Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“And everyone to your left, to your left,” I directed. We’d moved to the courtyard to practice. The school lacked an indoor stage or auditorium, so the performances would take place in the courtyard. After enough days of rehearsals, I was honestly glad there wasn’t a stage, as at least I didn’t have to worry about kids falling into the orchestra pit.
“Your other left, Marcus,” I corrected as one of our Santas headed away from the rest.
“Sorry, Mr. Bell.” Marcus apologized, only to make the same mistake the next run-through.
“Remember you are Santa, jolly and generous!” I directed the students. “No cranky faces!”
“I don’t believe in Santa.” One of Legend’s crew, a spiky-haired kid in a perpetual bad mood, glared at me.
“Yeah, we’re not little kids,” another boy added. Sixth grade was apparently equivalent to all grown up if one listened to the students.
“All you have to do is believe in the magic of the season.” Smiling, I swept my hands wide. Only a few others smiled, and I groaned. “No? Not buying that?” I exhaled, trying to come up with a different angle. “Okay, think about the audience and how much they’ll love this number.”
“Think about how fun surfing is.” Legend sauntered up next to me like he was doing me a favor, clapping me on the back. “Listen to Mr. Bell.”
“Thank you, Legend.” I reached over my shoulder to peel off the Kick Me sign he’d placed on my back. I shook my head, feigning disappointment. “Really? Another tired prank. Try harder.”
The whole class laughed as the bell rang. On his way out of the courtyard, Ryder came up to me.
“See you tonight. Dad said you found a tree?”
“I did.” I smiled. “I’ll drop it off this evening.”
“Drop off?” Ryder frowned. “You’re staying to decorate.”
And with that proclamation, he was off to his next class. I was on to the seventh graders who were doing a multicultural salute to the winter holidays. Unfortunately, like with the sixth grade choir, I’d be better off herding some of the chickens roaming around North Shore.
“Now, drummers—” I directed, only to be cut off by several agitated voices.
“I wanted to drum.”
“Me too.”
“We can’t all drum.” I put as much patience as possible into my voice, even though we’d been over this many times.
“Why not?”
“Because.” I sounded exactly like my own father. Bah.
The eighth graders and their secular nod to solstice were hardly an improvement from the other choirs, as their dancing was less sprite-like and more that of angry water buffaloes.
“And we’re dancing, we’re dancing. We’re fairies. Light as a feather.” I moved among the students, demonstrating with my arms what we were trying to achieve. “And we’re singing at the same time. Watch the stomping, Liam.”
“I hate this song.” Kaitlyn hadn’t warmed up to me at all in the weeks I’d been at the school.
“I hate the costumes,” one of her friends added.
“And we’re singing anyway.” I waved my hands. “Your parents will love this.”
I hoped, at least. And finally, it was the end of the day, and I was able to head to Merry’s classroom. Despite Ryder’s request, it would undoubtedly be better to simply hand Merry the red foil tree I’d found at long last. It had taken some doing, but I’d stowed my find in the choir room closet and couldn’t wait to deliver it.
In stark contrast to the chaos of the choir classes, Merry’s shop classroom had been transformed into a peaceful winter wonderland. The palm trees now all looked like palm trees, the arches were curved, and the giant hibiscus were bright and cheery. The candy cane and surfboard props also appeared ready to go, and I had to clap my hands at the progress.
“Now, this is a treat after my day of rehearsals. Everything looks great.”
“You wanna do the honors?” Merry handed me a box with a switch on it. “I’ve got the lights all wired, but I haven’t tested them all at once yet.”
“Yes.” I was utterly delighted to flip the switch. All the clear bulbs lit up, dousing the room in the exact type of holiday magic I’d been trying to sell my classes on. “Oh, Merry, it’s beautiful.”
“We still have work to do. And transferring everything to the courtyard—”
“It’s perfect.” I gave him a fast yet firm kiss. “You’ve worked so hard. I hope you know how much I appreciate it.”
“You’ve worked hard too.”
“Eh.” I waved the praise away. “Your decorations are marvelous. The choir performances… Well, we’ll simply have to see.”
“The parents will love it regardless,” Merry said loyally, earning himself another swift kiss. “And do you want to ride with me back to our place, or were you planning to check on Cara and the kids first?”
“I could ride with you. Cara texted that all is well there. But are you sure it’s okay if I come over tonight?” My mouth twisted. I didn’t like the idea of imposing or creating the wrong expectations. “I could simply give you the tree if you want alone time with the twins.”