A Christmas Duet : Two Contemporary Tales of Holiday Romance

by Amy Lamont

  Faith couldn’t watch anymore. Something squeezed in her chest as her imagination played out scenes of growing intimacy between Maddie and Michael, all leading up to a big wedding. Faith gave an unladylike grunt at the thought. She better not be asked to be maid of honor.

  Faith waved a quick goodbye to her mother, knowing she’d pay later for not saying a proper farewell.

  But she couldn’t help it. She needed to get out of there now. When she stepped outside, she was happy to feel the frigid air hit her face. It was too cold to allow the moisture gathered in her eyes to fall.

  Chapter 6

  Faith was even grouchier when her alarm pulled her from sleep on Saturday than she was on Friday. With a groan, she smacked her hand toward her nightstand without opening her eyes. She was rewarded by a crash as her alarm clock hit the floor and the buzzing stopped.

  She sat up in bed, blinking to clear her eyes of sleep. No easy feat, considering she'd tossed and turned the whole night as images of her sister and Michael danced through her head. It started with just images of when she'd seen them together so far—her sister leaning in and touching his sleeve as they sat together at Thanksgiving dinner, him leaning down and laughing with Maddie in the church auditorium.

  Apparently her subconscious didn't think that was sufficient torture. Her dreams were soon plagued by other images. Michael and Maddie cuddling together under the Christmas tree at the next family holiday. Michael down on bended knee offering a ring up to Maddie. Maddie's big belly as Michael wrapped her in his arms, a huge grin dominating his handsome face as his hands caressed the spot his child grew.

  Ugh. Faith slid out of bed and shuffled toward the bathroom. What was wrong with her? She'd met the man a total of three times. It's not like he dumped her for her sister. She scrubbed hard at her teeth, wielding her toothbrush like a weapon as she tried to convince herself it shouldn't matter who Michael was interested in. It wasn't like it meant anything to her.

  The convincing wasn't going so well. As she got to the church to resume her volunteer duties, she couldn't tear her mind away from Michael. It wasn't just that he was totally drool-worthy or that he shared her taste in music or that he was such a great leader to his parishioners. It wasn't even that he'd exhibited a willingness to stand up to her mother on her behalf. Although, that certainly didn't hurt his case. But more than that, he was strong and decent and had the unique ability to see beyond the screw-up that everyone else seemed to see when they looked at her.

  She paused at the bottom of the church steps. Faith pulled in a deep breath and squared her shoulders. Just a friend. Just a friend. Not even that, more of an acquaintance. She repeated this mantra to herself several times before she started up the steps. She would not seek him out. When he spoke to her, she would be friendly but in no way flirtatious. Maybe even a little distant.

  With her new determination, she opened the heavy wooden door and headed inside. The auditorium was crowded already. Guess word had gotten out about the services being provided. Faith's gaze did a quick search of the room. Not to look for Michael, but to see where she was most needed. And that’s the story she was sticking to.

  She spotted her sister bringing a pan of food out of the kitchen to drop into one of the warmers on the buffet table and her mother was right behind her. Guess they got here early.

  When she took in the children's corner, she finally found something to smile about. Her little friend Sarah was back. She was sitting in the quietest corner of the crowded play area with a book open on her lap. It looked like only one volunteer was over there, and with at least eight children already busy playing, the woman was starting to look a little harried. Faith rushed through hanging up her coat and made a beeline for the children.

  By late afternoon, Faith was ready to start advocating for birth control. She'd gotten a stain of dubious origins on the seat of her black pants. She was sure her hair was sticking out in crazy spikes. The day had been so much busier than yesterday that she'd only been able to escape for one short break to wolf down a sandwich. She'd had to take not one, not two, but three small children for cleanups after they'd had accidents, not making it to the potty on time.

  Worst of all, Michael hadn't stopped by to say hello even once.

  She told herself she didn't care. He was obviously busy. And they were just friends. Barely even that. He had no reason to stop over just to see her. But no matter how many times she repeated these things to herself, she couldn't quite make herself believe them.

  No sooner had these thoughts occurred to her then she lifted her head to see him walking toward her.

  Oh crap. Of course he comes over now.

  Knowing she'd be playing for his church service later today—and okay, if she were being honest, knowing she'd be seeing Michael today—she had taken some extra care with her appearance. She overlooked her jeans and t-shirts for a pair of black pants and a blue top with a white floral pattern around the collar. The top was funky enough to suit her taste, but overall the outfit seemed conservative enough for church. She'd even managed to tame her shag of blonde hair into a smooth, more controlled style.

  Of course, that was six hours, thirty kids, three potty accidents, two screaming tantrums, and several spilled juice boxes ago. Now she felt like a limp dishrag. So of course Michael would choose now to approach her.

  "Hi, Faith."

  "Oh, Michael, I didn't see you there. Hi." That's right. She was playing it cool. She hadn't been following him with the gaze of a stalker from the moment she walked through the door this morning. Nope, definitely not.

  "Thanks for volunteering another day." Michael's smile was warm and Faith wanted to dive right into the deep blue pools of his eyes. Her gaze lingered on his broad shoulders that filled out his green button-down shirt in a way that made a wave of heat twist through her belly.

  "No problem." She couldn't help it. His warmth made it impossible for her not to offer up a smile of her own. He was just impossible to resist. "It's a lot busier today."

  Michael nodded. "That's why I haven't had a chance to get over here before now. I saw you come in this morning, but every time I tried to make my way across the room, someone else stopped me."

  Joy bloomed in Faith's chest. He hadn't been ignoring her. He wanted to see her as much as she wanted to see him. Maybe she was wrong about what she saw between him and Maddie yesterday?

  "I wanted to make sure you were comfortable with the music and outline for the mass for tonight. See if you had any questions."

  Wasn't that just like a bucket of ice water? Here’s Faith having all kinds of warm fuzzies and all he wanted to do is make sure she was ready for the service this evening. Well, it's a good reminder. He sees her as nothing more than a parishioner.

  "I'm all set," Faith assured him. "I think all the songs you chose are ones I've played so often, I could do them in my sleep." Did her words sound a little stilted? She'd tried to sound normal, but the wooden feeling of the smile on her lips and the furrows appearing on his forehead told her maybe she hadn't been too slick in hiding her dismay at the idea of not being someone special to him.

  "Everything okay, Faith?"

  "Everything's great!" Okay, overkill much? Now she sounded deranged. Maybe she should steer him away from here and end this torture before he decided to have her removed from the premises. "Oh, looks like I'm needed back with the kids. Don't let me hold you up. I'll see you in time for the mass."

  Michael stood staring at her for a few long moments, his hands on his hips and his head cocked to one side as if he were trying to puzzle something out. Before he had a chance to question her weirdness, she gave him a wave and as hard as it was to do, turned her back on him and walked away.

  The church service was slated for five o'clock. Faith headed over to the kitchen a half hour before that to grab a little snack. She didn’t have much of an appetite, but she didn't want her stomach competing with her music either.

  Faith found the makings for a quick sandwich. Th
e lasagna being served smelled delicious with its bubbling sauce and cheese, but probably not the best idea to stuff herself right before she sang. The cheese could wreak havoc with her voice. She settled for turkey on rye.

  "Mind if I join you?"

  Michael stood beside her seat at the long table, a plate in his hand. Since her mouth was stuffed full of turkey, she just nodded at the seat next to her. She took her time chewing and swallowing, reminding herself to keep things friendly not flirtatious.

  "All set for the service?" Michael asked.

  "I think so. I have to admit, I'm a little nervous. I don't know if the nerves are due to playing at mass or the idea that lightning might strike when I step foot in church."

  Michael laughed, his eyes crinkling in the corners as he looked at her.

  Friendly, not flirting. Friendly, not flirting. Faith hoped the mantra would stop her from wondering exactly what color his eyes turned when he was in the middle of something more intimate than a conversation over a meal.

  "You'll be fine. I think God will see your volunteering to help as good enough reason not to strike you down."

  Faith smiled. Did he have to be so darned charming?

  "Father Michael."

  Faith held in a groan—barely—at her sister's voice behind them.

  Michael turned and smiled at her sister. Faith couldn't help but notice it wasn't quite the same warm one he used on her. It was more the friendly acquaintance look he used on the rest of his parishioners. There didn't seem to be the laughing intimacy Faith swore she saw last night.

  "Hi, Maddie. Faith and I were just grabbing a bite before tonight's service. Would you care to join us?"

  Faith held her breath. Was there a polite way to tell her sister to back off?

  "I'd love to, but I took a break already," Maddie said. "Thank you for asking, though."

  Oh, brother. He'd asked her to join them for a sandwich, but Maddie looked like she was being asked for her hand in marriage. Faith didn't say anything. She was just happy Maddie the Perfect wouldn't be joining them.

  "Oh, but what are you eating?" Maddie stared at Michael's plate as if it was covered in bait worms rather than a sandwich. "I know Faith isn't much of a cook, but surely you could have found something more substantial than a sandwich for dinner."

  Faith snorted quietly. Gotta give Maddie points for getting the dig in about her cooking.

  "That's okay. I made the sandwich. I don't like to eat anything too heavy before a service. Otherwise I might fall asleep in the middle of the homily."

  "I was thinking the same thing," Faith said, gesturing to her own plate. "You know, not that I'd be in danger of falling asleep while you were in the middle of your service or anything like that." She couldn't help but tease him.

  Michael laughed. "I'll have you know I've been nominated as the priest least likely to put parishioners to sleep two years running."

  Faith laughed. "Just nominated, huh? That must be some stiff competition. I hear that Father O'Malley at the Catholic church down the road gives a mean homily."

  The two laughed together. Maddie looked like steam was about to come out of her ears. When had this turned into a competition? Maddie had no trouble attracting men on her own. She hadn't had a dateless Saturday night since she was about fifteen years old. Was Maddie really that attracted to Michael?

  Before Maddie could point out any more of Faith’s shortcomings, their mother skirted by with some dirty plates in hand. "It looks like things are picking up again, Maddie. Several families just came in. We could use you back in the kitchen. We wouldn't want to run out of lasagna."

  Maddie's glance danced between her mother and Michael and Faith. It wasn't like she could refuse to go back and help in order to stay out here and flirt some more.

  "I guess I better get back to work," Maddie said after a moment. "But I'll definitely see you later at mass and for the get together afterward." Maddie laid a hand on Michael's arm for a brief moment before following Mrs. Leary into the kitchen.

  Faith was not sorry to see her go. She couldn't remember exactly when things had gotten so acrimonious between them, but it had been awhile since she and her sister had a conversation that didn't involve some sort of veiled—or not so veiled—barbs being exchanged.

  Chapter 7

  Faith was surprised at how much she enjoyed the church service. From the very beginning it was clear Michael preached with an eye toward including everyone. Several times he mentioned welcoming members of all denominations and beliefs or lack thereof. His passionate words inspired Faith to try and infuse her music with the same enthusiasm.

  Her jaw dropped after the first song ended and the audience broke into applause. When she looked over, Michael was grinning at her encouragingly. She'd expected the service to be far more somber. She got chills as she looked out from her spot on the altar to the sea of people so excited about her music. It had been a long time since she'd felt this spark while playing.

  Her most recent gigs had been in some real dive bars around Brooklyn and a couple out on Long Island. The patrons seemed more interested in seeing the bottoms of their beer glasses than hearing her play. Over time, the lack of passion in her audience seemed to be reflected in her playing.

  She beamed a smile over at Michael as he gave his homily. She didn't know if he felt the same pull between them as she did. She didn't know if someone like him could ever be interested in someone as unconventional as she was. What she did know was that he had given her a gift beyond measure in pushing her to fill in tonight. He'd reminded her about her love for music, and instilled her with the knowledge it was time to make some changes in her life to get this feeling back.

  In the gathering room behind the church, parishioners mingled and munched on the goodies everyone brought. Faith piled a plate high with cookies, a brownie, and a small hunk of decadent dark chocolate cake.

  A number of the churchgoers stopped to thank her for filling in for the music director and to tell her how much they enjoyed her playing. She had a few animated discussions about the merits of one kind of music over another, and several people told her how bringing "real" music into the service—Michael's idea apparently—had brought them back to church again and again.

  Warmth filled Faith as she took in this community. Everyone she met welcomed her and made her feel at home. She wondered if other churches were like this or if this was just the result of Michael working his magic, making everyone feel like they'd found a place they belonged.

  That thought stopped her dead in her tracks. Maybe that's all he'd been doing with her. Maybe what she had seen as flirtation and attraction had just been Michael's normal behavior, the way he drew people in and made them feel immediately at home. Had she misjudged what was happening between them?

  Before she could get too deep into introspection, she caught sight of Michael across the room. When their eyes met, his polite smile turned to one filled with something slightly more intimate. She couldn't be wrong, could she? He must feel the attraction.

  He held her gaze as he made his way across the room. He reached her and took one of her hands into one of his larger ones. "You were amazing tonight, Faith. I had a feeling you were talented from the little bit you played yesterday, but tonight...I was blown away."

  "Thanks. I'll admit it was more fun than I thought it'd be."

  "What did you think it would be?" Michael asked her, his eyes intently sweeping her face.

  Faith felt like they were the only two people in the room at that moment. It was like something out of a fairytale. Their eyes meeting across the room, making their way to one another. Could this man really be interested in her? Everything in her screamed yes, except for one niggling thought teasing at the back of her mind. That thought told her she wasn't good enough for someone as good as Michael. He was better suited to someone else. Someone better. Someone like...her sister.

  The thought dimmed her enthusiasm. She looked down for a moment, only to be startled by the feel of Mic
hael's hand on her chin. He lifted her face up until their gazes met.

  "Hey, where did you go just then?"

  "Sorry," Faith said with a small shake of her head. "I was just thinking about playing tonight. It's been a while since I've felt that kind of spark when I played. Thank you."

  "No, thank you. You're incredibly talented. It was a gift to all of us to get to hear you."

  Faith's eyes searched his, looking for some answers. She needed to know if he was simply grateful for her help this weekend or if he felt as amazed at finding her as she was at finding him.

  "Father Michael." The voice that broke into their staring match was familiar. Of course Maddie had to come break things up.

  "Maddie," Michael said, waiting a moment, holding onto Faith's stare, before glancing over his shoulder at the other woman. "What did you think of the service? Wasn't Faith great?"

  "Oh," Maddie's mouth formed a perfect O for a second as she obviously searched for the appropriate response. "We've always enjoyed listening to Faith and her little hobby."

  Faith bit her lip. As much as part of her wanted to snipe at her sister, the other part of her was mentally jumping up and down because Michael continued to hold her hand. Was he as loath to break the connection as she was?

  Maddie waxed poetic about the service for the next few minutes, ending by telling Michael, "I'll definitely be back next week."

  Before Michael had a chance to respond, another church member called him. He gave Faith's hand a quick squeeze before excusing himself to tend to the rest of his congregation, all vying for a little of his time.

  "What do you think you're doing, Faith?" The moment Michael took his leave, Maddie grabbed Faith's upper arm tightly, her voice coming out as a hissed whisper through her teeth.