Chapter 32
“That was one of the best pizzas I have had in . . . forever,” Ivy said to Holly. “It’s my new favorite, too.”
“Are you just saying that to be nice? Because if you are, you don’t have to. It’s cool if you don’t. Really,” Holly added as they waited for Geraldine to bring the check.
“I’m serious. Black olives, pepperoni, along with all that hot, gooey cheese. What’s not to like?” Ivy said, a huge grin on her face. She had not felt this at ease in a very long time. She knew this little girl was put in her life for a reason. She did not yet know what it was, but something told her that Holly would play a very important role in her future.
Daniel took the check from Geraldine and placed a few bills on the table. “Are you girls game for an ice cream?” He slid out of the booth. “All that salty stuff has me craving something sweet.”
“Dad! You never eat sweet stuff. I do not know what’s happening to you, but whatever it is, I am totally cool with it,” Holly said, her clear blue eyes twinkling as bright as a star.
“Ivy?”
This was certainly turning out to be a much better evening than she had anticipated. She could not remember the last time she had had ice cream. Yes, she suddenly recalled making banana splits for James and Elizabeth. Between them, they’d eaten the entire jar of maraschino cherries, and both wound up with stomachaches. Of course, she had allowed this, and felt horrible, but both had loved topping their banana splits with all those cherries. Tears filled her eyes, and she let them flow. She needed to remember her family, the happy times, and there were many.
“Are you all right?” Daniel asked as he steered her toward the exit.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded. She took a used tissue from her purse and blotted her eyes. “Memories,” she said in explanation.
Daniel did not ask her to elaborate, and she was grateful.
“Let’s get that ice cream,” Ivy said as they walked to their cars. “I’m assuming you want to go to Double Dips, unless there’s another ice-cream parlor in Pine City?” She had been housebound for so long, she really was not sure.
“Yep, that’s the place. Would you like to ride with us? I can bring you back to your car when we’re finished?” Daniel asked.
Ivy was surprised by the question. Did this mean he enjoyed being with her, or was he simply asking as a gesture of kindness? Or for Holly’s benefit?
“I would love to,” she said before she started overthinking the offer. “Lead the way.”
Daniel led her to an older-model pickup truck. It appeared to be a silver-gray color, but it was hard to tell with the sun down. He opened the passenger door, Holly jumped in, and Ivy hefted herself up, then sat next to Holly. A totally different view from this high off the ground. She liked it. Maybe she would buy a new SUV or a truck. She was due for a new vehicle. Something fun. Maybe this was why people drove these larger vehicles—they ruled the road and could see what was in front of them.
Daniel started the truck, put it in reverse, then backed out of his parking place and piled onto the main road.
“Ivy, just so you know, Dad does not usually eat anything sweet. I think you have put some kind of spell on him, in a good way, of course.” Holly grinned, and Ivy patted her black-tighted leg.
“Thanks, I think. I’m not sure I have anything to do with your dad, but we’re all enjoying the evening, and that’s a kind of magic all in itself, don’t you think?”
“It really is. Because Dad is usually very boring and mean,” Holly explained, then cupped both hands over her mouth when she realized what she had said. “I mean—”
“She’s right,” Daniel said. “Except the mean part. I think you could replace that with strict.”
“Whatever,” Holly said. “You want to hear something?” She turned her attention on Ivy.
“Yes, I do,” Ivy responded. She liked this little sprite more with each passing minute. Would Elizabeth have been so sweet and friendly, had she lived to be Holly’s age? Sadly, that was something she would never know.
Holly started singing, softly at first, so low she could barely hear her. Then she began to sing louder.
“Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. . . .” Ivy leaned as close to her as she could without actually getting in her face. Her mouth opened, but she did not say a word. Instead, she listened to a child who sounded years older; yet she sang so clearly, and purely, that tears came to Ivy’s eyes. In all her years, she had never heard “Silent Night” sung so . . . heartfelt, each word a gift as Holly continued to sing. Ivy was stunned. No, shocked. This child was nothing less than a musical prodigy!
“Enough, Holly,” Daniel finally said.
They parked in front of Double Dips. The silence in the cab was deafening. Ivy finally understood what that expression meant. At a complete loss for words, she simply stared at this child, who appeared to be just like any other eleven-year-old. Until she sang. Magical, uplifting. Those words did not even begin to describe the feelings the child projected as she sang the popular Christmas carol.
Ivy had goose bumps.
“What?” Holly said as she slid across the seat so she could get out on the driver’s side. Ivy was still too stunned to move. Shaking her head, hoping to return to the moment, she got out of the truck and followed Daniel and Holly inside.
No wonder she was the star of The Upside’s Christmas musical.
She had the talent to be so much more. In the world of music, she could be whatever she wanted to be. An opera singer? The star of Broadway musicals? Who knew what else? She had that kind of talent.
All Ivy knew was that this little girl from a small town in the Appalachian Mountains would someday woo the world with her voice. Until then, she would . . . Ivy did not know what she should say.
Or do.
Inside the ice-cream parlor, Ivy’s thoughts were all over the place. Holly’s voice, definitely the most beautiful singing she had ever heard.
Ever.
“Ivy, what’s your favorite flavor?”
Again she had to force herself to be in the moment. “That’s a good question.” She peeked at the giant tubs of ice cream in the display. “Mint chocolate chip.”
“That’s mine, too!” Holly said excitedly.
“Three double-scoop cones of the mint chocolate chip,” Daniel said to the young boy who worked there. “Holly, find a table, and I’ll bring the ice cream.”
Ivy watched the father and daughter. Where was his reaction to his daughter’s talent? Did he not know that a voice like hers, in one so very young, was virtually unheard of? A once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon?
Ivy was now on a mission. She planned to meet Miss Carol; then she would do everything in her power to make sure that Holly did not lose her leading role in this year’s Christmas musical.