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I miss you so much. Things are going well in New York, but they would be even better if you were here. You always add so much sunshine to my days. Maybe Jake could bring you again sometime. How are you doing? I miss you, friend, and hope to see you soon.

  Love,

  Faith

  Faith,

  I’m doing well. No complaints. I would love to come see you. But Jake works a lot with his job as sheriff. The old fuddy-dud would probably never agree to take me to New York again. You know how he feels about cities, right? I miss you too. I’m so excited that you’re living out our dreams in New York City. Thanks for the playbill from Cats. Which musical is coming next? I can’t wait to see your name prominently featured.

  Hugs,

  Jenny

  Jenny had told Faith that she was doing well? She had to be in the hospital around that time. Did Faith know about that?

  Jake leaned back.

  Faith didn’t really talk to anyone from around here. Faith had assumed everyone would shun her after what her father had done. But certainly she’d known about Jenny’s health problems. Jake had thought about calling her a couple times himself, but Jenny had insisted that she had everything under control.

  He scanned the next several emails. Most of them were about Broadway. Jenny had loved musicals. They’d been her lifeblood. Nothing had made her happier than realizing her best friend could possibly be in one as something more than a background singer or dancer.

  He continued to read. The next email was dated three months ago.

  Jenny,

  I heard from Mrs. Duvall that you’ve been in the hospital. Is it true? What’s going on? Do you need me to come back home to be with you? As much as I don’t want to face the wrath of Chestnut Grove residents, I’d do it for you. Let me know. I’m worried.

  Faith

  So Faith had stayed in touch with Mrs. Duvall. Jake’s back stiffened as he waited to read more and discover how this would play out.

  Faith,

  Don’t be silly. I’m fine. I had to go to the doctor for a little checkup. Everyone is worrying about nothing. I’d tell you if something was wrong. You do your thing and stop worrying about me.

  Your bestie,

  Jenny

  Jenny,

  Are you sure you’re okay? Because you’re my best friend in the whole world. I’d leap mountains for you and ford streams and fly through the air. I’d most likely trip, flounder, and fall on my face—but I’d still do it. For you. I love you so much.

  Faith

  Why hadn’t Jenny told Faith about her heart problems? Why had she brushed it under the rug like she did? It didn’t make any sense.

  Jake kept reading until he nearly reached the end of the email chain—the email chain that stopped on the day before Jenny died.

  He tried to prepare himself for the onset of emotions he knew would come. Jenny’s death still felt so fresh, so raw.

  Jenny,

  I haven’t heard from you in a couple days. Is everything okay? I tried to call Mrs. Duvall, but she was visiting her mother out of state and couldn’t talk. I’m getting worried. I may have to call Jake, but I don’t want to upset him.

  Please let me know.

  Faith

  One day later:

  Faith,

  I’m so sorry, my friend. Life has been busy. I need for you to promise me something. Friday night is your opening night for Curiosities. More than anything, I want to be there. But I caught a little virus, and I can’t be. Promise me that you’ll get on that stage and do this for us. I need to know you’re living our dreams. And I want you to send me the playbill with your name on it. I’m going to frame it, and it will always be one of my most treasured possessions. Promise me.

  Jake doesn’t hate you as much as you think he does. In fact, he loves you. I know he does. He’s never stopped. Even if you never marry him, I’ll still think of you as a sister. Honestly, I still think the two of you should get married. You’re perfect together—I wish you both could see it.

  Love,

  Jenny

  Jake let out a short, airy laugh. Jenny really had loved the two of them together. She’d been walking on the clouds when they’d told her they were dating. Jenny had mourned their breakup just as much as Jake.

  Did he even want to read how Faith had responded to that email?

  He knew he couldn’t stop now.

  Jenny,

  Should I be worried? A virus? You’ll be okay, right?

  And of course I’ll send you a playbill. I’d love nothing more than for you to be here with me, though. I’d offer to fly you out, but I know Jake would never agree to that, would he?

  Friend, getting the lead role in this play was both of our dreams. You’ve been my biggest cheerleader throughout all of this, and I can’t tell how much that means to me. Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without you.

  As soon as I have a break, I’m going to face my fears. I’m going to come to Chestnut Grove. When I do, I’m going to make sure you’re the star for a while. I’ll have a playbill written up with your name on it. You’ve always been the real star, Jenny.

  I love you.

  Faith

  PS—I’ll always love your brother, but I’m not sure I can say the same for him. Either way, he’s a great guy and you’re blessed to have him as your brother. Never forget that.

  At the bottom of the mail, there was a video link. Jake clicked on it. Jenny’s face came onto the screen. She stood on Faith’s old farm, and the mountains stretched in the background. With a huge grin on her face, she began singing “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.”

  Her voice was strong and beautiful, and her smile infectious. At the end of the video, she winked at the screen and blew a kiss.

  Jake closed the computer, tears washing down his cheeks.

  Faith hadn’t known. Jenny had never told her she was dying.

  Why not?

  He knew the answer. Jenny hadn’t wanted anything to stop Faith from living out their Broadway dreams.

  Why hadn’t Jake realized that sooner?

  But the funeral . . . he had called Faith himself to tell her about it. She hadn’t been surprised. Someone had told her the news before Jake called. Mrs. Duvall? But Jenny had given Faith instructions to stay in NYC for opening night. She made her promise. Everything suddenly made sense.

  Was it too late to make things right? He’d been a jerk. He’d jumped to conclusions.

  He stood. He knew one thing—he owed Faith an apology. He prayed she would forgive him.

  Faith tried to get her conversation with Jake out of her mind. She had other things she needed to think about. But their talk—and his accusations—kept wanting to take centerstage.

  How could he possibly think she’d arranged all of this for her benefit? After everything they’d talked about? After everything they’d been through?

  She’d thought they’d made some real progress, that they’d actually moved toward reconciliation. Apparently, she was dead wrong.

  She had to admit that seeing Cole here had thrown her off also. When she’d called Cole’s publicist to ask for help, she’d never expected Cole himself to come to Chestnut Grove. She was flattered that he thought she could make it on Broadway.

  But she’d already made her mind up. She’d given it her best shot, and she felt at peace with walking away. Truthfully, she missed her small-town roots. She missed being around people who treated her like family. She missed Chestnut Grove.

  “You ready for this?” Mrs. Duvall appeared backstage.

  Faith glanced at the choir members who mingled, waiting for their turn to shine. “Yes, I’m more than ready. I just hope this is well received.”

  “I have no doubt it will be. You have nothing to worry about.”

  “Thanks for your confidence in me.”

  “Besides, have you seen how many visitors are out there? It’s a packed house. News crews from all over the area are here. I think this is going to be great.”

&n
bsp; “Faith,” someone else said in a soft voice.

  Faith looked over and saw Dory Phelps standing there, one of the choir members. “Hey, Dory.”

  “I just want you to know that Jenny talked about you all the time.” Her words came out slowly and purposefully.

  “I thought an awful lot of Jenny.”

  “I miss her.”

  Faith pulled her into a hug. “We all miss her. But I think she would love seeing you all on stage tonight. What do you think?”

  A smile lit Dory’s face. “I think she would too. We’re doing this for her.”

  “For Jenny!” someone else said behind her.

  “For Jenny!” Several more people agreed.

  They were right. This was all in honor of her friend.

  Faith glanced at her watch and clapped her hands. “Okay, everyone. Guess what? It’s showtime!”

  19

  Jake stood at the back of the auditorium. The concert was about to start.

  “Jenny wouldn’t let me tell Faith the truth,” someone said beside him.

  He glanced over and saw Mrs. Duvall there.

  “She didn’t want Faith to know how serious her condition was. More than anything, she wanted Faith to live out both of their dreams on Broadway. Jenny never told Faith, and I made a promise that I wouldn’t either—not until Jenny told me I could.”

  Jake took a deep breath. “Is that right?”

  “Jenny knew Faith would probably miss opening night if it meant coming back here to Chestnut Grove when she died. She told me I had to make Faith promise she wouldn’t miss out on her dreams to come for her funeral. Said she’d be dead and gone by then anyway.”

  “What?” Had Jenny really been that headstrong and stubborn? He already knew the answer. Yes.

  Mrs. Duvall nodded. “It’s true. That’s why Faith didn’t come home.”

  “Why didn’t Faith tell me that?” That was what baffled him the most. Why hadn’t Faith just explained things?

  “Because people have assumed the worst of her the past three years. She needed to know someone could see the real Faith.”

  Jake slumped at her words.

  “You know as well as I do that Faith thinks everyone in this town hates her. Her dad’s decisions . . . they’ve been a huge burden to her. All of this that she’s doing tonight—it’s not for her glory. It’s because she wants to revitalize this town that she thinks her family destroyed.”

  Jake’s heart pounded in his chest.

  Mrs. Duvall was right.

  His pain had clouded his judgment. It hadn’t allowed him to see any other possibilities other than his own hurt.

  As the lights dimmed, Mrs. Duvall rushed toward the piano. Everyone in attendance quieted, their eyes glued to the stage.

  On the screen, Jenny appeared. Her rounded face showed a grin that surpassed all the happiness in the world.

  That was Jenny for you.

  On it, she sang “O Holy Night.”

  He sucked in a breath as the choir began singing with her.

  When he had the first chance, he planned on telling Faith that he’d been wrong. He only hoped she could forgive him.

  As the choir performance ended, Faith felt the tears of joy in her eyes.

  This had gone great—even better than she’d imagined.

  And now it was time for Faith to close the evening. She climbed on the stage and stood behind the podium. Members of the choir grinned at her from their places on the risers. She flashed them a grateful smile before turning toward the sold-out house in the auditorium.

  “I’d like to thank everyone for coming this evening,” Faith started. “This night has been very special to me. As some of you might know, Jenny Whitmore was my very best friend.” She cleared her throat, hoping she could get the words out and that her tears wouldn’t cloud her vision.

  She looked up briefly and saw Jake standing in the doorway, listening to her every word. Would he ever understand? She hoped so. But this wasn’t about Jake. It was about Jenny.

  “Jenny taught me how to love life,” she continued. “She showed me the joy in watching a caterpillar climb over blades of grass. She taught me how to delight in the sunset over the mountains. She made me realize that food could be enjoyed better bite by bite than when you inhale something in five minutes. Most of all, she showed me unconditional love. Whenever I messed up, when my family messed up . . . she reminded me that there was more to me than my mistakes. That there was more to life than harboring guilt. That we had only one chance, and we had to make the most of this life.”

  Faith reached into the podium and pulled out something she’d had made up.

  “This is a playbill,” she said. “Anyone who knew Jenny knows she collected them. I was trying to get one from each of her favorite plays and send them to her. But this playbill is even more special. I had it made just for tonight, and the headliner is Jenny Whitmore.” Jenny’s picture appeared on the screen. “Jenny, these numbers . . . they’ve all been for you.”

  20

  Jake watched as the crowds surrounded Faith at the end of the concert.

  The event had been a smashing success. It had been touching, full of Christmas spirit, and heartwarming.

  The performance reminded him of all those past Christmas celebrations here in Chestnut Grove. Some of the life had seemed to return to this town tonight.

  And it was all thanks to Faith Winters.

  He had to talk to her.

  But Jake knew he’d never catch a moment alone with her now.

  Instead, as everyone made their way to the gymnasium, he trailed behind, calling out to several people.

  By the time he made it inside, a band played on stage and couples had begun dancing beneath the dim lights and ample amounts of mistletoe.

  He scanned the crowd, trying to catch sight of Faith. He saw Lucy and her husband dancing. His parents.

  Was that . . . Ms. Gingham dancing with Mr. Foggerty?

  It sure was.

  Finally, Jake spotted Faith dancing with Timmy.

  A smile stretched across his face as he watched them laughing together and enjoying themselves.

  He’d been a fool. A total and complete fool.

  He wove between the couples dancing there and tapped Timmy on the shoulder. “Could I break in?”

  Timmy almost looked like he might say no. But finally, he nodded. “Only if we can dance again later.”

  Faith grinned. “Of course we can.”

  Jake stepped into Faith’s arms and pulled her toward him. He searched her gaze, hoping and praying that forgiveness and restoration might be possible.

  “I’m sorry.” His voice cracked. “I don’t know what else to say, but I’m sorry.”

  She said nothing for a moment, only stared at him, an unreadable look in her eyes.

  “It’s okay,” she finally said.

  “What’s okay?” He needed to make sure he understood her words correctly.

  She shrugged. “Everything. Mrs. Duvall was right. I didn’t think people here could forgive me and that was because I needed to do some forgiving myself. I’ve realized that there’s no time to waste. I have to let go and accept the fact that not everyone is going to like me or welcome me. And that’s okay.”

  “But Faith, I was wrong. I just assumed that you put your career before Jenny. I imagined Jenny being heartbroken, and I couldn’t stand it. But the truth is that I was the heartbroken one. I missed you so much. I wondered if I should have fought harder. If I should have moved to New York. It’s been a rough few years trying to hold everything together and feeling like I’m failing.”

  She touched his jaw, her fingers light yet electrifying at the same time. “I’m sorry, Jake. I can’t imagine the burdens you’ve been carrying.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about your emails with Jenny?”

  “I know it sounds stupid, but I just wanted you to believe the best in me. Everyone already believed the worst. That my dad was selfish, and evil, and greedy.
I just needed to know that someone could see beyond my family. Beyond history.”

  “Am I too late?”

  She grinned. “I didn’t actually put a time limit on it.”

  “Oh, Faith . . . I just want to make things right.”

  “You still can.” Before he could say anything else, their lips met. Their problems seemed to disappear—for a moment, at least—and the only people who existed in the world were the two of them.

  Bliss filled him . . . and hope. Hope that maybe the clouds over this town—and over him—could be blown away like snow off the mountainside.

  “I love you, Faith Winters,” he whispered. “I always have, and I always will. No distance between us changed that.”

  “I’ve always loved you too, Jake Whitmore.”

  Warmth flooded his chest. “Thank you for everything you did tonight for Jenny. She would have loved it.”

  She shrugged, but Jake could see her fighting tears. “I just wish I could have done more.”

  He pulled her close until her head rested on his shoulder. “You were the best friend she could have had. Never forget that.”

  He held her like he never wanted to let go—because he didn’t.

  Faith felt herself melting in Jake’s embrace. She loved everything about being in his arms. If she could bottle this moment, she would.

  The Christmas music, the evergreen scent of his cologne, the joyous sounds around her . . . they all melded into the perfect moment.

  This kind of happiness was something she’d thought she’d never reclaim. Was it possible that she had? That Chestnut Grove could once again feel like home?

  As she heard the music die and some tapping on the microphone, she turned.

  Timmy stood onstage, looking awkward and nervous as he squirmed and stared at the crowd with wide eyes.

  She exchanged a look with Jake. What was going on? Timmy was the shy type who avoided attention.