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The past was gone,
Only memories remained.
Dena stared at him, not sure what to think, what to feel. Was the song about her? About their first kiss?
There you were, with snowflakes sparkling in your hair.
There you were, teaching me to care.
Again . . .
Inviting me into your heart.
As the snow fell,
I fell
And you fell.
The past was gone,
Only love remained.
Reaching us and healing us and making us into one.
Now I’m going to spend Christmas
With you
And all my next Christmases,
Too.
Because the snow fell.
The last note lingered, the violinists stretching it out until the audience began clapping and cheering. Dena stayed in her seat, frantically telling herself it was just a song. They were words he’d strung together, and whatever inspiration she’d been didn’t mean what it sounded like he meant.
“That was so pretty,” her mother said, her voice incredibly calm. “Had you heard it before, Dena?”
“No, he didn’t play it for me.”
“The man is very talented. I liked that a lot. I wonder what Taylor is going to sing. I do love her.”
Vince smiled. “Maybe she’ll do a Christmas version of ‘Shake It Off.’”
Leigh laughed. “That would be fun, wouldn’t it?”
“You okay?” Reggie asked, eyeing her.
“Sure. Of course. Why do you ask?”
“The song. Did you know what he was writing?”
Dena brushed off the question with what she hoped was a convincing laugh. “Oh, they’re just words that rhyme.”
Reggie’s gaze seemed to probe a little. “You sure?”
Just then her phone rang. “I’ll go in the kitchen.” She raced there and hit the Talk button. “Hello?”
