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The red truck with the Monroe Christmas Tree Farm emblem on the driver’s side door was parked in the lot when we pulled in. I purposely parked a row over so if it was Knox, he wouldn’t think we were following him.
When I opened Addy’s door, her gaze snagged on it, and she asked, “Will Knox be here? That’s his truck, isn’t it?”
I took her hand and helped her out, then shut the door behind her. Clicking the locks, I said, “It might be his or one of his brothers’.”
She skipped ahead of me in the parking lot, narrowly missing a puddle. “That’s so cool. I can’t wait to see him.”
“I don’t know if he’ll be here,” I said as we walked toward the entrance of the high school auditorium.
Inside, I followed the signs for the performers. I hugged her, wished her luck, then I went back to the lobby. I was alone because my parents weren’t coming until the Friday performance. I’d told Gary about it, but he hadn’t expressed any interest in coming, and I didn’t want to get Addy’s hopes up.
There was a white Christmas tree in the corner, and holiday music played from a speaker. I felt nervous or anxious, and I didn’t think it had anything to do with Addy’s upcoming performance.
I looked around the room for anyone to talk to, but I didn’t have a lot of friends at Addy’s school. Sometimes it felt like there was a wall between the parents who were divorced and the ones who were still married. My gaze caught and held on Knox, who was leaning against the wall in the corner. I headed toward him without looking away from him.
When I stood in front of him, Knox moved off the wall. “I should have realized you’d be here.”
“I wasn’t even thinking about it when I saw you earlier.” And vowed not to find myself alone with you again. “Is your family here?”
“Tonight, it’s just me and Sebastian. My brothers and I are staggering our attendance so we don’t leave the farm short-handed.”
That only ramped up my nerves. I ran my fingers over my skirt, smoothing the nonexistent wrinkles. “That makes sense. Where’s Sebastian?”
He nodded toward the auditorium, where people were starting to file inside. “He’s supposed to be saving me a seat. Want to sit with us, or are you here with someone?”
I cleared my throat. “My parents are coming tomorrow night, so it’s just me.”
Knox smiled, lightly touched my elbow, and guided me toward the entrance to the auditorium. “You have to sit with us.”
We grabbed a program, and I rifled through it to find Addy’s name listed as a member of the chorus. I was so proud of her. I just wished she had the same support from her father.
Knox leaned down to ask. “Do you mind if I ask where Addy’s father is?”
I sighed. “He wasn’t interested in coming. I’m not sure how else to explain it.”
Knox winced. “That’s unfortunate.”
“It is, but I’m here for her, and my parents are, too.”
“Don’t forget about me,” Knox said as we made our way down the aisle.
Knox sat next to a man who wore black-rimmed glasses, and his brown hair was longer in the front. “Sarah, this is my brother, Sebastian, Ember’s dad.”
I reached over Knox to shake Sebastian’s hand, feeling the heat of Knox’s body as I did. “It’s so nice to officially meet you. I’ve seen you around at school events.”
“Her daughter’s Addy,” Knox said to Sebastian.
Sebastian smiled in recognition. “Ember talks about her. We should get them together for a playdate.”
“That would be nice.”
Next to me, Knox stiffened, and I wondered if it would be stepping over a line to hang out with his brother. But I planned playdates all the time for Addy.
“Is Addy nervous?” Sebastian asked me.
“You know, I didn’t think she was until we were driving here. The size of the auditorium isn’t helping matters. How was Ember feeling?”
Sebastian smiled. “She was excited about it. She feels that the location makes it more official. Ember loves performing. She takes dance classes and has recitals a few times a year.”
