Free Holiday Homecoming by Jean C. Gordon Page A

participating churches had put together.
    He’d wondered why she was sending him the list instead of giving it to Natalie. Then he’d seen Natalie’s name at the top of the list. Even before he read Terry’s note, Connor knew that as the pageant’s music director, Natalie would never put herself out in the competition for the women’s solo.
    But choosing soloists wasn’t what had him pacing, even though he expected some rivalry among the participants from the various congregations. It was his guilty conscience for hiding out upstairs on Sunday and leaving Natalie to face the church women alone. Alone, except for her devious nieces. He’d thought about calling her yesterday, but hadn’t.
    â€œHi.”
    Natalie’s greeting stopped his pacing. He watched her walk down the aisle toward him. “Hey, how are you doing?”
    â€œOkay.” She placed her folder of music on the piano bench.
    â€œI mean. You know. Sunday.” Not exactly the compassionate inquiry he’d practiced.
    She placed her hands on her hips. “I’ve got Aimee, Amelia
and
Andie mad at me. But I guess that’s to be expected.”
    He leaned his hip against the side of the piano, as casually as he could with his nerves playing racquetball against each other.
    â€œAndie grounded the girls, so they can’t go to their friend’s sleepover birthday party this weekend. And Andie...” Natalie shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.”
    He’d been worried about the church women talking. He hadn’t thought about her family giving her grief. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œIt’s not your fault. Unless you put the twins up to it.”
    â€œNo.” His voice echoed in the empty auditorium.
    â€œPaul suggested it.” The corner of her mouth twitched before her mouth spread into a wide grin. “Just thought I’d check.”
    He relaxed. This was the Natalie he used to know.
    â€œPaul thought it was hysterical.”
    â€œIt is kind of funny when you think about it,” Connor said. Although amused wasn’t the way he’d felt when he was holding Natalie, or when the trapdoor dropped open.
    â€œYeah, funny when you’re not living it.”
    He straightened. “You are okay? No one’s said anything to you?”
    â€œI haven’t been anywhere, except here, since Sunday.” Her eyes narrowed and she lifted her chin. “Has someone said something to you? I’m the one who should apologize for causing you trouble. Aimee and Amelia were with me.”
    Way to go
,
Donnelly.
Just when she was lightening up
. “No one’s said anything to me.”
    Natalie glanced back at the clock over the auditorium doors. “We’d better get started. People will be arriving soon.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œHow did you want to do this?” she asked.
    Connor shrugged. “Have people audition and you can pick the best two.”
    Natalie rubbed the toe of her boot against the leg of the piano bench. “I’m not comfortable having the final say. I thought it might be fun to do it like one of the talent reality shows. I hate to admit it, but they’ve become one of my weaknesses.”
    The only reality show he’d ever seen was
The Amazing Race.
“Sure, why not.”
    â€œGood.” A slow smile spread across her face. “I wasn’t sure you’d agree. So, anyone who wants to can try out, and when the last person finishes, the choir can vote.”
    â€œYour mother sent me a list of people recommended by the choir directors at the participating churches.”
    â€œShe gave me the list, too.”
    Not likely the same one she’d given him with Natalie’s name front and center.
    â€œI’d like to open it up to anyone who’s interested, unless you have some reason we shouldn’t,” Natalie said.
    â€œTime’s the only reason I can think of. We can’t