Nate's Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Book 3) Read online

  Nate’s Gift

  Small-Town Christmas Wishes

  A Novella Series

  Book 3

  By

  Jackie Castle

  Castle Book Creations

  Nate’s Gift

  Copyright 2019 by Jackie Castle

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Find out more about the author at Jackie Castle’s Story World,

  To keep updated on new releases, sign up for the Castle’s Story World Newsletter

  Or email her at [email protected]

  Bible passages used came from the New King James Version (NKJV)

  Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  Cover Design by Cindy Flores Martinez

  Dedication

  To all the wonderful teachers I’ve had the honor and pleasure of working with in the past. You are a true treasure to young lives and hearts.

  Keep up the good work!

  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.

  2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

  Castle’s Other Works:

  Series For Romance Lovers

  Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast Series:

  Snow Belle

  Secretly In Love

  Raining Fools

  Sun Kisses

  Seasons End

  Candy Lane Christmas

  The Heart Collector

  The Lavender Vale Farm

  Merciful Love

  Graceful Harmony

  Blessed Gifts

  Grimwood Legacy

  My Beastly Billionaire

  My Charming Billionaire

  My Wayfaring Billionaire

  More to come…

  ~*~

  Series For Fantasy Lovers

  The White Road Chronicles

  The Chronicles of Alburnium

  The White Road Tales Novellas

  For Young Readers

  The Sentinels Archives: Through the Portal

  About the book

  Nate would have never dreamed that one Christmas wish could jolt his deadened heart to life again.

  Nate Cooper has lost his heart for his job and the holidays. After the death of a dear high school friend, Charity Hart, he’s called into the lawyer’s office, along with several other old school buddies and given a challenge. Take the $1500 and find someone to bless, but they must keep their gift a secret.

  After thinking over the challenge, Nate can find only one person who has a great need. Unfortunately, she’s an annoying thorn in his side at the school where he works.

  Kara Shay is on the verge of losing everything she holds dear: her drama class, a job she adores, and her chance at making a difference in the lives of the high schoolers she mentors and teaches. But Kara will not go down without a fight, and has a few resources up her sleeve, if only that annoying band teacher, Mr. Cooper, would give a little and stop being so obstinate.

  Nate means well, but he has always taken the safer paths in his life. Helping the drama teacher is leading his heart into very unsafe territory.

  Other Books in this Series

  Mia’s Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series Book 1) by Cindy Flores Martinez

  Caro’s Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series Book 2) by Jean C. Gordon

  Nate’s Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series Book 3) by Jackie Castle

  Taye’s Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series Book 4) by Pat Simmons

  Sara’s Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series Book 5) by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  Holly’s Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series Book 6) by Josie Riviera

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Castle’s Other Works:

  About the book

  The Letter

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Epilogue

  Before You Go…

  About the Author

  The Letter

  Dear Mia, Caro, Nate, Sara, Holly, and Taye,

  I’m sure you’re wondering why I wrote this letter. After all, some of us said everything we wanted to say the last time we spoke. I treasure those last words. But it seems my health has taken a turn for the worse, and so here I am, writing this message.

  When I look back at my life, one of my favorite memories is the time when we were all in Bible club in high school together and we decided to become secret angels during our winter break. For me, it was during my senior year. We each bought a gift for someone else and secretly gave it to them for Christmas.

  We had so much fun trying to figure out who to give our gift to and what the gift would be. And when we gave it to the person we had chosen, they never knew who it was from. That was the best part of all.

  You probably don’t know this, but I was a secret angel every year after that because I enjoyed it so much. This year, I set aside the money to do it again, but it seems I might not get the chance. If you’re reading this letter, it means that I didn’t.

  So, I’m asking each of you to take the money that I saved and be my secret angels for me. I’ve chosen you because I know you would understand how much it means. I’m giving each of you a check for $1,500. Please use it to grant a wish for someone else in time for Christmas. Make it special.

  P.S. If you’re unable to do this, I understand. Refuse the check, and my lawyer will donate it to a worthy cause.

  Love Always, Charity

  Chapter One

  Nate Cooper collapsed into his desk chair, causing it to smack into the brick wall behind him, disrupting the wobbly corkboard. Last month’s lunch menu and several sticky notes rained down on his head.

  Oh well, he’d been needing to clear off the board, anyway. Bending to scoop up the papers, an envelope fell from his shirt pocket and slid beneath the desk. Oh no, that was definitely not trash. Nate grunted in irritation when he had to get on his knees to fish the envelope from the dusty corner where it had landed.

  Great. Now his slacks were covered in dirt. Didn’t the cleaning crew ever make it back here to the band hall? Sometimes he wondered.

  He peeked inside the envelope to see that the check for $1500.00 was still inside. Yep, along with the note everyone else received. Except his envelope had one extra letter, still sealed. He’d not had the heart to read Charity’s handwritten words. Not yet. The main letter, explaining what they needed to do, had pierced his heart enough.

  Ever since the meeting with the lawyer, Don Green, memories had resurfaced and threatened to flood his every waking moment. The last thing Nate Cooper wanted to do was relive his high school years. He had enough with coping to teach the high schoolers he was now in charge of.

&nb
sp; If only he’d not been such a chicken about pursuing his dreams of playing music then maybe he’d not be stuck having to teach it now.

  “Mr. Cooper?” A timid voice drew him out of his reverie.

  He straightened, shoving the check back inside the envelope, then tucking it inside a pocket of his briefcase. “Yes, Navi? How can I help you?”

  Navi held up the schedule for their holiday practice sessions that he’d passed out before Thanksgiving break. “There’s a problem with your schedule, sir. I have Drama Club on Tuesdays after school. So, I won’t make practice that day. Can I come in later—?”

  “No,” Nate shot back, his annoyance already growing and the first bell hadn’t even gone off yet. He’d told that Drama teacher, Ms. Shay, that the band kids had a Christmas concert to practice for. She needed to give a little. “If you wish to be part of the concert ensemble, then I need you to show up for practices. All of them, Miss Gaton.”

  Navi’s shoulders sank along with the corners of her mouth. Her dark brows furrowed as she looked from him to the schedule, then back to him. “But, we’re also practicing for a Christmas play. I’m one of the lead characters, Mr. Cooper. Can’t we work out something? I know all the songs, I promise.”

  Nate stood, wiping off the remaining bits of dust clinging to the legs of his black pants. “If I make concessions for you, then I’ll have to make concessions for everyone. Half of you are in the Drama Club, am I correct?”

  Navi glanced over her shoulder at the other students entering with their instruments and long faces. “Almost half. Ms. Shay said that she’d talk to you. I’m not sure how to be at two places at once Mr. Cooper. I love the band and drama club.”

  He’d not give on this. That Shay woman had connived half of his students into taking part in her silly play. Who went to plays anymore, anyway? It was no surprise that the district was thinking of cutting the drama program, along with a couple of the less popular sports, and the art program. They’d threatened to cut out his orchestra and only have him teach marching band, but the orchestra had earned a few awards, which kept his program safe from their proverbial scissors.

  “I suggest that you figure out which one you love more, now go have a seat.” The bell rang at that moment, saving him from further arguments from the girl. Why did she want to be involved in so many things, anyway? Didn’t these kids have homes to go to after school? The way most of them tried to find excuses to hang around until nearly dinner time when teachers were trying to get home themselves was beyond him.

  Not like he had a family to go home to, but his dog Buster needed to be let out every few hours. Luckily, his elderly neighbor was willing to take Buster for a walk when he took out his own pooch, Rosie. Since Buster seemed to be enamored with the cute little cocker spaniel, the two dogs got along well.

  Nate tried not to be too put out over the fact that his dog had a better love life than he did.

  Snapping his fingers, Nate called out over the chattering roar, “Okay, I want everyone in your seats. We’ll get started right after the announcements.”

  If the students could even hear Principal Lopez’s announcement over the clamoring of the percussion instruments or the low humming of the horns. At least the stringed section sat quietly.

  “Mr. Benson, wake up. I swear, there’s drool hanging from your chin. Sit up, man!” Nate chuckled as the boy quickly wiped at his mouth, his face turning redder than the shirt he wore.

  After the pledge and reciting the school motto, everyone took their seats. Chairs scraped over the concrete floors. Nate set his music on the conductors stand. “Listen up, people!” he shouted over the noise. “We only have three weeks to get our act together. If you don’t want to have to practice in your sleep, I suggest you get your heads into this performance. Soon after Christmas, regional competitions will be upon us. So, I don’t want to hear any more excuses about missing the after-school practices I’ve scheduled. Understand? If you miss, then you’ll miss out on the performance, as well. Simple as that. I’ll find a substitute for your parts from someone in the lower grades.”

  Muttered grumbling sped through each row like waves lapping up on a beach. A girl sitting beside Navi Gaton raised her hand.

  Nate tried not to roll his eyes. “Miss Banner?”

  “Sir, will you please write a note for us to give Ms. Shay? She wants us to practice our parts, too.” Debbie Banner flipped her long blond hair back over her shoulder. “I’m in the starring role, Mr. Cooper. It’s imperative that I show up for practice. My parents will be there. They told me that if I do well in my part, then they’d let me start auditioning for commercials. I have to practice for the play, too.”

  Poor misguided kids. “Which one is more important, Miss Banner? Violin or acting?”

  She flashed a bright smile, batting her heavily mascaraed eyes. “Both. I’m going to be famous like Lindsey Stirling someday. You’ll see. I can do both. I can play my violin, dance, and act. Ms. Shay says that if I can dream it, then I can do it.”

  Oh boy, she was one of those types.

  Nate sighed. “I’ll do you one better since several of you are faced with the same dilemma, I’ll speak to Ms. Shay myself. But for now, time’s wasting. Let’s start with Jingle Bells.”

  Everyone groaned.

  * * * *

  After a grueling hour of playing the same two songs over and over, Nate needed some aspirin and a coffee. If he could get away with something stronger…but no, those days were over. He was a teacher now and needed to set a good example.

  Why did it feel as if the students were merely going through the motions of practicing for the Christmas program? They complained about having to play the same old songs every year.

  They were boring to him, too, but the songs were expected. Who didn’t play Jingle Bells at the Christmas concert? Weren’t all the Christmas songs the same ole same ole?

  The holidays were usually torture for him to get through. Not that he didn’t appreciate the two-week break and being able to sleep in. But after three days, he usually grew tired of being at home. His parents were away on another mission trip to spread the gospel in third world countries. That left him alone for Christmas day.

  Sure, sometimes folks from church invited him over to their houses for dinner, but he always felt as if he were imposing.

  Soon as he entered the teacher’s lounge, he headed right for the coffee maker when he noticed that Ms. Shay had beat him to the last cup. She turned to him, her pink lips set in a smirk, “Sorry buddy. You’ll have to make a new pot.”

  Nate folded his arms across his chest. “I’d think that the one who emptied the pot would be kind enough to start a new one.”

  “That would be the kind thing to do, right?” Her head tilted to the side. “Just like it would be kind for one teacher to respect another teacher’s schedule instead of giving her kids such a hard time and making them choose between two things they love very much.”

  “Right,” Nate yanked the filter cup from the machine and headed for the trash can. “I’m glad you brought that up. I need every day this week for—”

  “My left toe you need every day.” She emphasized need with a roll of her eyes. “And don’t toss out the coffee grounds. The garden club wants us to collect the used ground for their compost bin.”

  Nate’s brows furrowed. “They’re still meeting? There’s a foot of snow outside, for goodness sakes. Isn’t that a spring program?”

  Ms. Shay shrugged as she pulled her red hair back into a ponytail. “They still meet once a week for planning and mainly because they simply enjoy it. You know, kids like being part of something bigger than themselves. That’s why all of these programs are important. Not just certain ones. They need choices. They need a chance to spread their wings and try on several things before they find something that fits. Know what I mean?”

  He’d heard something like that before… someone from his past who’d told him to follow his passion. Charity! Yes, she was always on him about
not being afraid to spread his wings and fly. That if he didn’t give his dreams a shot, he’d regret it.

  Except, his passion and dreams wouldn’t guarantee a livable income.

  He’d taken the safer path instead.

  He didn’t regret it…too much.

  “The only thing I know, Ms. Shay, is that I need to get these seniors ready for competitions. The Christmas concert is one of their big events and they’re all playing like kindergarteners banging on wooden instruments.”

  “Have you asked them what songs they’d like to play?” She sipping from her coffee.

  Nate grabbed the coffee container only to find it empty, too. Great. Did he have time to walk all the way down to the storage closet? He glanced up at the clock. Not even.

  “I’m the teacher, Ms. Shay. It would do you well to remember that yourself. We make the decisions, not the students.”

  “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” Her green eyes leveled on him.

  A small jolt of fear shot through him, but he recovered quickly. They both had fifth-period core classes they had to teach. He taught History and she taught Literature. He could always hear her students through the brick wall, much to his annoyance. Partly because the noise was distracting, but also because it always seemed like her students were having the time of their lives.

  The bell rang. Nate decided to settle on getting a soda from the machine. “It means that…” Drat! He was twenty cents short. “Never mind what it means. I’m going to be late for second period.”

  Ms. Shay reached into her bag and brought out two quarters. “What’s your poison?” She dropped them into the slot, then waited for him to press one of the buttons. He quickly hit the first one that showed it wasn’t empty. While the can tumbled out, he tried to give her what change he did have.