spectacular.”
She nodded. “I’m already going—stop with the sales job,” she teased.
He backed off as she grabbed a pair of gloves and headed for Rudy’s kennel. He was standing up, drinking from the bucket as if he’d flown through the Sahara. When he finished, he lifted his head, water dripping from his chin.
“That’s a good sign.” Faith opened the door and hunched over to go in with Rudy. She talked softly.
Caleb was only more encouraged by the reindeer’s improvement. It looked like things were on the upswing for the reindeer ranch and for him personally. He couldn’t force Faith to feel Christmas cheer, but if she was ever going to get it, then the sing-along was the place to be.
He hoped she felt something tonight, because if she didn’t, then her heart was closed to Christmas. The very thought made his chest ache.
Chapter 20
Faith
The night was dark, but Faith didn’t mind at all as she hooked her arm through Caleb’s and held on. Ahead of them were bright lights and a large group of people in coats and scarves. They looked like the cast from A Charlie Brown Christmas with blue coats and bright pink beanies. No one seemed worried about how they looked when staying warm was the focus.
As they got closer, she could see space between the family groups.
Caleb reached for her hand—well, her mitten—as he weaved through the crowd to get them closer to the front. His hand was strong and would never let hers go. She enjoyed the comfort it brought, as well as the thrill that tickled through her rib cage. He’d been in high spirits on the ride over, sharing memories of past sing-alongs with her as if handing out pieces of chocolate. She’d soaked them all in, wishing she had something like that for her memory box. She couldn’t think of a single tradition that tied her to more than her mother or father. Being a part of a community was a new and somewhat overwhelming experience.
She spotted Caleb’s family standing close to the brass instruments’ side of the bandstand and was about to point them out when Caleb brought them to a stop behind a pine tree, out of view but still able to see what was going on. Had he done that on purpose to give them privacy?
A man standing on a red carpeted box and wearing a top hat and tails lifted a baton. “Are you ready to sing some carols?” His deep voice carried over the tops of their heads, sprinkling his enthusiasm like a saltshaker.
The crowd let out a cheer.
“Well, I can tell your voices are all warmed up.” He earned a chuckle from the crowd.
Faith caught herself joining in and stopped. She wasn’t a joiner, and being here pushed her limits. She clutched Caleb’s hand for strength.
“We’ll start with an easy favorite,” said the band director. His arms went up and then down, and the music started. Tentative at first, as if they weren’t sure about putting their lips to the cold metal, the band warbled into “Away in a Manger.” Mr. Director rapped his baton on the music stand once, and the band members straightened up and produced a clearer sound. He nodded his approval before turning around to the crowd to get them started on the words.
The band might have been hesitant, but the townsfolk were eager and jumped in with their whole hearts.
Faith sang quietly, more intent on watching those around her than hitting the right notes. A few feet away, a young couple rocked back and forth, each with a child in their arms. The father held a toddler boy and the mother a baby. The toddler wiggled at first but settled in to watch his dad sing about the baby Jesus. Faith’s heart lurched with a need for a small family of her own. The stirrings came every now and again, but never this strong and never this pointed. She pressed her free hand over her belly, wondering if she’d ever have the chance to sing a lullaby.
When the song was over, the music paused for just as long as it took for the kids to flip their music, and then they were off in a lively version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Even though it was a hymn, the crowd bounced and moved as if they were part of heaven’s choir.
An elderly woman in front of them raised both hands in the air, “Joyful all ye nations rise,” she practically yelled.