that aspect of it, but it was hard to put effort into a relationship you weren’t sure was even there. Tonight, I truly felt like it was there.
“Before I turn the podium over to our guest to flip the switch, I'd like to introduce you all to the newest member of the Bells Pass Community,” Mayor Tottle said.
I noticed a man roll up to the mayor in a sleek black and gold wheelchair. Walking beside him was a giant German Shepard who sat the moment the man locked the brakes on his chair.
“Everyone, this is Irving Wallace and he's the new director for the Bells Pass Community Housing Program. He will be working closely with the counsel to make sure the new housing meets all guidelines required by the state, as well as working closely with applicants to find them sustainable housing. Let’s welcome him to Bells Pass.”
The crowd went wild, clapping and hooting as the mayor handed Irving a microphone. Once the crowd settled the mayor spoke. “Irving, I know you’ll do a better job of it, so please, tell everyone a little bit about yourself.”
“Hello, fellow Bells Passers,” Irving said, much to the pleasure of the townspeople who started clapping and hooting again. Once they settled, he continued. “Thank you for the warm welcome. I just got in this afternoon, but I was pleased to make it in time for the tree lighting! As the mayor said, I'm Irving Wallace and I grew up near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I know everyone will be curious about my wheelchair, so rather than make anyone feel uncomfortable about asking, I'll gladly tell you what happened. When I was about four, I was in an unfortunate accident that left me paralyzed. Thankfully, I was young when it happened so I don't remember life outside of a wheelchair. I love to play basketball, tennis, and race chairs in marathons. You can’t live in the Midwest without enjoying a little time in the powdery white stuff, so I also love to ski with an adaptive chair. Beside me is my shadow,” he explained, patting the German Shepherd on the head. “His name is Star, and he certainly is one. He's been my service dog for two years now.”
I glanced up at Lance with a smile. “Star. What a great name.”
He gave me a wink and I realized I’d lost my nervousness. If Irving, who just rolled into town today, could get up in front of a bunch of strangers and speak like he’d known them all his life, I could certainly do it, considering Ihadknown everyone all my life.
“When Star is wearing this vest, that means he's working and can't be disturbed, but when he's not, he loves belly rubs, long walks in the park, and a game of fetch. If you ever see him with his vest on but I'm not with him, he's telling you something is wrong and I need help.” The murmuring from the crowd filled the park for a moment before he continued. “I hope my short personal introduction helped everyone feel like you know me well enough to greet me on the street or around town. Please, stop and introduce yourself, as I’m new to Bells Pass, but I already feel so welcome here. I’m looking forward to working on the new housing program, and to a piece of that eggnog pie I keep hearing about.”
Lance chuckled, as the rest of the crowd laughed and clapped, and put his arm around my waist. “He’s wrapping up, so get ready.”
I snapped my attention back to the podium and gave myself a pep talk. Just pretend you’re at the bakery or the diner, I told myself. You’ve got this.
“Again, thank you for being here tonight, Irving and Star. Now it’s time for the real reason we’re here, to light up this beautiful tree!” Chanting filled the air as the crowd was more than ready to see the Bells Pass tree lit up in all its splendor again. “As many of you know,” Mayor Tottle said to quiet the crowd, “we have an old, but new again business to celebrate in Bells Pass this year!” The crowd went wild with cheering and hooting until the mayor motioned with his arms for them to quiet. “Tonight, the tree will be lit by the woman who is the face of the new Bells Pass Community Bakery. Put your hands together for Miss Indigo Dickson!”
Mayor Tottle motioned me over and I froze. I couldn’t do this. I didn’t want to do this. Why did I have to do this?
“Come on, Gumdrop. You’re on.” Lance whispered in my ear as he propelled me forward while the crowd continued cheering and clapping. Lance stood me in front of the podium and tried to step back, but I held tight to his hand.
When the cheering died down, I cleared my throat and leaned into the microphone. “Thank you for the warm welcome,” I said as more whistling and cheering ensued. “As you know, I’m the manager of the Bells Pass Community Bakery. As the name implies, the bakery is run by students in the school-to-work programs in the community and surrounding area. The program is funded by all of you, the Bells Pass Community, when you come in for bread, pies, cookies, and cakes by the bucketloads.”
“Who doesn’t love cake?” someone shouted from the audience.
I chuckled. “I mean, he’s right,” I said as the crowd laughed with me. “Everyone in Bells Pass loves cake, but I think they love helping each other more than anything, and you’ve all embraced the bakery and offered your support. We can’t thank you enough. To be honest, I shouldn’t be the one lighting the tree tonight. There are so many who keep the bakery up and running every day. Mel, who manages the baked goods for the diner, Becca, who runs the eggnog business with streamlined precision, and Ivy and Cameron who fronted the expense until we had everything up and running. Let’s give them a hand!”
The crowd cheered and roared as Lance shoulder bumped me. I glanced up at him and winked before he mouthed.See?
When the crowd quieted, I leaned into the microphone. “All of that said, the snow is falling and that tree is beautiful in its flocked glory, so what do you say we light it up and call it a night?”
The crowd started counting down before I even got to the switch, but I dragged Lance along with me and held my hand over the button while he wrapped his arm around my waist.
“Three, two, one,” the crowd chanted. I pushed the button, the tree instantly lighting up in blue sparkling lights from the very base to the tip of its top branch, where the replica of the Bells Pass bell sat. I gazed at the tree as the Madrigals sang Silent Night and at that moment, I didn’t care that my switch wasn’t the one to light the tree. It was magical all the same, but having Lance there with me made it all the more special.
“I knew you’d rock it,” he whispered into my ear as we gazed at the tree. “You’re so much more than you believe, Gumdrop. Thank you.”
