A Little Country Christmas - Carolyn Brown Page 0,27
Sally’s hair to do that when she’s big enough to have a part in the program,” Dixie said.
I believe I’m falling in love with Dixie, Landon finally admitted to himself.
Falling? Levi’s voice popped into his head. I believe that ship done sailed and you’ve fallen already.
Okay, now what do I do about it? he asked.
Figure it out, just like the rest of us had to do, the voice told him.
Landon enjoyed watching the little kids doing their parts with simple Christmas songs, and the next group did a fantastic job playing the Christmas bells. As smart as Sally was, he could imagine her with a serious expression on her face and ringing her little red or yellow bell at just the right time. The older kids came on the stage next and did a skit and sang a couple of songs, then the teenagers presented the story of Christmas with verses from the Bible and a nativity scene. Would Sally ever play the part of Mary, and would her boyfriend be Joseph?
The idea of her having a boyfriend with no father around to protect her bothered Landon so much that he squirmed in his seat. Worse than not having a father would be having a stepfather like the one Dixie talked about having when she was growing up. What if Dixie made another bad choice and ended up with a loser like Sally’s biological father? He shuddered at the thought.
Dixie nudged him with her shoulder. “You okay?”
“Just letting too many thoughts run through my mind,” he admitted, “but I’m fine.”
“The Fab Five are up next,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what they do.”
The curtains opened, and all five of the elderly folks were sitting in rocking chairs around a decorated Christmas tree. Patsy, Bess, and Sarah wore long red-flannel nightgowns, with green dust caps covering their hair and big fluffy house slippers on their feet. Larry and Otis wore red long-handle pajamas and cowboy hats and boots. The music started and they chimed in at the right time with “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.” When that song ended, they hopped up out of their chairs, joined hands, and sang, “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.” They ended the program by putting on long coats and singing “Let It Snow” before finally taking a bow.
“That was so cute.” Dixie clapped and stood up to give her friends a standing ovation. Everyone in the church followed her example, and then the crowd all started toward the fellowship hall for the potluck dinner.
Landon took Dixie’s hand in his and led her in the opposite direction toward the nursery. “I bet our baby girl is ready for us to come rescue her.”
“Probably so,” Dixie agreed. “She’s around adults most of the time, so she’s kind of shy around other children, even the kids out at the ranch.”
He didn’t even realize his mind was made up until they reached the nursery and Sally reached up her arms and said, “Lan-Lan!” He picked her up, and then retrieved Dixie’s hand. This felt right, and he would never look back with regrets.
* * *
If only…
That’s where Dixie’s thoughts were as they went from the nursery to the fellowship hall. On one hand, she couldn’t wait to see all her friends again. On the other, she wished that she and Landon could sit down on a back pew of the now-empty church and just enjoy some time together.
If only she would never have to face a day without Landon in her life. If only he would stay in Texas, and they could get into a serious relationship that involved more than a perfect Christmas and a few kisses.
Dixie was so deep in thought that she was surprised when she looked up and realized they’d already crossed the sanctuary, and Landon had opened the door into the fellowship hall for her. The buzz of the conversation was such a contrast to the few minutes of quietness she’d just experienced that it took a moment for her to adjust to the noise.
“Well, don’t y’all just look like the perfect little family.” Sarah touched her on the shoulder.
“The Fab Five was my favorite part of the show.” Dixie avoided responding to the comment. “I loved that rocking chair scene. It was so cute.”
Sarah took a bow and raised up with a wicked little grin on her face. “When you and Landon are old and gray like us…”
“Speak for yourself.” Patsy fluffed up her kinky dyed