Free Christmas in the Rink by Dora Hiers

give you a decision yet. So I understand if you need to go with someone else.”
    Jim’s jaw firmed, but he nodded and waved.
    Conner hopped in his truck, that tune finding its way back out his throat again as the engine growled to life. When was the last time he’d felt like humming while he worked on cars? Never? A heavy sigh lifted his chest. Chaney had everything to do with the song in his heart. Her and Annabelle. Even if he hadn’t lifted a skate to the ice, he’d still be humming because of them. He backed up and pointed the truck towards home.
    Home?
    The traffic light switched to amber, and his foot tapped the brake with more force than he’d intended. The truck came to an abrupt stop.
    Home? Was that how he considered Evergreen Peak now? His dad’s house? When had his brain made the switch from temporary to permanent? Or was his heart the culprit?
    He hit the gas.
    Would he be able to stay if Chaney never returned his love? No. That would be torture.
    The only certainty in his life right now was that being back in his hometown around Chaney and Annabelle, and even Carole, had put the joy back in his heart. His life now seemed…whole. Complete.
    You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. The verse he’d read that morning flitted through his head as he steered the truck into the driveway. He sat hunched over the steering wheel, staring at the house he’d grown up in.
    The front of the house faced the mountains, and his dad had insisted that the builder maximize the view with several windows. Even the single car garage had windows, all trimmed with ebony that had faded with time and the elements. Ten steps led to the front door, and the deck was the perfect size for two wicker chairs. He could picture hanging out there on Saturday mornings in the summer, lingering over coffee and watching Annabelle play in the yard. And standing in the master bedroom above the garage, his arm draped around Chaney’s shoulders, as the sun dipped beyond the mountains.
    Could life get any sweeter? Could the good memories yet to come replace the bad ones?
    Is this the path You were telling me about, God? Home?
    Peace washed over him. And joy bubbled up from his gut.
    Thank You.
     
     
     
     

9
     
    The lights dimmed around the outer perimeter of the rink, and a hush fell across the crowd. The spectators, mostly family and close friends of family, all jammed into the bottom few rows of the stands closest to the center of the ice. Camera phones and video cameras pointed towards the arena.
    Nerves exploded in Chaney’s belly and tingled along her arms, but her reaction wasn’t centered on her own performance. Today was the recital and afterwards the candlelight service at church. Then, Conner had invited them over to his house. What had possessed her to schedule a recital for Christmas Eve?
    Crouching behind Annabelle, Chaney adjusted her niece’s ponytail. Satisfied, she turned Annabelle around with a gentle touch to her tiny shoulders. “You’re going to be awesome, sweetheart. Go out there and have fun with it.” She offered a reassuring smile, but Annabelle didn’t seem to need it.
    “Let’s go, Justin.” Annabelle pivoted on her skates, hovering in front of the opening to the ice, her skate tapping out an impatient rhythm.
    Little diva. Why was Chaney’s tummy all twittery? Annabelle had the right idea.
    Maybe it had something to do with the handsome guy across from her, giving a similar pep talk to Justin, Annabelle’s four-year-old skating partner. Maybe? Who was she kidding? Definitely. No question.
    Conner crouched, facing Chaney, his hands curled around Justin’s shoulders. As he whispered final instructions, Conner’s intense blue eyes honed in on the boy’s face.
    Justin’s head bobbed up and down in agreement to whatever Conner said.
    She never would have been able to prepare these kids properly without Conner’s help,