It's a Fabulous Life, page 26
“If I told you, you’d never believe me.”
“Felicity Potter?”
“Not that unbelievable,” Bailey laughed. “A friend visiting from out of town.”
“I’m not sure if I should thank them or ask them how serious you are.” Maria’s arms loosened. “I’m a little worried, to be honest.”
Crap. “You have every right to be cautious,” Bailey said. She had to put in some serious good faith effort. “I’ll do everything I can to assure you I’m here for the long haul. Starting with cooking you a tolerable spaghetti dinner while our dogs wrestle.”
“You’re gonna have to do better than a tolerable dinner,” Maria said.
“I’ll use fresh pasta and sauce. The refrigerated kind. And I’ll make a salad. And … I’ll give you a long massage. I give good massages.”
“I do like massages.”
“Oh, and we’ll start the day with peppermint lattes. Kurt doesn’t work on Sundays, but I’ll pay, so yours will be free. You’ll never pay for another cup of coffee. I promise.”
Maria’s lips pursed into a wry smirk, as though she believed Bailey despite her ridiculousness. “Let’s continue this conversation later.”
“Definitely,” Bailey said. “Meet me at Mistletoe Grove?”
Maria nodded. “To be continued at Mistletoe Grove.”
She tiptoed up and dropped a kiss on Bailey’s cheek. Bailey rested her chin against the side of Maria’s forehead and breathed deep. I’m home.
“To be continued,” she said.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Once they’d assured the teens they were going to wow the crowd (and let them pet Lulu for good luck), Bailey and Maria walked along the side of the stage. “There’s a surprise for you in the food tent,” Maria said.
“Tables? Chairs? People?”
“Yes, after some convincing by Ellis that it was safe. But it’s something else. I’ll show you.”
Their hands found one another and twined. Little pulses of electricity danced between their fingers.
Bailey smiled at Miss Josephine nestled in a folding chair. The owner of the hardware store tucked a heavy wool blanket around her while his two young sons chatted her ear off. His wife held the older woman’s plate of cookies. Miss Josephine loved her cookies. Nice to see her being fussed over.
They were almost to the paved path when a dying moose call boomed through the air. Maria looked in its direction. “We’ve been spotted.”
Rosie dragged Maria’s dad toward them. Lulu yapped and strained against her leash. Mr. Hatcher wisely let go before he fell over.
That unmistakable gleam lit Rosie’s eyes, so Bailey simply opened her arms and accepted the body slam of a canine embrace. “I missed you too,” she grunted.
“Worst dog ever,” Maria sighed.
“I love your enthusiasm, Rosie girl.” Bailey kissed the top of Rosie’s head. The overzealous dog slapped her big tongue across Bailey’s face. She looked pretty cute in her bright red doggie coat.
Lulu yapped again and shoved Rosie down. They proceeded to chew on each other’s faces, as one does when one is a very strange dog.
“Thanks for bringing her,” Maria said to her parents.
Mrs. Hatcher made a shooing motion. “She’s your problem now.”
For some reason, that was endlessly funny. Bailey laughed hard and stopped herself from telling Maria’s mother not to worry. Rosie would be spending a lot more time with the George family.
Speaking of … “If you want to watch the concert with my mom and sister, they should be over there somewhere.” Bailey pointed at the gathering crowd. “Maria and I have some official Wonderfest business, but then we’ll join you.”
The Hatchers thanked her. Bailey took both dogs’ leashes and tugged them forward. Maria tilted her head inward as they walked. “Getting our families together, huh?”
“Subconsciously, yes, I guess I am.” Bailey shrugged. “Hannah and my mom adore you. They can work on your parents on my behalf.”
“My parents like you.”
“They like Dan’s old friend. Are they going to …” Like me as your girlfriend?
“They like you,” Maria insisted. Then she giggled. “Oh man, is Dan gonna be thrilled.”
“I think he’ll be happy his sister is in good hands.”
“Plus, he won’t mind hanging out with you.”
Bailey made a face. “As long as he doesn’t try to fart on me.”
“I can’t make any guarantees,” Maria laughed.
Dan could pass whatever bodily expulsions he wanted if it meant Bailey had a future with Maria. He’d always treated Bailey like a sister. What if …
What if someday …
They reached the food tent, buzzing inside with activity. “No doggos allowed,” Bailey said.
“Especially you, knucklehead.” Maria rubbed Rosie’s curiously sniffing nose. “Look against the far wall.”
Bailey craned her neck until she spied Mr. Gruber and his son standing behind a table. Their hot chocolate urns looked a little dinged up, but were dispensing cocoa to waiting patrons.
“They felt terrible about the runaway cart,” Maria said. “They’re giving away free hot cocoa. I stashed our mugs in your bag. Jane has it, so I’ll run in and get it.”
“Great. Thanks.” Not that the tree falling over had been the Grubers’ fault.
Maria made her way to a table near the entrance. Jane and Vince sat with the park district crew, everyone enjoying much-deserved dinners. Maria said something and gestured toward Bailey. They all looked over and said hello.
Ooh, at some point, she’d have to tell Vince about the pickup truck. After the concert. But before Mistletoe Grove.
Jane hopped from her seat and hustled out of the tent, clipboard in hand. “Everything’s on schedule,” she said. “But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t glad to give this back to you.”
The dogs greeted her in the hopes Jane had brought them snacks. “Thank you,” Bailey said, glancing at the satisfying checkmarks on the list. “For holding down the fort, and handling so many things this week.”
“Are we having a committee meeting?” a man said.
She turned to see Pete and Tom. “I was just telling Jane how much I appreciate all her help. Thank you both as well. We managed to pull this off because you gave so much of your time and energy. I’m incredibly grateful for you guys.”
They insisted they were happy to help, and Bailey deserved the lion’s share of thanks. “Susan said she’ll be back in action next year,” Jane said. “And you’re all invited to be on the committee.”
“I have every confidence in you.” Bailey raised her eyebrows. “But if anyone has an unplanned emergency surgery, I’ll be around to help.”
A few taps on a microphone sounded through the stage speakers. “Good evening, Winter Wonderfest,” Ellis said. She stood stage left in front of a mic stand. “Today has been one for the books. Thank you for your good humor and patience while the festival gremlins had a little too much fun.”
The audience laughed. Bailey could only shake her head.
“Let’s have a big round of applause for the Town Hall staff, our hardworking park district employees, and all the volunteers who gave countless hours to make today happen. In particular, I want to give special thanks to the Winter Wonderfest committee, who really stepped up when they were needed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Appreciative claps and whistles rippled through the crowd.
Ellis shielded her eyes. “Bailey? Where’s Bailey George?”
Hoots and hollers enveloped Bailey as her friends pointed her out. She tried to hide inside her coat. Lulu and Rosie pranced from the attention.
Ellis waved at her. “Everyone, please turn and thank Bailey George. To say she was thrown into the fire this week is an understatement. I don’t know what Lanford Falls would do without you, Bailey. Thank you.”
A huge roar went up. It startled her. Bailey gave a weak gesture of acknowledgment, overcome with emotion. She’d seen that Lanford Falls and was very, very glad to be in this one.
Kurt and a de-Santa-ed Arnie clapped above their heads in the crowd. “We love you, Bails!” Arnie called.
Tears welled up from deep inside. “I’m so thankful for all of you,” Bailey said.
Ellis announced that due to unforeseen circumstances, Dusty Dreams would not be performing. (The circumstance being Dustin’s douchiness.) “However, we are thrilled to have our very own Lanford Falls High School madrigal singers. I listened to them practicing, and let me tell you, we are in for a treat.”
The crowd hummed with approval and excitement.
“Enjoy the music, and happy holidays.”
Maria reappeared with their red tumblers and Bailey’s messenger bag. “Just in time,” Bailey said, placing the clipboard in her bag. “They’re about to start.”
The teens filed onstage. Maria adorably cheered like they were her own children. They stood in a straight line, heads down. Then Zack popped his head up and broke into “Underneath the Tree.”
The other teens snapped their heads up and joined in. Their harmonies were tight. They broke into some jazzy, in-place choreography.
“Oh my God,” Bailey murmured. “They’re good. They’re like, really good.”
“They are good,” Maria murmured back.
They watched in awe as their replacement act put their all into the performance. Talk about a blessing in disguise. Bailey sipped her warm cocoa with one hand while adjusting the leashes in the other.
Yvette and Paul walked past. “You pulled it off,” Yvette said.
“We sure did.” Bailey smiled at her committee. Mostly Maria. “I’m looking forward to the next trivia night.”
“You two make a great team.” Yvette didn’t bother hiding her double meaning.
Maria leaned into Bailey’s side. She leaned back.
The jazzy madrigals finished the song. Bailey whistled and clapped along with the audience. Maria reached for Rosie’s leash and said, “Let’s sneak over to our families.”
They weaved through the crowd as the kids performed their Mariah Carey holiday song medley. Hopefully Mrs. Walsh would let them shake things up after this.
Lulu spied Uncle Bill beside Mom and strained to reach him. He took her leash without being asked. Rosie considered jumping on him, but then felt his animal-loving aura and rammed him with her boxy head instead. He took her leash as well.
Maria looked confused, so Bailey explained, “He’s a dog whisperer.”
“What?” she said above the noise.
Bailey leaned down to her ear. “He’s a dog whisperer.” Her lips ached to inch closer to that most tempting earlobe.
“Hi, Maria.” Hannah waved, a wide grin stretching across her face.
“Hi, Hannah. Mrs. George.” Maria gave them a little wave.
“It’s so nice to see you,” Mom said. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you. It’s good to be home.” Maria slid a glance up at Bailey, who could only smile in response.
She tried to watch the teens perform “This Christmas,” but kept getting interrupted by townspeople thanking her for helping out this year. Former clients, Beautification Committee volunteers, families living in her favorite subdivision. She assured each one of them it’d been her pleasure.
Nick caught her eye in the crowd and tipped his fuzzy Santa hat. Saint Nick, indeed.
During a break between songs, Hannah said, “You sure are feeling the love tonight.”
“Hear, hear.” Reuben held up his cup of cider.
“It’s a reflection of all the love I’ve received,” Bailey said.
“Let’s have a toast.” Hannah raised her cup. “To my big sister Bailey. The most-loved person in town.”
The Georges and Hatchers cheered, “To Bailey!”
They clinked metal tumblers and paper cups. Bailey drank her cocoa, meeting Maria’s tender gaze. She was definitely feeling the love from her family, but from Maria too.
Her heart pounded wildly. Maybe it wasn’t so impossible to think the here and now was the start of their future.
The madrigals performed two of their standard classics while Maria hummed along. Bailey held her hand, then wondered how long she’d been holding it. Their handholding just kept happening naturally.
She took in the smiling faces, the wreaths people had decorated, the lights, the tall tree with a not at all crooked star, Uncle Bill cooing to the dogs. What a perfect moment. She snapped a mental picture to remember this feeling.
Clara would be so proud of me.
She sent thanks to Clara, wherever the fabulous queen was.
As the madrigals prepped for another song, someone cleared their throat loudly behind her. She was shocked to see Felicity in her severe hat and coat.
“What are you doing here?” Bailey said.
The dour woman looked so out of place amid the merriment. “I, umm …” She cleared her throat again. “I found this. I believe it belongs to you.”
She held an envelope out. Wait a second …
Bailey snatched it and glanced at its contents. “The checks! Where did you find this?”
“In the diner.”
“I searched everywhere at Martin’s. Where was it?”
“It had … fallen into my newspapers.” Felicity avoided her gaze.
Bailey eyed her suspiciously. “Have you had this all day?”
“I discovered it after returning home.”
“And you’re just now giving it to me?”
“The important thing is you have it now.” Felicity stood to her full height. “I recognize the financial benefits of the festival. I appreciate all you have done to make this town a vibrant place to live.”
Wait, what?
Maria’s eyebrows met in the middle. “Have you two been smoking the same thing?”
Bailey shared a long look with Felicity. Did she also have a visit from an angelic someone?
“Thank you,” Bailey said slowly. “That’s kind of you to say.”
The older woman gave a firm nod. “That’s all.” Her lips pursed as she noticed Uncle Bill and the dogs. “I’ll be on my way. Far too much noise here.”
Hmm. Maybe Clara hadn’t paid her a visit. “There’s free hot cocoa in the food tent,” Bailey said anyway.
That seemed to pique Felicity’s interest. “Is it Gruber hot cocoa?”
“It is.”
She didn’t reply, but did turn and head in that direction. Maybe there was hope for her after all.
Maria tapped the envelope. “I can’t believe she had this all day and didn’t say anything.”
Uncle Bill harrumphed. “I bet she stole it. ‘Fell into my newspaper’ my left butt cheek.”
Normally, Bailey would agree. But she told him, “At least she gave it back. Cut her some slack. It’s Christmas.”
“There’s nothing merry about her.”
“She was actually nice to me. You heard her. She sees the good things in town.”
Maria took the envelope and tucked it securely in Bailey’s messenger bag. “There must be something in the air tonight,” she said, and Hannah concurred.
Mom smiled. “Whatever it is, I’ll take it.”
“Can’t a person find a little Christmas joy?” Bailey said, which made everyone laugh. She and Felicity sure were rediscovering what they’d lost.
The madrigals broke into “I Saw Three Ships” with a hip-hop flair. “They are so talented,” Maria said. She touched Bailey’s arm. “Y’know, if you’re not taking that job in the city, you could recommend Felicity Potter for it. Eliminate the competition in town.”
“Sammie would never go for it,” Bailey laughed.
Hang on. She never did reply to that email. Thank goodness. Well, thank the House of Angel.
She pulled out her phone. Her screen was filled with missed texts and calls from her time in Alternative Lanford Falls. She went into her email and replied to all so Sammie would see it. The words flew effortlessly from her fingers.
Thank you for the opportunity, but I am not seeking new employment. I’m very happy where I’m at.
Maria caught her grinning at her phone as she sent the email. “Just had to decline an interview in the city,” Bailey told her.
Relief flowed through her bloodstream. It was the right call.
“So that job’s off the table?” Maria asked.
“It’s not even in the room.”
She bobbed her head. “Noted. That’s one step toward making me think you’re sticking around.”
“Like I said, I’m not going anywhere.” Bailey dropped a loose arm across her shoulders. She wasn’t sure how much PDA Maria might be comfortable with in a crowd.
Maria wrapped her arm snugly around Bailey’s waist and squeezed. Well, that answered that.
They cuddled as the madrigals gradually filed offstage while doing a reprise of “Underneath the Tree.” Once the stage was empty, Maria untangled her arm so she could applaud. “They did so well. We should have them back next year.”
“Absolutely,” Bailey agreed. “Only we’ll give them more time to prepare.”
She didn’t mind talking about next year’s festival like she might be a part of it. Susan could one hundred percent be in charge, but a small committee role—with Maria—would be pretty okay.
“Looks like that’s it,” Mom said. “You survived. Congratulations, honey.”
“Now it’s time for close-up and cleanup,” Bailey said. “The real fun part. Who wants to help?”
Reuben and Hannah muttered to each other about having to let the dogs out, while Mom just laughed. Mr. and Mrs. Hatcher pretended to be distracted by something in the distance.
Uncle Bill handed over the dogs. “I’m going home.”
“It was good to see you,” Bailey said, as if she didn’t see him almost every day. “I don’t know if I tell you enough, but I’m so glad you stayed on and kept the agency afloat. I could never have done it without you.”
He gave her a rare smile. “It’s what your dad would’ve wanted.”
Warmth pulsed through her chest.
“And by this point, I’ve got so many vacation days, I’d be a fool not to stick it out.”
