“I know I put a lot on your plate without asking you, but I’ve heard it said that it’s easier to apologize after the fact than to ask permission in the first place.”

“Don’t apologize. You’re amazing. Charlie and I will never forget what you did.”

“It was Santa’s doing. I was only following orders.”

Eddie and Maureen Haven, the pageant directors, greeted people at the door to the sanctuary. Charlie handed the travel crate to André and approached them, his face pale and serious. “I’m sorry about the manger. I’m really sorry.”

“You fixed it just in time,” Eddie said. “No harm done.” He glanced down at his wife. “Years ago, I made a much bigger mess on Christmas Eve. Took me a long time, but I made amends.” They shook hands.

Logan frowned at Darcy. “What was that about?”

“I’ll tell you later. Or maybe Charlie will.”

Inside the sanctuary, the kids got into their choir robes while the adults filed into their seats. Logan and Darcy found Zach Alger getting the video link ready. He motioned them over. “All set,” he said.

Logan brought André and Angelica to look at the setup. “There’s someone who wants to say hi,” he said. The children’s faces lit up when they looked at the small screen. There was Maya, smiling tremulously. She wore a collared blue shirt and had every hair in place. There were rings of sleeplessness around her eyes, but when the kids stood in front of the camera, the tense lines were softened by joy.

“Hey, babies,” she said. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you, Mama,” said Angelica.

“We miss you,” André said. “We can’t wait to see you.”

“Are you gonna watch the singing?” Angelica asked, toying with the red ribbon of her robe. “I’m gonna sing a special song.”

“Yes, I get to watch. And I’m going to be so proud of you. I love you both. I’ll see you soon.”

“How soon, Mama? Sometimes in the night, I miss you so much that I cry,” said Angelica.

“Ah, baby, I’m so sorry I can’t be there. I cry, too. But not today. Not on Christmas. I hope you’re having fun, up there in the mountains.”

“It’s really fun!” said Angelica.

“I’m learning to snowboard,” André said.

“And Charlie got a puppy from Santa,” his sister added. “A real live puppy. Show her, Charlie.”

He took the pup from the crate and held it in front of the screen. “His name’s Taffy.”

“Wow, that’s really cute,” said Maya. “Santa was good to you this year.”

“Yes,” Angelica said. “I got what I wanted, Mama. You were my Christmas wish. And here you are.”

“Yeah,” Maya said, her voice rough. “Here I am.”

“I really wanted you to see me sing and I didn’t think it could come true and it did.”