She allowed herself to breathe. She didn’t have to win. She wasn’t even certain she wanted to. But the humiliation of losing to Avalon — ah, yes. That would be a sore spot for sure. At least she was in the top five.
Her attitude stank. Didn’t the people counting on breast cancer research funds deserve a good shot at winning? Yeah, eating well would cut back on cancer in the nation. But still, it wasn’t a popularity contest between herself and Avalon.
Jase had made it very clear he loved her, not Avalon. The prize of his love was worth far more than the tiara.
God’s love was worth even more. She bowed her head. Lord, grant me humility. Help me to be genuinely happy for the winner, whoever she is. Even if it’s Avalon. It’s not about me. It never has been. It's but about the message You’ve given me to share. I know it now, and I’ll do the best I can. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“Marisa? That was a beautiful flute solo.”
She jerked her head up and stared at Mr. Penhaven, inches from her face, as he held out the tray with glasses of water.
“Thank you.” It didn’t seem in character for him to be waiting on anyone, even his daughter, never mind being polite to Marisa.
Beyond him, Avalon smirked at her. There hadn’t been a single moment in the competition where Avalon had seemed friendly or even human. The real Avalon would be angry that her father said something nice to Marisa, yet the grin was all I-know-something-you-don’t-know.
Hmm. Marisa looked sharply at Mr. Penhaven. “Why are you here?”
He shook his head and averted his gaze. “Perhaps this isn’t the best time to speak of it.”
“Speak of what?” She’d only met the man a few times before, in his office where they’d discussed her mutual funds. Surely that couldn’t be his reason for coming to her during the competition — on Christmas Eve, no less?
“Well, I’m sorry, Marisa. I really am.”
He didn’t sound it. Her gut tightened.
“That portfolio we spoke of a few weeks ago has plummeted. I don’t know what to tell you.”
The savings for Davy and Lila’s education. He was low enough to attempt to sideline Marisa during the competition. And Avalon’s smirk showed she knew exactly what he’d attempt to do.
Applause came from the auditorium as Diana finished her speech.
Marisa lifted her chin and pierced Mr. Penhaven with her gaze. “I’ll make an appointment to discuss it with you the first week of January.”
“Welcome Miss Tomah CSA, Marisa Hiller.”
Mr. Penhaven stepped aside as the audience clapped for her. A little smile toyed with his lips but did not reach his eyes.
Marisa took a deep breath and turned for the stage.
She wouldn’t let him rattle her for her final appearance before the judges. She couldn’t afford to think about his bombshell.
~*~
Jase’s fingers itched to loosen his tie. The air in the auditorium seemed thick, but who could have more invested in this evening than the contestants did?
Than he did.
Yes, it mattered a great deal to him who won. Not that it changed his love for Marisa, but the next ten minutes would dictate what the next year of his life would look like. Filling his time with photography in Helena while he waited for her to fulfill her duties? Or maybe he’d be free to marry her sooner.
First he had to ask her.
Then she had to say yes.
She would, wouldn’t she? A small green velvet box wedged in his tux pocket. She loved him. He knew it. They just had to admit it to each other.
His thoughts buzzed as Diana Riley answered stage questions from the judges. Marisa had drawn the second-to-last spot for the final segment of the evening. Only Avalon came after her. Avalon, with her smug, haughty smile all evening.
Jase cringed. He should have known better from the start. How could he have dated her even for a little while? Thank God he’d come to his senses before doing something foolish like proposing to the wrong woman.
His dad called Marisa’s name and Jase held his breath.
Stunning in a hemlock green gown this evening, Marisa crossed the stage to the center.
Was it his imagination or did she look less self-assured than earlier? And why, when their eyes had been so completely locked as she played her flute, would she not even glance his direction now?
“You gave us a lovely rendition of Away in a Manger a few minutes ago, Miss Hiller,” one of the judges said. “Please tell us how that particular song relates to your platform of—” He checked his notes. “Community Supported Agriculture.”
Marisa closed her eyes for a brief instant and pulled herself together.
Could anyone else have noticed? Jase glanced around, but only expectation shone from faces in the crowd.
“One hundred and twenty-five years ago, my great-great-great grandmother Calista Blythe stood on a platform very like this one. Away in a Manger was a brand new carol then and spreading like wildfire around the world as people brought the simple words home to their hearts. Calista understood the deep longing for one small child to have a place to sleep that was warmer than a manger. Safer than a stable.
“In the days preceding the 1889 Miss Snowflake pageant, Calista harbored an orphan child, the indentured servant of a woman who abused her. A small child who had no place but a manger to lay her own sweet head, just like the little Lord Jesus.
“Calista laid everything on the line for this girl. She knew her actions could ruin her chance at winning the tiara and with it, the chance for enough funds to provide a home and family for the child.”
Marisa’s simple story held the audience enthralled.
From the corner of his eye, Jase saw Mr. Penhaven slide into his chair next to his wife and lean over to whisper something to her. She shook her head. The man shrugged and turned to face the stage, a sour look marring his face.
“My forebear understood the most important thing was not winning or losing a title or a tiara. It was knowing what God put her on earth to do, and doing it with all her heart.”
Now Marisa looked straight at Jase. A challenge, maybe? “My passion for fresh, real food has been given me by God. There are many children in Montana, in the United States of America, and around the globe who do not have access to healthy food. Through my work with the Tomah CSA and its sister groups across our nation, I can make a difference. And when my time of wearing the tiara is complete, I’ll continue to reach around the world in search of children in even more need.”
She raised her chin slightly and looked from one judge to the next, taking a moment to make eye contact with each.
Jase’s shirt buttons might not be able to hold his pride in her.
“I’ll be honored to wear the snowflake tiara. But whether I win the tiara this evening or not, feeding hungry children in Helena or elsewhere is my life’s focus.” She met Jase’s eyes. “The words of Away in a Manger spoke to Calista, and they speak to me. The song asks God to ‘bless all the dear children in Thy tender care.’ He wants me to do my part to bring that blessing in a practical way. And so I will.”
She curtsied as the applause exploded. From over by the far door, Bren stood, weeping and clapping. Marisa’s mom and Bob surged to their feet. Across the auditorium, people rose like a wave, applauding and cheering.
Jase watched her step back in line with the other top five finalists. It didn’t matter if there weren’t any photos of the next few minutes, did it?
CHAPTER 17
“Well done, Marisa,” whispered Kristen as Marisa passed her.
The applause from the auditorium continued for a long moment as they took a break to allow the judges’ scores to be calculated.
Marisa squeezed her eyes shut. The guests in attendance hadn’t clapped that long for any of the other girls, had they? How much did their approval matter to the judges? Parts of the scoring had been open to the community, but the results hadn’t been released.
When she opened them again, A
valon stared at her through narrowed eyes from across the room.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children...
Avalon was a child in need of God’s blessing. How could Marisa hold a grudge against her for wanting Jase’s attention? She couldn’t let that eat her soul any more, even if her opponent had hoped to cause Marisa to stumble after Mr. Penhaven’s revelation.
The ready room door behind her creaked open and Avalon’s eyes widened.
Marisa turned to see who had come in. Surely not Avalon’s father again.
Jase.
From the platform, Dr. Mackie droned on, filling the time while the judges consulted with a running commentary of the week’s highlights, but his voice disappeared.
Jase in a black tux, red hair under control for once. Tie on straight. Until his eyes caught her own and his fingers went for his collar.
Nothing existed. Kristen, Avalon, Diana, and the others drifted away along with Dr. Mackie’s voice.
Jase stopped in front of her, caught both her hands in his, and tugged her aside. Not that a potted plant made much of a barricade. “Marisa,” he whispered. “That was magnificent. You won the hearts of everyone here, all the judges.”
He’d come all the way back to the ready room to tell her what the thunderous applause had already hinted at? He couldn’t know more than she did. Not yet.
He cleared his throat. “You won my heart a long time ago on an African beach. Even though I said some hurtful things to you, I could never get you out of my thoughts. My hopes. My dreams.”
Where was he going with this? In her heart, she knew. But why now? Why in the middle of the final moments of the Miss Snowflake pageant? Why with others nearby… his sister, Avalon?
“I love you, Marisa. I want you to know the outcome of this evening doesn’t affect that in any way. Whether you win or not, you will never be the runner-up for my love.”
His hands clenched hers with a ferocity that was nearly painful. Or maybe she clung to him. Who knew?
But he dropped to one knee and let go of her right hand.
This was real. He was actually proposing right here. Right now.
A small box came out of the pocket of his tux and his blue-green eyes held hers firmly in their thrall. “Marisa, my love, will you marry me?” He popped open the velvet box.
Her voice caught in her throat. A cluster of diamonds in the shape of a snowflake glittered up at her. “Oh, Jase.”
“Please say yes.”
They had what it took to go the long haul, didn’t they? Yes. Yes, they did. “Oh, Jase. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He slid the diamond ring onto her finger then swept her into a hug and twirled her around, kissing her soundly.
“I hate to break this up, but Dad’s calling for the finalists on stage.”
Marisa caught her balance as Jase set her back on the floor, his hands still on her waist.
“I love you, Jase,” she whispered, swooping in for one more little kiss even as she put her hands on his arms to push for her release.
Marisa tore her gaze from Jase’s eyes and turned to the watching women. Kristen grinned, gave her a thumbs-up, and sent her to the back of the line.
Right behind Avalon, who looked like she would burst into tears any second now. Who could blame her? What could be worse than listening to your ex-boyfriend propose to your rival?
Marisa could only hope her hair and makeup weren’t too mussed. But did it matter? Not anymore. Whether or not she won the title tonight, she’d gained something far more valuable.
A future with Jase.
~*~
The tiara gleamed on its velvet pedestal next to the microphone stand, with five floral bouquets arrayed around it. Jase picked up his camera and steadied his heart.
She’d said yes!
Right there on the stage, whether she wore the snowflake tiara or not, she wore the snowflake ring that bound them together. What more could he want?
Dad surveyed the group of finalists while Kristen waited off to the side. Then Dad made a show of opening the first envelope.
“Fourth runner-up is Miss ChildFund International, Miss Tabitha Jensen.”
The audience clapped.
Jase took a deep breath. So far so good. He snapped a few photos while Kristen handed over one of the bouquets and gave Tabitha a smile and a few words Jase couldn’t hear. Tabitha curtsied and waved to the audience.
“Third runner-up is Miss Habitat for Humanity, Miss Heather Francis.”
More clapping, slightly more animated.
Snap, snap.
“Second runner-up is Miss National Breast Cancer Coalition, Miss Avalon Penhaven.”
Jase dared a quick snatch for air. Avalon was so not going to be impressed. She’d done better than he expected, though. She smiled graciously at Kristen and accepted her bouquet before waving it in the air and stepping to the other side of Heather.
Down to two.
“First runner-up is…”
Dad paused and grinned, turning to Marisa and Diana. “…is Miss American Heart Association, Miss Diana Riley.”
The room exploded.
Dad leaned into the microphone. “And the Snowflake Queen is Miss Tomah CSA, Miss Marisa Hiller.”
At least, Dad’s lips formed the shapes those words required. Jase could only hear snatches of them amid the crowd’s uproar. But he couldn’t have said anything else. Marisa was the last woman standing.
She’d done it. His professional training kicked in as he shot dozens of photos of Marisa. Accepting flowers from Kristen. Then a hug. And then the tiara.
Shaking hands with Dad, who leaned in and kissed her cheek.
A good sign.
Then she stood alone at the microphone. The Snowflake Queen. His beloved. His promised bride.
Marisa thanked the judges, thanked the sponsors and committee. She thanked the people of Helena. “My deepest gratitude goes to Bob Delaney, the chairman of Tomah Community Supported Agriculture, who encouraged me to enter this pageant on behalf of real food for everyone, whether they have a large grocery budget or not. Whether they live in Helena, in Montana, across these United States of America, or on faraway shores. I pledge to make the most of the favor you have bestowed on me and continue to promote healthy food however I can. Thank you.”
She paused and leaned back into the mic. “Happy birthday to my beloved home state, Montana, and its capitol, Helena!”
The crowd roared its approval.
After snapping a few last shots, he hurried back to the ready room before Dad’s closing speech. His sister awaited him, while the runners-up and the queen — queen of his heart — remained on stage a few moments longer.
Kristen catapulted into Jase’s arms. “She did it! She did it! She won!”
He caught her somehow. Reflex, maybe, or self-preservation. He twirled Kristen around and set her back on the floor. It was hard to keep an eye on Marisa while spinning in circles with his sister.
“I’m sure you had a reason for your timing, little brother.”
Jase didn’t take his eyes off the platform. “Yep. You should know.”
“But I never expected it right here, in front of everyone, in the middle of finals.”
He spared her a glance. “It’s been so busy I couldn’t catch her alone. Trust me, I tried. This was my last chance.”
“It took a lot of guts.”
“You were right. I didn’t want her ever to think I was offering either a reward or a consolation prize. She needed to know — right then, before the winner was announced, that she means everything to me.” Man, his voice was choking up. “Whatever Dad said out there right after, it didn’t matter. It doesn’t affect us.”
Kristen turned to face him fully. “It will take some getting used to, you being all grown up and a married man and all that. Wow, I can’t wait to tell Todd and the kids. Charlotte and Liam love her already. Do Mom and Dad know?”
> Jase grinned at his sister. “They knew it was coming, just not when.” He nudged her as he pointed back at the stage. “Look at Dad.”
Their father’s eyes seemed riveted at something much lower than a woman’s face, but rose when Marisa’s left hand lifted to adjust her hair.
Kristen began to giggle. “He just saw the diamond ring.”
Jase couldn’t stop his smile from lifting both his ears. “Yep.” He’d be doing a lot of smiling for a while, though the tiara resting on Marisa’s hair meant their wedding was at least a full year off. They’d be busy the whole time. He could wait.
Dad took the microphone, thanked everyone for their support, and announced there would be a photo op on the stage in a few minutes for those who were close to the finalists.
The women turned and came toward the ready room, Marisa at the tail.
Jase held his breath, watching her beautiful, familiar face.
“Thanks a lot, buster.”
He blinked as he reared back and focused on Avalon’s stormy brown eyes. “Pardon me?”
She stood in front of him, hands on her hips. “Humiliating me in front of everyone by asking Marisa to marry you in public. And then she won. You probably rigged the votes.”
“Miss Penhaven, please don’t make accusations you’ll later regret.” Kristen stepped up beside them.
Avalon swung to face her. “Your whole family was in on this. It was never an impartial contest.”
“It was totally fair. There was an entire board overseeing the pageant, and not a single one of the judges is related to the Mackie family. You heard the audience when Miss Hiller finished her final speech. When the announcement of the winner was made. Did Jase or I pay all those hundreds of people to pretend to be thrilled?”
More Than a Tiara: A Christian Romance (Christmas in Montana Romance Book 1) Page 12