A Forever Christmas. Missy Tippens

      That evening, Gregory whipped into the church parking lot and nabbed the closest spot to the back door. “Come on, boys. Hop out. I’m late for the meeting.”

      “Do we have to come?” Hunter asked.

      “Yes, you do. I’m sorry, but Granddad is on this committee, too.”

      “I’m hungwy,” Chase said in a pitiful little voice.

      They’d come straight from the day care center where Chase spent each day and Hunter went after school. Why hadn’t Gregory thought to bring a snack? His sister would have. “Hang in there, guys. We’re going to eat dinner as soon as we finish.”

      Work boots and two pairs of tennis shoes clomped and squeaked down the long hallway. When they reached the door, he held his finger in front of his mouth to quiet them. Then he stuck his head in the door to see how badly they were interrupting.

       Sarah—handing out papers?

      “Come on in, Gregory,” Pastor Eddie said. “Sarah was just telling us about the Christmas pageant.”

      She stood motionless as if shocked to see him, then all of a sudden jerked into motion and continued distributing papers.

      He walked in with Hunter and Chase in tow. “I’m sorry I didn’t think to get a babysitter.”

      “It’s okay. Come on in, boys,” Pastor Eddie said. “There’s a box of crayons and some paper over there on that table.”

      Gregory smiled his thanks. And thanked God for crayons.

      He ducked into a chair as he watched the boys get settled across the room. Sarah started to place a sheet of paper on the table in front of him, but it slipped off, and they both reached for it. Their hands touched, and it was like a shockwave streaked from his hand to his heart.

      She looked into his eyes for a split second and appeared alarmed. “Oops. I’m sorry,” she said as she handed him the paper and moved on.

      She was still in his space, though. Smelling as good as she always had. In fact, she might wear the exact same perfume she did in high school. Clean, fresh…classy.

      His mind made a lightning flash trip back to high school. Sarah in his arms…Sarah in his car, scooted up beside him…

      Sarah dumping him.

      Yeah, that was the sticking point. She’d said she wanted to break up because he didn’t understand her goals. But he knew the real reason was because she’d let her parents get to her. And that because he wanted to stay in Magnolia and start his own business, he wasn’t good enough for her.

      She continued with her presentation about the pageant. But he barely heard a word until she moved away from him.

      Once she reached the other side of the room, he came back to his senses and noticed her smile at his sons.

      Hunter dropped a crayon.

      Sarah picked it up without missing a beat. Just kept talking about sets and lights. Like any good kindergarten teacher could do.

      “Miss Sawah, I’m hungwy,” Chase said as he continued to scribble on the page, forgetting where he was and seeming to think he was in her classroom.

      She looked over at Gregory, expecting him to produce a snack.

      “I’m sorry, son. We’ll get you something as soon as we’re through.”

      Sarah quickly finished up and asked for any questions.

      “We really appreciate you taking over for Donna Rae,” Pastor Eddie said. “Especially during your vacation.”

      “I’m sure I’ll enjoy working with the children.”

      “Well, let’s move on to the next item on our agenda. Sarah, there’s no need to keep you. You’re free to go.”

      Hunter raised his hand like he would do at school. “Can I leave, too?”

      All the adults around the table chuckled.

      Gregory’s dad raised his brows and looked a little concerned that the boys were starting to get vocal. Not a good sign.

      “Maybe I should go,” Gregory said.

      “No, stay,” Sarah said. “I don’t mind taking them to the kitchen and seeing if we can find a snack.”

      Before he could say no thanks, Pastor Eddie said, “That’s a nice offer. We won’t be much longer. And I’m sure it would help Gregory.”

      He didn’t want to look at her. He nodded his gratitude as he wondered what she thought of him bringing children to a meeting with empty stomachs.

      She gathered a bundle of crayons and stack of paper and placed them in her leather bag. Then she reached out a hand for each of the boys. Chase hurried to take her up on the offer. He grabbed her hand and grinned up at her. It hurt Gregory to see his eagerness.

      Hunter, on the other hand, didn’t get up. He heaved a sigh and looked at Gregory as if he’d let him down once again. Gregory nodded his head toward Sarah, so Hunter followed her obediently. But he rejected her hand and shoved his into his pockets. Chase’s chatter faded as they squeaked down the hallway toward the church kitchen.