Zack Baker
Noelle.
Miss Starr sat in the front row of the town’s whitewashed church, clutching a lace handkerchief. On Sundays she sat in the back row, so that she could watch everyone, but today was Christmas Eve, and she didn’t want to miss a thing.
Zack, Tegan and brand-new baby Noelle were part of the church’s first ever Christmas pageant, representing a Huntington Christmas. And the precious little infant hadn’t even let out a single peep.
Tegan and Zack knelt on either side of the rustic wooden cradle, Zack’s battered hat unable to hide the fact that he only had eyes for his wife and baby.
The three wise men, Matt Sanders, Brian Haner, and Jimmy Sullivan, each wore jeans and hats, as if they’d just ran long and hard from a hard to reach the church in the cool weather. And then there was Johnny Seward, who was forced to play as a donkey, who was standing just a few feet behind the three wise men. Each of them brought a gift to the baby—a gold nugget, sage and a bough made from fresh evergreen.
While they were each presenting the baby with their presents, Miss Starr slipped from her pew, placing a sprig of baby’s breath near the cradle.
After all, Miss Starr thought, she’d had a big part in bringing the Baker family together, and love was the greatest gift of all.
As the minister, Reverend Jonathan Sheffield, finished narrating the Christmas story, Miss Starr couldn’t help but look at the four wise men. Matt was happily married, judging by the expression on his face as his eyes sought Val in the crowd. Johnny Seward had decided that music and romance didn’t mix. Miss Starr would have to see about that.
Brian Haner was currently dating Michelle, Valery’s sister. Things were going quite well, at least that’s what the word is around town.
And then there was Jimmy Sullivan. He’d been married once, head over heels in love, if her aging mind still served her, which is most certainly did. She’d learned yesterday that Jimmy’s ex-wife was returning to town in the next couple of weeks to take over her aunt’s cappuccino and gift store.
Should be interesting, she thought, dabbing her teary eyes with the scrap of lace.
Two of the five Avenged Sevenfold members were now living their own happily ever afters, and she reckoned it was time that the others got a ring on their fingers, too.
Maybe there was something she could do to help there, too. After all, there was definitely an advantage to being the postmistress. She was usually the first to know things, giving her plenty of opportunity to get Cupid in place. Yes, indeedy.
She joined the congregation in singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” as the three wise men led the procession back up the aisle.
When Zack and Tegan followed with the newborn Noelle tenderly cradled against her mother’s chest, Miss Starr’s gaze connected with Tegan’s.
The warmth of Tegan’s radiant smile made Miss Starr’s sixty-something-year-old heart miss a couple of beats. Oh, to be in love again…
Zack tenderly placed a kiss on Tegan’s forehead, and Miss Starr couldn’t help but smile as she joined in the resounding chorus to the song.
Zack, Tegan and brand-new baby Noelle were part of the church’s first ever Christmas pageant, representing a Huntington Christmas. And the precious little infant hadn’t even let out a single peep.
Tegan and Zack knelt on either side of the rustic wooden cradle, Zack’s battered hat unable to hide the fact that he only had eyes for his wife and baby.
The three wise men, Matt Sanders, Brian Haner, and Jimmy Sullivan, each wore jeans and hats, as if they’d just ran long and hard from a hard to reach the church in the cool weather. And then there was Johnny Seward, who was forced to play as a donkey, who was standing just a few feet behind the three wise men. Each of them brought a gift to the baby—a gold nugget, sage and a bough made from fresh evergreen.
While they were each presenting the baby with their presents, Miss Starr slipped from her pew, placing a sprig of baby’s breath near the cradle.
After all, Miss Starr thought, she’d had a big part in bringing the Baker family together, and love was the greatest gift of all.
As the minister, Reverend Jonathan Sheffield, finished narrating the Christmas story, Miss Starr couldn’t help but look at the four wise men. Matt was happily married, judging by the expression on his face as his eyes sought Val in the crowd. Johnny Seward had decided that music and romance didn’t mix. Miss Starr would have to see about that.
Brian Haner was currently dating Michelle, Valery’s sister. Things were going quite well, at least that’s what the word is around town.
And then there was Jimmy Sullivan. He’d been married once, head over heels in love, if her aging mind still served her, which is most certainly did. She’d learned yesterday that Jimmy’s ex-wife was returning to town in the next couple of weeks to take over her aunt’s cappuccino and gift store.
Should be interesting, she thought, dabbing her teary eyes with the scrap of lace.
Two of the five Avenged Sevenfold members were now living their own happily ever afters, and she reckoned it was time that the others got a ring on their fingers, too.
Maybe there was something she could do to help there, too. After all, there was definitely an advantage to being the postmistress. She was usually the first to know things, giving her plenty of opportunity to get Cupid in place. Yes, indeedy.
She joined the congregation in singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” as the three wise men led the procession back up the aisle.
When Zack and Tegan followed with the newborn Noelle tenderly cradled against her mother’s chest, Miss Starr’s gaze connected with Tegan’s.
The warmth of Tegan’s radiant smile made Miss Starr’s sixty-something-year-old heart miss a couple of beats. Oh, to be in love again…
Zack tenderly placed a kiss on Tegan’s forehead, and Miss Starr couldn’t help but smile as she joined in the resounding chorus to the song.