Lakeshore Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page A

story about small-town Christmas celebrations.”
    “Cool,” he said, but he didn’t look thrilled.
    “It doesn’t really change our plans, but I wanted you to be aware of it.” She handed him a printed document. “Here’s the program I’m planning. You can take a look at it tonight.” She’d spent weeks finding the perfect combination of story and song for the traditional Christmas Eve celebration at Heart of the Mountains Church. It was a wonderful program, designed to bring the magic of Christmas to life. She had envisioned the ideal pageant for a long time, ever since she was small. She conjured up images of an evening aglow with candlelight, the air infused with incense and alive with song. It would be the quintessential celebration, one that would soften even the most jaded of hearts and remind people that the joys of the season could be felt all year.
    He took a cursory look at the script and song list. “Sure, whatever. But it doesn’t lead with the angels,” he said. “When Mrs. Bickham was in charge, we always led with the angels.”
    Ah, the ghosts of Christmas pageants past, thought Maureen, clasping her clipboard to her chest. She was going to be haunted by them for a long time. “Not this year.”
    “It’s your show,” he said. “Hell, I don’t even like Christmas.”
    He was so obnoxious, she thought. But so ridiculously good-looking, in a shaggy-haired, skinny-jeans, tight-T-shirt way. A lethal combination. “Nonsense. Everyone likes Christmas.”
    He laughed. “Right. Okay, I guess I didn’t explain this very well.”
    “Explain what?” In spite of herself, she was intrigued, and found herself leaning toward him, hanging on his every word like the most hopeless sort of Fan-girl.
    “This whole Christmas thing.”
    “What about it?”
    “This is probably going to throw you for a loop, but in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a big fan of the holiday.”
    Maybe, she thought, he appealed to her because he challenged her. It had been a long time since anyone over the age of five had challenged her. “Don’t be silly. Everybody loves Christmas.”
    “You slay me, Maureen. You really do. News flash—everybody does not love Christmas.” Then his gaze slipped down the list of songs. “I’m not seeing a lot of variety here. Nothing new.”
    “We could always add ‘The Runaway Reindeer’ from your hit movie. Your fan club would love it. Would that make you happy?”
    “That would make me gag.”
    The meeting was going so badly. She wished she knew how to bring it back on track. “Here’s the sign-up sheet for auditions.”
    “Ought to be interesting. Everybody wants to be a star.”
    “So it seems. We’ll try to be as inclusive as possible. We should remind everyone that there are no small actors—”
    “Only small parts,” he finished for her. “And everybody knows that’s bullshit.”
    She winced, wondering why he felt compelled to antagonize her. Her friend Olivia would say it was because he liked her. The notion intrigued Maureen far too much. She busied herself with her printouts, hoping to disguise her nerves. “And then we’ll go right into rehearsals. Here’s a schedule.”
    “Got it, boss.”
    “Are you patronizing me?”
    “I’m trying to, yeah.”
    “It’s not working. I won’t be patronized. Let’s not lose sight of our goal. This program isn’t for us or about us. It’s for the children, and for everyone who wants to celebrate the holidays.” The more nervous she got, the more cranky she sounded.
    “Honey, you’re taking this way too seriously.”
    “Honoring Christmas should not be taken lightly.” Oh, Maureen, she thought. When did you turn into such a dork? Olivia was always telling her to relax and have fun. But Olivia was pregnant, and hormones made her completely unreliable these days.
    “Got it,” Eddie said again. “Are we done here?”
    “Yes,” she said. “We’re done.” She hesitated, then screwed up her courage,