Spying Under the Mistletoe (Love Undercover #2) - Stina Lindenblatt Page 0,94
knuckles. “But once we spring you out of here, I’m staying with you for a bit to play nurse. And to help you with Whiskey.”
Dirty thoughts pop into my head of her in a sexy nurse’s uniform, though I doubt that’s what she meant.
I flash her a lopsided grin. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
We’ve got a lot of lost time to make up for.
And I plan to make the most of it.
34
Chloe
The day I’ve been waiting for is finally here.
I step off the school bus and watch the kindergarteners file out and line up in front of me. Josephine and Andrew are also with us. Excited chatter vibrates through the group.
Once the last kid is accounted for, I direct everyone into the building through the door Landon is holding open.
It’s been a week since he was shot and one day since he was released from the hospital and into my care. I don’t know who was more thrilled: Landon, for finally being freed from his own private hell—his words, not mine—or Whiskey, for finally having his daddy home.
The puppy ran circles around Landon the moment he walked through the door.
Amy, the substitute teacher who’s covering Zoe’s maternity leave, walks the kids into the building. Josephine and Andrew follow.
I smile at Landon. “Thank you.”
He leans in and gives me a brief kiss. “You’re welcome.”
“Do you two ever stop kissing?” Adam says, approaching us.
“Nope,” we say in near unison.
“We have to make up for while he was in the hospital,” I remind Adam.
None of the kids, so far, have questioned why the assistant janitor is joining us for the concert. They’re just happy to get to see Landon again. They even made him a Get-Well card while he was recovering.
It’s a picture of a snowman with a broken arm.
At least I think his arm is broken.
“I didn’t think it would be possible, but you two are worse than Jayden and Isabelle. ”
“Just wait until you fall in love,” I tell him, “you’ll be just as bad as us.”
“I doubt it.”
“You want to make a wager on it?” Landon asks.
Adam holds out his hand. “A hundred dollars that by the end of next year, I’ll still be happily single.”
“You’re on.”
They shake on it, with Landon using his nondominant hand.
Amy and I pass out the elf hats while Josephine guides the kids through a quick warm-up.
“You ready, everyone?” she asks.
Forty-eight kindergarteners call out “Yes” in a loud chorus, which causes the adults in the foyer to laugh.
“I think they’re ready,” I say, grinning.
Landon rests his hand on my lower back, and we all enter the recreation room. Folding chairs are lined up in tidy rows, and the piano is now located to the side of the makeshift stage.
Landon goes to join Samuel and his cohorts. Amy and I get the kids in position.
They won’t be entertaining only the seniors who live in the building. Some of the seniors’ family members are also here. It’s a full house.
Andrew takes his seat at the piano.
“Hello, everyone,” I say into the microphone. “Thank you for having us here today. First, I’d like to introduce you to the two people who helped make today possible. Josephine Ashworth helped to get our little singers’ performance ready.”
She curtsies. Loud applause fills the room. Everyone knows who she is. She doesn’t need much of an introduction.
“Tony-Award-winning Andrew Stanton will be accompanying our delightful choir on the piano. We’re so honored to have these two wonderful and talented people with us today.”
Again, the audience breaks out in loud applause.
As do the kids—mostly because they love jumping up and down while clapping and shaking their bells.
“And on stage, we have the kindergarteners from Dalhousie Elementary.” Loud cheers, whistles, and applause spread through the room like a rising tide. I step aside to let Josephine take her position in front of the kids.
That’s when I spot Eric, wearing a suit, sitting next to an elderly woman who’s been a resident here for the past several months. So, she’s definitely not his grandmother.
He notices me looking at him, gives a small wave, and returns his attention to the stage.
The first notes of “Jingle Bells” play, and the kids begin singing and ringing their bells. By the time the final song draws to a close, every face in the audience glows with a smile.
Applause fills the room again, louder than before. Those who can get to their feet give a standing ovation.
The kids eat it up, smiling and waving and jingling on the spot.