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She moved close, put her hand on his arm, then raised herself on tiptoe and lightly brushed his mouth with hers. “Good night.”

“Night.”

He helped her with her coat, then stayed by the door until she’d driven away. When she was gone, he headed for the stairs, knowing that whatever he wanted from Reggie, he was going to have to learn to do without. He liked her and he trusted her, but Harrison had to be his priority right now. No matter how Reggie tempted him, he was simply going to have to keep letting her walk away.

Chapter Twenty-One

Micah couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this good. It had been over a year—that he knew for sure. Losing Adriana and the baby had nearly destroyed him, but he was coming back to life. In some ways he felt stronger than he had before the accident. He believed even the darkest of times eventually eased. Scars weren’t anything to hide in shame—instead, they told a story and made him who he was.

He’d finished the song. Dena informing him that he was still in love with Adriana and that there would be no more kissing had somehow pushed him over the creative edge, so to speak. He’d worked into the night, until the song was done.

“Because the Snow Fell” was good. Really good. It would be a hit and a comeback for him, but more importantly, it affirmed that he could still write. Ever since finishing the song, he’d been flooded with ideas and was spending hours every day writing as fast as he could.

Except for today, he thought, whistling softly as he walked the short distance to Dena’s classroom. He shifted the boxes from The Christmas Feast so he could pull open the door. Instantly all the students called out to him, waving and grinning.

Dena stood at the front of the room, shaking her head in mock dismay. “I have lost control.”

Her students laughed. She smiled back, then looked at Micah.

“You come bearing gifts.”

Her tone was light enough, but the second their eyes met, he knew something was wrong. He could see it in the half-hearted curve of her lips and the sadness in her gaze.

Aware of the students watching him, he put down the boxes of snacks and pulled Dena into the hallway. “What happened?” His gaze dropped to her stomach. “Is everything okay with the baby?”

“We’re both fine,” she said, offering him another smile that didn’t convince him of anything.

But this wasn’t the time or place to have the conversation. He would talk to her after class.

“Okay,” he said, holding open the door. “I have a surprise for the class.”

They walked inside and found everyone looking at them with a combination of curiosity and concern.

“You have a surprise?” she asked loudly, instantly shifting the mood of the room.

“I do.”

One he’d been excited about until just this second. Unexpected doubt swamped him. Maybe he’d gone too far. Maybe he should have—

Only there was no time to change his mind because just then, the school janitor showed up with a large pallet stacked high with boxes.

Dena stared at the writing on the side, eyes wide with disbelief. “You bought guitars for the class?”

All the kids started talking at once. A couple jumped out of their seats as if they couldn’t contain themselves.

“I thought it would be fun,” he said, trying not to sound defensive. “I thought I’d teach them a few chords, then let them take them home. I tuned them this morning.”

She blinked at him. “You bought everyone a guitar?”

“Is that against the rules?”

“I don’t think so.”

The students raced to the front of the room.

Micah had everyone form a rough circle on the floor.

He demonstrated “The First Noel” because it could be played with only three chords. The kids strummed along as best they could.