A Mom For Christmas

“Two years?” She gave him a sad smile. “I was hoping you’d say something to make me feel better.” She glanced around the studio. “Daddy built this for me when I was ten. I’d told him that I was going to devote my life to dancing, and he said if that was true then I needed a place where I could practice every day.”

“And you did.” He remembered the hours she spent locked away. He’d count the minutes until she would step outside, put the practice behind her and become his friend. “I’m sure he was very proud of you.”

She smiled, a sweet one this time that melted his insides. “He was. He never missed a performance, and he always gave me a bouquet of pink roses afterward no matter how small my part. I felt like a real princess. He was my biggest fan.” She met his gaze, then set her hands on her hips. “Your turn. Why are you here?”

The determination that had driven him here had been diluted by Beth’s tears. Seeing her in her element, here in the studio, forced him to understand the significance of her loss. For all his issues with Beth, he would never want her to lose the thing she loved most. Gram was right. He couldn’t control his daughter’s dreams. Making too much of his disapproval might have the opposite effect. And in the short term, Beth would eventually leave, and by then Chloe would hopefully have moved on to a new interest.

“I came by to tell you that if you’re still willing, I think adding dance along with Chloe’s PT might be a good idea.”

“Really? I’d love to. In fact, I’m going to start working with my niece and her friend. Chloe can join us, and we’ll have a little dance class here. It should be fun.”

Seeing the joy and anticipation on her face left a warm softness in his rib cage.

“What made you change your mind?”

He didn’t realize how close they stood until he looked into her eyes. He could see the gold streak in the left one. “I can’t say no to my little girl.”

She chuckled softly and touched his arm. “Neither could my dad.”

He looked into her eyes and saw them dilate. His pulse flipped. She was so close, he caught the flowery scent of her hair. He gathered himself and stepped back. She’d always made his heart race. Her loveliness never failed to captivate him, but she wasn’t dependable. There was no room in her world for anyone else. The frown on her face told him Beth clearly felt his withdrawal.

“You won’t change your mind, will you? About Chloe I mean?”

He rubbed his forehead, already regretting his impulse. “No.” Noah cleared his throat. “She needs to do her PT, and if dancing gets it done then I’m all for it.” He pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “I have one request. Call Pete Jones, her physical therapist, and make sure you know what her parameters are and that he approves of whatever type of dancing you’re planning.”

“Of course. I’ll be very cautious, Noah. You can depend on me.”

That was the one thing he couldn’t do. “Then I’ll be going. Let me know when Chloe should be here.”

She stared at him, a questioning look in her eyes. “Okay.”

He held her gaze a moment before walking to the door. He had a bad feeling he’d just made a terrible mistake.

Chapter Three (#u35a27ed3-f15b-5e8a-b194-db29ad8017f4)

The Sunday morning air was cool but pleasant for early November as Beth strolled through the courthouse park. Above the giant old magnolias and moss-draped live oaks, she could see the white steeple of Peace Community Church like a friendly hand beckoning her home. She’d agreed to meet her mother and family for late services today. She’d begged off her first two Sundays here, but she knew she couldn’t do that any longer. Surprisingly, instead of dreading going to church, she found herself looking forward to it. She’d realized last night that worship had been one of the things missing in her life the last few years. She hadn’t turned her back on God or lost her faith, but it had taken a seat high in the back balcony of her life to other things. It wasn’t something she was proud of.

The front steps of the old brick church were crowded with members chatting and laughing. She wasn’t in the mood to talk about her career or her reasons for being home. It was too painful a topic. Skirting the front entrance, she took the walkway along the side of the building and entered through one of the side doors. It didn’t take long to find her family. They always sat midway up in the sanctuary. Her older brothers, Linc and Gil, were already seated with their wives and children. Her mother was talking to Evelyn Carlisle. Beth groaned inwardly, hoping they weren’t talking about her. Too late. Her mother spotted her and waved her over.

“Beth, Evelyn tells me that she asked you to help with the Christmas show. That’s a great idea. I think you should. It would be good for you to get involved.”

The woman laid her hand on her heart. “You would be an answer to my prayers.”

“What about my job with you?”

Her mom waved off her concerns. “Don’t worry about that. I’m used to running my business alone.”

Beth forced a smile. Evelyn and her mom had skillfully funneled her to a point where her only option was to say yes. “I’d love to help you out. When would you like me to start?”

Evelyn grinned. “Wonderful. We rehearse two nights a week and on Saturdays. We’re having a board meeting at the theater Tuesday evening. Why don’t you come, and I’ll introduce you to everyone. Oh, and let’s keep this between the two of us for the time being. I want it to be a surprise for the board.”

The organ began to play softly, and Evelyn excused herself and moved off. Beth saw her stop at a pew near the front, where Noah and Chloe were seated. Noah glanced over his shoulder, and their eyes met. Her heart skipped a beat. For a moment she felt the old link between them. She wanted to go to him and ask him to help her sort out her life. But he looked away, leaving her adrift again. She had the horrible feeling that he would never forgive her for leaving the way she had. She wasn’t sure she could live with that fact, because despite the years and the distance, she still cared for him. He was the best friend she’d ever had, the only person who understood her. She couldn’t make that go away.

Beth forced thoughts of Noah and the past out of her mind, suddenly craving the comfort and peace she’d always found in the historic church. In her drive to reach the top of her profession, she’d lost that feeling. She was beginning to think she’d lost far more than an active faith life.

Despite her best efforts, her mind wandered through the early parts of the service. Her gaze drifted to Noah, then to her brothers. Gil had his arm draped across the back of the pew, wrapping Julie in a subtle hug. Linc held Gemma’s hand, which was resting on his thigh.

A surge of longing swelled from deep inside. She wanted that kind of connection. A hand to hold, someone to depend on. For the last twelve years it had been her career, but that had failed her and set her adrift in a world she no longer knew how to navigate.

Reverend Jim Barrett’s gravelly voice pulled her from her negative thoughts.

“The first commandment is ‘You shall have no other Gods before Me.’ Have you considered how hard it is to follow? It’s the most important of the ten, but we treat it lightly. What God have you set in place of the Lord? What goal, passion, hobby or desire have you, unintentionally probably, set in place of God? What is it that you work harder for, strive for, push everything and everyone else aside for to achieve?”

A warm rush heated Beth’s cheeks, making her squirm. Was he talking to her? Had he known she would be here today?

“I know we all have to do certain things to meet our goals to get that promotion or earn that raise. We tell ourselves it’s so we can provide a better life for our family or for ourselves. But the problem lies in the definition of better life. If you’re ignoring your family, your friends and your God, then how can that make anything better? Ask yourself what is your goal really costing you? People, jobs, dreams will all fail you. Put Him first always, and He’ll take care of the rest.”

Beth stood for the final hymn, her mind replaying the things she’d heard. Had she done that? Had she pushed aside those she loved in her drive to achieve her lifelong dream? The answer wasn’t hard to find. She had. A sour feeling formed in her stomach. The buzz and push of people making their way out of the sanctuary pressed in on her. Her mother was talking to a friend. Her brothers and their families had exited the pew on the other end, leaving her a clear path to the side door. Quickly she made her way to the side aisle, but before she could reach the door she heard her name called. Chloe hurried toward her.

“Daddy says I can take dancing lessons from you. When can I come?”

Noah stepped forward, resting his hands on his daughter’s shoulders and looking absurdly handsome in a dark suit and crisp white shirt that contrasted pleasantly with his sun-darkened skin. The sky blue tie lying against his chest made his eyes even bluer. But the deep scowl on his face said he still had strong reservations about the situation.

Ignoring the wince of discomfort his look caused, she looked at Chloe. “I was thinking we’d meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, right after school.”

Chloe frowned. “Not every day?”

“No, that’s not good for your muscles when you’re starting out. Even I have to take some downtime. And I have a surprise for you. My niece Abby and her friend Hannah are going to come, too.”

“Really? Cool. Abby’s here today. Dad, can I go find her?”

He nodded, giving her a loving smile before turning his blue eyes on her. She knew exactly what he was going to say. “Yes, I spoke with Pete and he’s all for the ballet lessons with a few exceptions. But those are things she wouldn’t be learning for a few months anyway.”

“What time will the lessons be? I need to work it into my schedule.”

“You plan on watching the entire hour?”

“Yes.”

“I wish you wouldn’t. It’s not good for Chloe if you’re hovering all the time.”

“I want to make sure nothing happens.”

Evelyn joined them, giving her grandson a light swat on his shoulder. “Noah, stop behaving like an overprotective father. Beth is a professional, and I’m quite certain she knows what she’s doing.”

Beth stifled a smile at the resigned look on Noah’s face. “Thank you, Miss Evelyn, for the vote of confidence. I’ll take good care of all the girls.”

Noah set his jaw and made an excuse to leave. After he stepped away, Evelyn slipped her arm in Beth’s and walked her toward the side door.