Nate's Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Book 3)

by Jackie Castle

  Nate drew out his answer for a long moment, then finally shrugged one shoulder and said, “I go occasionally. I like quiet weekends and not being around a lot of people. I’m a bit of a hermit, I suppose.”

  Introverted, most likely. That would explain a lot.

  “We have a wonderful Christmas Eve service planned. A few of the girls from your band who are also in the choir will be singing that night.”

  Matt’s group had finished their last song and Nate pressed his fingers to his mouth and blew out a loud whistle, then clapped and cheered. Kara joined him, hopping up and down. Matt must have heard them. He waved, then hit his fist to his chest and pointed at them.

  Nate started laughing and waved back. “That was fun.” Giving Buster’s leash a tug, he added, “I should get—”

  “You’re going to leave before the tree lighting?”

  His shoulders sagged. “Well, traffic. And really, if you’ve seen one lighting then you’ve seen them all, don’t you think?”

  Kara narrowed her eyes at Nate Cooper. Then she glanced down at Buster who was edging toward a child holding a bag of popcorn. Nate automatically pulled him back with a warning, “Don’t even think about it, Buster.”

  Laughter erupted. “You named him appropriately. I bet he’d disagree with you. Buster probably wants to stay and watch the tree light up.”

  Nate leveled his gaze at her. “The lights aren’t what interests him about trees, trust me.”

  Kara threw her head back laughing. She didn’t want him to leave. This Nate was fun. Maybe they could eventually be civil to each other at school if they had a chance to get to know each other better.

  “I want you to stay, Nate. At least until after it’s lit. Then I won’t have to stand here all by myself.” She glanced around, realizing that she was still an outsider here.

  “Really? You want me to stay?” He seemed genuinely surprised.

  When she nodded, his smile turned to one of pleasure.

  “Okay, but if I’m staying, I’m going to need one of those hot chocolates to warm up. Can I interest you in another?”

  His grin warmed her up nicely, thanks very much. She nodded anyway. Maybe there was a bit of hope that they’d become friends after all. She’d not dare allow herself to hope for more, even if that hope was forcing its way up like a crocus pushing through the last snows.

  They were both teachers. At the same school. Teachers that fought more than they got along. For some reason, he was being pleasant this evening, but she was sure, once they were back in the halls of the high school, the battles would rage on.

  Chapter Seven

  Kara Shay wanted him to stay and hang out with her? Nate could hardly believe it. Despite his reservations about the woman, he found her sincere and enchanting. Still, he needed to be careful. Already people were giving them that look, the one that preceded a wave of gossip that would have them married by the end of the school year.

  Principal Lopez would also have a few unpleasant things to say about that.

  No, Nate would not give the gossip mill any fodder.

  They headed for the nearest vendor trailer. Buster pulled him along, enticed by the smells of fried foods and sweets. The wait to the concession stands was long. He hated long lines but tried to curb his grumbling about it. Normally large groups like this left him drained and a little stressed. Kara hummed along with the lively holiday music playing through the speakers. His tight nerves eased with her gentle mannerisms and sweet voice.

  Matt approached them, his instrument case tucked under one arm as he fist-bumped Nate and offered a one-armed hug to Kara. “Really appreciate seeing you two here. Did you come together?”

  Uh oh, Nate knew where that question was heading. “No.” He said rather too quickly, causing Kara to turn her face away. He cringed but went on. “I was pleasantly surprised to bump into Ms. Shay. She almost doused me with her cocoa.”

  Her smile was tight as she nodded in agreement. “Needless to say, I need a refill now. You were wonderful up there, Matt. I loved those songs!”

  The young man blushed and thanked her for encouraging him to agree to this gig. “I wasn’t as nervous once we got going. You were right, Ms. Shay. Again.”

  She shook her finger at him, narrowing her eyes playfully. “And don’t you forget it, Mister.”

  Nate loved the casual, yet loving way she treated her students as if each one was as important as a best friend. Though she’d started this past fall, it seemed as if she was still trying to fit in and make friends.

  Once Matt left and they ordered their drinks, along with a cup of water for Buster, he followed Kara toward a spot beneath the town’s oldest oak tree. The branches were bare and covered with bits of frost. Lights had been attached to most of the branches and shone brightly above them.

  “I’d hate to be the one who had to change a burned bulb on this thing.” He stared at the glowing tree with a chuckle.

  He blew on the steamy cocoa, searching for something, anything to say. This was becoming painful. He knew what he wanted to say.

  He would have liked to talk her into having dinner with him sometime. And not at the corner diner. Somewhere nice where they’d have to dress up. She had the prettiest dresses. He’d like to find out what kind of flowers she liked so he’d be sure to order them for her the next day to thank her for a pleasant evening.

  Nate was sure the date would be pleasant. Maybe she’d let him kiss her goodnight.

  The Mayor stood on the platform beside the town’s Christmas tree and began his speech. Nate wasn’t paying much attention. It was pretty much the same thing every year.

  “Are you going to drink that hot chocolate down in one gulp,” Kara asked, breaking him from his dazed trance.

  Nate blinked and lowered the cup from his lips. “I’m cold,” he answered lamely.

  A cheer from the crowd rose as the lights on the tree flickered on, moving upward toward the top where a bright yellow star sat. The same star had been used for the past ten years. Nate was surprised it still worked.

  Buster sat with a bored huff and leaned against his leg.

  “Wow, it’s pretty. But I think your dog has had enough.” Kara laughed and urged them to follow her, saying that walking would warm everyone up. As they strolled around the park, she shared her concerns about the Christmas play being her last one with the high school.

  “I’ve sent my resumes to other districts in this area, but I’m afraid I’ll have to move back to the city if I hope to teach what I love.” She sighed. “English won’t be so bad, I suppose. There is a fourth-grade writing class open at one of the elementary schools. But talk about drama.” She chuckled and nudged him with her elbow. “Have you always worked at the high school?”

  “Yes. I have all the necessary degrees and certifications to take on a principal position, now. Once a spot opens….” He paused for a moment, understanding her dilemma. “That is the hard part of being part of such a small district. Low funds and waiting for someone to die or retire for the best positions to open up.” Nate cringed. “I know that sounds terrible, but it’s the truth.”

  “I bet.” She let out a soft laugh. “But I do love it here. I don’t want to leave. My friend, Betty, said that I need to be open to the possibility that God might point me in another direction than teaching. Except, I love being a teacher. I love the kids.” She hugged her arms around herself. “I’d once thought about being a school counselor, but honestly, I think I can make more of a difference in the day-to-day encounters I have with them now. I love it when they feel comfortable enough to open up and share their hearts with me.”

  They came to a corner where his truck was parked. Across the four-way intersection, the historic theater’s marquee glowed. Old man Charmain had owned the place for as long as Nate could remember. Anymore, he only opened it for special holidays and a couple of weekends a month to show old movies.

  Kara paused, smiling as she looked into her empty cup, then tossed it into the nea
rest receptacle. “You probably think I’m nuts, don’t you?”

  Nate’s heart raced and he had to look away, sure his feelings were written all over his face. “No, that’s not what I’m thinking at all.” He threw his own cup away, threaded the leash grip around his wrist, then shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his jacket. His right hand fisted around Charity’s note that he’d tried to read earlier.

  Buster continued walking at his side, as he’d been trained to do. Every once in a while, Nate felt the leash tug on his wrist when Buster stopped to examine a post or bush.

  “Yesterday when I came in to speak to you, I watched the end of your practice for a good little while. You impressed me, Ms. Shay. And…inspired me.” He started walking again, his pace quickened until she grabbed his coat sleeve and pulled him up short.

  “Inspired? I did? You’re joking, right?”

  Nate shook his head. His free hand slid from the shelter of his pocket and wrapped around her cool, delicate one. He wanted her to believe him. “I’m serious. After watching you with your students, I realized how…” Nate ducked his head, hating to admit how hard he’d grown in his job. “I’m missing opportunities. I’ve fallen into a pattern, thinking more of competitions, of just getting through the day or the week, that I no longer see the students as individuals. I’m not sure when they became nothing more than grade averages. But I hate that I let that happen.”

  Kara squeezed his hand. “It’s never too late to turn things around, Nate.”

  His breath caught when she started walking again and entwined her fingers through his.

  “Kara, I’m sorry for how I’ve been. You know, about grumbling over the noise and stuff.”

  She laughed. “Well, I’m sure we can get pretty loud. They get a little excited about acting out the scenes from the books we’re discussing.”

  “You make the boring stuff fun. Wish I could—”

  “You can. And it doesn’t take much. You teach World History, right?” At his nod, she continued. “I’ll send you some links to sites that have learning games you can try out with your students. Just try one new thing every week. I make it an incentive for them to get their work done. If the majority of them pass the weekly quiz, then Friday is fun-day. We still learn, but in a more entertaining way.”

  Nate slowed his steps, slightly turning so he faced her. “You’d do that?”

  “Of course,” she tilted her head. “Then we can compete to see who can get the loudest on Fridays.”

  They both laughed. Nate feared he was losing the battle to keep his feelings in check. Maybe if she did go to another school…? Except he didn’t want her to have to move. What he wanted was for her to have what her heart desired.

  “What do you need for your play? I know you have no funding, though you did manage to find money to pay the hardware store order. What else do you need?”

  She kept looking up at him, her brows slightly furrowed as if he were a puzzle she couldn’t work out. Nate swallowed hard when he realized there was something more in her expression. Finally, she said in a whisper, “That’s sweet of you.”

  When did the distance between them narrow? She stood so close now he could make out the dim freckles splattered across her cheeks and nose. The street light made her face glow. She was wearing some kind of lipstick that made her bottom lip shine. Was it the flavored kind of balm?

  Nate blinked and sucked in a quick breath, recovering his momentary lapse of reason. “I…” he ducked his head. “…want to…help. If you’ll let me. To make up for being such a… well, I’ve not been very welcoming your first semester, have I? I’m sorry for that.”

  She grinned up at him, her green eyes twinkling. “Apology accepted. I think, for now, I have everything we need. In the morning, some of the students that are part of the stage crew are coming over to help build the set. You know how to work a saw?”

  Yes! Something Nate knew he could do. “You’re living with the Hernandez family, right? You rented their apartment above the garage?”

  “That’s right. Nothing is private in a small town, is it?”

  Nate shook his head. “Afraid not. What time are you starting?”

  “Nine in the morning.” Kara checked her watch. “I should get on home. I need to go over my sketches tonight.”

  “Where did you park?” Nate gave a tug on Buster’s leash. The dog was intently examining the light pole they’d stopped beside.

  Kara pointed across the street. She was still holding his free hand, and he didn’t want to let her go. But it was getting late. They hurried across the intersection toward her compact car. Down the walkway, another couple was out walking their Great Dane. Buster whined his stubby tail wagging. Nate reached into his pocket for his own keys since his truck was only five spaces down from hers. The corner of Charity’s note caught in the ring and tumbled from his pocket. He’d meant to finish reading it tonight. The first paragraph caused his vision to blur so bad, that he’d decided to wait until he was by himself before attempting to read the whole thing.

  “Will you need any tools?” He asked, finally having to let go of her so she could get her own keys.

  The note fluttered from his pocket at the same moment Buster lunged toward the giant dog heading in their direction. The owners, spotting him, made to cross the street to avoid the dogs becoming tangled up. Kara ran to catch the note before it blew away.

  “Buster, heel! He’s much too big for you to take on, you goof.” Nate jerked on the leash to get the dog’s attention. “Come.” He bent to pat Buster’s head when he obeyed. “Good boy.”

  Nate straightened as Kara returned, staring strangely at the note. Her happy expression faded from her face like the sun disappearing behind thick clouds.

  She shook her head and handed him the note. “No, I have everything I need. Thank you.” Pulling her keys from her purse, she hit the unlock button and climbed into her car. “See you on Monday.”

  Before he could respond, the door closed and she was pulling out into the street.

  What happened?

  Nate looked down at the letter and wiped off a bit of dirt from the edge. His eyes widened when he read, “I love you from the bottom of my heart,” Charity had written.

  Oh no! How would he explain this without giving away the secret-angel-thing secret? Nate closed his eyes while pinching the bridge of his nose. He really needed to read this letter. Maybe like ripping off a bandage he just needed to do it and do it quick.

  Then he’d have to figure out a way to make sure Kara didn’t think he was playing her when he had someone else in his life. Which he didn’t. Because Charity had left them. Too soon, as far as he was concerned.

  Nate got Buster into the truck’s cab and waited for the heater to kick in so he could clear the foggy front window.

  Unfolding the wrinkled page, he smoothed it out over the steering wheel, then flipped on the overhead map light.

  Nathan, my friend.

  How did we grow so far apart, even though we live so near together? I guess life has a way of splitting rivers and churning waves. My life over the past couple of years has been a series of stormy seas. But I’ve not lost sight of the Lord walking over the waves ever and ever closer. I’m ready to go meet him now and I’m not even afraid of sinking. Not at all. Be happy for me. If you see the others, remind them that I went home with a full heart and a big smile on my face.

  So, you’re probably wondering why I’m writing you this personal note, aren’t you? I know you, Nathan Cooper. Even after all this time. Nothing is sacred in small towns. I’ve heard kids talking about the handsome band teacher who has taught them to love music. Remember the garage band you started? I was your #1 fan!

  But you decided to play it safe and go to college for a degree as your dad wanted. I don’t blame you. Honesty, I was surprised when you returned to Snowflake and started teaching. Teaching! Yet, even that made sense when I thought about it. Remember trying to teach me how to play the guitar and failing mis
erably?

  I was hopeless. Music wasn’t my calling. That’s okay, I’ve had a wonderful life and wouldn’t change a thing. What about you, my dear friend? If tomorrow was your last day, could you say the same?

  What a deep question, huh? Would you expect anything less from me? Back in high school, you were such a good, steady friend. A safe friend. People had thought we were together, remember the rumors? They figured that had to explain why you were hanging out with a bunch of girls at a Bible club, of all places.

  Nate grinned, remembering. Charity was… special to him. He’d never wanted to ruin their friendship by doing something stupid… like he’d done tonight. Why hadn’t he listened to his own inner warnings to keep his distance from Ms. Shay? He needed to be careful.

  In a way, Kara reminded him of Charity a lot. Her big heart and enthusiasm for life. Why had he let himself grow so distant from his high school buddies? After he returned from college, most had moved away and he’d simply let the rest go as he made new friends with the staff at the high school.

  When his parents left Colorado for a warmer climate, he’d taken over the family house and made it his own. Most of the rooms he kept closed off, not liking the feeling of being so alone. He and Buster lived in the main part of the house and the master bedroom. But it was meant for a big family.

  Buster had curled up in the seat beside him, probably exhausted from walking all around the park this evening.

  Wiping his sleeve across his eyes, Nate returned to the letter.

  I deeply cherished your friendship, Nate. I loved that you were safe and always treated all of us with the utmost respect. However, I’m afraid you’ve grown a little too safe.

  You have been given such a wonderful musical gift. Remember how we all laid hands on you during one particular meeting? And we all prayed that God would use your talent to touch others? Teaching music is a wonderful way to reach others with your gift.