Page 27 of A Very Merry Matchup
A beautiful sight, we’re flirting tonight. Pretending in a winter wonderland.
Ivy
I can’t stop sighing and smiling as we leave Mr. Gebhard’s house and make our way back to the truck.
What a great day. Delivering baskets. Meeting lots of sweet people—and a few weird ones. Playing the piano for Mr. Gebhard. Helping him organize his medications for the week.
I couldn’t help myself when I glanced in the kitchen and noticed all the pill bottles strewn across his counter. Maybe I’ll check back in on him before I leave town. See how he’s doing. Have another go at his piano.
“What’s that smile about?” Beau asks me when we reach the truck.
Am I smiling again? Guess so. “Just thinking I may have to add another requirement for my future husband.”
“Six four with blue eyes?” Beau opens the passenger side door for me.
“Piano player,” I say, sliding into the seat.
“What about ukelele player?”
“You know how to play the ukelele?”
“Why, Ivy West...” Beau claps a hand over his heart. “Are you picturing me as your future husband?”
Walked into that one, didn’t I? “I thought you meant—oh, forget it.” I reach for the seat belt. “Mind closing the door? I’m freezing.”
“I know some pretty good ways to warm you up. Don’t worry, once we’re married—”
I close the door myself.
He’s still grinning when he climbs in on his side of the truck and grabs his phone from where he left it on the console. After staring at the screen a few seconds, he starts up the truck. “Mom just texted. Said Dad’s not back with Nana yet. Since we’ve still got a little time before supper, why don’t we go check out the Christmas lights? There’s a big display not far from here.”
“What about the dogs? Shouldn’t we check on them?”
He shifts the truck into gear and pulls away from Mr. Gebhard’s house. “They’re fine. Mom said Crystal stopped by the house to help keep them out of trouble for a while.”
Crystal. That’s right. The girl next door. Beau’s future wife. What am I still doing out here with Beau when he’s supposed to be falling in love with Crystal? “Why don’t you drop me off back at the house so I can stay with the dogs while you and Crystal go look at the lights?”
Beau frowns like I just suggested he give up baseball to play piano full-time instead. “Why would I take Crystal when I want to see the lights with you? Besides, we’re already at the park.”
We are?
We are.My mouth hangs open the moment Beau takes a right and a multitude of colors flashes before us. Santa pulling a sleigh. Reindeer leaping. A snowman waving his hat. Elves with gift boxes. Giant candy canes. So many lights. Everywhere. Even the trees are all twinkling.
“Still want me to take you home?”
“Well, I suppose since we’re already here...” I’ll figure out a way to make Beau fall in love with Crystal later. Right now not even Santa and all his reindeer could drag me away from this magical sight.
Beau parks in a small parking lot next to a baseball field. To the left is the park entrance to a walkway that circlesaround a pond with little lanterns lighting up the path. A bridge covered in white lights crosses the center of the pond.
My eyes are still trying to take everything in as I unlatch my seat belt. “Wow. Who puts this together? Clark Griswold?”
“Not too bad for a little town, is it?”
“I’m surprised we’re the only ones here.”
Beau shrugs and shuts off the ignition. “I’m sure not going to complain about having the place to ourselves. Ready to take a stroll?”
I clamber out of the truck, more than ready. “Shoot.”
