Page 5 of A Baxter Family Christmas
He pulled into the parking lot in the heart of downtown Bloomington and looked at the clock on his dashboard. Five minutes early. He could hardly wait to start.
Three years had passed since Connor had been in a CKT play, but he’d never been part of the directing team. This time around the production wasA Charlie Brown Christmas,and though it was a musical, the show was only an hour long. Which meant the rehearsal process would be quicker than for a full-length production. Auditions now and rehearsals in early December, when Connor came home for Christmas break.
The kids would perform just one show—the Sunday before Christmas.
Easy enough,Connor thought. He would work with Bailey and her husband, Brandon, and a few others. Being away at school made him miss Bailey and Brandon. This time together would be the perfect Thanksgiving break.
Snow was falling, so Connor slipped into his heavy parka, shut the car door behind him and locked it. The air was so much colder here than in Lynchburg, Virginia, where Liberty was located. He buried his hands in his jeans pockets and walked across the street to the theater.
Auditions would be a blast. Growing up, he and Bailey were in a couple shows a year with CKT and they always looked forward to audition day. If things were the same as they were back then, the bond of camaraderie between the cast and crew and directing team would start today.
With the very first audition.
He spotted his sister as soon as he walked through the double doors. How crazy that they were this old now. Bailey, twenty-two, and married for two years. She and Brandon owned the theater and the retail space around it. They had brought in tenants with a heart for missions and outreach. High-end tenants who had improved every retail space surrounding the theater. There was a thriving bookstore with leather chairs and a bakery and seating area at the back. A few doors down was a coffee shop where all the profits went to build wells for people in Africa.
Talk around town was that their work here had changed the very heart of Bloomington for the better. Owners of other commercial buildings had made improvements to their storefronts. They’d painted and added vintage brick and signage, and nearly all of them had planted trees and flowers that bloomed in the spring and summer. Downtown had a spirit of unity and kindness now that hadn’t been here before.
Connor smiled as Bailey ran toward him. “Look at this place! It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks!” Bailey hugged him and stepped back. “It’s only been a few months, but you look older.” She grinned at him. “How’s Liberty?”
“I love it.”
“And your classes?” Her eyes were bright. “You’re probably getting straight A’s like high school.”
“Not quite.” He laughed. “But the classes are great. The professors really care.”
She grinned. “I knew you’d do great there.” She raised an eyebrow. “No girlfriend?”
“Not yet.” He smiled. Bailey always asked about the girls in his life. They were still close like that. He linked arms with her and they headed for the judges’ table, just in front of the stage where the kids would audition. “I switched from communications to film. Did I tell you?”
“No!” She stopped and faced him. “That’s perfect. You’d be a great filmmaker!”
“I’d like to try. I’ve prayed a lot about it.”
“Which reminds me, I talked to Andi Ellison the other day. She and Cody Coleman are back together. It’s getting more serious.”
Connor hesitated. He searched his sister’s eyes. “Which is good, right?”
“Definitely.” Bailey smiled. A long time ago she and Cody had been together. But they’d been friends first, and the friendship remained. The fact that Cody was once again dating Bailey’s college roommate Andi was something Bailey seemed truly happy about. “Anyway, Andi’s dad is still making Christian movies. When you get your degree, you’ll have to talk to him.”
“Definitely.”
Connor was going to ask her how she and Brandon were doing when someone caught his eye. A girl just taking her seat at the judges’ table. Connor hesitated and lowered his voice. “Who’s that?”
Bailey turned and followed his gaze. “Her? That’s Maddie West.”
Connor stopped, his eyes still on the girl. She had beautiful blond hair and the body and mannerisms of a dancer. “Maddie West? Do we know her?” He glanced at Bailey for a moment and then back at the girl. “She looks familiar.”
“I thought that, too.” Bailey shook her head. “I don’t think so. Her last name isn’t familiar. And she never did CKT. She dances at the studio across town.”
“I’m sure she does.” Connor caught Bailey’s raised brow. “What?”
“She’s a senior in high school. She’s my intern.” She elbowed him lightly in the ribs. “A little young.”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “Maybe.”
Bailey’s phone buzzed and she checked it. “Brandon needs me backstage. Our pianist called in sick. We’re scrambling to find someone else. Auditions start in an hour!” She headed toward a side door. “I’ll meet you and Maddie at the table in a few minutes. I’ll explain the audition process then.”
