“Exactly.” Natalie crossed her arms and nodded, her point made. “Glacier Falls isn’t really known for its bustling musical scene, is it?” Her lips pressed into a thin line and she shook her head before looking at Jeremy again. She must have seen something in his face, because her approach changed instantly. “I’m not saying that’s the case or anything, Jer. It’s just I don’t want to see you get hurt. You obviously really—”
“It’s fine.” He held up a hand to stop her. Jeremy didn’t know much about Natalie’s life before she came to Glacier Falls, but it had been clear early on that she didn’t think very highly of relationships or, oddly enough, other women. “I appreciate your concern, but it’s not like that. Don’t worry.”
She gave him a strange look, but thankfully didn’t press him further. A fact he was especially appreciative of because he had no idea what he’d even meant by what he said. It wasn’t like what?
That he was falling for Bella a little more every day?
That he couldn’t stop thinking about her? And despite the fact that they hardly even knew each other after ten years, he was very quickly having trouble imagining a life without her in it and that scared the hell out of him?
That as excited as he’d been for her when she’d told him the news about Starshine Records and the gig that was going to make them, he was nervous as hell about what that would mean to them, and Natalie’s comments had hit a little too close to home?
Because maybe he could lie to Natalie about it, but Jeremy was fairly certain he wasn’t going to be able to lie to himself for too much longer.
“Bella, come help me with these presents.”
She wiped her hands on the tea towel and dropped it next to the sink where she’d just finished the washing up from lunch, and went to find Papa on his hands and knees under the Christmas tree.
“What are you doing, Papa?” Bella laughed and knelt next to him. “Here, let me get that.” She reached past him, flattening herself under the low bough to grab the present he’d been trying to reach.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” With an aching slowness, Papa pushed himself up to standing and promptly sat back on the sofa. “I was trying to get that present.”
She went to hand it to him, but he shook his head. “It’s for you.”
Bella looked from the small package back to her grandfather, a question in her eyes. “It’s not Christmas yet.”
“I know. But given the exciting news you told me this morning, I thought it was fitting I give it to you now.”
Unable to contain herself, as soon as Bella got home that morning, finding her grandfather already up and sitting at the breakfast table with only a raised eyebrow to let her know that he knew exactly where she’d been, she’d told him the exciting news about Velvet Heart and Kyle’s voicemail. She’d left a voicemail with Kyle in search of more details about the gig, but so far she’d only received a few vague text messages in return and a promise to give her a call in a bit.
“I can wait until—”
“Nonsense,” Papa interrupted her. “Open it now. I’m just so proud of you. You’ve been working hard and now you’re going to see your dreams come true. That’s a very big deal, Bella. Very big.”
There was no way Bella could argue with Papa when he was saying things like that. She turned the package over in her hand and pulled at the tape fastening the shiny paper.
“Just rip it open, kiddo.”
Bella laughed and did as she was told. With the paper crumpled and at her feet, she slowly lifted the lid of the box to reveal a delicate, handcrafted silver star-shaped snowflake ornament nestled in the tissue paper.
“Papa. It’s gorgeous.” Bella gently lifted the ornament by the satin ribbon and held it up. The intricate details of the snowflake sparkled in the light as it twisted from her finger. “I don’t know what to say. It’s absolutely beautiful.”
From his place on the couch, Papa beamed with pride. “It’s for my shining star. Bella, you will do great things and this is just the beginning.”
A tear came to her eye, but she wiped it away before he could see.
“Hang it on the tree,” Papa ordered. “I wanted to see it with the rest of the special ornaments because it will be the last time I get to see a Christmas tree in this house.”
Bella froze halfway through hanging the snowflake. Quickly, she finished up, making sure it was secure in the branches before turning to kiss her grandfather on the cheek. “I know it’s the right thing, but I can’t help but feel a bit sad about it.”
“Me too.” He nodded and folded his hands over his stomach. “But it’s time. You’re right and I won’t give you any more trouble about it. I’ll move.”
“You will? Just like that?”
He nodded again. “Just like that. But like I told you before, I’m not going to the city. There’s a perfectly good seniors home here in town. Glacier Falls is my home.”
She gave Papa a kiss on the cheek. “I know you don’t want to leave your house, Papa. But it makes me happy to know you’ll be safe. I just want you to be happy.”
He smiled and caught her hand in his. “I know, sweet girl. Glacier Falls makes me happy.”
After spending more time in town, she could understand that perfectly. Besides, it would give her lots of reasons to come back to visit. Between Papa and Jeremy, she… The smile fell from her face. She hadn’t let herself think about what her career would mean to her and Jeremy. Not that there was a her and Jeremy. But…it sure felt as if there were.
As if he’d read her mind, Bella’s phone chirped with an incoming text message. She pulled it out of her pocket and read the message.
Hope you’re having a good day. I can’t stop smiling.
His honesty put the smile back on her face. She quickly tapped her reply.
Me too. It was a lot of fun.
She was vaguely aware that her grandfather was watching her. “Sorry, Papa. I just—”
“I may be old, but I’m not stupid, child. Go ahead.”
She looked back to her phone as it chirped again.
See you tonight? I’ll come over.
That was perfect. If Jeremy came over, they’d have the chance to talk about what things would look like when she went back to the city. Long distance wasn’t impossible and if they both worked at it, it would work out.
Sounds good.
She’d barely hit Send on her message when the screen lit up with an incoming call. Kyle. Finally.
“Sorry, Papa, I need to take this. Kyle is going to give me the details about the gig and—”
He waved her away, and Bella rushed into the kitchen to take the call.
Jeremy pushed the last chair into place and stepped back to admire his work as he felt a pat on his shoulder.
“It looks great, Jeremy.”
He turned to see Ed Walker next to him. “Thanks, Chief. It’s your vision—I just execute.”
Ed laughed. “This is so much more than my vision, son. When I started this dinner all those years ago, there were maybe five people who came. Me and the guys—there were only guys back then—”