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Chapter Forty
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2024-10-29 19:42:56It turned out Reid had not been exaggerating about the parent pick up line, and even though Melody was there before 2:30, there had to be close to three dozen cars in front of her. She couldn’t understand why anyone would want to sit in this line for a half-hour or more, but then, here she was, like a lemming, her car in park, waiting to shift into gear and scoot up whenever anyone else nudged a bit forward. For the most part, the line was stationary, and she could have used the time to read the book she had brought with her or work on editing some photos on her iPad, but once she was sitting in the line, she found her mind wandering, and rather than making the most of her time, she reviewed the changes her life had taken over the last week and a half. Never in a million years would she have expected to be sitting outside of an elementary school waiting to pick up a precious child who—for some reason—had claimed her as his own.
She cont
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A Christmas Melody Chapter Forty-One
Michael was exclaiming, “Miss Melody! Miss Melody!” and she wondered if he had heard what the teacher said and chose to ignore it or if he hadn’t caught it. Deciding there was nothing she could do about it now, Melody followed the car in front of her out of the parking lot and double checked her speed as she drove through the school zone.“Did you get your seatbelt buckled?” she asked smiling at him in the mirror.“Yep! And guess what! My friend Hailey said Santa is going to be at the library on Saturday. And there’s a parade, too. On Friday. At lunch today, Tommy was eating noodles, and one of them came through his nose. It was really gross. Dad was supposed to give me chocolate chip cookies in my lunch, but we must have been all out because there was a brownie instead. I can have one sweet for lunch and one at Ms. Karen’s if it’s small and that’s it. But sometimes Ms. Karen g
A Christmas Melody Chapter Forty-Two
Melody made her way back to her car thinking there was no way in the world she could ever be a daycare provider. Nor could she be a school teacher. If listening to twenty kids talk the way that Michael did on the way home all day long was any indication of what it was like to be a kindergarten teacher, she would add all kindergarten teachers to her nightly prayer list. She suddenly had a newfound respect for her mother who had done both jobs at one time or another.She climbed into her Acadia and put her seatbelt on. She thought she should have asked about Kayla, but she’d only met her the one time. She’d been a good pianist, and her dad had remarked after the lesson that he thought she’d be quite accomplished if she continued to practice and if she had the right teacher. Unfortunately for all of them, the right teacher was no longer around.There had been a time when Melody had considered teaching piano or even becomi
A Christmas Melody Chapter Forty-Three
Setting the book down, Melody answered and raised the phone to her ear. “Hello?”“Are you implying that my little angel talks a lot, because if so, this is the first I am hearing about this.”Melody couldn’t help but giggle at the seriousness of his tone, even though she knew for certain he was being sarcastic. “I think that might be an understatement. Would you like to know what Tommy had for lunch or what happened as a result of Billy’s shoe-tying negligence?”“Oh, I will definitely hear about it,” he assured her. “I will hear about it for hours and hours and hours.”She laughed again. The sound of his voice made her smile, and she felt a warmth radiating from her heart. “Well, I think that makes you pretty lucky. I wanted to spend more time with him, but someone told me I couldn’t….”&
A Christmas Melody Chapter Forty-Four
Melody was helping her mother put the books she’d gone through the afternoon before onto a newly-cleared-off shelf when her phone started buzzing. At first, she thought she’d just received a text, but the more it vibrated, the more she thought something might be wrong. She knew it wasn’t nearly time to go pick up Michael from school; it couldn’t be the school calling to say she was late. As she slid the phone out of her back pocket, she wondered what in the world might be going on.There were five text messages all sent within the last minute, all from Delaney.“Where are you?”“Are you at the shop?”“Get down here, girl.”“Seriously, get down here now.”“Are you ignoring me?”There hadn’t even been time for her to
A Christmas Melody Chapter Forty-Five
When Melody turned back to the counter, she looked at Delaney, and it was all she could do to keep from screaming. Had Reid really just asked her on a date? A real date?“Oh. My. Gosh!” Delaney said, keeping her voice as low as possible so as not to alarm the other customers.“Can you believe that?” Melody asked, still not sure she could believe it herself. “Thank you so much for dragging my keister down here.” She sat down on one of the barstools, knowing she couldn’t go running back to the shop just yet.“He’s so cute,” Delaney said, leaning on the counter in front of her. “Oh, I’m so happy for you!”“Thanks,” Melody said. Delaney had called her earlier in the week to let her know what was happening with her and Josh, so she added. “I’m happy for you, too. But I need to slow down and not ge
A Christmas Melody Chapter Forty-Six
Melody had not made it to church on Wednesday evening. She knew Michael was disappointed, even though she’d explained to him that afternoon on the way to Ms. Karen’s that she wasn’t able to go. She hated to disappoint him, but she just couldn’t handle another Bible study class full of Christmas wishes and stories of rejoicing for everything God had given His people when he’d sent His son to the Earth. She knew all that—she believed all that—but she didn’t want to hear it right now, not when memories of that horrible night two years ago flooded her from all directions.She’d stayed home working on the website, trying to lose herself in her work. It would’ve been impossible to do anyway, but her mother made it even worse when she sent a picture of Michael holding up a craft he’d made in his children’s group, a big grin on his face and the message saying, “He made this Baby Jesus
A Christmas Melody Chapter Forty-Seven
Melody listened to every word. At first, she wasn’t able to believe what he was asking, but then she realized Karen must have put him in an equally awkward position. At least he was giving her an easy out. Eventually, she managed to say, “I don’t play piano.”As soon as it came out of her mouth, she realized she should have accepted his invitation and just said a simple “no.” What she had said inspired inquiry, and he asked, “You don’t or you can’t?” and she wondered if he really didn’t already know the answer. Maybe she had been too vague about her past. Maybe that had been purposeful.She couldn’t think of an answer that would readily explain what she had meant, and since he’d already told her she could simply say no, she decided not to answer at all. “So what is our plan for tomorrow?”
A Christmas Melody Chapter Forty-Eight
Reid was quiet, and Melody thought maybe she’d overstepped. He’d joked before about her wanting to kidnap his son—did he think now maybe she had lost her mind? Had she? “Do you really want to do that?”“Yes, I do,” she said. “I’m sorry if that sounds crazy, Reid. But there’s just something about Michael that lifts my spirit. I can’t quite explain it to you, but moving back here has been so difficult on me. When I lived in Chicago, I had distractions. I could sit in my apartment and pretend that my dad was at home with my mom, watching TV or playing the piano. Of course, I didn’t do that because that really would be nuts—but the option was there. I wasn’t constantly reminded that he was gone. Now that I’m back here, I’m bombarded with the scents and sounds I associate with him. I can’t walk down the stairs without thinking I’ll see him standing by t
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A Christmas Melody Chapter Sixty-Eight
Mrs. Gregory played the last chord, and Melody realized there were tears streaming down her face. The song had come straight from her heart. The words, the tune, the message was all there, engraved in her heart forever, just like the memory of her father.She smiled out at the audience, hearing their applause and knowing it wasn’t for her but for her father who had loved her on earth and her Father who loved her in Heaven still.A few moments later, after a blur of hugs and congratulations from Mrs. Gregory and whomever else happened to be backstage, she found herself making her way down the aisle to join Reid and Michael, not quite sure how she’d gotten there.Michael hugged her, and Melody scooped him up and set him on her lap, wrapping her arms around him as Reid slid his arm around her. The adult choir was about to begin their first song, but Reid leaned over and whispered into her ear, “You reall
A Christmas Melody Chapter Sixty-Seven
“I want to thank all of these wonderful children,” Mrs. Gregory was saying into the microphone as the kids left the stage to find their parents in the audience. “I want to thank all of the parents and church members for all of their support. I want to thank Mrs. Agnes Watson for her hard work in rehearsal and ask each of you to keep her in your prayers. Most of all, tonight, I want to say a special thank you to Melody Murphy who agreed to play piano for us at the last moment. Melody, if it hadn’t been for you, all would be lost. Thank you, Melody.”The room erupted in applause, and Mrs. Gregory came over, microphone still in hand. Melody stood and gave a shy wave to the crowd as Mrs. Gregory wrapped her free arm around her. “Are you ready to tackle that last obstacle, sweetheart?” she whispered into her ear.Melody pulled back and locked eyes with her, not sure if she should be upset that Mrs. G
A Christmas Melody Chapter Sixty-Six
Finding a parking spot was not easy, and Reid insisted on dropping Melody off at the church and then going to park the truck. She didn’t want him to be late, but she knew she had to be on time, and the program would be starting in just a few moments, so he wished her good luck and she ducked inside, trying to concentrate on his proclamation at her house instead of the butterflies in her stomach.When Melody reached the sanctuary, she saw her mother seated with the rest of the adult choir members in the first few rows next to Mr. Haywood. Melody waved, and by the expression on her mother’s face, she could tell Mrs. Gregory had spoken to her. Sarah mouthed, “You look gorgeous!” and Melody silently thanked her before rushing back stage.“Oh, Melody! Thank heavens!” Mrs. Gregory said as she rounded the corner. “My goodness! Look at that dress. You look like an angel.”“
A Christmas Melody Chapter Sixty-Five
The hustle through the crowd back to Reid’s truck and the short drive to her house was a blur, though Melody was aware that all the way home he was holding her hand, his thumb tracing calming circles near her thumb, and before she knew it, she was standing in front of her closet peering inside, wondering what to do.She knew she had an appropriate dress hanging in the back of her closet. She’d shoved it back there exactly two years ago when she’d been so disgusted by it she’d never wanted to see it again. Her father had picked it out for her. It was white with silver rhinestones, and though it was a little fancier than anything she’d worn for the festival before, it went perfectly with the song he’d written for her to sing that night. There were other garments she could have worn, but standing in front of the closet, she realized, if she was going to face her fears, she may as well face them completely.
A Christmas Melody Chapter Sixty-Four
The Christmas Festival was an all day event that started the morning of Christmas Eve with a craft fair, as well as various baking, art, and craft contests, activities for the children, and of course, the Christmas concert at the church. Most of the events were outside or in different buildings around the downtown area, but the concert would be held in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church like it was every year.Reid picked Melody up mid-morning and they spent most of the day walking around visiting the booths and checking out the contest winners, including Mrs. Gregory’s sugar cookies. Soft Christmas music played over the downtown PA system, and even when a familiar song came on, Melody realized it wasn’t bothering her as much as it had before. Somehow in the past few weeks, she’d learned to associate ideas other than memories of her father with the songs that used to make her heart ache.Michael particularly lik
A Christmas Melody Chapter Sixty-Three
Melody exited the assembly area of the church where the ladies had put together another nice luncheon for those who would be staying for festival rehearsal and made her way into the sanctuary. She’d sat with her mother and Mr. Haywood this time, along with Michael and the Gregorys, and the more she’d gotten to know Curtis, the more she could see why her mother was attracted to him. He was certainly a successful, respectable man, and Melody felt foolish for ever having tried to convince her mother not to follow her heart.Michael hadn’t mentioned his father at all—not even once—the entire time Melody had sat right next to him. She found that peculiar but didn’t nudge him because she wasn’t sure how he felt about Reid not being there. Whether or not he had made up an excuse or just told Michael he didn’t want to talk about it anymore, she was certain it would still be difficult for the little boy to stand on
A Christmas Melody Chapter Sixty-Two
Reid looked at Melody's lips and then back to her eyes before clearing his throat and scooting away from her just a bit, and Melody was certain he was having the same thought she was. “Of course, I know we still need to take our time and not rush into anything. It’s only been a few weeks, after all.”“Right,” Melody agreed quickly, wondering how her face could feel so warm when she was sitting outside in the cold. “I guess we don’t need to wonder how Michael will feel about it.”Reid laughed. “No, I think his reaction might be a little different than yours when you found out about your mom dating again.”Melody felt the urge to elbow him in the ribs but didn’t do so. She realized now she’d been acting selfishly, and she owed her mother an apology. In fact, she wanted to make sure she was home when her mother got back from her date so she could spea
A Christmas Melody Chapter Sixty-One
Melody dropped to her knees. Even though that is what she had suspected, actually hearing him say it was still a shock. Trying to keep her expression nonchalant, she asked, “You did?” Michael nodded sharply. “What did he say?”“He said he’d see what he could do, but that was a tough one this close to Christmas,” Michael said with a shrug, his face showing disappointment.“I’m sure that would be difficult, Michael,” Melody agreed, stroking his hair again.“But, Miss Melody. I didn’t ask for just any old mom.”“You didn’t?” she asked, confused.“No,” he replied, his little face quite serious. “I asked for you to be my mom.”Melody felt all of the color drain out of her face as she fumbled for a response. Luckily, Reid came up behind her just then and
A Christmas Melody Chapter Sixty
Just as it had the night before, the feel of Reid's hand in hers gave Melody the sensation of warmth and safety. Melody felt herself relax and decided to concentrate on enjoying the moment, and as they continued to slowly make their way to the front of the line, they began a discussion of popular Christmas movies which completely took her mind off of her mom, her dad, music, everything except for Reid and his uncanny ability to quote holiday films.When there were only a few other families in front of them, Michael looked up and said something to his friend before trotting over to join them. “Dad, we read Olive the Other Reindeer,” he said, slipping under the tinsel.“That sounds like a great book, buddy,” his dad said. “Did you have fun with Hailey?”“Yeah. She’s going to church tomorrow. Am I going with Mrs. Gregory?”“As far as I
